FIRST DATE Billing?

[Alan Henry]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 4:44pm

Have not seen the show, but just saw the commercial for it online, and in it Krysta and Zachary are both above the title. It's also the same way on the website - and I'm assuming on the marquee as well.

There have been shows with much bigger stars who were not above the title.

Doesn't this mean if either one of them is out you can theoretically ask for your money back?

I'm not trying to minimize their respective accomplishments at all. In fact, I'm a huge fan of Krysta - I thought she was one of the more bearable personalities on Smash and thought she was great in the Addams Family.

It just kind of surprised me! Does anyone else know what kind of criteria productions use to determine who goes above the title?

Edited: Title for my own stupidity. Meant First Date not Date Night.

Updated On: 9/7/13 at 04:44 PM

[loliveve]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 4:52pm

Hehe, I thought this was about the movie. FYI: The show is called FIRST DATE. And yes, both are above the title and you could ask for a refund unless the absence was advertised (such as when Zachary was out for a week in previews).

Whether or not to put someone above the title can be the product of contract negotiations.

[TappingMan]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 6:10pm

I believe it has to do with possible Tony nominations.
The only people that can be nominated for Best Actor or Best Actress in a musical, or play, I think, must have their name above the title. I believe that is one of the rules.

I may be corrected on here.

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 7:12pm

This is not correct. Patina Millers name is not above the title in Pippin. Billy Porters name is not above Kinky Boots. It's strictly up to the Tony voters.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 7:20pm

Actually, I believe it goes like this:

If a performer is billed above the title, (s)he will be considered for the leading categories unless the producers petition otherwise. (ex. Joel Grey was above the title in Anything Goes, but was considered in the Featured Actor category at the Tonys)

If a performer is billed below the title, (s)he will be considered for the featured categories unless the producers petition otherwise. (ex. Laura Bell Bundy in Legally Blonde)

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 7:46pm

So technically you don't have to above the title because it looks like those that petition are normally granted the nomination...LOL!!! Because most people that win AREN'T above the title.

Posted: 9/7/13 at 8:07pm

So you know how if the actor above the title is absent, you can receive a refund by the first intermission of a production? Well, First Date is only one act. Does this rule mean that audience members may sit through the entirety of the performance and then demand a refund?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 9:31pm

I've never heard that you could sit through Act 1 before requesting your refund.