Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET

[BroadwayConcierge]

WHOA!

Comet's Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/GreatCometBway/videos/687999821361257/

NYTimes article: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/theater/hamilton-star-is-to-replace-josh-groban-in-natasha.html

[pupscotch]

Wow! What an inspired choice! He'll be terrific!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

I guess he now won't be playing Kristoff in Frozen.

[LesWickedly]

Wow! Never would've guessed this. Very interesting! Sadly, I don't think this show will be able to stay open too long without a big name or Tony wins.

[neonlightsxo]

Wow!

[little_sally]

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "I guess he now won't be playing Kristoff in Frozen

I don't see how we can jump to this conclusion yet.

[neonlightsxo]

He specifically says in the NYT article he isn't continuing as Kristoff.

[Call_me_jorge]

little_sally said: "Jeffrey Karasarides said: "I guess he now won't be playing Kristoff in Frozen

I don't see how we can jump to this conclusion yet.

 

"

The out of town tryout begins in July or August, right?

[wonderfulwizard11]

I am a little surprised that producers didn't get someone with more name recognition, but he's a really interesting choice for the role- I'd love to see him! I also appreciate that the creative team isn't rigidly adhering to the racial breakdown of the original cast. 

[neonlightsxo]

As much as I am a fan of Oak's...I think they're going to need someone with more name recognition and box office $ to keep that Comet running.

[BroadwayConcierge]

My thought too, neon. I'm seeing that he's currently scheduled to perform in Comet from July 3 to September 4. From the response I've been seeing on social media in the past 20 minutes alone, it looks like there's certainly an audience for Oak who'll easily fill seats for those two months (I'm among it!). Maybe he's only going to be there for those few months before a more commercial name takes the role?

[Lot666]

LesWickedly said: "Sadly, I don't think this show will be able to stay open too long without a big name or Tony wins."

"It reflects a bet by Broadway that 'Hamilton' alumni have ongoing, bankable box-office appeal...And it is the rare instance in which two black actors are leading the cast of a show that is not about black characters"

So, in a way, it's stunt casting. In lieu of a bona fide celebrity, they're hoping to score with novelty appeal.

"Starring Okieriete Onaodowan, direct from Hamilton!"

 

 

[slumdogdelaware]

Definitely going to head back to the show to catch him. Awesome news!

[Valyitz]

He will be fantastic! What an inspired choice. I so wish I could see him in the role.

[neonlightsxo]

BroadwayConcierge said: "My thought too, neon. I'm seeing that he's currently scheduled to perform in Comet from July 3 to September 4. From the response I've been seeing on social media in the past 20 minutes alone, it looks like there's certainly an audience for Oak who'll easily fill seats for those two months (I'm among it!). Maybe he's only going to be there for those few months before a more commercial name takes the role?"

 

Yeah, I think so too.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

I can and do 100% dig this.

[Jakeevan942]

Between the Hamilfans, a few (assumed) Tony wins, and the summer tourist crowds, I think Oak will do just fine filling the room for the 2 months. This is inspired casting, and I am going tor revisit the show for this.

They are going to need a bigger name to make it through the fall-It's not a cheap show to run, and Oak doesn't have much name recognition outside of the theater community.

[haterobics]

BroadwayConcierge said: "From the response I've been seeing on social media in the past 20 minutes alone, it looks like there's certainly an audience for Oak who'll easily fill seats for those two months (I'm among it!). "

81,936 people are already committed to going according to social media?! Wow!

[BroadwayConcierge]

haterobics said: "81,936 people are already committed to going according to social media?! Wow!"

I was referring to the Facebook comments on Comet's video and the replies to its tweet about the news. People are stoked.

[HogansHero]

I want to see him do it, but it is a great choice that seeds a flop.

[justasmalltownboy13]

Who is this guy?

[MinnieFay]

Regardless of how good the guy may (or may not) be --- if they don't get a "name" lined up for one of the other roles, the closing notice will follow shortly after Groban leaves. It's not a cheap show to run and even with Groban --- they're barely covering expenses during some weeks.

[10086sunset]

neonlightsxo said: "As much as I am a fan of Oak's...I think they're going to need someone with more name recognition and box office $ to keep that Comet running."

 

Nicely put, Neon. Couldn't agree more...

Oak is fine but I don't see this selling tickets...

[haterobics]

BroadwayConcierge said: "I was referring to the Facebook comments on Comet's video and the replies to its tweet about the news. People are stoked."

And I just pointed out that far less people are stoked on social media than the total number of seats in his run...

[Call_me_jorge]

MinnieFay said: "Regardless of how good the guy may (or may not) be --- if they don't get a "name" lined up for one of the other roles, the closing notice will follow shortly after Groban leaves. It's not a cheap show to run and even with Groban --- they're barely covering expenses during some weeks.

 

"

What are the operatiing costs? Haven't they been well over a million dollars most weeks? I can't see it costs that much to run, even with groban.