Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast changes

[theater1988]

Posted: 6/21/18 at 11:04am

(I'm a long-time lurker on these boards and so thankful for them. I finally created an account so I could post a question that I'm sure people on this board will be able to answer.)

Does anyone know when the 7 principal Cursed Child actors are leaving the New York production?  (I'm referring to the actors playing Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Albus, Scorpius, and Draco.)  I know they only stayed in the original London production for 1 year and they all left the London production on the exact same date, so I'm wondering if they have the same 1-year contracts with the New York production.  I just purchased tickets to see the show on March 2, 2019 and I'm wondering if they will still be there.  Thank you!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/21/18 at 12:49pm

No one knows for sure. The standard Broadway contract is 1 year, which usually begins at the start of rehearsals for the Broadway production. However, each actor could have negotiated less time, I would expect the original cast to remain at least until the end of summer. 

The London production seems to replace the principles every year, so whether or not they will do that with the Broadway production remains to be seen.

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/21/18 at 12:53pm

You're right the standard Broadway contract is a year but I thought it was 6 months for foreigners? They could very well extend to a year though. The British actors in original broadway cast of The Play That Goes Wrong and Matilda were on Broadway for 6 months. 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 6/21/18 at 12:57pm

Actually, contracts start on the date of the first preview performance, but I agree that the fact that they're British transfers makes the situation harder to predict.

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 6/21/18 at 1:11pm

I heard a few months ago the actors playing Albus & Scorpius have 1-year contracts, while the rest of the main casts may not be as long. This was only from a semi-reliable source so take from it what you will.

[HeatherAV]

Posted: 6/21/18 at 1:39pm

I recall reading somewhere (a transcript of an interview with Noma, I think, but honestly can't remember) that the original cast was staying a year.  But whichever actor did the interview didn't give any specifics such as whether the year starts from when the cast arrived in New York (which is late November 2017) or whether the year starts from previews.  Plus, it was very vague and I think "a year" could reasonably be 9-12 months and maybe the actor was rounding up.  In summary - I have no idea but it's a good question :)

[Notreallysilent 2]

Posted: 6/21/18 at 1:40pm

There have been interviews, articles, and social media stuff for noma, Anthony and poppy that they are playing their roles until 2019. I’m guessing the other principles are the same. There was an interview with Anthony a few weeks ago that said he had about 8 months left so I’m not sure when in 2019, but they’ll be there at least past the holidays.

Gideon (forget his last name) was the understudy for Harry in the year two cast in London, and he tweeted about joining the broadway cast. Idk what role he could possibly be replacing a swing or ensemble role like his track was in London.

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 6/21/18 at 2:16pm

This probably doesn’t mean much, but the souvenir program is stamped with “2018-2019 Edition,” which suggests to me that a new edition will come out with a new cast in 2019. I know the London production seems to create a new program with each new cast. Again, not a confirmation but perhaps a small hint that they’re on yearlong contracts. I know Ms. Dumezweni has said in an interview that she’s doing it for a year.

[LexiGirl]

Posted: 6/26/18 at 6:43pm

I posted this on a Melbourne thread, but I just saw this video on the official Harry Potter play Instagram site. It was a little vague and confusing, but made it seem like Jamie Parker, and at least some of the original Broadway and London cast members, will be going to the Melbourne production by year end. Although some people on my other post just corrected me, that it’s probably just photos and means nothing. So I guess I didn’t have a great scoop or anything!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkgKrP_HXaC/?taken-by=hpplaynyc

Updated On: 6/26/18 at 06:43 PM

[Simón Bolívar]

Posted: 7/1/18 at 7:41pm

Australian actors are crap. So will fly to broadway

[Winger7]

Posted: 7/15/18 at 7:42pm

I realize this thread is a bit old but Jamie has previously said in an interview that he had a 15 month contract, which would seem to cover December/January-March for rehearsals and previews plus 12 months. I think he'll be in NY until next March but obviously that's not a guarantee and there could be circumstances that could cause him to leave earlier. He also just asked Sam Barnett if he's still going to be in his play in April, which makes me think that's when he's planning to return to the UK.

This is an assumption, but I think the draw for the UK actors in New York is to be seen by American execs who work not only in theatre but television and film too. I used to work in TV/film. I would definitely assume the leads are having meetings about potential US projects, even if nothing pans out. 

Paramount has offices right in Times Square and HBO is down the street. Sony has local offices. Showtime is there as well.

 

 

Updated On: 7/15/18 at 07:42 PM

[ARRenthead]

Posted: 7/16/18 at 6:43pm

Also find interesting when searching for tickets, the entirety of the week following the year anniversary of the show previewing (March 20th-24th) is limited availability or “red”, while all other weeks around February-May are mostly “green”. I wonder if this is because the new cast will be debuting or because the original cast will be leaving?

[Aspiring SM]

Posted: 7/16/18 at 9:31pm

Also a long-time lurker, but I had to opportunity to speak with an assistant stage manager on the show today through an NYU design and production camp and she confirmed that the seven principal actors will remain in the show until March 17th, 2019.

[nyclover2]

Posted: 7/17/18 at 10:43pm

Any Melbourne and San Francisco casting rumors ?

[JennH]

Posted: 7/18/18 at 10:27am

Aspiring SM said: "Also a long-time lurker, but I had to opportunity to speak with an assistant stage manager on the show today through an NYU design and production camp and she confirmed that the seven principal actors will remain in the show until March 17th, 2019."

Makes me happy. Plenty of time to see it yet again before they leave, this is a rare show for me that I don't think I'll be able to see anyone but those 7 in those roles. They're just so damn good. Guess that means no Melbourne for them then. 

[Lauren2]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 7:30pm

I totally agree. I can only see those 7 in those roles. Especially Sam and Anto. Can’t see anyone else playing Albus and Scorpius!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 8:03pm

Lauren2 said: "I totally agree. I can only see those 7 in those roles. Especially Sam and Anto. Can’t see anyone else playing Albus and Scorpius! "

Oh please. That's ridiculous. 

[Lauren2]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 8:38pm

It’s not ridiculous. They are great and the originals. I just see them playing the roles. I mean I know others will take over the roles, I know that but it will just be very different for me.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 9:49pm

Lauren2 said: "It’s not ridiculous. They are great and the originals. I just see them playing the roles. I mean I know others will take over the roles, I know that but it will just be very different for me. "

I hope you can find the strength to carry on when that day comes. Thoughts and prayers. 

[Lauren2]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 11:41pm

Why is everyone being rude? Most people that love Broadway want to see a show with the orginial cast. Yes other people take over roles, for HP I know they do year 1, year 2, etc. And that’s a given it’s going to happen, but like DEH isn’t the same with Ben, Hamilton isn’t the same with Lin-Manuel, that’s just the truth.

[Lauren2]

Posted: 7/23/18 at 11:50pm

I have seen it once since I am from out of town but plan on coming up specifically to see it again with the orginial cast. I totally agree with you. Like I bet the understudies are great, but the originals just them doing it so many times and for so long it would just be a shock to see others in the role. And I agree I think it will be hard to replace Sam and Anthony because the roles are just so amazing. Like the voice and mannerisms of Scorpius and Anthony being from Europe it will just be different for someone else to play the role.

[sorano916]

Posted: 7/24/18 at 12:27am

I know those who have seen the London production numerous times with understudies and different casts... and they've put Sam and Anthony towards the top of their favorites but others have surpassed them. And these were those who have seen the show from the beginning and Sam and Anthony were their firsts. I've been told that Tom Mackley was a fantastic Albus when he was an understudy for Year 1 and 2, and the current Scorpius, Jonathan Case, is taking that character to another level.

I've seen the 7 UK/Broadway cast members when they were still in London as well as their Year 2 replacements (including a Scorpius understudy). They all bring something to their characters, because what would be the point if they all played them the same. It's the cycle of all shows... the original leave and replacements come in. 

Take "Wicked" with Idina and Kristin... maybe during their year, no one else thought that there would be better Elphies and Glindas. But alas, time passed and many other talented actresses have taken over those roles and make their mark, and became people's favorites. 

[Myshmoopsiepoo]

Posted: 7/24/18 at 9:54am

I get what you're saying. It's especially true with a musical when you get used to hearing a specific voice and style on the soundtrack.
That being said, and I've said this on another thread, I get excited about seeing others in the role. I wish I could know when covers are going on in advance to buy tickets for that show. I think it gives the show a different experience and I really like that.

It's kind of like the Harry Potter films themselves. When the actor who played Dumbledore in the first two films died, they had to replace him. It wasn't bad, just different.