Top 5 Broadway Stunt Castings That Worked & 5 That Killed the Shows

If you're familiar with Brady's work on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” you'll know he can sing, he can act, and he's quick on his feet in every sense. Indeed, “Hamilton” wasn't even his first foray into theater. Lucky folks may have caught him in shows like “Chicago,” “Rent,” “Kinky Boots,” and more. As Brady put it, he's a “well-qualified choice who happens to be known.” Critics and audiences alike clearly agreed, lauding the actor for his interpretation of the show's antagonist. Many enjoyed how he played the role differently from his predecessors in the way he delved into the character's psyche. Overall, we're glad the casting directors put Brady in “The Room Where It Happens.”

Okay, so this one’s a bit different from the others on our list because it isn’t directly Patinkin who caused the show to close early. When Josh Groban left, Okieriete Onaodowan (known for “Hamilton”) took over as Pierre. But then, since the show was having trouble selling tickets, the producers decided to swap him out for Mandy Patinkin. People weren’t happy, saying Onaodowan didn’t get a fair chance before being replaced by a more famous white actor. Patinkin agreed with the criticism and backed out. Around the same time, Onaodowan also made his official exit. Dave Malloy eventually stepped in but couldn’t stop this comet from losing its sparkle and fizzling out about a month later anyway.

Before she waltzed through the stars in “La La Land,” Stone was saying “Willkommen” to audiences in the 2014 “Cabaret” revival. Taking over from Michelle Williams for a short stint, she left a lasting impression! Folks couldn’t get enough of her portrayal, praising her for nailing the character by bringing an impressive depth to the role. Well, you don’t rack up all those acting awards for nothing! Stone admitted it was one of her toughest gigs yet, saying she’s not sure she could do it again. Nevertheless, her portrayal left many believing that “Maybe This Time,” the casting directors had hit the jackpot.

Maybe “[He] Bangs” in his music career, but Ricky Martin’s time as Che in “Evita” left many exasperatedly proclaiming, “Oh What a Circus.” Despite having the pipes and the moves, some felt like his performance lacked depth and emotion and didn’t quite capture the complexities and subtleties needed for the role. In Martin’s defense, he practically had shoes the size of Buenos Aires to fill, and his performance wasn’t universally panned by any means. But sadly, he didn’t quite bring the house down as expected. Many felt the casting choice was a bit off-key, probably agreeing that whoever picked Martin for the role was “Livin’ la Vida Loca.’”

Ever wondered “How to Succeed [on Broadway] Without Really Trying”? Well, how about by enlisting the services of a charming and charismatic actor like Daniel Radcliffe, who can effortlessly cast a spell over audiences and ticket sales? That’s what this Broadway production did in 2011, and it was perfect timing, too! The last “Harry Potter” movie would be released later that year, and fans who weren’t ready to say goodbye could see “The Chosen One” live on Broadway. Of course, this was also great for the production as it brought in a new crowd who may have previously been unfamiliar with the show. Despite mixed-to-positive reviews, Radcliffe’s dedication and passion won hearts, proving he could work his magic on stage and win over new fans.

Fran Drescher is talented, hilarious, and possesses a voice that could fill even the grandest theater. But have you ever wondered why Mr. Sheffield never cast her in one of his musicals? Critics weren’t exactly enamored with her as Cinderella’s evil stepmother, picking apart her over-the-top acting choices that they deemed to border on needless exaggeration. However, it seems some audiences still relished seeing the screen star’s comedic flair up close. Ticket sales did rise just a smidge during her run, but even so, not everyone was sold. Many believed that, at most, Fran’s performance was just “Fine” (that’s one for you ‘90s kids).

Many of us know NPH best from his child-acting days as Doogie Howser or as the suit-wearing, high-five-loving Barney from “How I Met Your Mother.” However, if you look at the actor’s impressive stage credits, we’d say it’s fair to call him a stage and screen star. He especially excelled in the original Broadway production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” earning a Tony Award for “Best Leading Actor in a Musical.” Like Wayne Brady, Harris has all the credentials to be a surefire hit and proved it night after night. His high profile was simply the cherry on top. This translated to box office profits, with ticket sales basically rising as high as Hedwig’s heels.

This casting choice proved that a massive online following and decent vocal skills don’t necessarily guarantee success on stage. Many theater fans were skeptical when they heard the social media star would replace OG stage Aaron Samuels, Kyle Selig, during his time off. Unfortunately, their doubt wasn’t misplaced. Dallas’ inexperience and lack of theatrical background stuck out like a Plastic not wearing pink on Wednesday, especially compared to his co-stars. This was an issue both when it came to performing the musical numbers and convincingly delivering his dialogue. Let’s just say it’s a good thing it was only a limited four-week run because, sadly, fan reactions could’ve filled the “Burn Book.”

Before we unveil our top picks, here are a few honorable mentions.

Worked: Billie Joe Armstrong as St. Jimmy, “American Idiot”
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Killed the Show: David Hasselhoff as Roger DeBris, “The Producers”
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Worked: Brendon Urie as Charlie Price, “Kinky Boots”
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Killed the Show: Rosie O'Donnell as Golde, “Fiddler on the Roof”
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Worked: Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart, “Chicago”
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