Stunt casting is the use of agimmick orpublicity stunt to fill a role in atelevision series,film, or theatre production.[1] Thecasting itself can range broadly, from a non-actorcelebrity, a glorifiedcameo appearance, to real-life relatives portraying fictional family members.
Stunt casting is used to generate media attention.[2] It may also be employed to garner studio support or financing for a project. For example, according to DVD featurette commentary, the 1978 version ofSuperman received studio support only after the producers were able to enlist A-list actorsMarlon Brando andGene Hackman to appear.
Broadway musicals occasionally cast celebrities (typically from television, film, orpop music) with little theatre experience. Celebrities are often cast for short engagements of a few months, with the hope that the draw of a recognizable name will boost ticket sales and extend the lifetime of a show's run. ProducersBarry and Fran Weissler are notable pioneers of the trend, beginning in the mid-1990s with their1994 revival ofGrease. The role of Betty Rizzo was originally played byRosie O'Donnell (then best known as an actor on television and in film), and during the production's four-year run, was played by a series of celebrities includingDebby Boone,Sheena Easton,Joely Fisher,Debbie Gibson,Linda Blair, andBrooke Shields.[3] The Weisslers' 1996 revival ofChicago has been especially noted for its celebrity casting over the years, includingMelanie Griffith,Wendy Williams,Jerry Springer, andPamela Anderson, which has likely contributed to the show's extreme longevity[4][5] (still running in 2024, and thelongest-running revival on Broadway). Barry Weissler attributed the success of stunt casting to its effectiveness with tourists visiting New York City, who are less influenced by reviews and more interested in seeing "a star that they know". Celebrity casting is especially prevalent during the summer, with its higher volume of tourists.[4]
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