Stunt casting is when casting directors make the decision to cast someone well-known or famous in a role. Casting directors have started to do this more commonly than they should because their shows either aren’t getting enough attention and ticket sales, or they want more attention and ticket sales. Putting a well-known face on the cover of the playbill does not fail to reach these goals but is stunt casting really necessary or fair to well-deserving and talented actors?
Recently people such as Peyton List and Whitney Leavitt have not only gained popularity or attention from being a part of these shows but they have also drawn people into seeing the show as a whole. Leavitt just secured her show “Chicago” a record for the highest grossing week, but is it a coincidence? No, the reason she was able to achieve this was not because it happened to be a popular show, although it is important to the history of Broadway, it is because of her popularity. She just went on “Dancing with the Stars” for being on “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” so, her fame in the past year has been increasing greatly. Although she has been doing great and I am happy that she is getting some needed redemption, was she the best choice for the starring role Roxie Hart? I’m not so sure.
Peyton List recently joined the off-Broadway cast of “Heathers,” this stunt cast is even more interesting than Leavitt’s because although many actors would kill to be Roxie Hart, she is still doing a decent job and is maintaining a humble outlook on the opportunity. List, on the other hand, has gained popularity and attention for her role as Heather Chandler but for different reasons. Now I have not seen her in the full live production of this show, but I can’t help to agree with the public when I say she is simply not a good fit for this role. After seeing and hearing clips of her singing iconic songs such as “Candy Store” I believe her singing is not quite at the level the character needs. I believe she is an amazing actress when it comes to past films I have seen her in, but the mean, popular girl stereotype seems to be lacking.
I know many actresses that would kill for that part in that show but the casting directors made a decision to stunt cast and we can now see the negative benefits of that. The show is gaining popularity because of how people are talking about the actress in a negative light online and is possibly drawing in ticket sales due to people wanting to see for themselves, but if they hadn’t stunt casted and chose an unknown actress the show would not only be better but draw attention to it because of the talent not the face.
Overall, I believe stunt casting can have benefits, whether the actress is good or bad it does guarantee an increase in ticket sales. However, we should be giving opportunities to starving actors with potential and talent. The people may love a familiar face but they may also love someone refreshing and new, I know I do.
