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The Results of Stunt Casting Broadway Shows
Musicals Six and Chicago brought in stars to boost sagging sales, one won the lottery
Stunt casting on Broadway goes as far back as most people can remember. Having a celebrity take over a role is a popular and easy way to market a show that is struggling to bring in enough money to stay open or recoup the initial investment in the show.
One of the most famous examples of this was when Liza Minelli took over the role of Roxie Hart for five weeks in August 1975. Gwen Verde was ill and needed to have surgery, so the singing superstar stepped in to help her friend out. There was very little marketing done; it was all word of mouth.
The theater was packed for her run.
Fast forward to February 2026, and the role of Roxie is once again being played by a celebrity. Chicago brought in reality TV star Whitney Leavitt to boost sagging sales. Nobody thought that it would work.
Over the years, producers have brought in a wide variety of celebrities to boost their sales to varying degrees of success. Billy Ray Cyrus was more of a distraction than anything.
An accusation that Dylan Mulvaney is currently dealing with. She, along with Abigail Barlow, were cast in Six. It was the first time the musical…
