Feature: TEN ON TUESDAY - Stunt casting in musicals, and how it affected them

Say what you will about "stunt casting", the practice of hiring a figure of considerable public renown in order to sell tickets, it can lead to some surprisingly strong, even award-winning performances, however it can equally leave audiences and critics alike scratching their heads at who made the decision to bring a particular performer into the fold...with that all in mind, here are ten picks of celebrity casting theatre, five that were inspired, five that proved insufferable, taking you on a journey around the ups and downs of stunt casting. And although there are certain shows where this type of employment practice is commonplace, I will be sticking to one entry per show...

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1. DAVID HASSELHOFF - Jekyll/Hyde in "Jekyll & Hyde" (2000)

Verdict: didn't work

Often considered the gold standard of how NOT to stunt cast a show, David Hasselhoff was best known as the 1990s star of "Baywatch", but then later became the final replacement for the title role in Frank Wildhorn's first stage musical "Jekyll & Hyde" on broadway, following the departure of Canadian rock star Sebastian Bach from the show in October of 2000. The musical had been experiencing a highly successful run, opening in spring 1997 at the Plymouth Theatre (now the Gerald Schoenfeld), and by the time Hasselhoff joined the cast, it had already been running for 3 years, though ticket sales had started waning come the turn of the millennium, so "the Hoff" was brought in to help give the show a much needed boost.

Unfortunately for both the production and its new star, things certainly didn't work out as they had planned, and Hasselhoff's performance was almost universally slated, being described as vocally strained and campy, with his take on the character feeling highly at odds with the remainder of the cast's more intense, highly polished presentation. In spite of this, the show was professionally filmed with this final cast, also starring Coleen Sexton and Andrea Rivette, before giving its final performance at the Plymouth on the 7th of January 2001, after this baffling decision to cast someone with such limited theatrical experience in such a demanding musical role killed the show dead.

2. MELANIE BROWN (MEL B) - Mimi in "RENT" (2004)

Verdict: didn't work

The original broadway run of "RENT" had its fair share of replacement cast members who would go on to take the theatre world by storm, with names such as Renée Elise Goldsberry, Karen Olivo and Norbert Leo Butz all having had stints during the show's 12-year run at the Nederlander Theatre, though none made quite such undesirable headlines than pop star Mel B (full name Melanie Brown), who joined the production 8 years into its run, with producers hoping the pop star would bring something new to the show, with a view that they could continue the trend of keeping things fresh to bring new audiences to the established Jonathan Larson megahit. Sadly it became clear very quickly that this former Spice Girl wasn't what anyone really, really wanted!

Much like other roles in the show, Mimi is a highly vocally demanding part for any actor to play, even with the experience and ability of those who came before her, so it really came as no surprise that Brown struggled so much to adapt to the gruelling 8 show a week schedule, with numerous critics commenting on her weak vocals and overly technical mindset, coming across as wanting to get everything right, rather than embody a character in the same way as her predecessors and co-stars. What we learned from this was that respective skill sets in the worlds of theatre and pop don't always align, with her performance in "Chicago" also drawing considerable criticism, but it was her musical theatre debut that will go down in broadway infamy.

3. NICK JONAS - Marius in "Les Miserables" (2010)

Verdict: didn't work

Look, a lot of musical theatre performers will likely dream of being able to perform in this musical theatre juggernaut that has had a firm grasp on not only the west end but audiences all over the world. When Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's gargantuan megahit "Les Miserables" approached its 25th anniversary, another staged arena concert was in the pipelines, and an all-star cast was expected to be partaking. We certainly had an abundance of major stage stars, such as Alfie Boe, Samantha Barks, Ramin Karimloo, Lea Salonga and Norm Lewis, but the name that baffled many commentators was that of Disney Channel export Nick Jonas as Marius Pontmercy.

Jonas had previously portrayed Gavroche in the show as a child, however during his stint of playing Marius in the west end for a limited 5-week engagement in 2010, it had already become clear that he was out of his depth, as this was a role that required almost operatic levels of ability and stamina, with critics consistently highlighting that his pop style voice was weak compared to other far stronger performers, and that his acting was wooden and expressionless. Things did not improve for the concert at London's O2 Arena later that year, as Jonas stuck out like a sore thumb against an otherwise extremely strong cast, leaving critics and fans alike befuddled at his inclusion, if for no other reason than to draw in younger audience members to the show, a move which clearly fell almost as flat as Jonas' singing in the show.

4. DANIEL RADCLIFFE - J. Pierrepont Finch in "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" (2011)

Verdict: worked

It's time to turn to the brighter side of stunt casting, and to a former child star who was clearly making a point of trying to shed the shackles of prior work, and branch out into new acting avenues to prove that he's about more than one role. When most people think of Daniel Radcliffe, they are immediately going to conjure up images of the boy wizard who stole the hearts of an entire generation in the 1990s and 2000s, so there was understandably a great deal of skepticism among critics and audiences alike when it was announced that he was to make his broadway musical debut in a classic Frank Loesser musical, playing the role of J. Pierrepont Finch. Radcliffe had proven he could act on stage, having been nominated for Drama Desk and Drama League awards for his performance in the Peter Shaffer play "Equus", but the big question was whether or not he could sing or dance.

The former Harry Potter star quickly went about proving every single doubter wrong, and turning in a performance that took a lot of viewers by surprise, not least because of just how much he threw himself into the role, and fully embodied the character of Finch, giving him a refreshingly modern feel and endearing him to a brand new audience. He may have been a touch unpolished vocally, but his natural showmanship and effortless charisma soon won audiences over, and with the final instalment of Potter having been released that year, Radcliffe wasted no time in letting us know that he was ready to move on, and move on he certainly has.

5. EMMA STONE - Sally Bowles in "Cabaret" (2014)

Verdict: worked

And now to a Kander and Ebb musical that has not only been revived more than most others since its 1966 premiere, but has also cast its fair share of celebs in its two most iconic roles, most notably in the 2021 west end revival, which continues to surprise us with its casting to this day. "Cabaret" may well be an unqualified "who's who" of stage talent, with everyone from Judi Dench and Joel Grey to Jessie Buckley and Eddie Redmayne having taken to the stage to tell the story of a seedy Berlin nightclub during the rise of the third reich, however when it was announced that Emma Stone, a Hollywood actress who had never even acted in the theatre professionally, was to take on this behemoth of a role, the community couldn't have been more pessimistic.

Having taken over from Oscar-nominee Michelle Williams, and performing opposite "Cabaret" legend Alan Cumming, there were some big shoes to fill, and the 25-year-old Stone, at the time best known for her role of Gwen Stacy in "The Amazing Spider-Man", took the proverbial bull by the horns, thoroughly throwing herself into the role, and though critics commented that her vocals were on the lighter side, she still turned in an intense acting performance, pushing the fragility and desperation of the character beautifully. Stone hasn't returned to the stage since, describing the job of playing Sally as "the hardest thing I’ve ever done", but she clearly has the ability to take on an iconic role like Sally and do it very well, so who knows if we'll be seeing this double Oscar winner return to the theatre any time soon.

6.  SARAH HARDING - Molly in "Ghost" (2016)

Verdict: didn't work

Another pop star turned stage actor, the late Girls Aloud singer was brought in to play the role of Molly Jennings in the second UK touring production of "Ghost" back in 2016, performing opposite Andy Moss as Sam. Based on the 1990 film starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, the musical first premiered in 2011 at the Manchester Opera House, with lead performers Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman both highly acclaimed for their portrayals of Molly and Sam respectively, and after a successful west end run and subsequent first UK tour, hopes were high for the second time the show would hit the road.

A lot of eyebrows were raised when the star of "Popstars: The Rivals" was announced to be joining the 2016 UK touring production, especially in the wake of mixed reviews for her past TV acting work, and following her initial outings as Molly, both critics and audiences almost universally panned Harding's performance in the show, with her acting, vocal performance and uneven American accent all picked apart in reviews. Though her illness may well have had a bearing on her performance to some degree, ultimately forcing her to pull out of the tour, it was still clear that she was thoroughly out of her depth tackling 8 shows a week with little to no training, and the show suffered as a consequence.

7. JINKX MONSOON - Mama Morton in "Chicago" (2023)

Verdict: worked

Though this Drag Race star is now a broadway and west end mainstay, with a thriving career on the stage as well as on screen, Jinkx Monsoon (originally known by her real name Hera Hoffer) is one of the few entries on this list who actually had a budding theatrical career prior to making the jump into the mainstream spotlight. After a lengthy break from stage performing to pursue her drag career, Monsoon returned to the stage in the broadway production of Kander and Ebb's "Chicago", the longest running current musical on broadway. Tasked with performing the role of Matron Mama Morton, the prison's firm but fair warden, a considerable number of commentators were skeptical initially after the casting was announced.

This was quickly put to bed however, after Monsoon shut up her skeptics in the best way possible: by taking the role and absolutely eating it up and spitting it out. She was praised almost universally, as her prior stage training shone through in spite of her prolonged hiatus, with many praising her strong vocal abilities and supreme stage presence, clearly a woman who was coming into her own and showing that she means business. Subsequent stage roles have included stints as Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors" and as Mary Todd Lincoln in Cole Escola's comedy "Oh, Mary!", but it was her turn as Mama Morton that proved to be so good to her, as she announced her arrival onto the professional stage in the most effective way possible, with pure talent and unbridled confidence.

8. BOY GEORGE - Harold Zidler in "Moulin Rouge" (2024)

Verdict: didn't work

There's a reason why it is perhaps ill-advised to cast someone who is not only lacking in prior acting experience, but has proven that they are a highly problematic individual, which is exactly the scenario in which fans of "Moulin Rouge" found themselves two years ago, when Grammy winning and Tony nominated music legend Boy George (real name George O'Dowd) was announced to be taking on the role of Harold Zidler in the show. This was a saga that made the news for all the wrong reasons, with O'Dowd's considerable inexperience as an actor drawing puzzled reactions across the board, as well as his controversial criminal past evoking outrage among many in the theatre community at his inclusion in the show.

After beginning his run at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on the 6th of February, fans were quick to take to social media and express just how poor he was in the role, with critics panning his performance as weak and flat vocally, as well as slating his almost complete scarcity of stage presence. Not only this, but it was also hinted at co-stars feeling uneasy sharing a stage alongside him, with one of the show's ensemble and standbys Patrick Clanton stating that he was a "terrible performer", and that "sharing a stage with him was embarrassing". There were other potential entries, with Casey Cott and Megan Thee Stallion both drawing major criticism for their performances, but there really is no coming back from the casting of this former Culture Club singer, especially doing so twice...

9. JOHANNES RADEBE - Lola in "Kinky Boots" (2025)

Verdict: worked

Another exponent of "Strictly Come Dancing", this time from the show's roster of professional dancers, a lineup that has already produced some impressive musical performances, such as Kevin Clifton in "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" among others, his sister Joanne in shows like "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "The Addams Family", and judge Craig Revel Horwood himself with stints in shows like "Annie". The latest to take to the stage was South African Johannes Radebe, known best as a dancer and choreographer, but who went on to make his professional musical theatre debut last year, with his turn as Lola in Cyndi Lauper's award winning musical "Kinky Boots", a role originated by Billy Porter.

In a role that requires a great deal of emotional depth and vulnerability, as well as unrestrained flamboyance, and though Radebe himself was initially hesitant to take on the role, his performance as Lola turned out to be a revelation, being universally lauded by critics as perfect casting and, along with the non-replica staging of this production, breathing new life into this musical that is approaching its 15th anniversary. The tour ended with a stint at the London Coliseum, marking Radebe's west end debut, becoming the hottest ticket in town, and remains one that many will remember for a long time.

10. ORE ODUBA - Frederick in "Young Frankenstein" (2025)

Verdict: worked

The BBC talent show "Strictly Come Dancing" has produced its fair share of theatre performers over the years, with celebrity contestants and dance professionals alike taking to the stage in a wide range of UK productions since the show's premiere back in 2004. These may not have all been roaring successes, but the one who sticks out as taking everyone by surprise in the best way, not least because of his fame coming from outside of the world of the arts, is television sports broadcaster Ore Oduba. He had only made his musical theatre debut in 2019, playing the Teen Angel in "Grease", before taking on role of Frank 'n' Furter in "The Rocky Horror Show", but his turn as Frederick in the Hope Mill Theatre production of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" is where the Strictly winner really came into his own.

With five-star reviews galore, including from this page, Oduba has proven every time he's taken to the stage that he is no slouch as a musical theatre performer, adding to his already considerable dance prowess with marvellous comic acting, and a voice that could easily challenge the best in the business. Not only this, but he has wonderful, natural stage presence, as well as an effortless charm that makes you want to root for him, and with such a varied portfolio being developed, one has to wonder why it's taken this long to discover such a raw theatrical talent. The show had enormously successful runs in both Manchester and Liverpool, winning it a WhatsOnStage Award for best fringe production in the process.

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Which stunt casting do you think was top tier? Are there any you think were disastrous? Let me know below, or via my Instagram page.