Won't everyone have to leave the tour? I didn't think Equity performers could do Non-Eq tours.

If you join Actor's Equity you can never take a professional role in a non-Equity production without express permission. A few exceptions are allowed with written permission- juveniles can appear in non-Equity and Equity, adults can appear at benefits and fundraisers and unpaid performances within some guidelines, but something like a touring company or a professional stage production- no way.

A few years ago (2000 according to his wiki) Barry "Greg Brady" Williams, an Equity member, accepted the role of Baron von Trapp (? can't see it) in a non-Equity touring company of Sound of Music. Since he was the only name recognizable actor in the cast and this was really pumped in publicity he was being paid, IIRC, $15,000 per week, with the rest of the cast from Maria on down earning probably earning not much more than that combined- a hugely lopsided production salarywise as all the money was going to Williams' salary and not being Equity the only minimum wages in effect for other actors were Federal minimum wages plus room/board (but as starving actors I'm sure many were glad to get the work). Equity was furious and fined him something like $50,000- 2 weeks pay as punitive plus 2.25% of his salary in dues and other tack-ons. Williams never paid it.

Equity doesn't have the legal power to collect a fine, of course, but what they could and did do when he didn't pay (which he didn't) was expel him from Equity, meaning he can't appear in an Equity production until it (along with interest and all) is paid. That's very bad news for an actor- essentially it means he can not appear on Broadway or even in a Broadway road company OR in English theater/road companies that are Equity (for UK & US Equity are related and acknowledge membership in one as membership in the other). On the other hand, it's been 30+ years since Brady Bunch: who's gonna put him on Broadway again anyway? ("Johnny Bravo in RENT!") so it's not a great idea for him to turn down a $15k per week paycheck.

Lauren Zakrin is performing her last show in Oz today according to her Twitter. Have I missed something? Do we know who's replacing her?

Lauren Zakrin is performing her last show in Oz today according to her Twitter. Have I missed something? Do we know who's replacing her?

Apparently Stephanie Torns is taking over as Standby on Broadway

So soon? It won't have even been six months. Assuming this is from a credible source and not wikipedia crap.

It's been officially announced via Playbill.com

She will assume the roles of June 7 in Omaha

We better get a fresh face on Broadway

As it's been pointed out this is the first time any Elphaba's been recycled on the 1NT since Shoshana Bean back in 2006, so no, I'm not really upset about this.

Um I'm talking about in general. Broadway, and every sit down except for Chicago and tours are constantly recycled. Dee has played her in Chicago, SF (s/b) and Broadway now Tour. Sorry if I want a fresh face...its not a crime.

I think it is only necessary that Jackie is the next Broadway Elphaba.

I think it is only necessary that Jackie is the next Broadway Elphaba.

I don't understand how these women reprise their role as Elphaba so many times. It's so demanding! But I am very excited for Dee

It's a paycheck.

Some performers get more in a week than most people make in a year. And Wicked's a big show, so you can bet they're paid a pretty penny. So they might be doing it for love, since they'd have enough to last them a year in one week. Would you continue to work if you made that much if you didn't love your job?

Didn't they say at Behind The Emerald Curtain that the performers who play Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway make $10,000 a week?

I heard that Stephanie was taking over from Jenny imminently. Not sure if its true just one of them things you here flying around.

I have no idea if it's true or not, but the different productions' cast info isn't always updated all at once.