Thursday, March 28, 2024

Exclusive: “Buyer & Cellar” Star Being Replaced as Show Recoups in Record Time

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I just got a press release saying that the off Broadway hit “Buyer and Cellar” has recouped its investment in record time– nine weeks. But the press release doesn’t mention that star Michael Urie– who knocks out audiences with his imitation of Barbra Streisand– is leaving for productions in Chicago and Los Angeles in 2014. A casting call went out yesterday looking for his replacement to begin in December.

The description: [ALEX MOORE] (Male Early 30s): An underemployed actor living in L.A., who gets hired to work in the shopping mall in Barbra Streisand’s basement. Sweet, smart, funny, but a bit timid in his career, Alex enthusiastically tells the story of his employment and budding friendshipwith the diva, while also taking on the characters of Barbra, James Brolin, Alex’s opinionated Jewish boyfriend Barry, and Barbra’s officious house manager Sharon.

No one stays with a show very long anymore in New York. Actors sweep through, pick up awards, and leave town fast. Gone are the days of two year- or dare I say one year– runs. Andrea Martin got her Tony for “Pippin” and was out in six months. “Matilda” is already changing casts. And so on. I’m told Urie is very good, so catch him before he departs.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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