The News Life

22 Surprising Examples of ‘Stunt Casting’ or ‘Star Casting’ Where Celebs Were on Broadway.Linh

October 7, 2024 by Linh

Al Roker debuted in Waitress! He said, “It’s kind of like what we do on The Today Show, in that it’s an ensemble. It’s a family. And this is me trying something new for the first time, so you don’t know what to expect.”

Here are 22 surprising celebs who’ve made their Broadway debuts:

1. TikToker Charli D’Amelio is set to make her Broadway debut as Charmian — an ensemble role that’s dance-heavy — in & Juliet on October 29, 2024.

Charli wearing a loose, sleeveless dress with gold jewelry at a fashion event. Crowd visible in the background
Peter White / Getty Images

On Instagram, she said, “i’m so incredibly excited to finally share that i’ll be joining the cast of & Juliet on Broadway! this has been my ultimate dream ever since i was a little girl, but it always felt like something i could only admire from a distance, never imagining i’d actually get to be part of it. and now, here i am, starting this amazing new chapter in my life and cherishing every second. i honestly can’t find the right words to describe just how much this means to me. i’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way; i wouldn’t be here without all of you. a ginormous thank you to the entire & Juliet team for allowing me to be part of such a special show. thank you from the bottom of my heart.🤍”

Advertisement

2. In 2020, Sabrina Carpenter made her Broadway debut as Cady Heron in Mean Girls: The Musical. Sadly, after only two performances, the show was shut down because of the coronavirus.

Sabrina stands in front of a "Mean Girls" merchandise display, wearing a casual oversized shirt and dark pants
Mean Girls: The Musical / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/meangirlsmusical/p/B9kBsoxh3jX/

In 2021, she told Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, “Everyone was affected, obviously, but, I think what was so hard is I had been rehearsing for just about three months, and I finally got to debut. I did my first two shows, and then we were done.”

She also said she’d do “maybe another role” in the future.

Advertisement

3. In 2020, influencer Cameron Dallas debuted as Aaron Samuels in a limited four-week run in Mean Girls: The Musical.

Mean Girls: The Musical / Via instagram.com

4. In 2014, Keke Palmer was cast as Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, making her the first Black actor to play Cinderella on Broadway.

Keke Palmer in a wedding gown and veil on stage, expressing emotion
Jenny Anderson / WireImage / Via Getty

Advertisement

5. Alongside Keke, The View co-host Sherri Shepherd made her debut as Madame in Cinderella.

Sherri in an elaborate stage costume with ornate patterns, resembling a fairytale character, stands on a theatrical set
Jenny Anderson / WireImage / Via Getty

6. In 2009, Will Ferrell wrote and starred as George W. Bush in You’re Welcome America.

Will in a suit and wig stands on stage with star-patterned banners above
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic / Via Getty

The show was nominated for a Tony for Special Theatrical Event.

Advertisement

7. The Today Show co-host Al Roker made his debut as Joe in Waitress in 2018.

Al in a vintage suit and hat performing on stage
Bruce Glikas / Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic

He told Playbill, “It’s kind of like what we do on The Today Show, in that it’s an ensemble. It’s a family. And this is me trying something new for the first time, so you don’t know what to expect. I guess that’s what I’m most looking forward to: finding out what this is going to be like. Because right now, I don’t know.”

8. In 2015, Bruce Willis debuted as Paul Sheldon in Misery, which is based on the Stephen King novel.

Bruce wearing a formal suit with a striped tie during curtain call
Michael Stewart / Getty Images

Advertisement

9. Panic! at the Disco frontman Brendan Urie debuted as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots in 2017.

Brendan standing in front of a "Kinky Boots" poster featuring himself in sparkly thigh high boots. The poster highlights the show's dates and hashtag #StandForLove
Walter Mcbride / Getty Images

10. Fran Drescher made her debut as Madame in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2014.

Fran on stage wears an elaborate gown with wide sleeves and a headpiece, arms outstretched
Rommel Demano / Getty Images

In 2020, she began developing a production based on her iconic sitcom The Nanny. She’s co-writing the book with her ex-husband and series co-creator, Peter Marc Jacobson.

Advertisement

11. Alongside Fran, Carly Rae Jepsen debuted as Ella in Cinderella.

Carly in an elaborate ballgown and veil walking down stairs, holding hands with a prince
Walter Mcbride / WireImage / Via Getty

In 2022, she told People about how she almost lost one of her glass slippers.

She said, “I look into the distance, and I think, ‘Is there a bird in the theater?’ And I realize I had kicked the slipper into the audience. It was dress rehearsal, so there’s no one actually there. I couldn’t stop laughing, but it was that nervous laughter. I said to the director, ‘Has anybody ever done that before?’ He was like, ‘No, and you can’t do that!'”

12. Mario Lopez debuted as Zach in A Chorus Line in 2008.

Mario front and center in group of performers in coordinated glittery formal stage costumes, holding hats
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic / Via Getty

In a statement, he said, “Every actor dreams about appearing on a Broadway stage. I have as well, and have been searching for the right time and opportunity. A Chorus Line is a legendary musical, and I am so honored to have been chosen to join the amazing cast and be a part of the Broadway family.”

Advertisement

13. In 2013, Wendy Williams made her Broadway debut as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago.

Wendy in a dark blazer and wavy top holding a bouquet onstage
Walter Mcbride / WireImage / Via Getty

14. In 2010, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong debuted as St. Jimmy in American Idiot, the musical based on his band’s concept album.

People stand with guitars on stage, including Billie Joe Armstrong. They're smiling and dressed casually
Kevin Mazur / WireImage / Via Getty

He also wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the book.

Advertisement

15. Bily Ray Cyrus debuted as Billy Flynn in Chicago in 2012.

Billy Ray Cyrus in a tux with slicked-back hair onstage
Michael Stewart / WireImage / Via Getty

16. Rosie O’Donnell made her Broadway debut as Rizzo in the 1994 Grease revival.

Rosie is smiling, wearing a jacket with "Ladies" on the sleeve and checkered earrings. The image is celebrity-themed
Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

She went on to host the Tony Awards twice and perform in Seussical (2000) and Fiddler on the Roof (2004).

Advertisement

17. John Stamos made his Broadway as J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 1995. Since then, he’s gone on to be in several other productions.

Actors perform energetically in a stage musical, featuring vintage-style costumes with suits and dresses, John on the left in a tux and bowtie, caption "John Stamos as Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie in 2009"
Jemal Countess / Getty Images

Most recently, he played Senator Joseph Cantwell in The Best Man in 2012.

18. Jordin Sparks has been on Broadway twice. In 2008, she debuted as Nina in In The Heights, and in 2016, she starred as Jenna in Waitress.

Jordin in a spaghetti strap dress, smiling and waving onstage
Janette Pellegrini / WireImage / Via Getty

Advertisement

19. In 2022, Pamela Anderson debuted as Roxie Hart in Chicago.

Pamela in a dark dress with sheer sleeves and vintage hairstyle, singing onstage
Bruce Glikas / Bruce Glikas / Getty Images

She was actually first offered the role in 2011, but she didn’t want to leave her two sons, whom she raised without a nanny.

She told CNN, “I couldn’t even imagine that was something I could do. Especially with young kids. My kids were early teens at that time.”

However, playing Roxie helped Pamela discover talents she didn’t realize she had.

She said, “It’s incredible because I didn’t realize – obviously, your voice, it’s a muscle, and so every day my voice is getting stronger and stronger to the point where I’m just looking behind me going, who’s singing like that?'”

20. Jason Mraz debuted as Dr. Pomatter in Waitress in 2017.

Sara Bareilles in a dress and apron and Jason Mraz in business casual singing onstage on a diner set
Bruce Glikas / Bruce Glikas / WireImage

Previously, in 2015, he recorded two of Dr. Pomatter’s songs — “Bad Idea” and “You Matter to Me” — for Sara Bareilles’s album What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress.

Advertisement

21. In 2009, Ashlee Simpson debuted as Roxie Hart in Chicago.

Ashlee in a dark sheer and satin outfit with short hair performs on stage, her hands gesturing expressively
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic / Via Getty

She told Broadway.com, “It feels amazing to be on Broadway. As a child, it was a dream of mine.”

22. And finally, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber debuted as Don in Kinky Boots in 2019.

Tiki performing on stage in a plaid shirt, vest, and laced up thigh high boots
Bruce Glikas / Getty Images

In a statement, he said, “I was very fortunate to be part of the New York Giants for ten years and feel incredibly lucky to be joining another New York institution: Broadway.”

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • “Not Today!” — Mookie Betts Claps Back at Fan After Wild Glove Snatch Attempt in Yankees Showdown.
  • “Most Useless Right Fielder of All Time?” — Dodgers Fans Erupt After Teoscar Hernández’s Costly Mistake vs Royals.Yen
  • “He’s Back!” — Yankees Take Risky Gamble on Marcus Stroman After Rocky Rehab Stint.Yen
  • Zeke Wood Signs with the St. Louis Cardinals, Continuing a Dream Years in the Making.Yen
  • SHOCKING TWIST: Phillies’ Brandon Marsh Hit with 3-Month Suspension and Heavy Fine.Yen

Recent Comments

  1. A WordPress Commenter on Hello world!

Copyright © 2025 · Paradise on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in