Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is looking for Broadway talent.
NBC’s long series of crimes has turned to theater actors to fill their scenes, as many of them are out of work due to the closing of cinemas.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed the presence of Broadway stars in the cast announcement for Thursday’s episode, and SVU showrunner Warren Leight confirmed that the show was looking for theater stars for the Deadline earlier this week.
To the rescue: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit showrunner Howard Leight confirmed last week that the long series of crime is looking for unemployed Broadway actors to fill their guest seats; (LR) Peter Scanavino, Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish at SVU
In response to a tweet on Tuesday night, noting that the cast list was full of ‘so much broadway’, Leight tweeted: ‘We are trying to hire as many Broadway actors as we can while we and they wait for the curtains to open again. ‘.
In a tweet sent on Wednesday, he clarified that, ‘on Broadway, of course we also mean off, off-off and off-off-off’.
Among the Broadway stars in the next episode was Eva Noblezada, 24, who won Tony nominations for her Broadway debut in Miss Saigon and for her sequel as the main character Eurydice in Hadestown.
The episode also features Alex Brightman, who won nominations for Tony for originating the theatrical version of the role played by Jack Black in School Of Rock, as well as playing the title character in the theatrical adaptation of Beetlejuice.
Getting it all out: in response to a tweet on Tuesday night noting that the cast list was full of ‘so much broadway’, Leight tweeted, ‘We are trying to hire as many Broadway actors as we can while we and they hope that the curtains open again ‘
Back to work: Broadway has been dark since March, but film and television actors have started working again on coronavirus security measures
Rising star: Among the Broadway stars in the next episode was Eva Noblezada, 24, who had two nominations for Tony by Miss Saigon and Hadestown; seen in London in 2018
Broadway success: The episode also features Alex Brightman, who won Tony nominations for School Of Rock and Beetlejuice; seen in 2019 with the original Beetlejuice star Geena Davis
“We know how much the community has been affected here,” Leight said in his interview. “The goal is to get as many jobs for as many theater actors as possible.”
The film comes at a time when many theater actors are in trouble, with cinemas closed across the United States due to the dangers of the new coronavirus.
Actors have a much higher unemployment rate in the midst of the pandemic than the general population, and are probably higher for theater actors, as some film and television stars were able to continue working on sets with coronavirus safety procedures .
Acting work can also be beneficial for theater actors trying to maintain union health insurance, as they are required to work a minimum number of days to remain eligible for the plans.
Helping: ‘We know how hard the community has been hit here,’ said Leight in his interview with Deadline. ‘The goal is to get as many jobs for as many theater actors as possible’
Consistency: the New York-based series starred Mariska Hargitay for over 20 years
The New York-based series, which starred Mariska Hargitay for more than 20 years, is well positioned to use Broadway talent, as most actors already live in the city and are easier to get than a Los Angeles actor. that needs to be taken outside.
“In the past, we did what you might call a Hollywood stunt cast,” explained Leight. “But a lot of these players are not going to want to get on a plane and quarantine now. We realized from the beginning that we would have to launch a lot more locally. ‘
During normal acting times, it is difficult for Broadway actors to fit roles in film or television around their acting schedules, but the closure left them with plenty of time for longer appearances.
Leight also described Broadway actors as ‘money players’ who ‘achieve their goals and can do so indefinitely’ due to their training and professionalism, which is especially useful when teams want to keep their time set to a minimum due to fear to spread the coronavirus.
Back to the subject: even before the pandemic, Broadway stars appeared regularly. Raúl Esparza, four times nominated for Tony, even played a leading role in the cast for five seasons
‘Our directors need to know that [guest actors] you can do two scenes with Olivia and not be nervous, ‘added Leight, referring to Hargitay’s character, Captain Olivia Benson.
Even before the pandemic, actors known for their work on Broadway were a regular presence at SVU.
Raúl Esparza, four times nominated for Tony, is probably best known for his lead role in the acclaimed revival of Stephen Sondheim’s music company in 2006, but he became a fixture in the Law & Order spin-off during his recurring run on the 14th season, which led to a role in the main cast in seasons 15 to 19.
Esparza will make a brief return to the series with his guest role in Thursday’s episode, entitled Sightless In A Savage Land.
Pros: Leight added that the stage actors were “money makers” due to their ability to hit the nail on the head and make repeated takes; Hagitay and Kelli Giddish (L) filmed SVU in 2018
Broadway has been dark since March 12, 2020, when New York Governor Andrew Cuomo orders the closing of cinemas to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Although several days of provisional reopening have been defined, they have been postponed each time the virus continues to increase.
The Actors’ Equity Association, the national union representing professional actors and stage managers, asked Congress to provide assistance to unemployed theater professionals.
“This is a deeply painful time for everyone who depends on the arts for their livelihood,” said executive director Mary McColl in an October statement, when the Broadway stoppage was extended until May 2021.
“Many in the industry need help now, as we will face another six months without work. The continuing lack of work in the arts means that we face a critical need for federal COBRA health insurance subsidies, renewed federal unemployment benefits and arts funding. Washington must act. ‘