Broadway’s Laura Osnes Was Fired From A Hamptons Show For Refusing To Get Vaccinated
When it comes to the COVID vaccine, you either got it, you want it, or you “did your own research” by trading microchipping memes with a Facebook friend who got all Cs in high school. But many employers and venues are getting serious about public safety, and are making COVID vaccines a mandatory decision. That includes a one-night-only performance of Crazy For You at East Hampton’s Guild Hall on August 29. But that show will no longer star Laura Osnes because she has refused to get vaccinated.
Laura got started on Broadway after winning NBC’s 2007 series Grease: You’re the One That I Want!. She has starred on Broadway as Sandy in Grease, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes, Bonnie Parker in Bonnie & Clyde, Ella in Rodgers + Hamsterein’s Cinderella, and Bandstand. And Laura has also played the lead role of Polly Baker in Crazy For You in the 2011 West End production, the 2017 concert, and the 2018 workshop. But another musical theater star, Sierra Boggess, will have to be fitted for Polly’s prairie dresses and fringed vests in the Guild Hall’s production. They have a very strict rule about COVID safety for their performers and staff: either be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test. Page Six says that Laura wouldn’t confirm her status when pressed by her co-star Tony Yazbeck, who needed to know if the person he’d be kissing on stage was fully vaccinated, as he has two small unvaccinated children at home. She eventually let everyone know she’s not vaccinated and not planning to get the vaccine.
We’re told that’s when two-time Tony nominee Osnes – who starred in the title role of the Broadway adaptation of Cinderella from 2013 to 2014 – revealed that she hadn’t been vaccinated, and announced that she doesn’t trust the jabs. According to spies, she immediately got the hook and was replaced by Sierra Boggess, who played Ariel in the Broadway adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
Page Six adds that Laura is a conservative Christian type. But a quick peek at her Instagram account will show you that she hasn’t posted anything anti-vaxx yet. In fact, the most offensive material on her Instagram account is this post from last October about a Hallmark Christmas movie she filmed (I don’t care what anyone says, October is too early for Christmas talk!).
Page Six also points out that Laura’s stance on vaccines feels extra wrong, considering Broadway actor Nick Cordero died from coronavirus complications at 41 years old. Broadway has also made proof of vaccination mandatory for all cast, crew, and audience members (young children and those with medical issues can show proof of a negative test result to get in).
Laura hasn’t commented on her reported firing. My guess is she’s too busy working on her next project. An anti-vaccine COVID musical titled No Thanks!, starring Laura Osnes, and Rob Schneider, and Chet Hanks in their musical theater debut.
Pic: Wenn.com