Jason Danieley posted on Facebook that no one will be disappointed with Chita's standby and that she will give an "incredible performance" if the need arises.
Sounds like someone of note. I was expecting the standard standby casting like a Karen Murphy. Any guesses?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
They might be getting a high profile standby in order to lessen refunds and even increase audiences if Chita is out. For instance, if Chita was out and Rita was in, you bet your ass Im staying AND coming back!
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
The only person that would do is someone with true experience filling in at the last minute for an old lady due to an unexpected absence or injury .. it's got to be Michael C Hall.
Actually, there's just going to be a matinee cast with Patti LuPone and Kevin Kline as Claire and Anton.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Double post, again. (My work computer is so wonky these days.)
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
For Putting It Together they had Kathie Lee Gifford standing by for Carol Burnett. I'm sure a lot of the middle-aged house-wife tourists who were fans of Carol from her variety show were probably also huge fans of Regis and Kathie Lee and were equally as delighted to be seeing her. So it is possible to find a standby with a big enough name to lessen the impact of the star being out.
That situation with Burnett was slightly different because I don't think she was the standby, I think Gifford played 1 scheduled performance a week. I believe they had a separate standby.
Thanks for the info. I knew Gifford did have planned performances each week, I just assumed she was also who they would put on in the event that Burnett had to miss a performance.
I don't think I've ever heard of a real celebrity truly standing by for a role. I think it would be admitting that they were somehow "less than" the regular star.
Standbys have usually been folks like Maureen Moore - exceptionally skilled and talented, but not famous.
I don't know if Jason's comment suggests they are a star. Rather, they are just giving a great performance (or 'incredible', in his words) (e.g., perhaps observed in rehearsal. I realise it's early to rehearse a standby but given Chita's age they might want to be risk-averse)
EDIT: I was wrong.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.