SOR Alex Brightman missing ALOT of performances

Ive been wanting to see School of Rock since it opened, but I wanted to make sure I go when Alex and Sierra were both in. Recently I've been noticing on twitter that Alex understudies have been going on a lot. So I decided to get a ticket for this Wed matinee since I didn't see nothing posted. And to my surprise he was out again. His understudy Jonathan Wagner went on, who I really enjoyed, the rest of the cast was awesome. during the intermission I was talking to the sound guy during the intermission and asked what's going on that he is missing a lot of shows. He shook his head looking annoyed then laughed saying its been like this since the show opened with him. I hear he's amazing in the role and im just a little bitter that I didn't get a chance to see him

Jonathan Wagner was excellent when I saw him but I'm still itching to go back to catch Brightman. My problem as I get closer to eventually buying a ticket is exactly what the OP has written—he seems to be out more frequently than most big principals on Broadway. Dewey is a gigantor beast of a role, and to his credit, I don't understand why he doesn't have a scheduled alternate. Both he and the show's audience deserve it.

Updated On: 2/19/16 at 09:34 AM

On a good week, he misses one performance. Going to SOR and seeing Alex Brightman is a crap shoot. Some here have said the reason is due to the demanding nature of the role.

Updated On: 2/19/16 at 02:26 PM

Hell, I saw the show in previews the week before it opened and he was out. Jonathan was wonderful though.

He only said in an interview he is only doing 7 shows a week

I saw the show on a Saturday matinee in Jan. I saw Alex perform and he was awesome! Afterwards, my friend and I waited at the stage door and was told that he wasn't coming out. Found out later through this message board that he performed in the show I saw but not the evening show.

I saw him in SOR a couple weeks ago. He said at stage door that he's been having some serious vocal issues and basically only talking during the show and at stage door, and not doing both shows on most two show days.

This is his first lead role. Prior to SOR he had only been in the ensemble. Maybe he wasn't ready for this big of a role.

Having seen Alex and Jonathan both in the role, audiences do miss something when Alex is out. He seems to miss a lot more than one performance a week. I think it is time the producers step in and only have Alex do 6 shows a week. His performance is more than worthy of a Tony, but being out as much as he is, he doesn't deserve it.

I saw a Wednesday matinee and he was out. Apparently he was in the following Wednesday matinee but then he missed the night show. Seems to be hit or miss. I hope they get a scheduled alternate. I enjoyed the show, & his understudy Jonathan was fantastic. I wasn't going specifically to see him though, but, it appears some are.

I think at this point the show has become SCHOOL OF ROCK and not about any particular performance in the show. It's not a bad show. I just think it was miscast from the get go.

Happy to help! I like it a lot.

Does his pay change? How does it work as an actor for his paycheck?