Ali Stroker Attendance?

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 11:38am

First off, I want to make it very clear that I am NOT downing Ali Stroker and I am well aware that when you see a show, you are paying for the show and not any of the actors. Now that we got that out of the way...

I saw Oklahoma! yesterday and Ali was out of both shows. Ive heard from quite a few friends theyve seen her understudy, so I was just curious if its just a bit of bad luck (one friend has gone twice to try to catch her) or if her attendance has been spotty or maybe shes just on vacation currently. I would like to see her for sure and Im just wondering if its worth going back or not.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 11:41am

She’s 100% worth going back to see if you enjoyed the production. She’s probably sick. It happens.

[jbird5]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 2:02pm

I had a comp so I can’t complain too much. Still disappointing when the Tony winner is out. Sacha was wonderful. Ali was in all 3 times I saw SA.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 4:42pm

Is Ali Stroker's understudy also in a wheelchair (I've genuinely never thought of this before)

[HennySlay]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 4:44pm

I haven’t scene Sasha as Annie, but from her instagram it looks like she does not use a wheelchair.

[ian_mcqueen]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 4:48pm

By chance, I ran into Sasha in the box office yesterday; I'd seen her at the end of April, and she said she hadn't been on again since. I'd assume it's just the usual sick day or two for Ali. In any event, both are excellent--I had the chance to catch Ali the other day, each of them really make the character something special (though you're right, Sasha is not in a wheelchair!)

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 5:00pm

I saw the show Tuesday night July 2 and Ali was out and Sasha was on. She was incredible so I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. No she was not in a wheelchair which made her Ado Annie blocking very interesting since it seemed like she was constantly running around, sitting on laps, getting in faces, etc. Obviously there are two versions of the blocking for Ali and her understudy.

[broadway86]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 6:03pm

I was lucky enough to see Stroker, she was wonderful, but I had also heard from many people that they caught her understudy at different points over the course of the run.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 8:35pm

When the show had its first run at Bard, the actress who played Ado Annie was able-bodied, so there has always been a version of the choreography and blocking for that. I believe both of Stroker’s understudies also cover other tracks, including Laurey and the ballet soloist.

[SpookyFish13]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 8:50pm

So I’ve heard (and also read on here) that if one of the principal actors of a show is out, then you’re able to receive a refund. Specifically, I remember reading that when Santino Fontana called out of Tootsie the audience got a refund.

I’m going to see Oklahoma! in August, and it’s mainly to see Ali Stroker (her Tony’s performance was electrifying) and now i’m nervous that there’s a chance I won’t get to see her...

I understand that the understudies are often just as captivating as the main actors, but I’m wondering that if this refund rule would also work for Ali Stroker calling out of Oklahoma! Anyone have any ideas? (Not trying to disrespect understudies, but like I said I REALLY want to see Stroker)

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 9:18pm

Generally, refunds are only made available if the person out of the show is above the title, which none of the Oklahoma cast members are.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 11:23pm

Does anyone know if Ali stage doors? I haven’t seen any SD pics of her.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 11:44pm

have seen it twice. First time a few months ago and Ali was in. Saw it again last Sat and she was in. Wouldn’t read too much into an actor being out. 

[AADA81]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 11:47pm

I assume Ali was cast because of her ability, not her wheelchair.  If there was any other consideration about that, it's moot because she is so accomplished in the part.  I would expect that "wheelchair-bound" is not a casting requirement for replacements or understudies, just as "not-wheelchair-bound" wasn't a requirement for principal cast..

[binau]

Posted: 7/5/19 at 3:26am

.....

Updated On: 7/5/19 at 03:26 AM

[Debbie77]

Posted: 7/5/19 at 6:03pm

Updated On: 7/5/19 at 06:03 PM

[Debbie77]

Posted: 7/5/19 at 6:03pm

Ali was in today’s Friday matinee (7/5)

[ren598]

Posted: 7/6/19 at 1:05am

I caught the show pre-Tony on 4/14.  I didn’t think too much of her absence at the time.  I liked the show, but not enough to go back and see the show again just for her performance.

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 11:58pm

Bumping this because according to an interview with Sasha Hutchings in Dance Magazine it seems like she is now the Alternate for Ado Annie and Stroker no longer performs Matinees. Can anyone confirm? 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 12:03am

Handy link
https://www.dancemagazine.com/sasha-hutchings-oklahoma-2641251101.html

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 12:05am

She was in this past Sunday 11/2, and in excellent voice.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 12:42am

ChairinMain said: "Bumping this because according to an interview with Sasha Hutchings in Dance Magazine it seems like she is now the Alternate for Ado Annie and Stroker no longer performs Matinees. Can anyone confirm?"

Yes, I saw the show on 11/1 (Ali Stroker was there) and the playbill lists Sasha Hutchings as the Alternate for Ado Annie on Wednesday and Saturday Matinees.

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 6:47pm

Saw the show this past Wednesday. Can confirm that Ado Annie AND Ali Hakem now have Wed. and Sat. matinee alternates. According to the playbill, Sasha Hutchings and Chris Bannow play the pair for matinees.

I won the lottery and took a friend with me. She found out during intermission that she had won the lotto for that evening so she went back again with our friend that had to sit out the matinee. Ali was on for the evening.

Sasha was great vocally but her acting didn't impress me much. Very by the book in such an extraordinary production where everyone is reinventing the characters so much.

[LuPita2]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 7:22pm

Rebecca Naomi Jones has started shooting a series in Atlanta, and announced a few weeks she would now be in and out of the show until closing. Also, Denver fills in for Damon a couple times a week still. 

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 8:25pm

LuPita2 said: "Rebecca Naomi Jones has started shooting a series in Atlanta, and announced a few weeks she would now be in and out of the show until closing. Also, Denver fills in for Damon a couple times a week still."

Yeah I forgot to mention that as well. Denver was on for Damon both shows last Wednesday. He was really great. If I didn't know Damon's work pretty well, I would have said that Denver was the full time actor in the role. Great chemistry with Rebecca.