Andy Karl and the History of Broadway Stage Injuries

Producers of Groundhog Day say they're still opening the musical on Monday, which differs from some of the most infamous injuries of the past, such as Xanadu. But the real question is: How serious is his injury? Will he be able to continue? In Xanadu, James Carpinello, after injuring himself roller-skating, was replaced by his understudy, Cheyenne Jackson, for the entire run.

^ Cheyenne wasn't an understudy for James in Xanadu. Cheyenne had done the workshop but didn't move forward with the show to Broadway and then was called in after James hurt himself to temporarily take over. However, Cheyenne ultimately ended up taking over and James left the show.

Adrian Bailey, an actor working in The Little Mermaid was severely injured when he fell through a trap door suspended more than 30 feet above the stage before a performance in 2008. I hope he got a lot of money, because that essentially ended his career.

I'm sorry, I did not see him in there. It was so horrible what happened to him. I can't find any information on what he has done since then. And the Spiderman actors are lucky to be ALIVE after that sh*t show.

When I saw SWEET CHARITY on Broadway, Christina was wearing gold above-ankle heeled boots, presumably so the support bandage can be hidden during her performance. What a trouper! She was even game enough to show a funny skit during the TONYs showing her falling into a gap on the floor.

According to Michael Riedel, Hugh Jackman was suffering from a stress fracture ( not sure if that is the right term) on one of his feet from the time of the TONYs to the closing of THE BOY FROM OZ. His foot was being iced before and after the show for each performance. The show featured a lot of dancing...and on the closing show, Hugh did the heel click once again.

uncageg said: "Didn't Chenoweth sustain a neck injury during the out of town run of WICKED before it moved to Broadway? She was wearing a meck brace. I remember her telling a story about her medication and performimg on them one night."

She talks about her injury here on David Letterman, beginning at about 1:32 (try to ignore his creepy uncle vibes).

Kristin Chenoweth, Wicked Neck injury