Are there understudies on Tony day?

I was lucky enough to score a ticket to next Sunday's South Pacific at 3PM. Didn't realize at the time that it was the day of the Tonys. Is it more likely that there will be understudies that day? It may be tight for them to get from the theater to the awards show, and if they're not feeling well, they may not want to risk doing the show if they have to perform in front of millions that night.

I'm sure the show will be fantastic no matter who is in it, but is it common practice for lots of leads to take off on Tony day?

I think they have to be there closer to 6:30ish because everyone needs to be in there seats by 7pm so they technical awards can start. Atleast thats what says on my Tony ticket. But then again that can be just for us normal folk going lol!

I saw the Tony-day matinee performance of CAROUSEL the year that it won for Best Revival (also at the Vivian Beaumont).

I was very disappointed that we had understudies for two major roles. We didn't see Michael Hayden or Shirey Verrett. Instead, we saw Davis Gaines as Billy (who was woefully bland) and some woman who was pretty forgettable as Nettie. (Thank God we saw Audra -- on the day she won her first Tony.)

It's never predictable.

Have fun at SOUTH PACIFIC! I'm seeing it that Friday evening, followed by GYPSY and SUNDAY IN THE PARK on Saturday. It should be a fun-packed weekend...

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Thanks for the responses. Yeah, I'm worried. The show is definitely at 3pm, and the Beaumont is much further from Radio City than most B'way houses are, so a three hour show + being on the UWS...

I've seen shows on Tony Award day, and never missed a lead or anything like that. But, of course, it can all depend on if the performer all ready scheduled to take that day off in advance, or is ill.

Updated On: 6/5/08 at 05:50 PM