Best Standbys/Understudies — Page 2

#26

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 3:21pm

I'm with Mom -- Janna Robbins in the Tyne Daily "Gypsy" -- but I am afraid most posters here were not born in 1989...

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"Sir K, the Viscount of Uppity-shire...." -- kissmycookie

#27

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 3:30pm

Eden Espinosa (Wicked), Jessica Hendy (Aida), Saycon Sengbloh (Aida), Sean McCourt (Wicked)

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"A little humility wouldn't hurt." --Ellie, Constantine-Hellblazer, "Dangerous Habits"

#28

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 3:33pm

I heard James Clow was great as both Booth and Guiteau in Assassins...but I never saw him. :)

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Everybody goes down well with beer.

#29

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 3:34pm

i agree... Sean McCourt was amazing! he really should have been given the role!

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::bust a move::

#30

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 3:35pm

I saw Steve Gannon on for Randal Keith as Valjean in Les Miz. He was incredible.

Also I saw Jayne Patterson as Fantine (she wasn't the understudy) she was by far the best Fantine I have ever seen, so I can imagine she was brilliant in Jane Eyre.

#31

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 3:38pm

I saw Clow in Assassins -- he did a great job...

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"Sir K, the Viscount of Uppity-shire...." -- kissmycookie

#32

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 3:48pm

I also saw liz larsen as prudy pingleton and gym teacher in hairspray, and she was really pretty good. and I saw some guy i forget the name of as piangi in phantom.

#33

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:11pm

KMF, it was me, not mom who mentioned Robbins. *hangs head, feels hurt at being so quickly forgotten*

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#34

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:15pm

i've only ever seen 1 understudy in a role so I have to go with Emily Rozek as millie in tmm

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"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

#35

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:37pm

didn't see her, saw the other understudy for millie...

#36

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:38pm

I agree with the Charley Izabella King comment. I just saw the touring "Producers" on Tuesday and walked away in absolute awe of her performance.

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"It does what a musical's supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue."

#37

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:52pm

I saw Megan Lawrence go on for Eponine in Les Miz back in 1997....she eventually took over the role full time.

I saw Coleen Sexton as Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde back in 98 or 99, and she too, eventually took over the role of Lucy.


Shoshana Bean was a terrific Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.


Those are my favorite understudies.


Cheers,
The Balladeer

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"Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."

#38

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:54pm

amen! Shoshana was a FAB Tracy!

#39

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:57pm

SORRY RATH...you'll never be forgotten -- ***hitting my head for being so dumb***

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"Sir K, the Viscount of Uppity-shire...." -- kissmycookie

#40

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:58pm

the only understudy I've seen on Broadway is Barrett Foa.

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You aren't feeling overwhelmed are you?

#41

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:12pm

On my second time at Jeckyl & Hyde an understudy was announced for Robert Cuccioli. I went to the box office to exchange my tickets and was told to stay for the first act: I could exchange the tickets at intermission if I didn't think Rob Evan was up to the part. I stayed and have became a Rob Evan fan ever since.

#42

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:13pm

Jim Borstelmann as Roger DeBris, Eden Espinosa as Elphaba, Katrina Yaukey as Sally Bowles... those are really the only understudies I've seen for major roles.

#43

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:32pm

Alice Ripley as Mrs. Walker in The Who's Tommy (1993)
Kristin Lee Kelly as Janet in The Rocky Horror Show (2000)
Donna Marie Asbury as Velma Kelly in Chicago (more than once)
Karen Mason as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (1994)
Ming Lee as the Engineer in Miss Saigon (1996)

I know there's more but I can't think of anymore off the top of my head.

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And I Am Always So Vitriolic

#44

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:35pm

I've been pretty fortunate in seeing the roles played by the original actors, but in the case of seeing an understudy, hands down, Jana Robbins in Gypsy.

Ally Mauzey as Penny in Hairspray (Tour)

Faith Prince understudying various roles in Jerome Robbins Broadway; she was a hoot!!!

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Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

Updated On: 8/13/04 at 05:35 PM

#45

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:48pm

NYY! How did i know you would make an apperance on this thread? But i agree with you 100% on your choices

Saycon and Cheyenne are(were) phenominal standbys in AIDA. I feel honored to get a chance to see both, and catch Saycon's last performance.

Dominique Roy - RENT. She did a great job as Mimi in RENT. I would love for her to take over after Scary leaves. I havent seen Karmine in the role so i don't know how she stacks up to Dominique.

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Though scattered and divided we are still its heart...AIDA SEPTEMBER 5th, 2004...one more longing backward glance... I AM NOW "TGIF!"

#46

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:50pm

I thought Karen Mason sang SUNSET incredibly, just beautifully, but she was not Norma. She was too youthful. Just didn't work for me.

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#47

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:59pm

Sean McCourt in Wicked was SO FABULOUS!!!!!! I hated Joel's performance anyway and he made me actually care for the Wizard.

Josh Kobak in RENT. F*Cking AMAZING! oh and Dominique, she rocked my world.

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On a clear day I can see myself for miles ~Taboo

#48

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 6:32pm

Andrew Varela for Valjean in Les Mis
Rachel Stanley for Reno Sweeny in Anything Goes in London

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"Wherever you go... I'll be right there. When you get your own private kick in the ass, just remember: it's a present from me to you." Rose's dying words to Louise

#49

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 6:34pm

EDEN ESPINOSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok sorry.

Cheyenne Jackson-Trevor Graydon-TMM
Darren Ritchie-Orin and other roles-Little Shop

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"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions." ~The one and only John Lennon

#50

re: Best Standbys/Understudies

Posted: 8/13/04 at 6:48pm

Eden - lock, stock and smokin' vocals.