Best understudy you've ever seen? — Page 2

faceleg said: " I got to see Jim in Into the Woods at TUTS in Houston and he was superb. He was also one of the nicest people my friend and I got to talk to. He spent a good 10/15 minutes talking to my friend and me about both Fun Home and that production of ITW."

He actually did the same thing at the stage door of Fun Home. I was the last in line and he struck up a conversation and I think we ended up speaking for slightly less than twenty minutes about the show and the "business", and this was on a freezing two-show day in March. I was shocked that he (completely willingly) took the time to talk to me when he really should've gone inside and rested before the evening performance. At one point I even suggested it but he insisted on continuing the conversation. Really just a wonderful person and a wonderful performer.

(I forgot to mention in my above post that his "Edges of the World" was probably one of the singular most amazing moments I've experienced in a Broadway show—though, it was aided by the fact I was in the front row and he stared directly at me/the people around me for most of the song.)

Updated On: 1/15/18 at 08:37 PM

Alison Luff as Molly in Ghost

Laurel Harris as Carole King and her husband Rob Marnell as Gerry Goffin in Beautiful.

Updated On: 8/9/18 at 08:56 PM

natashalost said: "michaelhale said: "So jealous you got to see Shoba as Natasha, I loved Denee and feel blessed I got to see her, but I wish I had gotten into the show earlier so I might of have gotten to see some more of the understudies, I've heard so many great things about all of them and especially her!...I adored the Hamilton standbys I got when I went- Jevon Mcferrin as Hamilton and Donald Webber Jr as Lafayette/Jefferson, both had such high energy!"

Shoba was absolutelyphenomenal. I got to see her in the role 3 times, including her final performance where they had to stop the show during "In My House." Every single time she blew me away. I'm even sneaking in a visit to see her in Hamilton when I go visit family in Seattle in March.

I loved Jevon's performance as Hamilton. He's absolutelyterrific. He should play the role full time in some production.

I WISH I could've seen Donald as Lafayette/Jefferson. Crossing my fingers I'll see him in the role soon!"

lmao You are truly living my dream, I hope I can manage to catch Shoba's Eliza as well.

And same, I hope Jevon gets the chance to take over on a tour or on bway. And I'll have my fingers crossed for you that you might get to catch Webber's Lafayette/Jefferson soon!!

Haven't seen an excessive amount of principal understudies, but these are the ones that I could recall:

Anastacia McClesky as Becky in Waitress

Laurel Harris as Carole King in Beautiful

Julie Reiber as Natalie in All Shook Up

Marissa Perry (when she was still an understudy) as Tracy in Hairspray

Trevor Dion Nicholas as the Genie in Aladdin

Stacia Fernandez as Rosie in Mamma Mia

Jeremy Stolle and Laird Mackintosh as the eponymous Phantom of the Opera. IMO, they're better than everyone who's been cast since Hugh Panaro departed.

I saw Carmen Cusack as an understudy for Elphaba in the Wicked national tour... amazing.

The CFA understudies are amazing and get gold stars for covering multiple tracks.

Alie Ewoldt and Kelvin Moon Loh for Tuptim and Lun Tha in the King and I.

Adam Lambert as Fiyero. Vocals unlike I've EVER heard.

starcatchers said: "Going to throw my vote into the ring for ... Alysha Deslorieux as Eliza in Hamilton"

I 100% agree with you. Her Burn brought tears to my eyes. Such a glorious performance. Probably my favorite Eliza, along with Elizabeth Judd. I WISH they had bumped her up to principle. Such a miss on casting's part.

I've only seen Elizabeth Judd in the Hamilton ensemble, but I saw her several times as Wendla in Spring Awakening several years ago. She was really great, so I would love to see her in one of the sisters' roles in Hamilton.

Updated On: 1/16/18 at 10:32 PM