Book of Mormon Understudies

[shrekster224]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 4:53pm

So why do they have an Elder Cunningham standby but not an Elder Price one? And I know Jared Gertner has already gotten the chance to go on, but have there been any other understudies yet?


Off topic: I was waiting in line for SRO tix and Tyson Jennette had just found out he was making his broadway debut that night, so congrats to him. I got shut out so I didn't get to see the show though.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 5:00pm

The only difference between standbys and understudies are that understudies typically regularly perform in the ensemble (or other smaller parts) whereas standbys don't perform unless they are going on to cover one of the leads. So the producers and casting director must have determined that they had someone in the ensemble who could cover Elder Price but no one who could cover Elder Cunningham, therefore they hired a standby for Cunningham but not for Price.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 5:26pm

Clearly, but the last part of your answer was more helpful.

Have any of the other understudies been on yet? The every-night cast got such rave reviews that it would be interesting to see someone else step into their roles.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 6:49pm

Jared Gertner has been on for Josh Gad
Updated On: 4/23/11 at 06:49 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 6:53pm

I'm waiting for a phone call from Nick Spangler to tell me he's going on.

Updated On: 4/23/11 at 06:53 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 5:41pm

FYI, Josh Gad will be on vacation for two weeks(Jan. 27 - Mar. 11). Gertner will play the role for both weeks. Would be interesting if Gertner gets sick during that time to see Benjamin Schrader play Elder Cunningham.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 7:08pm

I cannot WAIT TO SEE JARED, and also hope to see Benjamin Schrader.

(BTW, Jared's tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/JaredGertner/status/172339725972160512)

And most people know this already, but since this thread was first created, there's an Elder Price standby in the form of Nic Rouleau, who is very, very good.

Updated On: 2/23/12 at 07:08 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 10:20pm

will be trying to catch him sometime during those 2 weeks. I haven't seen any u/s for the three times I've seen the show.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/8/12 at 12:09pm

FYI, Benjamin Schrader will be playing Elder Cunningham this Saturday night & both shows on Sunday as per Broadway Understudies on Facebook. "Benjamin Schrader (@schrader99) will be on as Elder Cunningham in @BookofMormonBWY on Saturday, Mar 10 (eve) & Sunday, Mar 11th (both shows)"

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 3/8/12 at 2:54pm

Will Blum, who recently played Dad/Margaret Mead on the Hair tour will be joining the company as the Elder Cunningham standby.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/8/12 at 3:02pm

^^makes me wonder if Gertner will be doing the tour??

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/8/12 at 3:04pm

I believe Will Blum is only joining the company as an additional cover because of the string of dates Jared Gertner will be on for Elder Cunningham while Josh Gad is in Los Angeles filming his television pilot.

[THDavis]

Posted: 3/8/12 at 9:08pm

Nic Rouleau as Elder Price was phenomenal! And he's very handsome.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 12:27am

did anyone see Schrader go on as Elder Cunningham this weekend?? Just curious if anything was changed and how he did.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 9:06am

Can I start by saying how happy I am that they gave Ben Schrader a chance to go on? I've been a fan for a while and was scared it would not happen. Anyways, was there Saturday night and he was fantastic. A completely different interpretation than Jared or Josh. His mannerisms were spot on and I appreciate how he had to work harder for the physical comedy aspects. As far as changes, they said "listen to that weird white guy" in Man Up.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 12:10pm

^^glad to hear he did well. thanks for the report.

[Elder Katt]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 12:33pm

Updated On: 11/26/13 at 12:33 PM

[OhTossums2]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 8:48pm

I saw Ben Sunday night and was pleasantly surprised.
His portrayal is so completely different from Gad's that when my father asked me if he was better I could not answer. I am not sure whether or not I am pleased with how they made his character, but I AM pleased with how he did it.
Ben's Elder Cunningham is portrayed as basically an autistic boy. I don't know if I am the only other one who saw that, but his ticks and weird walk make it seem that way. This being said, he was incredible in the role. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Elder Katt]

Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:17am

Updated On: 11/26/13 at 12:17 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:57am

I was out of town this weekend, but would've been at BoM if I hadn't been! I've been a fan of Ben Schrader since Big River and SOOOOO wish I could've seen him go on. Thanks for posting. :)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/30/12 at 9:15pm

Newsflash: Josh Gad is going to be out almost an entire month.

THIS IS NOT A BAD THING AT ALL, THOUGH! Because Jared Gertner will be on for him! He's fantastic and totally adorable in the role.

So happy for everyone who gets to see him.

https://twitter.com/#!/JaredGertner/status/185889886291763202

Updated On: 3/30/12 at 09:15 PM

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 3/30/12 at 9:51pm

Congratulations to Jared Gertner for getting to go on for an extended period of time and Will Blum for being a temporary standby!