Broadway "Star" Understudies...

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 11:11am

The "understudies" question got me thinking...

Who are the most memorable Broadway understudies you've ever seen? In some cases, the ones I've seen have gone on to make a name for themselves.

Maryann Plunkett as Agnes in "Agnes of God"
Brenda Pressley as Effie White in "Dreamgirls"

Who are your favorites?

EDIT: To make this thread more "specialized," which understudies have you seen that have gone on to starring roles elsewhere?

Updated On: 10/17/05 at 11:11 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 11:18am

Forgot to add Donna Murphy in "Edwin Drood" (although I saw Betty Buckley in it as well, previously).

Donna went on to do a few things after that.

Updated On: 10/17/05 at 11:18 AM

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 12:58pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=864210#1344526

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=850230#1048255

those are both about understudies. my opinions can be found on the first one.

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 12:59pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=859585#1247610

that's another i posted on

[StandingO]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:07pm

Jana Robbins (understudy to Tyne Daly/Linda Lavin in Gypsy.) Her performance still gives me the chills when I think about it! It was brilliant.
Updated On: 10/17/05 at 05:07 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 6:50pm

Jana's Mazeppa was show-stopping enough! I wish I could have seen her tackle Mama Rose.

I forgot... I also saw Marin Mazzie go on as the Witch in "Into the Woods" (for Phylicia Rashad) during the original run. She was playing Rapunzle at the time, but understudying the Witch. She was brilliant in the part. I wish she'd played it in the revival.

[Ruth Sherwood]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 6:54pm

I agree about Jana Robbins...she's fabulous!

Here's another- Lainie Kazan for Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl"