Do you ever feel that understudies are underrated?

Does anyone else feel understudies are underrated? I do. I have heard many stories of people upset because an understudy is on. Now, I understand wanting to see someone specific perform the role, but I would rather see the show at all then not. Also; some people think that when the understudy is on the show lacks something. For instance, last month seeing Wicked in Chicago, I noticed the pullout in the playbill saying an understudy was going on for Elphaba. When I told this to my dad, who has never seen the show before and has no knowledge about casts, he was like, "Aw, no... Really?" Turns out the understudy who went on, Dan'yelle Willamson, was WONDERFUL and did the part justice.
What does everyone think about this topic?

Updated On: 3/8/08 at 03:40 PM

Some understudies are overrated. Some are underrated. Some are rated exactly correctly. And it's exactly the same as the actors who are not understudies.

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Exactly. I went to Spamalot just to see Marin Mazzie, and she was out. I was therefore disappointed with her understudy. However, I usually am happy when I get a few white slips in my playbill, as I may be witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

I have seen some understudies who were better than the stars they were replacing and I've seen some understudies who couldn't hit the notes...In most cases, the understudies are usually excellent although most may not have that unquantifiable "star charisma".

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Um, did you see ACL with Charlotte? Her understudies are FAR superior to her.

Or understudies for Nicolette Hart in RENT? Because almost every understudy she has had this past year has been far superior in my opinion.

I agree with you VeryNewYork. I'm all for understudies getting a break to show off their amazing talent, however there's a reason the original person was cast in the role and I like to see why. Granted it's not always for a reason I would agree with, but usally I prefer it.

Oh good, I think you'll enjoy either of her understudies much more. Nadine is similar in appearance to Charlotte but much younger looking. She can also act, sing and dance at the same time which is apparently quite a feat. Jessica Lea Patty is amazing as well. She's a very young Cassie and she has a fantastic voice.

Luckily there are two days that Charlotte is out every week. Nadine is on on Thursdays and Jessica is on on Sundays.

There are very many people who (over the course of A+A's return when the spotlight was much brighter on the show) who had MAJOR problems with Nicolette. She's a sweetheart and is definitely a likable person but her TMOLM is not my favorite and she doesn't have chemistry with most of her Joannes (she was FANTASTIC with Merle though). She just plays Maureen way too mature and jaded I think. She also screeches through her two songs and is a bit over the top in her performance.

Since Karmine does not go on as Maureen often, I hope you get to see Caren Lyn Manuel. Caren's voice is AMAZING and her TMOLM with Merle is ridiculously great. Haven was also a great Maureen as was Kelly Karbacz.

If you like over the top screeching Maureens then yes, Nicolette is your cup of tea. I really hope you get a chance to compare different Maureens in the future.

Updated On: 3/8/08 at 05:25 PM

No problem, hope you enjoy her. She was my first Cassie and I adore her. I think she's fantastic.

I got an understudy for Roger Bart when he hurt his back. I hated the understudy

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Nadine is similar in appearance to Charlotte but much younger looking. She can also act, sing and dance at the same time which is apparently quite a feat

Speaking of being disappointed by understudies, I could not stand Nadine. I would put her Cassie in the "overrated" category. That said, I really enjoyed her as Val. Jessica Lea Patty was brilliant.

I've had a few instances where I've liked the understudies better than the original performers.

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Jessica is a fantastic Cassie and Diana.

Her Sheila was really good, too.

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I had an understudy for Violet Weston (the actress' name escapes me at the moment) when I saw August: Osage County last Wednesday during the matinee. I thought she was absolutely incredible. She had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
It makes me want to go back down to NYC and see the regular actress in the role, just so I can compare the two performances.

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This is why a website like BroadwayUnderstudies.com exists. I love seeing understudies in shows. I'm so excited for the At This Performance concerts coming up because I love to see understudies in their element and doing what they're meant to do.

Gobstopper, don't be upset if you end up seeing an understudy. Jesse Swenson and Matt Doyle are both fantastic in the role.