Does Hugh Panaro have a understudy?

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 1:40am

Does Hugh have a understudy I was just wondering cause I've only seen him as the Phantom,but if he got really sick who would cover for him?

Another question why does they have two different Christine's one that does the show regulary then another that does certain days?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 1:42am

No. Hugh - in one of the most vocally demanding roles on Broadway - is without an understudy. If he looses his voice or gets sick, it's just tough luck.

Come on man - silly question.

Christine is because the role is so vocally demanding. Not rocket science.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 1:42am

Everyone has an understudy.

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 1:52am

There is no way this man does not have an understudy...I would not pay $60 dollars to see him all sick and whenever he tried to hit a note it sounds awful and there is "NO" way I would let him go on if he had a sore throat or something.

Besides.....the role of the Phantom is just as demanding as the role of Christine so why does she get to have two people play her. Why can't two people play the Phantom.

The man has to have an understudy and I want to know who he is.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 1:54am

I WAS BEING SARCASTIC - JESUS CHRIST.

Look in your playbill. I'll bet you $15 billion that it's in there.

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:05am

Yeah its here alright but gives awhole list of people and its not specific.

For the Phantom: John Cudia,David Gaschen,James Romick, Jeff Keller.

which one of them would go on for sure if Hugh became suddenly ill?

I know John Cudia has played him...I saw him in the national tour.

I know Jeff Keller did...he played the role of Michael Crawford left the show.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:19am

unmasked, not sure which gentleman would go on for Hugh, but at least one of them is ready to go on at anytime. I find it hard to believe that Jeff Keller is an understudy for the Phantom, as he is (and has been) Firmin and is getting up there in age.

I am sure the understudies are top-notch, but hope to see Mr. Panaro if you have tickets because he is simply extraordinary. I know many people (including myself) who feel he owns the role over Michael Crawford.

[Sant]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 9:57am

"Besides.....the role of the Phantom is just as demanding as the role of Christine so why does she get to have two people play her. Why can't two people play the Phantom."

Phantom is the star role, Christine is not.

And Christine has more songs to sing than the Phantom.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 11:28am

Cudia rocks.

And are all Hugh's understudies as luscious as he is?:)

[Thenardier]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 11:36am

I think that someone in the last of names must also be the boddy double.

I think Cudia just left or is leaving soon, but he is Raoul.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 12:40pm

I disagree. I think Christine is the main character in the show. she simply has much more to do than the phantom. the phantom is only ever actually on stage for a combined 35 minutes for the entire two hour and forty minute show...

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 3:51pm

If Hugh isn't on most likely James Romick goes on. Everytime (well almost everytime) I saw POTO and the actor who really plays the Phantom was out- James Romick filled in. However I did see John Cudia once as the Phantom.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 4:35pm

David Gaschen goes on about as much as James.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 4:39pm

Does anyone know if Hugh comes out after matinees?

[Sant]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 5:17pm

"I think Christine is the main character in the show. she simply has much more to do than the phantom."

Main character, yes; the star of the show, no. There's a difference. Like the actress playing Norma Desmond in SUNSET was the Star of the show even though the actor playing Joe had more stage time and more songs.

But I agree, Christine has more to do than the Phantom.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 8:17pm

Because summer is almost here and the weather has been really nice lately- do most actors come out after matinees?? lol I wanna meet Hugh so bad!!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/10/05 at 9:21pm

By EQUITY contracts, ALL actors must have understudies. That applies to Off-Bwy as well as On.

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 12:05am

really? 35 minutes? wow.

am i the only one who thought hugh panero was way too over the top -- especially at the end? i know mostly everyone loves him, and i thought he was good, but i thought the last 10 minutes or so to be waaay too much.

[trulyscrumptious]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 12:10am

I love how Hugh does the end. When I saw him a year or two ago, he wasn't over the top at all. He played the role well, but just like anyone else would. Then I saw him again this March and I absolutely love what he's added to the character...especially at the end. It kind of helps to show how the Phantom really isn't right in the head, you know? In case the stalking and what not didn't give it away.

But that could just be me!

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 12:02pm

Hugh is definetly not over the top! He adds so much to the end. He makes me wanna cry for the Phantom even more.

[kelzama]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:55pm

Christine plays 6 shows/week
Christine alternate plays 2 shows/week
Christine understudy plays her own track (mirror bride/harlequin tutu in masquerade & others) unless the other two can't cover Christine.

I was told by one of the Phantom actors that actual on-stage time is, believe it or not, only about 20 minutes. Yep, I didn't believe it either.

As far as the star of the show trivia: ALW wrote it as a vehicle for SB, and when they realized it became all about the Phantom, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" was added to the show to give Christine a star moment.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 2:05pm

Consider yourself lucky if you get to see Jeff Keller play the Phantom. He was amazing when I saw him.........well lets just say it was a long time ago. However if Ted Keegan ever comes back to Phantom, buy many many tickets.

[Madame X]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 2:10pm

By EQUITY contracts, ALL actors must have understudies. That applies to Off-Bwy as well as On.

I was supposed to see Miss Julie last Thurs but when I got to the theatre, I was informed that one of the actors had lost their voice so the performance was being cancelled. I assumed it was b/c there were no u/s for the actors, but maybe not? Under what situation would they cancel a performance then?

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:57pm

The entire perf. was cancelled? That doesn't sound right.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:31pm

WOW! You can tell it's June...and it's hot in hells kitchen. Lots of crazy things on this thread.

Calling Rosalyn!!! aka bb81 (hughpanero.com)

As was mentioned, POTO and all of the Equity shows have undestudies/standbys/swings for their casts. Hard to believe a show would cancel due to one vocal problem.

Not sure who covers most for Hugh, but it hasn't been Jeff Keller for quite a few years. Jeff is one of if not the only remaining original cast members since the show opened on Bd'w. AND he was a fabulous Phantom! Being in his upper 50's and having worn the mask as well as played both managers, his contract still graces him as earning the Phantom understudy credit. Personally, I'd love to see him do it again.

"Far too many notes for my taste" is hardly a line Jeff uses. Especially since those $notes$ have been coming in steady for 7 years (?).

As I was told, ALW insisted on Christine sharing the role shortly after Sarah Brightman started. It's been contracted that way ever since.

Phantom is only onstage about 25 mins. and while it's a grueling part emotionally and can be for some vocally, Christine's part is more demanding vocally and she interacts, dances, falls in love, gets kidnapped (twice) etc. etc.

Once Hugh's contract is up (Rosalyn, where are you?) I'm not sure who will take over. But Ted Keegan would be a good start.

Folks, school's out and a lot of young fresh blood will be here. Why not try being polite...for a while?