I was at today's matinee - here's the FB post I put up in regards to the understudy situation:
So here's an overview of one of my single greatest theatre going experiences: At today's matinee of Falsettos on Broadway, Stephanie J. Block was out with a chest cold (according to a booth op., it's been going around the entire company). On top of that, the show started almost half an hour late. As the lights went down, Andre Bishop (artistic director of Lincoln Center) came out on stage with a microphone in hand and told everyone that not only was Stephanie sick, BUT her understudy was as well. At this point, I'm thinking that he's going to tell us the show is canceled. Instead, he tells us that her second cover (who had never rehearsed, barely knew the part, etc.) would be going on instead. She would be performing with book in hand...having only been placed/blocked into the show less than two hours before the house opened. So naturally, Stephanie Umoh goes on with book in hand...and ROCKS IT! She was absolutely brilliant as Trina, and she meshed perfectly with an altogether connected ensemble (AND they're still in previews!).
Easily, the best part was during curtain call, when the company pushed her forward and allowed her the final bowl. The crowd went nuts!
A STELLAR production (God Bless James Lapine) of a STELLAR work of theatre (only wish someone had warned me about the ending...). Go see it! This is the kind of theatre you wait years to see!
