Famous Standbys-Understudies, etc. — Page 3

I don't know if Sutton really counts as a "Millie understudy." Sure, she was cast as such, but she wasn't by the time the show opened.

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Debbie Shapiro was Lucie Arnaz's undertudy, Donna Murphy joined the cast long after Lucie left. Debbie left the show early in the run , and never went on. A week after she left Lucie Arnaz got sick.

In The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Donna Murphy was the understudy for Cleo Laine as well as Betty Buckley. Patti Cohenour was the alternate and understudy for Linda Ronstadt in the Off-Broadway production of La Boheme and for Sara Brightman in Phantom of the Opera.

just to reply to what some others have said, yes taye diggs REPLACED butz in wicked for a month or so while he was out on back problems. however, kristoffer cusick also covered for a few weeks. and as for eden being the famous u/s, wicked is what made her famous.

Catherine Zeta Jones understudied Peggy Sawyer in London and eventually went on to play the role.

I once told my uncle (who is retired from the industry) that I wanted to be a Broadway STAR! He told me to set my sights at being a decent understudy...wow.

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Great thread! Some recent ones I can think of:

Chris Fitzgerald understudied Malcolm Gets in AMOUR
Katie Finneran understudied Lannyl Stephens in MY FAVORITE YEAR and Kali Rocha in IN THE SUMMER HOUSE
Jonathan Groff understudied Christopher Hanke in IN MY LIFE
Jessica Molaskey understudied Carolee Carmello in PARADE
Both Lynda Gravett and the recently passed Jane White understudied Phylicia Rashad in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.
Tony nominee Maureen Anderman understudied Vanessa Redgrave in both THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING and DRIVING MISS DAISY.
Montego Glover understudied Fantasia in THE COLOR PURPLE.

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My post utilizes a sort of reverse logic, but is interesting to me at least. Re. the Lincoln Center 1965 revival of CAROUSEL, the stars were the original Billy--John Raitt and Eileen Christy. My ex-sister in law Dorothy Emmerson was the understudy for Eileen Christy and went on for her for the final two performances of the Lincoln Center engagement. Dorothy called me and left a house seat for me for the Saturday matinee. I was thrilled for her. The show then toured wih the Lincoln Center cast intact. Eileen Christy was out for a great number of performances, allowing Dorothy to go on for her on numerous occasions. Richard Rodgers was producer of the show and had picked Dorothy to be Christy's understudy. Despite all of this luck accompanying Dorothy, she nevertheless was never able to capitalize on the experience wih regard to her theatre career. She appeared with Dustin Hoffman in JIMMY SHINE and also was in the cast of the comedy NORMAN, IS THAT YOU? and then she just disappeared from Broadway and the Road, never ro appear on stage again. The life of an actress or actor is surely a difficult one; fame is fleeting, like quicksilver disappearing through your hands.

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Updated On: 8/2/11 at 06:04 AM

I don't think I've seen this mentioned in this thread ...

Joanne Woodward was the understudy for both Madge and Millie (Janice Rule and Kim Stanley) in the original Broadway production of PICNIC. Paul Newman played Alan after being elevated out of town from understudying both Alan and Hal (and playing the smaller role of the newsboy Bomber), and this is the play where they first met and got together. They were the out-of-town understudies for the leads in Picnic.

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Updated On: 8/2/11 at 09:34 AM

Eileen Christy played "Julie Jordan" in the 1965 Lincoln Center revival of CAROUSEL, *not* film actress Julie Christie.

CarlosAlberto and AC126748: You are both absolutely right. Julie Christie was/is a film actress. My ex-sister in law was the understudy to Eileen Christy in the 1965 Music Theater of Lincoln Center production of CAROUSEL. My apologies for the error.
I have edited my original post to correct the mistake.

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Updated On: 8/2/11 at 12:32 PM

Victoria Clark understudied Faith Prince as Adelaide in the Jerry Zaks directed revival of Guys & Dolls back in the early 90s. Also, Jere Shea (the original Giorgio in Sondheim's Passion) understudied Peter Gallagher then Burke Moses as Sky in the same production.

I didn't know that about Jere Shea understudying Sky. Speaking of him, he was evidently offered Joe Hardy (a role that won Jarrod Emmick a Tony) in the revival of Damn Yankees (I think he played it during the out of town tryout) but chose to originate Giorgio instead. What a tough choice (although a nice problem to have). Hasn't he since left the business? I think he now is like, a corporate public speaking coach or something.

BTW: Patti was offered The Witch but then "negotiations broke down"? WTF? I don't care if you have a Tony Award. Stephen Sondheim wants you to originate a leading role for him, you ask where to sign. Unbelievable.