Famous Standbys-Understudies, etc.- Page 4

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/2/11 at 5:58pm

Jere Shea has left the business. He moved back to Boston, his hometown. I think his last professional credit was the out-of-town tryout of High Society. He was announced for Broadway, but dropped out and was replaced by Stephen Bogardus.

I think he taught a BU for a time. According to his LinkedIn page (which I found, quite easily, by Googling him), he's currently working for an NGO.

Stephen Sondheim wants you to originate a leading role for him, you ask where to sign. Unbelievable.

Even the most ardent Sondheim fan has to admit that statement is hyperbolic, at best.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 8/2/11 at 6:16pm

As I understood it, Patti wanted the same billing and money that Bernadette got, and was told no.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/2/11 at 6:18pm

It's all discussed in the Patti memoir thread.

[MarkieSunshine]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 8:24pm

Laura Benanti understudied Rebecca Luker in "The Sound of Music."

Updated On: 8/5/11 at 08:24 PM

[aeichler]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 4:59pm

Ruth Donnelly, famous for all of those Warner Brothers comedies of the 1930's, was standby for Patsy Kelly in "No, No Nanette".

[mmh1019]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 5:10pm

will swenson understudied steve kazee in 110 in the shade back in '07

[broadwayriff]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 5:22pm

Rebecca Lucker for Sarah Brightman in "Phantom"

[goldenboy]

Posted: 4/11/12 at 2:06am

Joel Grey understudied Tommy Steele in Half a Sixpence.
Helen Gallagher understudied Gwen Verdon in Sweet Charity.

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/11/12 at 2:36am

Wasn't Dee Hoty the unlisted understudy for Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams in "Sondheim on Sondheim".

I chuckle at the thought of the announcement "Tonight, the part of Barbara Cook will be played by Dee Hoty".

[Here I Am]

Posted: 4/11/12 at 2:52am

I saw Eden Espinosa as Nessarose back when she was understudy in 'Wicked'... does that count? lol.

[Leadingplayer]

Posted: 4/11/12 at 4:19am

Phylcia Rashad was the first Deena Jones understudy in Dreamgirls.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/11/12 at 7:44am

Phylicia was also the original understudy for Glinda in the OBC of "The Wiz."

[goldenboy]

Posted: 4/11/12 at 12:40pm

Okay > I love this one.

Louise Lasser understudied Barbra STreisand in I can get it for you wholesale.

[NoHSMisNotAMusical]

Posted: 4/11/12 at 5:57pm

Merle Louise understudied for Carole Shelley in Billy Elliot. Victoria Clark also understudied for Agatha in addition to Adelaide in Guys and Dolls.