Females as Understudies for Male Roles?

[maya_40]

Posted: 2/24/19 at 8:14pm

So I was watching a live stream from Andrew B Feldman (current Evan on DEH Broadway) and he was also with Gabi Carruba (Zoe and Alana U/S) and someone asked what her dream role she could never play was and she responded "Evan Hansen" but then Andrew said something like "Well you are 2nd u/s so who knows?" Does that mean that Gabi is the second understudy for Evan? I thought it didn't really make sense and I was missing something but it got me wondering if females were ever set as Understudies for Male Roles in this show or in general?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/24/19 at 8:22pm

It has happened, but it's probably not happening in DEH.

[Wick3]

Posted: 2/24/19 at 8:55pm

For Once on This Island, Asaka (traditionally female role) was perfromed by Alex Newell (male) and understudies were Aurelia Williams (female), Cicily Daniels (female), Ximone Rose (female).

Also, Papa Ge (traditionally male role) was performed by Merle Dandridge (female) and understudies were T. Oliver Reid (male) and Allan Washington (male)

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 12:00pm

Making the title character a lesbian certainly would be an interesting twist on Dear Evan Hansen.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 12:05pm

When Aladdin first opened, Marisha Wallace covered the role of Babkak and I believe she even went on in the role. 

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 1:40pm

In London's most recent revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Adelphi Theatre there was a female member of the ensemble who was first understudy for Benjamin.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 2:39pm

The School of Rock parents were understudied by different people. Sometimes kids had a male and female parents, or sometimes they had gay dads, or gay moms...They didn't seem to mind about any of that. 

[Kitsune]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 4:37pm

I didn't see it myself, but I have a vague memory that for Thoroughly Modern Millie, one of the Chinese "brothers" was sometimes swapped out for a sister in the case of understudies.

[Boq101]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 10:41pm

I believe you are correct. The smaller of the two roles, Bun Foo, understudied his brother Ching Ho. Darren Lee then also understudied both brothers and finally Joann M. Hunter understudied Bun Foo. 

[HennySlay]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 10:50pm

I’m pretty sure both of Ryann Redmond’s understudies in Frozen are male.

[theaterlyfe19]

Posted: 2/26/19 at 7:55am

Makes me wonder if Patina Miller had male understudies when she played the Leading Player in Pippin. 

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/26/19 at 9:16am

theaterlyfe19 said: "Makes me wonder if Patina Miller had male understudies when she played the Leading Player in Pippin."

She didn't - both of her understudies were female. 

[Trina55]

Posted: 2/26/19 at 10:48am

In Les Mis, one of the little girls usually covers Gavroche. I’m sure there have been other examples with children.

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/26/19 at 10:52am

Trina55 said: "In Les Mis, one of the little girls usually covers Gavroche. I’m sure there have been other examples with children."

Tam in Miss Saigon.

[maya_40]

Posted: 2/28/19 at 10:05pm

I agree, although the jokes about secret gay email accounts may be slightly limited but I feel like that could be played with. Although since Connor would still be a male, it would sort of take away that aspect altogether . Maybe like a secret relationship email account? Then she could be like dude I’m gay. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sondheim94]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 8:33pm

Ryan Watkinson understudied Jackie Hoffman and Andre Ward understudied Jackie and Mary Testa  in Xanadu. Annie Golden understudied both roles as well.