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#1

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/20/25 at 12:27pm

If understudies.org is to be believed, Off-Broadway’s HEATHERS always has multiple understudies going on. Is the show just that hard to perform? It’s wild how often people seem to be out. What’s going on over there?

 

#2

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/20/25 at 12:44pm

When I saw the show, the only understudy on was Kiara Michelle Lee for Heather Duke. I believe Olivia Hardy has missed a lot of performances, going back even to early previews.

Lorna Courtney is currently on vacation this week and McKenzie Kurtz is on vocal rest. Casey Likes has missed a few shows for prescheduled absences, and Erin Morton was out for two weeks to work on a different project. And obviously Kerry Butler is on leave for Bat Boy.

The run was originally only slated to run through September 28, so it's possible that some cast members (like Butler) had pre-existing conflicts that are taken into account.

"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#3

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/20/25 at 12:54pm

Heathers submits their understudies directly to the website so of all shows, theirs is likely the most accurate.

Just like any other show people get sick, injured, outs, take vacations, etc. and the production has to navigate a lot of these situations happening concurrently.

Another issue that I’ve frequently heard about though is the fact that the backstage areas of New World Stages are pretty much at a bare minimum, with cast of larger shows (like HEATHERS or TEETH) being crammed into no more than 2-3 dressing rooms. As contagion works, if one person is sick, and you share a dressing room with 9 people, it’s a recipe for disaster. If you’ve seen Casey’s instagram videos, he appears to share a dressing room with pretty much all the male cast members and swings (which is 8-9 people). 

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#4

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/20/25 at 12:57pm

AC126748 said: "When I saw the show, the only understudy on was Kiara Michelle Lee for Heather Duke. I believe Olivia Hardy has missed a lot of performances, going back even to early previews.

Lorna Courtney is currently on vacation this week and McKenzie Kurtz is on vocal rest. Casey Likes has missed a few shows for prescheduled absences, and Erin Morton was out for two weeks to work on a different project. And obviously Kerry Butler is on leave forBat Boy.

The run was originally only slated to run through September 28, so it's possible that some cast members (like Butler) had pre-existing conflicts that are taken into account."

Olivia has missed many shows - I’ve ended up seeing Kiara as Duke 5 of the 7 times I’ve been to the show. Ben Davis was  also out for a few one week stints for the JCS Hollywood Bowl concert and also because of vocal issues. The extension was likely already built into their contracts but allows for outs in case of other projects (like Butler for BAT BOY or Casey for his concert work).

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#5

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/20/25 at 1:07pm

You know, I’ve only been reading this board for about a year and posting for even less and honestly, the rudeness that sometimes shows up here can be pretty frustrating.

That said, I just wanted to thank everyone who chimed in on my theater question. I got some really smart, thoughtful and kind responses that reminded me why I stick around.

We could all take a cue from those folks. Seriously, thanks everyone.

#6

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/22/25 at 12:11pm

Just announced:

McKenzie Kurtz and Olivia Hardy are both taking leaves of absence from the production. Jodie Steele (original UK Heather Chandler) will take over for Kurtz beginning Saturday through mid-November. Kiara Lee will play Heather Duke until early December.

Also, Lorna Courtney's final show is December 8. Kuhoo Verma takes over as Veronica beginning December 11.

"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#7

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/22/25 at 1:08pm

I saw Kuhoo in FORUM at Signature last year (oddly enough, with Cameron Loyal in the same production). She’s a hoot and I think she will be a great addition to the cast!

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#8

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/22/25 at 1:25pm

I bought a ticket to this, it turned out Kerry is gonna be out.  I thought I’d sell it but I might as well just see Lorna before she leaves all the new people in the show and come back when Kerry and Kurtz are back in, and the new Veronica.   Are they extending?

#9

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/22/25 at 1:50pm

The Bandstand said: "I bought a ticket to this, it turned outKerry is gonna be out. I thought I’d sell it but I might as well just see Lorna before she leaves all the new people in the show and come back when Kerry and Kurtz are back in, and the new Veronica. Are they extending?"

 

And by "sell it" I assume you mean you'll DM every person on this site who has not blocked you yet and ask if they "wanna buy a ticket"?

 

#10

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/22/25 at 2:33pm

Close quarters, coming into cold/flu season, scheduled absences, taking personal days, vacations, vocal rest. If you work do you always ask your coworkers why they're out?

#11

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/22/25 at 5:56pm

I've heard the show plans to remain open as long as it stays profitable. It will almost certainly extend beyond the current closing date in January. I imagine there will be some cast changes if it continues running into the spring.

"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#12

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/23/25 at 12:15am

Courtney is great vocally but miscast while playing Veronica cheesy/girly and easily manipulated.  Likes holds it up with a solid mix of edgy, cool with a touch of scary with Kurtz making smart moves as Heather Chandler.

the replacement cast is feeling pretty uninspired so far.

#13

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/23/25 at 4:13am

I wish they got Erin Caldwell over from London for Veronica. She’s awesome

#14

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/23/25 at 6:44am

>the replacement cast is feeling pretty uninspired so far.<

Only one permanent replacement has been named -- Kuhoo Verma as Veronica, and she's an extraordinary talent. She was a standout in Dave Malloy's Octet, for which she won a Lortel Award, and she was brilliantly funny in the film Plan B. Great voice as well, including a full coloratura, though she doesn't need it for Heathers. But having a well-trained singer served them well with Lorna Courtney, who manages to sing that demanding score quite effortlessly. Kuhoo is a very interesting choice for the role and I am excited to see her. 

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#15

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 10/23/25 at 9:40am

Olivia Hardy posted a TikTok yesterday where she addresses her upcoming leave of absence. She mentions that she's been diagnosed with a vocal polyp that resulted from a hemorrhage at the beginning of the run. She's taking time off for surgery and recovery.

Although she absolutely doesn't owe anyone an explanation, I find this kind of transparency refreshing, especially as a way to destigmatize vocal injuries.

https://www.tiktok.com/@livhardy99/video/7564113428940344631?lang=en

"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#16

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 11/18/25 at 4:19pm

McKenzie Kurtz is returning to the show tomorrow night. Jodie Steele played her final performance on Monday. 

Also, it looks like Olivia Hardy isn’t returning at all. Jackera Davis will take over as Heather Duke on December 11, the same day Kuhoo Verma begins her run as Veronica. 

"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#17

HEATHERS and Understudies

Posted: 11/18/25 at 4:31pm

CoffeeBreak said: "the replacement cast is feeling pretty uninspired so far."

The show is the star here. Yes, they came in hot with some pretty good casting and - in my opinion - not a single weak link.

The “Male/Female Authority Figure” tracks could also probably be easily star or stunt cast if necessary. They each have their moments and mostly ensemble work otherwise. 

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