When I saw Wedding Singer, Richard Blake and Amy Spanger were out, so swings had to cover for Matt Stocke and Robyn Hurder.
Last time I saw Lion King- Scar, Pumbaa, Zazu, and Shenzi were all understudies
First time I saw Rent, both Mark and Roger were out
First and second time I saw Cats tour there were at least 3 understudies each time
When I saw Cinderella tour, they were missing an ensemble man I believe (more absences than swings)
Producers- Hold Me, Touch Me, Jim Borstelmann's track, O'Rourke/Bailiff, and Kevin Ligon's track.
I love stories like these.
"Wow, Elphaba3, you had three understudy's for all three leads."
Yeah, it was a very interesting performance. Idina left after Act 1 because she was sick. I loved Eden and Laura. Kristoffer and Sean were just okay.
I saw Sarah Hay instead of Lyn Paul in BLOOD BROTHERS in London and Rebecca Luker in MARY POPPINS instead of Scarlett Strallen.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
Rabecca Luker never was the understudy for Scarlett Strallen so that is impossible.
Broadway Star Joined: 1/28/06
Three, when I saw The Wedding Singer.
I saw Kevin Kern go on for all the parts normally played by Peter Kapetan, Matthew Stocke go on as Glen and Michael McGurk went on as Trekkie.
The final time I saw The Lord of the Rings (a couple weeks before it closed in Toronto) there were:
5 principles out, 5 ensemble members out, and all 7 swings on
Cristy Cates- Nessa
The understudy for Tracy on the nat. tour of Hairspray..
understudy for Chris on the non-equity tour of Saigon...
I think that's it... I've been relatively lucky.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/06
Two, Joey Sorge as Adolpho, and Patrick Wetzel as the Man in Chair. Both were wonderful, but I also hope to see Bob Martin and Danny Burstein someday.
I guess zerodanny meant to write Rebecca Lock, who was understudying Mary last year
Most ive ever seen in one performance is two and that was Guys and Dolls. They were playing Nathan Detroit and Harry the Horse.
The only time I've ever had an understudy for a lead role was when I saw The Producers on tour about 3 years ago, and the Leo understudy was on (and subsequently, the Carmen understudy was also on.)
I also had a swing go on for Alexi the first time I saw RENT.
When I see shows, there's mostly AT LEAST ONE UNDERSTUDY. If it is the Knight or King Arthur, there's an understudy.
P.S. I saw Camelot two nights ago... No understudies. MICHAEL YORK WAS AMAZING!
Featured Actor Joined: 12/16/06
Matthew Scott as Frankie in Jersey Boys. Someone covered Joe Pesci. Both JLY and Michael Longoria were out.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
My friend went to that Woman in White where all but 2 of the leads were out.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
The best understudy I've ever seen was Daniel Marcus as Count Fosco in THE WOMAN IN WHITE. I went to a Saturday evening show, and it was his first day playing the role, second performance. He was one of the most energetic, spot on, and can't-not-pay-attention-to performers I've ever seen. It seemed as if he'd been playing the role since the beginning...and his voice was a powerhouse. He was also one of the nicest people I've met.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
DRS: John lithgow was out, and I saw Dennis Parlato.
Spelling Bee: Celia Keenan-Bolger (sp?) was out, and I saw Kate Wetherhead as Olive. She was fantastic.
In the past three or four years, I haven't seen one understudy. Not one. It's scary, actually.
I bought tickets to see the OBC of "Ragtime" and was very upset to find that Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes, Marin Mazzie, Mark Jacoby, and Judy Kaye were all out at the performance I attended. The understudies were NOT good. Maybe it's why to this day, I have a deep loathing for Ragtime.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/29/03
the hills are alive, with the sound of music.
I saw laura benanti on for rebecca luker in the revival.
SHE WAS uh-mei-zing.
Hairspray:
Scott Davidson on as Wilbur
Michelle Dowdy on as Tracy
All Shook Up:
Julie Reiber on as Natalie/Ed
Jenny-Lynn-Suckling on as Miss Sandra.
At A CHORUS LINE I had around five understudies. But, isn't that not so unusual with this show, what with the rigor of the choreography and such?
Chicago: I saw Sharon Moore on as Annie, I actually preferred her.
Tarzan: I'm not sure who went on, but I saw an understudy for Clayton.
Wedding Singer: Tina Maddigan for Julia, Robyn Hurder for Holly, Matthew Stocke for Glen, Angelique Ilo for all of Robyn's parts, Angelique Ilo for all of Tracee Beazer's parts, Kevin Kern on as Trekkie, Kevin Kern for all of Peter Kapitan's parts (not all in one show)
Broadway Star Joined: 1/29/07
"At A CHORUS LINE I had around five understudies. But, isn't that not so unusual with this show, what with the rigor of the choreography and such? "
When I saw it a month ago, there was just one understudy...for Don, I think.
Hmm. I've seen quite a few swings in ensemble roles but here are understudies for actual roles.
Wicked Tour in Chicago: Katie Adams as Glinda, Jenna Leigh Green as Elphaba, and Maria Eberline as Nessarose
Wicked Tour in Boston: KW Miller as Boq
The Wedding Singer: Tina Maddigan as Julia and Kevin Kern as Robbie.
Spelling Bee on Broadway: Cathryn Basile as Marcy and Todd Buonopane as Leaf.
Spelling Bee in Boston: Veronica (I can't remember her last name) as Marcy
Rent on tour: Some guy as Mark. I can't remember who.
Les Miserables on tour: Someone on for Javert.
I'm pretty sure that's it...
Updated On: 2/23/07 at 06:40 PM
I certainly cant list them all....
but when I went to the 2002 revival of Into the Woods, every single character was out except Vanessa Williams and Laura Benanti. It was simply ridiculous. Good, but a little ridiculous.
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