Laura Marie Duncan is going on as Nellie in SOUTH PACIFIC tonight!

I hope Kelli is back by April 20 because she's the only reason I'm going to see it.

BoCo graduate!

That's all.

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I saw her on the tour of DRS and she was great. Anyone who went please tell us how she was. I'd love to know!

There are reports on ATC. The general consensus seems to be solid but nervous.

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Her performance in DRS was lackluster at best. Wonderful cast but she had the quality like an understudy who'd barely looked at her part.

Yeah, I saw that thread, but of course, wanted to get as many thoughts as possible.

Said ATC poster further adds: "She has a lovely voice and was good in the part."

Yay. I actually noticed at the matinee that Laura disappeared midway through the 2nd act, and then found out it was to get in some rehearsal.

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O'Hara

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It was highly reported via the internet that Kelli O'Hara wasn't feeling too well at the matinee so they pulled Laura Marie Duncan out of the show and they started prepping her for that evening's performance during the end of Act 1 and all of Act 2 of the show. She was in the wings learning the blocking, etc. as the show was going on with O'Hara.

I don't understand why Laura hadn't had any rehearsal time yet. Don't understudies get time to learn the part before the show opens? Is it really fair to anyone to wait to give them rehearsals until the day of what will be their first show?

To my understanding, rehearsal time for understudies is extremely limited during previews.

Some understudies don't even rehearse in previews.

I have no doubt Laura did great! I saw her at the At This Performance concert singing "Cock-Eyed Optimist", and her voice is just beautiful.

I couldn't help but chime in. I saw her today and would never have known any of this behind the scenes stuff. I say rock on to Laura! I had so much fun at the show, and I have seen it with Kelli. Who I also enjoyed. I think Lincoln Center was smart to cast two incredibly talented ladies to take care of this wonderful part!
I do have a question for one of the posters...?

When would have been the time for Ms. Duncan to have learned the blocking? When she was waiting backstage and couldn't see the show and blocking?
Or when she was onstage trying to do the blocking she was hired to do?
Or maybe after she spent so much time with the Orchestra and Musical director on the many songs she sings, Oh that's right I am sorry, she never really had a chance to do that so I guess that's out.
Sorry, but you clearly have NO idea of what this business is about and how it works.
This isn't community theater, she can't just do what she wants. She is required to follow the rules as set forth by her employer and union. She can't just say, " You know, I think I am just going to hang out on the sidelines and learn Kelli's blocking!"
Or better yet, " I think I will just go into the audience and watch the show when I am not on." That's NOT how it works.