Legally Blonde understudies

I know it just opened. I'm not asking who I might end up seeing just incase Laura or Orfeh is out (I dont even have tickets for the show yet), but I am curious if anyone has some information about the understudies; the website is not very helpful. Maybe the playbills last night were informative...

Is there a standby for Laura Bell Bundy and who is her understudy? Does anyone know who is understudying the major roles?

according to the website:

Kevin Pariseau is understudying Callahan
Beth Curry is understudying Brooke, Pilar, and Margot

Anyone able to fill in the gaps?

thanks NJ... I'm not at all surprised at those choices. I'm sure both would do well in the role. Any news about the other understudies?

This is what I know

Becky is the first cover for Elle
Annaleigh is second cover for Elle
Kevin is first for Callahan
Andy is first for Emmett, second for Callahan
Noah is second for Emmett
Tracy is first for Vivienne
Gaelen is first for Paulette second for Vivienne
Amber is second for Paulette
Beth and Michelle cover Brooke
Jason Gillman and Matthew cover Warner

Anyone know who the first covers for Brooke and Warner are? I would guess Tracy might be first for Brooke given that Beth understudies Margot and Pilar, but who knows?

Updated On: 4/30/07 at 04:21 PM

The understudies are as follows:

For Elle- Annaleigh Ashford, Becky Gulsvig
For Warner- Jason Gillman, Matthew Risch
For Emmett- Andy Karl, Noah Weisberg
For Paulette- Amber Efe, Gaelen Gilliland
For Professor Callahan- Andy Karl, Kevin Pariseau
For Vivienne- Tracy Jai Edwards, Gaelen Gilliland
For Brooke- Beth Curry, Michelle Kittrell

EDIT: Jerry is not doing a first and second cover system. The only time any understudy will get preference over another is at this stage in the game when the one that is most rehearsed will go on if needed (as they are not rehearsing them all simultaneously yet.) Once both covers fully learn the role they will be alternated equally.

For example, Becky Gulsvig is being rehearsed for Elle first because Annaleigh Ashford is in a principle role and has been having to keep up with her own personal changes.

If Laura Bell Bundy is out anytime in the near future Becky will have to go on as she is more prepared, but once both her and Ashford are fully taught the role then they will be completely equal in regards to who will get preference to perform. It will just come down to what swings are available to go into their tracks and who the production team feel is best prepared at the time.

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Updated On: 4/30/07 at 04:26 PM

Don't plan on seeing Orfeh's understudy. I don't think she ever missed a performance at Saturday Night Fever.

Legally Blonde is a clear example of how broadway is good and DEAD today. How unimaginative,uninspired and trite. I'm all for a fun show but to dumb down for bullshi*t like this? Heck no. please.
Its clear that the producers put cashing in on the easily drawn in tween screaming trl/fan girl croud before any kind of substance or purpose. not even a smidgen here. get it out.

Again, no one cares about your hate of Legally Blonde. Go away.

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Updated On: 4/30/07 at 05:01 PM

I still find the Callahan/Emmett thing a VERY odd combination for one person to understudy. Andy’s Callahan would certainly change things a bit, though. It’s one thing for Elle to turn down a man with power, but another for her to turn down a very attractive man with power.

It’s not that Michael Rupert is bad looking (because he isn’t), but he looks the same age as Elle’s father (I always thought that Emmett viewed Callahan as a father figure of sorts, until Elle told what Callahan did). Andy doesn’t, and it seems like some of the interns would willingly sleep with Andy’s Callahan even without getting a huge career push, given his younger looks. But maybe they will fleck Andy’s hair or even give him a grey wig.

I also wonder if they will try to make Andy look geekier to play Emmett or will he play Emmett as a guy who’s just as “hot” as Warner.

I just want to know why Tracy Jai Edwards is not an Elle understudy. It seems like former Glindas/Ambers get cast as Elle, and Tracy was my first and favorite Amber. I think she'd be fabulous.

This is random but I saw Annaleigh Ashford when she was the understudy for Glinda in Wicked and she did a great job....I can really picture her in this role so if anybody out there does end up going on a night that Laura is out I think it will still be a great experience!

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fyi Christian Borle is supposed to be on vacay starting on Aug 29, for two weeks. Andy Karl will be Emmett for the first week, for those of you who are interested in checking him out.
(Man I just wish his weekend didn't coincide with Labor Day weekend- I don't think I'm up for rushing Blonde on a holiday weekend. :))