Legally Blonde understudies- Page 10
Legally Blonde understudies
Grand Motel
Featured Actor Joined: 7/8/03
#225re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/18/07 at 1:23pmDon't know if there's an actual analysis but going off the recent grosses and general emptiness at the Palace, it definitely didn't boost sales as I'm sure was expected.
#226re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/18/07 at 1:25pmWell, I was more wondering if there was a big advance for the spring. If there was, I can see keeping the show open until then.
#227re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/18/07 at 2:25pmThis is just my personal opinion, but I would say that the MTV showing did have a major effect on the sales in a bad way. Me and a buch of friends are hard core LB fans, and when we go to New York, we don't have an interest to see the show because we already saw it on t.v. The only reason that we would see it would be maybe if Haven was going on as Elle, but that's a small chance.
#228re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/18/07 at 3:29pm
FROM THE VAULTS OF BROADWAY.COM
Jason Gillman as Freddy in DRS
It was from some photo op, I don't know. But here it is :)
Updated On: 12/18/07 at 03:29 PM
#229re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/18/07 at 10:03pmAccording to the cast, they have sold very well in future sales. I haven't asked recently, but a bunch of my friends tried to get tickets for various points in January and February and when they called the box office, they were told there was extremely limited availability... that's a positive, although I am shocked by the low grosses recently.
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#230re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/18/07 at 10:10pm
"Jason Gillman is hysterical as Dewey. He plays it very over the top and very smooth.
I had no idea he understudied Norbert in DRS....I knew he was in the ensemble, but didn't know he understudies such a major role...anyone ever see him go on? "
I may have...once or twice...or...hmm...at least 5 times I would imagine, considering all the times he went on with Norbert had the vocal problems.
Yeah, he started out as the 2nd understudy behind Joe Cassidy, who went on the whole time of Norbert's first vacation, then when Norbert's nodes started, Jason went on more than Joe, which I didn't realize at the time was because Joe was leaving, and when he left, Jason became the first understudy, and went on quite a bit.
I first saw him Jan. 8 (I remember because it was supposed to be Lithgow's initial last performance). Here's what I had to say (love skimming through my old DRS posts:) " Ooh, so Jason was on, and he was fabulous as well! My sister was disappointed she didn't see Norbert but thought Jason was great, and even me who could be very nit-picky and say Norbert rolls 2 more times, and I really enjoyed him too. I kinda feel like w/ the end of DRN that overall his range seems to be a bit lower, but he totally hit the "hand" note. Very impressed w/ him. I adore the DRS ensemble."
After seeing him in late Feb: "Jason was once again great! My mom was disappointed that she couldn't see Norbert (fortunately she saw him in March so she wasn't that upset) but she thought Jason was wonderful. He definitely was. He had good chemistry with everyone, and a great deal of energy.
There was thunderous applause after Great Big Stuff; with audiences not being as great as they've been in the past, it was great to hear that. And I was really happy for Jason"
June: "Jason's really coming into his own as Freddy. He does some of his own dancing, and phrasing and stuff. I'm proud; he's even better than the last time I saw him. (and he put more effort into that beef jerky rolling-on-the-floor-thing than I've ever seen!)
So I saw him at least 3 times, if not more. Sorry, I get a little rambly whenever anyone (especially me, oops) brings up Dirty rotten Scoundrels. But yeah, he was really great, so I was very much looking forward to him going on some roles in Blonde, so glad I could be there this past Wednesday and got such a lovely surprise.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
#231re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/18/07 at 11:24pm
The song "Ireland" is a rather pointless number that does absolutely nothing to advance the plot.
In the hands of anyone but Orfeh, it's a complete bore (and both of the understudies this past weekend, who were great in their own right, proved that.) Not even Leslie Kritzer could make that song work, and that's saying something.
With that having been said, I felt Amber Efe was the stronger of the two covers. She sang the crap out of the "Bend and Snap" number and really made aspects of the role her own (though the things she didn't copy from Orfeh also didn't get the same laughs.) She was apparently under the weather, so I'd love to see her on again when she's feeling 100%.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 12/19/07 at 11:24 PM
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#232re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/19/07 at 12:05am
somethingwicked, i agree with everything you said.
And thanks for the info, wickedrentq!
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
#233re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 10:35am
Fyi, for those of you who will be around and in town and able to attend, Noah Weisberg's last day in Blonde will be 12/30.
...I'm thinking of still keeping my sig file even after he has left, though. :)
#234re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 10:45am
Do you know what he's doing next?
He was at the Drowsy stagedoor this week, and a bunch of kids were like, "That's Noah from Legally Blonde!" Nice to know he's getting some fans.
#235re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 11:02amHe's going to be in South Pacific, I believe. :) Really great for him.
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
#236re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 11:02am
^^ ok that Drowsy story is adorable.
Since it has actually already been mentioned in another thread on here, I think it's ok to say- he's going to do South Pacific.
#237re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 11:09amOh, excellent. My chorus performed with Kelli O'Hara last week and now I'm PSYCHED to see her in SP.
#238re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 7:10pm
does anyone know when Kate Shindle and the rest of original cast are leaving? i would like to see most of them live before they go.
and Haven is an u/s for Elle? it doesn't say that on the official LB site, but people are saying they'd like to see her go on... i'm dying to see her Margot too. i loved Annaleigh, so i'm really interested in Haven's take on the role.
and i'm jealous of anyone who saw Annaleigh go on as Elle! (i have an audio bootlegguhhhyea.. 
of it). i love her voice, especially in So Much Better, Legally Blonde, and Take it like a Man. and it sounded like she got a lot of laughs.
#239re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 8:07pm
"and Haven is an u/s for Elle? it doesn't say that on the official LB site, but people are saying they'd like to see her go on..."
Yes, Haven is an understudy for Margot. She's listed in the playbill.
#241re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 8:08pm
I shall be at Noah's last show! :)
I cannot wait, yet it shall be a sad day.
Yes, he is going to South Pacific, which is incredible!
Hey Anakela: Will I be seeing you there?
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
#242re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 9:37pm
Hey Anakela: Will I be seeing you there?
Nope, I shall unforch be out of town on 12/30, it's...anyway, nope, I will not be there, but those of you who will be, enjoy!
and Haven is an u/s for Elle? it doesn't say that on the official LB site, but people are saying they'd like to see her go on...
No clue about the website, but yes she is, and she's listed in the Playbill as an Ell u/s.
Broadway_freak
Broadway Star Joined: 11/4/04
#243re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 9:40pmOh geeze, who will be replacing him?!?
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#244re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/20/07 at 9:45pm
I remember him really sticking out in the ensemble of Two Gentlemen of Verona.
I believe the joke I had with my friends was "LOOK, IT'S VANILLA ICE!"
#246re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/21/07 at 2:22amIf any of the principals leave, it would be around the end of January or early Feb since that's when their contracts are up. I haven't heard about any of them leaving and I know a few are in negotiations to re-sign right now....
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
#247re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/22/07 at 10:46pm
Well, LBB is probably going to be staying until summer (as another thread suggests)
As for everyone else, I really don't know. There are so many talented people out there...so who knows.
#248re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/22/07 at 11:02pmRichard is re-signing...but he will be taking a vacation in February.
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
#249re: Legally Blonde understudies
Posted: 12/23/07 at 12:42amThat's good...Richard always plays that kind of role and he is darned good at it.
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