Broadway Legend Joined: 8/5/11
How did stephanie do with the trio? Doesn't patina also do some gymnastics? How did stephanie pull that off?
Patina must really not be feeling well if it was such a late notice.
Understudies - and even standbys- typically receive marginal (at best) rehearsal until a show opens. Considering PIPPIN's opening night was last Thursday, I would imagine Stephanie Pope has had collectively no more than a few hours rehearsal for what is arguably one of the most challenging roles in the musical theatre.
Anyone who could step to the table and even half way deliver would in this instance get a huge brava from me.
Stephanie did not do the tricks Patina does...I'm assuming because of time and safety issues...or maybe she can't do em? But she didn't even do the hula hoop one. I think patina was real sick. She wouldn't call out for no reason.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/5/11
Thanks for the info Nattalyee.
I'm confused: who was asking for prayers?
Patina or Stephanie?
Yes.
Updated On: 9/13/13 at 01:44 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/5/11
what exactly do you mean when you say "She couldn't sing it"? How did she act it? What was her take on it? What things didn't you like about it?
I'm sure Stephanie is wonderful as one of the ensemble players.
Updated On: 9/13/13 at 01:53 AM
I'd like to give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure she's had maybe one understudy rehearsal since the show just opened last week. She hasn't yet learned how to sing the role in context of a full show. It's very challenging vocally, especially with the keys they've established in this revival. I bet she was happy that she got through it at all. Not to make excuses for her, but it sounds like it was an emergency situation.
Did she understudy Patina at ART? Anyone know?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
"She should have a MALE understudy, now that would be COOL!"
Off topic and fwiw, in Rocky Horror, Lea DeLaria (Eddie/Dr Scott) was understudied by James Stovell, a black male actor. I wonder if there are other examples of this.
On topic, I'm with HeyMrMusic and Michael Bennett. The show just opened. Understudies really haven't been given the time and attention they need to get up to speed, through no fault of their own.
"If i was in the audience tonight i would be so disappointed. Unbelievably sad" - broadwayguy
"And I wouldn't exactly call Patina Miller missing a performance "unbelievably sad" - WiCkEDrOcKS
"Clearly you wouldn't." - broadwayguy
I wouldn't either. A little perspective, please. Disappointed, maybe. Unbelievably sad? No. That's just hyperbolic. Anyone who is unbelievably sad that a performer is out has their priorities out of wack.
Updated On: 5/3/13 at 04:24 AM
Sounds more like an emergency if she was asking for "prayers". Hope all is ok.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
Most importantly my prayers are with Patina.
Next if there are two understudies I WANT to see it would be Stephanie as the Leading Player and Erik Altemus as Pippin!
Finally I find it almost hilarious that for weeks there have been plenty being hypercritical about Patina being the Leading Player and then when she is out there is an equal amount because she was out!
p.s. if there should be ANY crying it would be if Andrea Martin is out.
Any word yet if Patina will be in for the Saturday matinee?
Rocks, Erik Altemus (who plays Lewis) is the Pippin understudy. I am waiting for the day Matthew is out since I didn't care for him. And Erik is wonderfully talented.
Swing Joined: 5/3/13
For the love of God give Stephanie a break. It is very clear that it was her first performance. And if any of you know how a broadway show works, you know that understudies do not get rehearsed until after show opens. The show opened last week. With all the press events coming and award season clearly Stephanie has yet to have rehearsal. Stephanie is a pro and has proven how ****ing fantastic she is in numerous shows for years. I'm sure once she has proper rehearsal time she will knock this role out of the park. She's not going to do tricks onstage blindly without ever rehearsing them EVER. But with literally one hours notice all she can do is her best and get through the show.
Updated On: 5/3/13 at 08:29 AM
I hope she's OK, but Ms. Miller better pray no TONY voters had tickeys for last night.
While I admit I would be extremely annoyed if I paid $140 to see the show and one of the lead performances was not up to par, blame the producers or the system, not the actor, if she's underprepared. Pope was the Gypsy Robe recipient for Pippin. This is her 9th Broadway show. If she wasn't adequately prepared, I doubt it's because she doesn't care or a slacker.
I wonder if Erik Altemus has to shave his moustache when going on as Pippin. If so, then he'd have to grow it all over again!
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
"Oh no, Oh no...don't make him shave his moustache!"
as I throw a pen against the wall with little energy.
"Oh no...oh no..."
as I take a small bite out of an apple.
"it will be SO hard to look at him without a moustache"
His website has a few more pictures too
Updated On: 5/3/13 at 09:06 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
Glad I'm not the only one who couldn't take their eyes off Altemus... SWOON.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/5/11
"I wouldn't either. A little perspective, please. Disappointed, maybe. Unbelievably sad? No. That's just hyperbolic. Anyone who is unbelievably sad that a performer is out has their priorities out of wack. "
I completely disagree. I would have every right to be heartbroken if i found out i wouldn't be seeing Patina in the performance. She has been getting amazing reviews and everyone talks about her like she is the next evita on here. Plus she redesigned this character and i would love to see what she does differently from Ben Vereen. Plus, if i was in New york for a weekend i would probably only have money to see one show and i would definitely choose Pippin because the show looks amazing and because Patina is in it. Wouldn't you be heartbroken if Alice Ripley was out of next to normal the day you saw it? I think so. Im not saying i am only seeing the show BECAUSE of Patina, i would just like to see her in the part that wins her the tony. I think my reasons are valid.
ANYWAY: I think we need to give Stephanie a break. I'm sure she did the best she could with the time that was given to her.
Updated On: 5/3/13 at 09:44 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
I found my eyes distracted to the point of watching Stephanie (and Erik) each time they were on stage. Their expressions, movements, even when they are not featured and just in the background I found to be spectacular. The last time I found this with regularity was Scott Wise. I used to love seeing him in a cast. A few months ago I looked him up online and I think now he is just teaching and no longer performing with the regularity he used to. I am very interested in following them not only in Pippin but in future roles. They are both dynamic performers.
Yes, Patina is fantastic in Pippin!
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
I just read an article that suicide rates in the US have gone up considerably. Patina missing that performance certainly doesn't help matters.
Stand-by Joined: 7/6/12
does anyone know if she is back in tonight? i have tickets for saturdays matinee, and i hate to not see Patina
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