Patina MIller Out of Pippin Tonight Stephanie Pope in- Page 4

[jerbull864]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 2:26pm

Just we're all clear: give Stephanie some slack. She actually called out of both shows on Wednesday due to illness. As of last night she still wasn't feeling 100%, but was able enough to perform her normal role. Then she got word at 7:40 that she was going on for the leading player with little to no understudy rehearsal. Given the facts, I think she did a pretty good job.

How many of you would have the courage/talent/chops to go on for a tony nominated role you've barely rehearsed with 20 minutes notice while sick?

Yeah...I didn't think so.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 2:30pm

How many of you would have the courage/talent/chops to go on for a tony nominated role you've barely rehearsed with 20 minutes notice while sick?

Yeah...I didn't think so.

And that means what to you, exactly?

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 2:36pm

"Then she got word at 7:40 that she was going on for the leading player with little to no understudy rehearsal"

That is something i don't understand about the understudy system. I get the feeling that Stephanie had maybe one rehearsal for the leading player so how did she get through the show? Did she have time to learn the blocking or did she just improv stuff? Was she taught the trio dance and all the rest of the choreography or did she just have to be off to the side during some numbers because she hasn't yet learned everything? What is the relationship between the understudy and the regular performer and how does that work?

Updated On: 5/3/13 at 02:36 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 2:47pm

The stage manager and dance captain rehearse the understudies. Once the show has been running they will "swing out" an understudy so they can trail the performer and watch from the wings (or audience) When they have not rehearsed (like this situation) Most understudies will take it on themselves to learn lines, music and staging.
They can get tips from performers but that's personal and not required.

Updated On: 5/3/13 at 02:47 PM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 2:55pm

Holy crap. It seems like the understudy has the scariest job out of everyone! I would **** my pants if i had to do something like that. Major Props to Stephanie Pope.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 3:13pm

"Stephanie did not do the tricks Patina does...I'm assuming because of time and safety issues...or maybe she can't do em?"

It must be taken into account that Stephanie is 49 years old and Patina is 28. She's old enough to be Patina's mother so I am sure there are some physical limitations that would prevent her from performing some of Patina's tricks.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 3:16pm

She is 49?! wow. I looked at a picture of Stephanie and she doesn't look 49 at all, she looks like she is in her Mid 30's. Another gold star for her!

[Tom1071]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 3:45pm

Stephanie's Broadway debut was Bob Fosse's "Big Deal" in 1986. She has seen some things.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 4:06pm

Pope & Charlotte d'Amboise are the same age and are only a month apart age-wise.

also, in terms of understudies & swings, Pippin only has one u/s(Altemus) as well as Berthe(Harper). Considering how physically demanding this show, I wouldn't be surprised to see a Standby added for Pippin, as well as additional swings brought in by the summer(currently only two swings: Musgrove & Harper).

Updated On: 5/3/13 at 04:06 PM

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 4:28pm

And are there swings for the circus performers? I mean, what do they do in that situation??

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:03pm

"And are there swings for the circus performers? I mean, what do they do in that situation??"

I wonder that also. I'm sure they can't replace them so easily. They may just do what Cirque Du Soleil does and just not perform that particular act.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:13pm

In some shows that have "specialties" the understudy will have their own "tricks" and the show is built so they can "plug in" that trick.

This is a problem with a show like this, the big tricks may be left out when an actor is sick or hurt and the show will suffer from that.

As talented as Ms. Pope may be, I'm kinda shocked they don't have someone closer to Patina's age who can do what she does.
Again, the show may suffer some of it's glitz and "magic" when an understudy can't perform the complete role.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:16pm

I would think that the circus performers have understudies. They did for TRACES (although I never saw an understudy) and I'm thinking this would be the same kind of deal.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:23pm

"the show may suffer some of it's glitz and "magic" when an understudy can't perform the complete role."

Exactly. Nothing against Stephanie, but i am worried the audience didn't get to see the magic that really is pippin.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:24pm

Are you really that worried about it? I don't think it's your problem.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:25pm

I'm wetting my pants....

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:26pm

"Exactly. Nothing against Stephanie, but i am worried the audience didn't get to see the magic that really is pippin."

Easy solution. Why not offer to buy each member of last night's audience a ticket to a future performance of Pippin. Then you wouldn't have to worry about it any more.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:26pm

Of course he's worried, Clyde! Aren't you?!?! This is an unbelievably sad occasion. Unbelievably sad. Have some respect.

Updated On: 5/3/13 at 05:26 PM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:28pm

Thank you WiCkEDrOcKS. You understand my pain :)

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:31pm

This is broadway guy thinking about all those poor people who had to SUFFER through a subpar show.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:33pm

IT'S JUST SO SAD!..How will those poor people ever move on?...

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:35pm

"Of course he's worried, Clyde! Aren't you?!?! This is an unbelievably sad occasion. Unbelievably sad. Have some respect."

You left out that he's wetting his pants. I left out the heartbreak because he seems to be aware that he used the wrong word in this case - but hey, he's learning.

Do we have any word on why she's out (someone mentioned vocal problems)?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:42pm

I'm not sure, but I'd just like to acknowledge that her tweet last night was as follows:
"@patinamiller: Twitter fam gonna need some prayers for tonight's show!! Send them my way!"

So she was clearly asking for prayers to help get through the performance, which she intended on being a part of (according to Twitter, at 7:07 last night). So she's not asking for prayers because she is deathly ill or broke every bone in her body.

Still though, what a tragedy for everyone in that theater. I hope they're all okay. It's just so unbelievably sad.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 5:46pm

Come to the lot tonight on Avenue A for a vigil for Kyle Smash and Petunia Miller. Bring a dish to pass.

[Ejm105989]

Posted: 5/3/13 at 9:02pm

Out again tonight. Hope she feels better! I was going to rush tomorrow but I'm going to wait next week when she's better (hopefully)



Updated On: 5/3/13 at 09:02 PM