Pippin Understudies

[ethan231h]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 6:01pm

Does anyone know when understudies will be on in Pippin?

I love all the actors in the show and I would hate for them to be out a lot!!





Updated On: 7/3/13 at 06:01 PM

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 6:08pm

Honestly do you speak English

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 6:10pm

Uh, Ethan dear...just think about what you're asking. No one can tell ahead of time when an understudy will be necessary for a show. When a show is informed by a performer that he/she will be absent for a reason, then everyone who needs to know will know. Until then. Speaking of understudies, does anyone know if Molly Tynes has appeared as "Leading Player"? Just wondering. RC in Austin, Texas

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 6:22pm

^No, I don't think so. I know Stephanie had to go on right after opening, and that Erik went on for Matthew a few weeks ago.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 6:23pm

Molly Tynes has not been on. Only Stephanie Pope has performed in place of Patina.

Can't speak to the rest of the cast, but Patina has no scheduled absences or vacations for the foreseeable future.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 7:00pm

This is the newest member of the "Pippin" cast. His name is Billy Harrigan Tighe. He's the newest understudy, for the roles of "Pippin" and "Lewis."


Billy Harrigan Tighe

Updated On: 7/1/13 at 07:00 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 7:17pm

^ YES PLEASE!

Umm...when is Thomas out???

[showchoirguy]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 7:22pm

Matthew was out June 1st evening. I was rushing for the Sunday matinee and I saw understudy slips saying that Erik was playing Pippin.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 8:26pm

I saw him as Link in Hairspray, he's very good.

I too would like to see Pippin on one of Thomas' days off. No offense to him, and his work.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/1/13 at 11:41pm

I'm not sure, but I think Erik Altemus gets first dibs on any absence by Matthew James Thomas.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 12:04am

That's even better. I'd love to see him.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 12:06am

I wonder if Martin, d'Amboise, Mann or Rachel Bay Jones have missed a show yet.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 12:06am

Billy is actually a swing, u/s Lewis and Pippin.

I saw him play Fiyero on the Wicked second national tour, and I can assure you he's going to be excellent.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 12:08am

Has anyone seen Erik? I REALLY wanna see him! I saw Billy in Hairspray at The Marriott Theatre in Chicago and LOVED him!

[gchris11]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 12:47am

As far as I know now Matt and Patina are the only 2 Leads to miss shows. Matthew has been out twice for various reasons and Patina was out the a few times the week Tony Nominations were announced because of vocal problems and illness. Rachel was sick also but cut her singing during the show back (not singing in group numbers and not holding the note) so she never missed. Andrea has not missed a show yet.
I was there the first time Stephanie Pope went on. It was an interesting show. They had not done a full run through with her yet and she found out about 20 minutes to curtain. Some of the stunts had to be cut to avoid injury to anyone and she missed some cues. She was also just getting over being sick, so she was not 100% in voice. there were scenes where she was supposed to be on stage and she wasn't. in the Glory scene she walked on with the hat and cane (not the way it is supposed to happen). She didn't do the hoop thing in another song.

The second time I saw S.P later that week she had improved in the voice department but was still missing some cues, and the whole Katherine entrance was screwed up. It was funny and Rachel covered it well.

I really want to see Erik, I went one night I knew he was on, for Standing room but it was not being offered. So I will see him eventually.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 6:15am

I have a question about the Berthe understudy. Would she be required to do that "special thing" that Andrea Martin does every night?

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 10:59am

I imagine she would, I mean without that, the scene would be a lot more boring, it's kinda the highlight of the song.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 11:55am

I'd imagine there is something like a "fight call" for her to rehearse the number, or at least that part- I'd also assume the cast has all gone through the circus training, including the understudies for their respective roles. I'm sure it would go off without a hitch. I saw Erik's first performance as Pippin and thought he did a great job, I've only had Matthew's television appearances to compare him too- that being said I enjoy Matthew's vocals on the recording and will probably be returning soon to catch his performance! This whole production is stunning!

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 11:58am

Did Erik hit the high note at the end of Corner of the Sky?

[getatme]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 1:07pm

Erik's actually gone on three times, he did a Sunday matinee in mid-May and then both shows on June 1st. He said on Twitter that if/when he finds out any dates he'll be on for Matthew, he'll tweet so people can go see him.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 1:21pm

Erik did hit the high note at the end of "Corner of the Sky", stornger than I've heard Matthew on said televised performances. He was very likable as Pippin, I'd like to see him play the less likable Lewis. I will say, Matthew's belt on the recording is stronger than Erik's, the end of "Morning Glow" seemed a little forced. I saw the show pre-Tony wins, I saw him on Mother's Day, and his mother was there to see him, very special for them.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 3:17pm

Erik Altemus as "Lewis" in "Pippin." His sword is very impressive.

Updated On: 7/2/13 at 03:17 PM

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 8:16pm

Are there any scheduled absences for next sunday (7/14)?

[The Other One]

Posted: 9/21/13 at 7:55am

It is now over two months later. I saw the show last night, and Billy Tighe went on as Pippin. The Leading Player introduced him and said that it was his first show. Does anyone know if it was in fact his first time going on, or if she was referring to it being his first Broadway show (which, according to the Playbill, it is)?

I am happy to report that he is excellent.

We also saw Christopher Sieber and Sabrina Harper go on for Terrence Mann and Charlotte D'Amboise. Sieber is, as always, a treasure and I'm glad I saw him. I would like to have seen Charlotte, but Harper is delightful.

Tovah Feldshuh's name is already in the Playbill, but there was a roar of approval when it was announced that "at tonight's performance" the role of Berthe would be played by Andrea Martin. No offense to Tovah, but I am thrilled to have seen Andrea's show-stopping performance, and I hope I never forget it.

I saw Pippin twice back when I was a teenager in the early 70s. This perfect revival put a happy smile on my face.

But do let me know if Billy Tighe had gone on before. I am curious.

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 9/21/13 at 8:24am

"The Leading Player introduced him and said that it was his first show."

The leading Player always says it's who ever is playing Pippins first show. :)