Question about Jen Cody in Shrek

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 9:52am

I saw Shrek last Saturday. Jen Cody was out and her understudy was on. Yet, I saw Jen Cody sitting in the sound booth area. Does anyone know if it is common practice for actors to sit out of a show to observe or to let someone else swing in to practice the track/role?

[QuiteSo]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 10:02am

It happens fairly frequently. When I saw Xanadu Marty Thomas was on for Curtis Holbrook, but Curtis was in the mezzanine (all by himself) watching the show and waving at the actors. It happens.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 10:06am

I didn't see her in the audience, but I did see her come out the stage door.

I do like that the understudies in at least her and Noah's (who was also out) have different outfits and characters ~ even if the lines that refer to the white rabbit's story don't really fit a woodland imp.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 11:24am

Yeah-I'm not sure why, though. When I saw Carolyn Ockert-Haythe on for Jennifer Simard, instead of the Wicked Witch, she played a female Gnome.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 11:31am

Understudies, Swings and Dance Captains are "swung out" to observe the show, every now and then, not too frequently.

[faith587]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 3:44pm

That happened when I saw the show. A swing was on in Ryan Duncan's track, yet Ryan was in the mezzazine during the show.

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 4:31pm

Yeah, thats what I was gonna say. If she's the dance captain, on occasion they observe the show and make sure the choreographer's work is still being appropriately executed.

[singtopher]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 10:14pm

Often times understudies and swings are guaranteed a certain amount of shows. I suppose one of the swings had family in town and went on for a certain track, and the principal wanted to watch the show that they never get to see. Seeing the show can be helpful for an actor.