ROA understudies.

I haven't seen the show lately but hear there are many u/s going on in that show lately.
Maybe the rock singing is starting to get to peoples vocal chords. I wonder if this is how it will be over there at the brooks for a while.
Though I hear Michael Minarik is amazing as Lonny (mitch jarvis is apparently on vacation)

I saw the 7/2 performance and Jeremy Woodard was on for James Carpinello (not sure if he was sick or if it was a vacation). Thankfully for ROA, all the understudies seem to be pretty great in their roles. From what I had seen on YouTube, Jeremy has a slightly better voice than Carpinello, but lacks a little of the bad-ass rocker charisma.

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Michael Minarik as Lonny really interests me. I know people are saying he's really good - but I just can't imagine many other people besides Mitch playing the role. Lonny is such a huge part, and for it to be played completely different than the way Mitch does it makes me think that the show is a lot different when he's not there.

I see the show every night.
Unfortunately, there have always been a lot of understudies going on - even since Off Broadway. And Wise is the 1st Sherrie to be able to do all 8 shows a week for longer than 1 week! (Tho she was out more if this weekend)
While the music demands are rough on the non-rock trained voices, the HARDER thing is the performance schedule! After a 5 show weekend (Friday, double Sat, double Sun) they don't have a day off. They go into two more days of work. (OffBway schedule was worse: Thurs, Friday 7pm, Friday 10pm, Sat 2pm, Sat 8 pm, Sunday 2pm, Mon and Tuesday. YIKES!
I think it will take a little more getting used to for the actors.
Ultimately none of the understudies are a disappointment (tho Stacie's u/s is not my personal fav). Jeremy Jordan really fills the shoes for Drew - I'm always really impressed by him.

Jeremy Jordan is an amazing Drew. I haven't seen him as Franz, and can't imagine anyone other than Wesley Taylor.

I've seen Michael Minarik as both Lonny and Hurtz. He was awesome in both roles.

I also saw Tad Wilson as Lonny once, and he brings a certain hilarity to the role.

Michael Minarik is hilarious (I've seen him in Les Miz, Little Women and Urinetown). I know very little about ROA but would love to see him in this. :)

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<<< Isn't Michael Minarik a bass-baritone? Can't imagine him hitting some of the notes Lonny has to. Heard him at Bryant Park, wasn't impressed. I really want to see him!! >>

Michael was on as Lonny last night- he has an excellent voice, but really missed Mitchell !!! Just didnt find Michael funny or "campy" enough for the role.

Tad was on as Hertz, and was excellent.

"Has anyone seen a "Regina" understudy?"

Never did, but would have liked to.

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understudies i've seen:

Michael Minarik: I've seen him as Lonny and Hertz. I like his Lonny. I actually saw him as Lonny the first time I saw the show, so I wasn't comparing him to Mitch (who I think is also hysterical). Michael's Hertz was also quite good.

Tad Wilson: I've seen Tad as Dennis, Hertz and Lonny. All very good portrayals of the characters. Tad going on as Lonny recently was a fluke. Mitch was sick and Michael just had surgery so he wasn't cleared to do the role (although Michael is covering for Mitch's vacation this week).

Ericka Hunter: Seen her as Waitress #1 (before she was given the role so she was an US) and as Sherrie. She blew me away with her Sherrie, I was not expecting it as good as it was. I also saw her as the reporter (the track usually played by Katherine Tokarz), she does the character with a Minnesota accent which I thought was hysterical.

Jeremy Jordan: I've seen him as Joey Primo and Franz. Personally he is not my favorite, and certainly not as good as Wesley in the role of Franz. I have not yet seen his Drew.

Jeremy Woodard: I've seen his Stacee. There are parts of his Stacee that I actually prefer over James Carpinello (and that could get me seriously yelled at by some of my friends). I agree that Jeremy does not play the role as the badass rocker, but at times his line delivery is funnier.

Katherine Tokarz: As Regina. Amazing. Hysterically funny.

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When I saw Jeremy Woodard as Stacee he had the exact same costume as James Carpinello.

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for the most part the understudies have the same costumes. Jeremy Woodard's 2nd act Stacee constume is slightly different than James' 2nd act costume.

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Does Minarik sport the mullet? Does Tad wear a wig for Hertz?

AwesomeDanny --- I saw ROA 7/2/09 and they didn't give out LED lighters then. Does anyone know if they ever officially did it? Constantine mentioned it on TODAY and the audience had them at the Tonys, but I haven't heard of it happening at any regular performances.

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