Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

#1

Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:13pm

I was wondering what happens if one of the adults in Spring Awakening are out. I don't have a Playbill in front of me... can someone who has one check and see who covers the adult roles? Is it kids or do they have adult understudies?

#2

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:37pm

They have adult standbys but I do not have the Playbill in front of me. It is on the website.

#3

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:57pm

Robert L. Devaney (The Adult Men)
Frances Mercanti-Anthony (The Adult Women)
http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?id=448811

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#4

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/15/06 at 12:25am

Who are the understudies for the rest of the cast? They're not listed on the website. Just wondering..

#5

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/15/06 at 12:35am

^ The four cast members listed as ensemble on ibdb/the show's website are the understudies. During the show they are onstage but they only sing backup vocals.

Thank you for the other information- I only looked on ibdb and didn't know those swing names were adults.

#6

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 12:00pm

Have any of the young cast missed any shows yet? It's interesting to me that Jonathan Wright understudies Melchior when his role is probably the largest of the non-lead teens, yet neither Skylar Astin or Gideon Glick understudy anyone. Also interesting that Brian Johnson understudies Georg when his own role isn't that much smaller, maybe because of "Touch Me" solo?

#7

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 2:50pm

Lauren Pritchard (Ilse) missed a couple and Krysta Rodriguez went on.

Part of who understudies which roles, I think, has to do with age.. I know that one of the Moritz covers is 17... and one of the Wendla covers is 23. Jon Wright is 19.. not sure about the other melchi cover.. I would think they'd want the LEGAL cast members covering the risque tracks.. LOL.

#8

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 5:41pm

For Melchior: Robert Hager, Jonathan B. Wright
For Moritz: Gerard Canonico, Brian Johnson
For Georg: Gerard Canonico, Robert Hager, Brian Johnson
For Hanschen, Otto, Ernst: Gerard Canonico, Robert Hager
Adult Men: Rob Devaney Adult Women: Frances Mercanti-Anthony
For Wendla: Krysta Rodriguez, Phobe Strole
For Isle: Krysta Rodriguez, Phobe Strole
For Anna, Martha, Thea Jennifer Damiano, Krysta Rodriguez

#9

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:02pm

educator, what day did you get the playbill with THAT breakdown? Most of those I remember, but I distinctly recall the Wendla covers being Jennifer Damiano and Phoebe Strole.. NOT Krysta.

#10

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:07pm

hmm...John B. Wright is a terrific actor who line by line has the best delivery of anyone in this talented cast...but his singing...well, I don't mean to be mean, but can he handle the vocal demands of the Melchoir role?

#11

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:10pm

what makes you say he CAN'T? There is nothing wrong with his vocal performance. He performs Hanschen with a pure ROCK sound... just because Groff sings Melchoir in pure pop tenor does not mean that Wright can't.. or even SHOULD.

#12

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:22pm

broadwayguy2, Jennifer was the u/s for Wendla when previews began, but then they were told that a minor like Jennifer, 15, is too young to be part of a sex/nudity scene on stage. Therefore, Krysta is now the second understudy.

#13

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:33pm

Wow, she's only 15?

#14

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:36pm

December 9th. on the Playbill

As for Jonathan B. Wright's voice, he has been professionally trained and sings his songs the way Duncan wants him to. I'm sure they would not have made him Melchior’s understudy if he was not up to it. Also I agree with McFrenzied, Jonathan B. Wright is a gifted actor.

#15

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:10pm

Hi there, folks!

I just thought I would clear up some questions about the understudies for SPRING AWAKENING. I've had the pleasure of co-starring with Robert Hager in several shows in the past (one, most recently, having been staged this past June). He is 19 years of age and as one of the u/s for "Melchior" -- Jennifer, on the other hand, is 15 years. And yes, she was the w/s for "Wendla" during preivew performances. During the time of the pending opening, she was replaced due to the graphic nature and strong sexual content onstage, and legal reasons stemming from all of that. I hope that clears things up for you all.

Best,
- Mike

#16

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:20pm

Is Phoebe Strole's role small? I am suprised to see a principle understudying two roles..

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 12/18/06 at 08:20 PM

#17

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:27pm

She has a pretty large part in the ensemble. She was u/s off bway for both parts too.

#18

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 11:46pm

I still don't see what people are seeing in Jon B. Wright. There are people who stand out way more than him in that cast!

#19

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/17/06 at 11:53pm

Read all of the reviews, he is mentioned almost everytime. I think it is mostly because of his acting not so much the singing, however I believe he is capable of more in that area as well if he needed to be. He is a gifted young man and will go far I'm sure.

#20

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/18/06 at 12:07am

I guess what I am trying to say is that he plays his part. He knows it and plays it. But my honest belief is that he gets so much attention because in the 2nd Act his scene with Gideon is a HUGE comic relief.
Cuz the second act up to that point is really really heavy. So i think people enjoy the laughter...i just dont think hr is AMAZING like people make him out to be.

Updated On: 12/18/06 at 12:07 AM

#21

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/18/06 at 12:13am

You know that scene in the first act when he is looking at the picture and saying that monologue just before my junk? Do you realize how difficult that is to do? He is very good indeed. But I respect your opinion.

Updated On: 12/18/06 at 12:13 AM

#22

re: Spring Awakening- Adult Understudies?

Posted: 12/18/06 at 10:21am

makes perfect sense. I wasn't sure how old Jennifer was or what date she had been replaced and was curious. Thank you so much. As I said, I was very aware when watching that the understudy breakdown would rely a LOT on ages.