Swing vs. Standby
Swing vs. Standby
#0Swing vs. Standby
Posted: 10/11/04 at 6:23pmSo I feel dumb... I always get the two mixed up...Could someone please tell me the difference between the two again... I will be more than appreciative...Thanks...
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#1re: Swing vs. Standby
Posted: 10/11/04 at 6:28pma standby is not in the cast, just comes in to cover the role of the star, usually. the swing is one of the ensemble members who covers all the leads.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#2re: Swing vs. Standby
Posted: 10/11/04 at 6:32pm
Happy To, Dickon... :)
A "Swing" is a highly trained, very versatile singer/dancer who can fill ANY role in Chorus at a moment's notice--these are NOT easy jobs!!
Standbys are usually reserved for leading roles, for example, if leading lady can't make performance, her lesser-known standby takes over role. For example, Helen Gallagher (a fairly well known dancer in 1966) was Gwen Verdon's standby in original SWEET CHARITY.
Although you didn't ask, an understudy is someone already cast in the show but moves up to a larger role when that performer can't make it. As understudies often can't play their own roles due to this happening, they have their OWN understudies to cover them! So, if a lead person is out, cast may do a human version of dominoes to get show out on stage! :)
I hope this helped. Has it?
#3re: Swing vs. Standby
Posted: 10/11/04 at 6:35pm
Thank you my friends!!!
Yea for Dickon!!!
#4re: Swing vs. Standby
Posted: 10/11/04 at 6:37pmI have a question now...if a lead person couldn't make the performance, who would be first in line for the role, the swing or the stand-by?
andyf
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
#5re: Swing vs. Standby
Posted: 10/11/04 at 6:40pm
Doesn't a swing just fill in the understudy's part if they have to go? Isn't that a big part of being a swing?
OK, don't crucify me for this example, but Kristy Cates in Wicked normally has ONE line in the show. In the reprise of "No One Mourns the Wicked" she - I believe - sings "I hear some rebel animals are giving her food and shelter". So the 2 performances that she got to go on as Elphaba, wouldn't a swing (who I'm assusming they normally wouldn't even give that ONE line to) just sing that line for that night, essentially PREVENTING that huge game of human dominoes, because the swing would fill the one-line hole and the swing wouldn't leave a hole so it would all be okay.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#6re: Swing vs. Standby
Posted: 10/11/04 at 6:46pm
OK... let's try this in abbreviated format:
1) A Swing covers CHORUS MEMBERS only.
2) A Standby is NOT in production and COVERS LEAD ROLES.
3) An Understudy IS in production and COVERS LEAD ROLES.
ANY questions, please post or drop me a PM--I will answer ALL PMs.
timote316
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
citi79boy
Chorus Member Joined: 2/18/04
#8re: Swing vs. Standby
Posted: 10/11/04 at 7:35pm
Not so cut and dry my dear....
1. swings can understudy principle roles.
2. some shows have "internal or partial swings" they are in the ensemble nightly but maybe required to perform in numbers that they are not normally in if too many people are out and all the off stage swings are in the show that night.
They are super talented people that's for certain.
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