The Official Enjolras Understudy Thread...because it happens all the freaking time

AARON is a redeeming quality? Aaron Lazar would be the reason I stop seeing the show altogether. Lets see for me the redeeming qualities would be Alex, Norm, Celia, Gary, Jenny, Brian, Drew, Vicktor, Nikki, Blake, Adam, Becca, Marissa, Megan basically everyone in the company minus Aaron. And Little Cosette's who's names I don't know.

Aaron Lazar you are the weaking link. GOODBYE.

Loruh, first of all it's you are the WEAKEST link, goodbye. but that doesn't really matter.

Do all of you understand how horrible these threads are? These actors are actual human beings, many of whom read these boards and see how you bash them for missing performances. First of all, you don't even know the reasons for them missing the performances. Second of all, I don't know about you, but I would MUCH rather see a good performance by an understudy rather than a subpar performance by the permanent cast member. I am not paying $100+ to see a subpar performance. And I thinkm any of the actors realize this and want to make sure the audience sees the best show possible. So give these guys a break. They are people too and have things they need to deal with. And after performing 8 shows a week, they certainly don't need to read a post about how someone dissaproves of the amount of performances they have missed when the poster has no idea what the actual reason for missing the show is.

"Aaron took a throwaway role and made something of it. Bravo to him for that."

I don't think Enjolras is a throwaway roll I think he's a decently important Character. But then again if the show could have been done without Cosette I think I would have much perfered that. I dispise her roll entirely.

"The critics seemed to agree with me. Oh, well."
Yay for them. I'm disagreeing. I don't think you're a bad person for liking Aaron trust me haha I just can't stand him at ALL.

and typecastme22 --> sorry I did the weakest link thing wrong haha and I don't care how many times he's been out. He could have showed up twice for the whole run so far and I still wouldn't like him.

And Gingersnap...are you sure you were watching the same Les Miz we're talking about?
Drew standing onstage saying nothing is more entertaining than Aaron doing just about anything.

I'm not hating on Aaron because he leaves room for his understudies to go on. In most instances, I've found that the understudies are much more interesting and often better than the actors cast in the role.

And I think we can all agree that every actor has his off performances. That last one I saw was definitely an off performance for Aaron. He left me wishing he'd just called out again. Alex was also having an off night (vocally) but he pulled it through in the end.

And Gingersnap, I have to disagree...not that you're not entitled to your opinion of course...I'd hardly say that Grantaire is anything like Armand. Armand is an over-zealous, angry 300-year-old vampire and Grantaire is a revolutionary's best friend, trying who drinks as a--gonna quote drew--"conscientious objector" hmm...nope. doesn't sound like Armand. Armand is a leader, Grantaire is not. *shrug*

And for the record, Chris Mark Peterson is leagues and leagues ahead of Aaron in my book. That man was an incredible Enjolras.

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Updated On: 3/18/07 at 08:15 PM

Aaron has a good post on his blog explaining his absence

Back in November of the run I herniated a disc in my neck during the show. I didn't realize the severity and exact nature of the injury and pushed on through December without seeing a doctor. When I did, and got an MRI, I was told I had to get on steroids, change some 'o-graphy' in my show, and do PT 3/week for 3 months. Over that time I missed about 2 weeks worth of performances. And since, sometimes when the nerve swells , I have to miss a show. Singing on steroids is a NO-NO. It's very frustrating to not be at 100%. And I have to protect myself from re-injury.

Then a few weeks ago I got the flu. And I missed some shows.

Performing is a challenge that I have always believed requires %150 percent of my being. Audiences deserve nothing less. Unfortunately, with the demands of Broadway schedules, and the time of year, it's difficult to maintain being 100% healthy. And with Enjolras, the challenge is even more acute. Les Miz is not a play. There is no dialogue. We're performing an opera 8 times a week. An Enjolras who can't sing the cast and audience into a revolution with power, authority, and heated passion with every cell of his being is no leader. And audiences deserve better.

perhaps this will quell the rumors

Before someone who gets on my nerves jumps on me. I can't spell. At all. I'm over it.

And maybe I don't "get" Grantaire but I think if you're gunna talk and be all oh lets have a revolution you should at least do something to participate in it. Maybe it's just me I dunno.

Maybe we should have a what do you think of Grantaire thread. Cuz I'm kind of curious now.

No comment on Aaron's blogs, but I will say, after seeing him in both Les Miz and Light in the Piazza, the man has a very nice voice.

I feel bad for him with the injury and illness. Is there a reason everyone so rough on this particular guy? I'm really asking.

-QB

Nehal's been on a few times in the past few weeks too.

Aaron must be a wreck. Whether he is or not, his understudies go on a lot.

Which is why this thread was created.

Because EVERYONE kept bringing it up in the other threads.

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