Those "Bummer" Moments When They Announce An Understudy... — Page 2

Way back when I was in junior high school I was a fan of the MUNSTERS television show, and had a crush on Yvonne DeCarlo. Well, it just so happened that a touring company of HELLO DOLLY! was coming to play in town starring Ms. DeCarlo, and I told my Mom that I had to go, so as a gift I was given a ticket to see the show-- by myself. I was so excited that I planned on trying to meet Ms. Decarlo and give her a hand drawn portrait of her that I had worked on for days. Cut to the night of the show, and I sat down in my balcony seat by myself and just before the lights went down an announcement was made over the loud-speaker that Yvonne DeCarlo had become ill and had to miss this performance, and was being replaced by some unknown understudy I had never heard of. I was bummed out, but once the show started and the magic began, I soon forgot about Yvonne and really enjoyed my first "Broadway" touring show. My only regret afterwards was that I had not asked my Mother to come along with me. Though I have only seen touring shows here in the midwest, I hope that this qualifies as a good example.

Updated On: 5/2/10 at 04:29 PM

How about the bummer moments when you expect an understudy but don't get one? Right after Matt Cavenaugh's wedding there were extra lotto tickets for WSS so I went expecting and hoping him to be out, but nope. What a waste of $27.

One of the best understudies I've ever seen was Saycon Sengbloh in "Wicked". The girl was mind blowing! I've actually been lucky when it come to understudies.

A funny story is the first time I went to NYC, was in July 2007. I went the first week of July, and Independence Day was on a Wednesday. So performances were all over that week. I saw the full cast of "A Chorus Line" except Deidre Goodwin and 3 other minor actors (the one who get cut), and then I saw "Curtains" with the full OBC that Friday afternoon, and I was shocked that everyone was in the show being an almost "make up performance".

Which leads me to this question: When a holiday falls on a 2 show day, or something to that affect is is up to the producers of the show to make arrangements to squeeze all 8 shows into the week? (i.e. Curtains, on a Friday afternoon). Are they're Equity rules about this, and what are the actor limits? Do they have to be in the "make up" performance

BTW, great thread to give credit to so great performers who don't get enough credit as they should!

I've never had a bad experience with understudies. I was very lucky to see Saycon Sengbloh as Elphaba in Wicked (Amazing!).

The worst for me was Michael Berry as Dan in N2N, the second time I saw him. I wasn't fond of his portrayal the first time and I needed to see Bobby again. Michael was a lot better the second time, but still not great. Unless Bobby does the tour, I have no chance of seeing him again.

The best was Lisa Brescia as Elphaba in Wicked. I was initially disappointed that SJB was out, but Lisa won me over as soon as she ran onstage. She's the best actress I've seen in the role and she touched my heart like no one else. I went back to see her twice in the Chicago production and she got even better.

Was Maya Days really good as the Aida understudy? I saw her two weeks after she assumed the role full time and she was already walking through the show.

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Off-topic, but what was infamous about Jessica Phillips' Debut? I'm intrigued to know....

It was the performance after the TONYS & people were lining up to get refunds. David Stone was looking like a vulture over the theatre. All of this must have made Jessica really nervous because she is said to have performed horribly.

I've only seen 2 of understudies.
Jason Gillman as Warner in Legally Blonde
Matthew Risch as Kyle/Dewey in Legally Blonde

Some of the understudies I've seen were Megan Hilty as Glinda (s/b) Katie Adams (Glinda) Kathy Santen (Morrible) Michael Berry (Dan and Doctors) and a bunch of others but the worst by far was Michael Berry. All of the others seemed to fit the role. Michael didn't fit either, in my opinion.

I just remembered that I saw Norm Lewis' understudy in The Little Mermaid. I was a little upset at first, but got over it becuase I was upset that I actually saw the show.

I also got the opportunity to see Maureen Moore in Grey Gardens. I had seen it once before with Christine (and I went to the final Sat evening performance as well). I was completely blown away by Ms. Moore. I have never seen an understudy or standby deliver such a fresh and nuanced performance. She was very different than Christine, but no less amazing in the role. I wish I could have seen Dale Soules.

Sherie Rene Scott ruined my trip to NYC a few weeks ago when she was out when I went to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

My biggest disappointment was probably the first time I saw HAIR. It was the performance where Gavin Creel sprained his ankle and I was pretty let down when he came out at the end of intermission and told the audience that he had to leave. But Paris was fine, and I got to see Gavin do the full show two times after that, so it all worked out in the end.

Other disappointments include missing John Tartaglia in SHREK (his understudy was terrible) and Andrea Martin in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (her understudy was fine, but I missed seeing her).

I was also excited to see Jeremy Jordan in WSS a few weeks ago after hearing good things about him, but I was extremely let down. I even preferred Matt Cavenaugh, who I didn't care for in the role at all when I saw him. The opposite can be said for Haley Carlucci, though, who I found to be leaps and bounds better than Scaglione.

shanna: I gotta say, Gabrielle's voice is amazing, and MILES stronger than Janet's. You are lucky you caught her! She was on today as well.

Some of my favorite understudies I've seen: Saycon Sengbloh as Elphaba, Becky Gulsvig as Elle, Jay Johnson as Claude...all pretty amazing!