Those "Bummer" Moments When They Announce An Understudy... — Page 3

My Sad Understudy story involves the play "Legends". As a Gay man of the 80's, I was , in love with "Dynasty". When I heard that Linda Evans and Joan Collins were going to tour with a production of the show----I had to be there. The closest city that it was coming to for me was San Diego--and the week of my birthday. So, I convinced a couple of friends that we had to fly down there and see it and spend the weekend partying--in celebration of ME!! LOL Much to my horror, when we got to the theatre, I found that Joan Collins was out. THe worst part was that the understudy was channeling Joan Collins playing the part of Sylvia. It was a NIGHTMARE! ( have tried to find the Playbill to get her name--but it eludes me!)

I proceeded to the box office during the intermission and demanded a refund (After explaining the lengths we had gone to to get there). Thankfully Broadway San Diego and Ticketmaster had a full credit on my Credit Card on Monday.

It was the only time I have ever asked for a refund.

I was so bummed when Matt Cavenaugh was supposed to be on his honeymoon but wasn't =(. I was also disappointed that John Cudia was out but I thought that James Romick's phantom was amazing!

and Pianist, I completely agree with your thoughts about Gabrielle..loved her Nina..killer voice..also saw Courtney Reed!Vanessa that night and she was incredible!

Updated On: 5/2/10 at 10:22 PM

Most times the covers are better!

I wouldn't say MOST times, that strikes me as a bit of an exaggeration. And yes, of course they weren't chosen for the hell of it, but they're also not the person that people expect to see. Almost every time people who are going to see a show, take into heavy consideration who's in the cast. So naturally they're going to be disappointed if someone they expected to see isn't performing.

That being said, I like understudies because I see a show based more on the show itself than the performers and I like a unique experience. However, in instances where I'm seeing a show mostly for the cast (i.e., The Addams Family, which I saw mainly to see Nathan Lane) I would be among those groaning if he hadn't performed that day, no matter how talented his u/s might be.

Vanessa Ray (now replacement) for Allison Case in HAIR, but I absolutely adored her.

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Yeah ,sad to say that less informed theatre goers have no problem literally groaning when the announcements are made. Only speaking from my own experiences. Its quite embarrassing as a fellow audience member. Not only is the lead performer out. The person who is covering them and is probably great, might not want to come out here and sing for ingrates. Since people are so dissatisfied. If you've never experienced it then i feel happy for the u/s you've seen.

I agree that people have a right to be disappointed. However, their disappointment, physically manifested, should not offend someone who is THRILLED to give them a great show. Thats all im saying


Case and point im at a show. Sitting next to a lovely woman whom ive met before, but am not friends with. They announce that a u/s will be going on in such a role. The crowd lets out a big collective groan and says "awe understudies"... Mind you there is not a name/star in this show. The lady next to me says loudly, "THATS MY SON" I felt terrible and embarrassed for her and her son. NOT FAIR

Its a condtion and a mindset that i wish we could cast it off.

I was "bummed" when Jessica Phillips was on for Alice Ripley the day after the Tonys. However, it was entertaining to watch chaos ensue as Alice Fangirls discovered she was out, and moving to 3rd row center orch because the house was EMPTY.

I have mixed feelings about understudies.

The second time I came to NY, I went to see Hairspray. It was a wednesday night and understudy slips came pouring out of my playbill. Nobody was there. I was a little bit scared but it was fantastic. Michelle Dowdy went on as Tracy instead of Shannon Durig and she was phenomenal. The other understudies were great too. I did see Shannon Durig a year later and I thought she sounded good, but she was sleepwalking through the role.

I went back to see N2N for a second time, really scared that Alice would be out, she was not, but Bobby was. And I'm sorry, but Michael Berry was just atrocious as Dan. There was no emotion in his acting or singing, and he had no chemistry with the rest of tha cast. The understudy for Adam was fantastic, though.

When I saw WSS, Karen Olivo was out (can't say I was suprised) and Natalie Cortez went on as Anita. She was serviceable, but so bland in the only colorful role in the show...

Finally, the understudy was on instead of Oliver Platt in G&D. I was disappointed because I went to see the show because of Lauren Graham and most of her scenes are with him. Anyway, she was so good, funny, sexy and touching that the other guy seemed to disappear off the stage when she was on.

"I'm sure the understudy does NOT get personally affected by any reaction (though I don't ever remember hearing one); they KNOW they are the understudy and that they only get to perform when necessary. Any parent or friend in the audience that doesn't understand that is being unrealistic. "

haha its obvious we disagree on this, but i want you to know im enjoying the banter. I dont think its being unrealistic that the people who came to see an u/s are disappointed by audiences reactions. Just like people go to see nathan lane, people go to see understudies. And their experience in the theatre is just as important i think.

And u/s are just people, not robots. I feel like saying they don't get personally affected is like saying the last kid picked at dodgeball isn't either (similar emotion not situation). Sure they signed on to be an u/s. Sure they know that they go on in the event that someone can't. But that does not change the fact that they have feelings and can perceive (albeit misconstrue) an audience's grumbling at the announcement of their names.

And again im glad youve never experienced an audience doing this, Butttt i have on many occasions.

It just sounds so ungrateful to me. And its largely due to people not understanding the inner-workings of theatre. Without that u/s going on, those groaners would be standing on the street corner looking for something else to do for the night. Wondering how they can reschedule or get their money back, and how much of a hassle this is going to be, or complaining that they are only in town for one night... etc. But instead they are in their seats, watching a u/s work their butts off, just so that people dont come on here and rip them apart for not being Karen Olivo.

>>>A friend put it all in perspective for me some years ago when she said "I would much rather see an enthusiastic understudy than a tired or ill star."

Love that.

Thank you Ghostlight!

I've never heard the story about all the Standbys/understudies in "Wicked".

I forgot to say that my first time seeing Wicked, I saw Jenna Leigh Green of "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch" fame, play Elphaba in her first performance of the role in Toronto. She was amazing! So perfect! The beginning of the National Tour of Wicked was full with many different Elphabas, as SJB got hurt, and missed a lot of the Toronto run, and then played it in Chicago, then missed again the LA run where Eden stepped in.

I loved seeing the u/s's I saw. mind you i had just seen the rest of the cast already. they were comparable. some not quite as good. but i would use the word "different" because they are all amazing and i agree with the comment read about swings. the range, talent, and experience is all there.

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Many times I've gone to a show BECAUSE THE UNDERSTUDY WAS ON. I know I once cheered during the pre-show announcement, but honestly can't remember who the person was or what the show was. Ha.

A lot of times people feel like they're being cheated out of what they thought they were going to see, when if you'd asked them 10 minutes before who was actually starring in the show they probably couldn't tell you.

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