Those "Bummer" Moments When They Announce An Understudy... — Page 6

I recently saw Nicole Bridgewater go on for Terri White in Chicago. At first I was disappointed because I wanted my friend who I was with to see Terri stumble over and mess up her lines. When Nicole came on stage, I instantly noticed that she has no star quality. She usually plays the part of Liz ("POP!" in the Cell Block Tango) but when given the role of Mama, she didn't have IT. Her singing voice wasn't strong really. She sang in mix most of the time. However, when she got to the end of "When You're Good to Mama" she turned into Rifftina and went batsh*t on it. It was hurrlarious. So, overall, she was good but nothing more.

2. Legally Blonde tour. Kathleen Monteleone went on instead of Becky Gulsvig. Hands down best Elle vocally. (I've seen Bailey Hanks and Laura Bell Bundy) She started singing in Omigod You Guys and my jaw dropped.

I'd like to see Kathleen. I saw Kate Rockwell and I thought she blew LBB out of the water (never saw Baily)

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"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. "

--I'm surprised that someone so atuned to the "inner workings" of theatre is talking about how audience members need to consider the emotional needs of the performer. Broadway is extremely cut-throat. People have high expectations, and performers know this. A realistic understudy should almost expect audience members to raise an eyebrow when it is announced that the "backup" performer is going on...and if they get their feelings hurt by a groaning audience, then they're in the wrong industry. If Broadway were based around the emotional needs of performers, than my tone-deaf cousin who lives and breathes theatre regardless of how bad she sucks should be playing elphaba. If you're a performer on broadway and you can't handle the emotional stress induced by an audience, than find another career.

And to end my rant, I will say that i have also never seen an audience "groan" at the announcement of an understudy, and that i would guess that 90% of any given audience doesn't even pay the least bit of attention to the understudy slips in the playbill. For example, if my mother went and saw in the heights, and lin manuel's understudy was on instead, I could say to her "oh the guy that plays usnavi in that show was lin manuel miranda he's really good....did you enjoy his performance??" and she would reply "oh yeah he was fabulous!"

I'll never forget on the RENT tour, at NJPAC, there was a slip in the playbill that Cary Shields would be playing Roger instead of Adam. As a stage hand walked out to pick up the no cell phones/cameras sign an announcement came on. "At tonight's performance the role of Roger WILL be played by Adam Pascal" I've never heard so much applause in my life. I believe that aside from Adam's hernia he and Anthony never missed other shows on the tour, anyone know if that's right?

Bump

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^IF I remember the story correctly: Bashoff was pulled off that performance (for a tour rehearsal, I think) and Gerard called out "sick" so Brian could go on. It was pre-arranged as a goodbye gift.

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When I finally got tickets to South Pacific, I was so disappointed when I opened my program to find a slip announcing Kelli O'Hara was out. I pointed it out to my friend and he groaned. An usher, who happened to pass by at that moment leaned over to us and whispered "I think you're going to be really pleased with the understudy, she's wonderful." Five minutes into the first scene, Laura Marie Duncan had won my heart. She was the perfect combination of everything I (now) think Nellie Forbush should be: unsophisticated yet intoxicatingly charming, a terrific singer...AND a curvy-bombshell-beauty only halfway aware of what her looks do to men. I've seen the show and the movie many times. She redefined an iconic role for me. Though I'm sure Kelli O'Hara was wonderful, I left the theater finding it difficult to imagine anyone but Laura Marie Duncan in the role.

I was visiting NY from London last april and I had booked tickets about 3 months in advance for shrek. This was partly because I was absolutley desperate to see Sutton Foster as Fiona! I was hoping the whole time that I would get to see her and I got to the theatre and saw that Haven Burton would be playing Fionia. At first I was gutted but then I had heard great things about Haven too. I then became quite excited about seeing her performance and I have to say she was absolutley amazing! I am moving to NY in the summer so I am sure I will get to see Sutton some time!

In the end I was so glad I got to see her and I felt a bit bad that I was dissapointed at first!

I also went to see Wicked and I had 2 Elphabas! Nicole Parker got sick and Jennifer Dinioa came on during the dancing through life scene-It was such a great experience to get two Elphabas for the price of one! They were both amazing but Alli Mazey stole the show....she was phenomenal. :

"--I'm surprised that someone so atuned to the "inner workings" of theatre is talking about how audience members need to consider the emotional needs of the performer. Broadway is extremely cut-throat. People have high expectations, and performers know this. A realistic understudy should almost expect audience members to raise an eyebrow when it is announced that the "backup" performer is going on...and if they get their feelings hurt by a groaning audience, then they're in the wrong industry. If Broadway were based around the emotional needs of performers, than my tone-deaf cousin who lives and breathes theatre regardless of how bad she sucks should be playing elphaba. If you're a performer on broadway and you can't handle the emotional stress induced by an audience, than find another career. "

I love that you believe that. But this like any other career and feelings do play a part. In fact, there is a certain narcissism (for lack of a better word) that goes along with being an actor. A need to do good work and have that work to be validated. I would love for you to have to get in front of a large crowd and have them show obvious disdain for your presence. And then after that, id like for you to tell me that it didnt affect you in ANY way. Whether or not you feel its part of the job does not make the emotion toll of it all negligible.

Oh and i dont know anyone who expects to be raised an eyebrow at. when they know that they went to the same schools, got the same education, worked just as hard, and are just as good. for anything.

Oh and PS. To liken a broadway understudy to your tone deaf cousin is heresy .