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U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered! — Page 2

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#26

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

Blythe Danner was the understudy for the lead in MATA HARI. Jennifer Garner was an understudy in A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY. Pia Zadora was an understudy in HENRY SWEET HENRY. Bryce Dallas Howard was an understudy in TARTUFFE.

Updated On: 7/12/05 at 06:32 PM

#27

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

OMG! What ever happened to Pia Zadora?
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#29

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

Ahhhhhh... she is living the life!
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#34

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

Laura Benanti understudied Rebecca Luker in "The Sound of Music" and went on to play the part full time. She also scored Tony nods for "Into the Woods" and "Swing."

Ironically, Rebecca Luker replaced Benanti when she left the role of Claudia in "Nine."
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
#36

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

Karen Ziemba in 42nd Street for Peggy Sawyer. I don't even know that first chick's name....

Wanda Richert was the original Peggy Sawyer.

Speaking of Peggy Sawyers, Kate Levering was Bellamy Young's understudy in The Life, later taking over the role of Mary. I think that would fall into this category.
#38

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

Before January I didn't know any of these names, Not Idina Menzel and certainly not Kristy cates...I knew Bernadette I had heard of Patty Lupone(but could not have picked her out of a lineup) and just knowing that was more than any of the people I worked or went to school with knew...
So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.~Office Space
#39

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

HOly crap guys...

I'm pretty sure I never called these wicked gals 'stars', I didn't even go so far as to say they were famous, I said they were popular, and they are (even if it is to mostly the teeny-bopper girls).

Why do I feel like everyone jumped down my throat or attacked me, I was just making a point - I'm not some Wicked fanatic 12 year old or something who was like "all the wicked girls are famous superstars who rule broadway" - I was just commenting on how I think it's odd (although I guess not because it's an offspring of the popularity of wicked itself with a certain crowd) that all of the wicked understudies are names that a lot of people know and are popular (not tryin' to say that everyone on this board is a fan of em' or anything) - c'mon, they're mentioned on this board all the time which is better than most understudies. I couldn't tell you who's an understudy in most shows but I could prolly give you a running history of the elphaba understudies jsut based on topics on this message board.

Anyways, sorry I contributed to the conversation, jeez...
If I show you the darkness I hold inside, will you bring me to light?
#40

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

I cannot but help beg to differ that Wanda Richert is more legendary than Karen Ziemba so far. Besides, Karen was a replacement not an understudy. I love both but it is just my opinion.

"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns

Updated On: 7/13/05 at 01:36 PM

#41

re: U/S who became more famous than the actor they covered!

Judith Ivey was Jane Lapotaire's stanbdy for Piaf.
Caolyn McCormick (Law and Order) was Lindsay Duncan's standby for Private Lives.
Kelli O'Hara was Lauren Ward's understudy for Follies.

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