Understudies You Liked Better Than the Person Playing the Role- Page 2

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:30pm

I didn't like Nadine as Cassie either, but the truth is Charlotte isn't much better.

I will also add to my list Travis Cloer over Michael Longoria in JERSEY BOYS.

[JulianHookbucks]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:32pm

Sarah Lawrence as Christine Daae.

[sgv123]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:32pm

i saw soleen sexton in the wicked tour. she was alot better than victoria.

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:51pm

I saw Alli Mauzey for Kendra this summer. I was so upset about that, but when she came out in her bubble, and said her first line, and when she opened her mouth to sing her first note....I knew it was going to be alright!

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:53pm

Jeff Kready as JVJ in Les Mis. Edit-I had the wrong name. LOL
Julie Hanson(I think she was the alternate though) in POTO.


I'm sure there's more but I can't think of any right now. Most of the shows I see now have the full casts so I don't get to see many understudies.

Updated On: 2/26/08 at 03:53 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:55pm

When did Jeff McCarthy play Valjean?!

[JKlock]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:55pm

Jay Douglas as Man in Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:01pm

I second Jay Douglas. If I couldn't have Bob Martin, I would rather have had Jay Douglas.

I got to see Kristy Cates's second performance ever as Elphaba and she was amazing ~ more than made up for Idina being out.

[fishergirl819]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:22pm

Howie Michael Smith as Princeton/Rod (before taking over the role fulltime) in Avenue Q.
David Josefsberg as Sammy in The Wedding Singer.
Andy Karl as both Emmett and Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde.
Becky Gulsvig as Elle in Legally Blonde.

[me2]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:22pm

I never saw the actress originally in the role, but Leslie Hendrix was amazingly hilarious as Mayor Shinn's wife in MUSIC MAN when she went on. I saw the show a year later; the woman who played the part then (whose name I do know but won't say) wasn't nearly as good. It was a great show, and Hendrix sticks out as one of the best in a great cast.
Broadway Blog: Broadway Star Bingo V

[meredithchandler73]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:54pm

I saw the INTO THE WOODS revival and like Kate Reinders and Chad Kimball *much* better than the regular cast members (whose names I can't even remember).

Edited to add: Duh, should have mentioned that they went on for the regular Little Red Ridinghood and Jack. It was the day night before the Tony Awards and I think three or four principals were out. Updated On: 2/26/08 at 04:54 PM

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 5:24pm

A few months ago...

Jonathan Root for Howie Michael Smith in Avenue Q.

[tgrabon]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 5:24pm

Bryan Batt in the La Cage aux Folles Bway revival was a glamorous Albin.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:47pm

Loved NLB in Rent much better than Adam Pascal and more recently, I'd have to go along with all of the Legally Blonde understudies Fishergirl mentioned.

[singtopher]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:57pm

I saw Millie on Tour with the understudy for Trevor Greydon (sp?) He was the best part of the whole show.

[philly03]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:58pm

Defanetly agreed with COLEEN SEXTON in Wicked! She's fantastic.

Also, I still believe Eden Espinosa is a better Elphaba.

[FinalDestination]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:58pm

A really big one for me:

I love Kristy Cates, DO NOT get me wrong, but I saw Dee Roscioli as Elphaba in Chicago, and personally liked her a LOT more

[pli1018]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 9:10pm

I third Jay Douglas as Man in the Chair. I saw him the second time I saw the show and I thought he had a really fun and different take compared to Bob Martin. Was disappointed at first, but then realized I didn't really know who Johnathon Crombie was anyway, so it didn't matter.

[TheActorFactor1]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 9:21pm

I love matt doyle

[bwaycomposer]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:25pm

Brad Bass as Fiyero in WICKED was better than anyone else I've seen.
Andy Karl in LEGALLY BLONDE
Hazel Anne Raymundo in AVENUE Q as Christmas Eve

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:27pm

Some of mine....

Maya Days as Aida (though she eventually got to take over)

Bryan Batt as Albin in La Cage

Alexandra Socha as Wendla in Spring Awakening

Lisa Brescia as Marian in The Woman in White

Roberta Deichak as Mother in Ragtime (not as good as Donna Bullock, but better than Marin Mazzie)

Donna Marie Asbury as Velma Kelly in Chicago (still my all-time favorite Velma)

[roquat]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:44pm

I saw KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN twice on Broadway. The first time Chita Rivera was out, and Carole Lawrence was her understudy--she walked through it, making no impression. The second time Vanessa Williams was out, and Nancy Hess gave a passionate, sizzling performance (with what is, after all, a very brief role), making every line and lyric count. I always remembered this because, as usual, the tourists were grumbling and bitching in the lobby about Vanessa being out. At the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS speech after the curtain calls, Nancy Hess informed the audience of the various merchandise available for purchase, which included show posters signed by each member of the cast, "including Vanessa Williams, so it won't be a total loss for all of you." I wanted to hug her.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:52pm

I've seen Rebecca Pitcher and Julie Hanson as Christine in POTO. Julie was Rebecca's alternate and was a million times better.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:56pm

1. I want to see Brad Bass and Jonathan Root in those respective roles so badly! Brad's solo show is amazing.
2. Forgot to mention that Kyle Post as Mark was by far the best part of the show when I saw RENT a few weeks ago (though I haven't seen Harley Jay, so).

[amalou]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 1:04am

Last time I saw Phantom, Jennifer Hope Wills did act one but it was obvious she was sick. Her voice was getting weaker and weaker. Susan Owen took over for act two and I liked her better. And I'm not just going by that one performance for Wills. I've seen her before when she was in tip top shape and I still prefer Owen.

Also, whenever I went to see Aida, I was always happy to get the understudy instead of Toni Braxton.

I also liked Elizabeth Loycano as Mina in Dracula better than Melissa Errico.

Updated On: 2/27/08 at 01:04 AM