Understudies are gods

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 1:45am

I just want to give a shout out to our Billy understudy, Jarran Muse who was absolutely fabulous today. I don't know how you understudies do it. I could never do it in a million years...I would definitely have an ulcer! Anyone have any good understudy stories?

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 2:04am

Me and my understudy for Motel from a few summers ago when I was in a large-scale outdoor production of Fiddler on the Roof became instant friends, and everytime we left the theatre after the show the stage door groupies would ask us if we were twins or brothers. On my nights off I would try and catch him in the role and he was AMAZING, I was always so proud and releived to know the show was in very capable hands.

Understudies have it tough, and they need to be shown lots of love.

Akiva

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 3:02am

I adore Joe Cassidy and Laura Marie Duncan, understudies in DRS. They're both wonderful, talented, and I've chatted w/ them quite a bit and they're two of the sweetest people in theatre.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 6:26am

Lisa Brescia is divine as the Marian Halcombe understudy in the Broadway production of The Woman in White.

[DramaDork925]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 6:38am

When I saw RENT Jay Wilkison and Nicolette Hart were phenomenal as Roger and Maureen.

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 11:21am

i'm sad I can't think of any amazing understudy stories, but they are indeed gods. Swings are also among the most amazing people. ever. learn all ensemble and even some principal tracks. amahzing.

[Behind_the_Spotlight]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 12:01pm

I saw a Wicked matinee over spring break and both my Fiyero and G(a)linda were understudies. I thought Kris Cusick was absolutely phenomenal, and Stacie Morgain Lewis (I think that was who I had) was amazing, as well. The only way I would have known she was an understudy was that she went slightly flat in the opening opera-ish notes. I loves them to death. I have no idea how the do it.

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 12:06pm

"The only way I would have known she was an understudy was that she went slightly flat in the opening opera-ish notes."

interesting. You do know that leads often go flat as well during songs? Not often, as in all the time, but often as in it happens. I've just never heard that reasoning before. Usually the only way I can tell are from the little white slips in my playbill and more often than not, understudies are completely up to par with the actual leads.

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 12:23pm

ditto Nicolette Hart as Maureen in RENT- she was phenomenal, best "Over the Moon" that I have ever seen on that stage. Just incredible.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 12:51pm

"I adore Joe Cassidy and Laura Marie Duncan, understudies in DRS. They're both wonderful, talented, and I've chatted w/ them quite a bit and they're two of the sweetest people in theatre."

Joe Cassidy is who I saw when I went in July. He was wonderful! In fact I liked his voice better than the OCR.
Stephen Buntrock & Tim Martin-Gleason are excellent when they understudy the role of the Phantom.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 1:00pm

Cape, this may be an unpopular opinion, and I hope everyone knows how much I adore Norbert and how wonderful he is in the part and how he easily deserved the tony, but...I think Joe has the better singing voice.

::ducks::

[pndmnd]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 1:08pm

Wickedrentq--I haven't heard Joe Cassidy, but I wouldn't be surprised if you were right. (ducking) I absolutely adore Norbert Leo Butz. I think he's an amazing actor, and, while I think he's a very good singer, his actual tone isn't really that great. The thing that makes it ok is that he has such an amazing presence on stage! It even comes through in recordings! When it comes down to it, a lot of big names don't have "perfect" voices, but they have so much more that more than makes up for it.

As for understudy stories--I saw the tour of Wicked fairly early on in the tour, and saw Emily Rozen (sp?) as Glinda. She was fabulous!!! I had seen Wicked with the original cast very shortly after it opened in New York, and in some ways I liked Emily's interpretation even better. I felt especially lucky since, at that point, Kendra was getting shakey reviews.

[Gingersnap]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 1:24pm

I'm definitely with Cape on this...I was with the same little group that saw Joe Cassidy in DRS. While I still haven't seen Norbert, I thought Joe was great.

And I've seen more than a few excellent understudies in Phantom...esp. Kris Koop as Carlotta. And Susan Owen as Christine.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 1:32pm

I saw David Michael Felty go on as Valjean, and he didn't find out until 10 minutes before curtain. By then he had also shaved off most of his beard (they were about to go on hiatus again), so he had to wear a partial makeup beard. :)

I've seen Felty several times, and he's fantastic, but that was certainly one of his more memorable performances...

[Behind_the_Spotlight]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 1:57pm

Little Wing: Ahaha, good point. I may only have noticed that she went flat *because* the little white slip told me she was an understudy. I dunno. Honestly, it was only the second Broadway musical I'd ever seen, so I'll admit to some ignorance in that regard, That being said, I still thought she gave an amazing performance. I loved her. :)

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 2:36pm

i've always appreciated the idea of understudies being on for some reason. hell when i went to see millie before it closed i was genuinely happy to see an understudy (emily rozek, now the tour glinda u/s) playing the title role

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 2:38pm

I have the greatest amount of respect for James Ludwig who understudies ALL the male roles in Spamalot (save for one I think). I saw him as Sir Robin, and he was fantastic.

I can't imagine doing research and blocking and all that stuff for all of those characters and then not know when you're going on. Wow.

[Sluggy]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 3:03pm

Linda Mugleston is AMAHZING!

Not sure if I have a story, though......

[MissNY]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 3:14pm

I love when understudies get to take over after the lead leaves.

As to excellent understudies, I like Todd Bounopane as Barfee in Spelling Bee better than Dan Fogler.
Updated On: 11/14/05 at 03:14 PM

[ProducersFan]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 3:15pm

Not only do they have to learn all of the lines and blocking, but they have to be able to go in front of an audience full of people who potentially hate you for the sheer fact that the usual actor isn't there. For example, Brad Oscar going on for Nathan during The Producers.

I don't know how they do it but they have my upmost respect and admiration.

[where's my shoe?]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 11:11pm

When I saw the National Tour of Les Mis about 6 years ago, there were a few understudies on that day. The understudy for Eponine was absolutely incredible. I think her name was Mindy Smoot. I remember thinking "the regular Eponine must be amazing, I can't imagine anyone being better than this." (Yes, I was young, and didn't yet realize that understudies are sometimes much more talented) Anyways, fast forward four years, and I realized that the regular Eponine on that tour was Sutton Foster.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 11:16pm

I love understudies sometimes--other times, not.

But, the way I see it...sometimes they're so underappreciated, and the audience tends to be not so happy with them!

[zepka102]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 11:17pm

Caren Lynn Manuel was the best Maureen i've seen


(only saw 2 though... her and Ava, who didn't impress me much at all... so i can't really judge can i)

[rose&lark]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 11:24pm

Curiously, when I've gone to see National Tours that have come to my town, I've usually seen understudies for the main role, and loved them.

For example:
Didn't see Carly Jibson in Hairspray, saw Keala Settle instead. JOY!

The first time I saw Mamma Mia! I saw Tony Clements as Sam (he was the understudy at the time). Loved his performance! (And then, to sweeten the deal, two years later, I saw him again HEADLINING the role, and got to talk to him at stage door, which was amazing.) But I digress.

Yes, understudies, even if they're a notch below the lead performer (and usually they aren't) they definitely deserve love

[Madame X2]

Posted: 11/14/05 at 11:29pm

Did anyone else see the understudy for Eponine during the Les Mis tour? I think her name was Marissa McGowan? Fabulous!