Understudies:biggest disappointments/best surprises — Page 3

"Yeah, no--The topic is obviously about understudies, not merely Taking Loud Personal Offense For Cast Being Out. "

It really isn't that obvious. The thread clearly has two components, 1. Biggest disappointments, AND 2., Biggest surprises (from the topic title and original post). For example, the original post listed two disappointments and one surprise. The two disappointments weren't followed up with any indication they were surprised by the understudy, just disappointed that the star was out.

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I think I've generally been very lucky over the years because I can only think of a single disappointment -- Gabrielle McClinton in for Patina Miller in Pippin. Part of the disappointment was that I had been waiting months to see Pippin during a trip to New York and had watched a lot of Miller's videos. McClinton was good, but she just didn't seem as fluid a dancer as the role required and lacked the presence that I expected.

^ I wonder if we are describing the same thing. I get the sense you are describing choreography choices that were made for the role, whereas I'm describing more generally what the performer seemed capable of doing. Miller seems to have the flexibility and movement in her hips that McClintock lacked. It felt like McClintock was struggling at times and just felt "stiff." Having seen videos of Patina doing Magic to Do, On the Right Track, or the Manson Trio from Glory, I never get the sense that she is struggling with the Fosse-inspired choreography (or the actual Fosse choreo from Manson Trio). By comparison, especially during the Manson Trio, McClintock just was not close to the same level as the ensemble members and looked like she was working hard just to keep up.

Also years ago, our second viewing of Sunset Boulevard at the Minskoff, after the first act, Glenn came out on stage and said she would be unable to go on in the second act. Unfortunately, I do not recall the name of her understudy for that performance (around Christmas time), but the actress was PHENOMENAL. I "get it" that tourists can be very disappointed if a star is not coming on at that performance, but those of us lucky enough to frequent Broadway, I give a loud shoutout to the alternates and understudies for their dedication putting their heart and soul into the show.

"McClintock "

I also think I saw McClintock and I agree there was something off about her dancing - I don't know much about dancing, so from a lay man's perspective the way I'd describe it was less 'sharp' than I would have expected. Also, she seems quite young and I think a sinister-ness that I assume Patina had in the role was a bit lost. That said, I still very much enjoyed it.

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Updated On: 9/21/14 at 05:07 PM