Understudies of opposite gender

#1

Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 10:50pm

The Legally Blonde thread got me thinking, in their discussion of the wonderful abilities of Lindsay Nicole Chambers, how many times have you seen an actor perform a role of the opposite gender? I'm not talking about Gary Coleman in Avenue Q or Pirelli in John Doyle's production of Sweeney Todd, but an unplanned gender reversal of a role caused by an understudy. I remember hearing once about there being a "Paula" in Rent instead of "Paul." Does anyone else have other examples?

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#2

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 10:53pm

In Xanadu, with the exception of the three leads, just about all of the roles are covered by both males and females, I noticed.

#3

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 10:58pm

I think one of the Young Cosettes in Les Mis usually understudies Gavroche. In the revival, Carly Rose Sonenclar understudied Gavroche. In the original, Lea Michele, Daisy Eagan, and others all understudied the role.

Edit: Updated to include revival information.

Updated On: 1/10/08 at 10:58 PM

#4

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 10:59pm

I had a girl go on as Young Harpo in TCP last time I saw it.

#5

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:04pm

Jason Tam (Paul in A Chorus Line revival) once went on as Young Cosette.

#6

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:04pm

Has anyone actually seen a girl as Gavroche?

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#7

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:13pm

Tam in Miss Saigon is played by both boys and girls, IIRC.

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#8

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:24pm

Jason Tam (Paul in A Chorus Line revival) once went on as Young Cosette.

Are you sure it wasn't young Eponine? Gavroches Ryan Rumbaugh and Buddy Smith have also done that part.

My parents saw a girl as Gavroche in Prague - Helena Krieglová. She's even on the cast recording! A friend of mine saw Alexis Kalehoff cover the role in Detroit.

Wish I could have seen Zoë Hart as Gavroche. She did the part regularly for a while after playing young Cosette in the original London cast.

Updated On: 1/10/08 at 11:24 PM

#9

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:47pm

Hmm that is really interesting about Xanadu, adamgreer. I knew Andre Ward understudied Mary Testa but didn't know there were other parts covered by both genders. I can see a girl going on as Gavorche is Les Miserables if there wasn't a boy available. It must be embarassing for a guy to go on as Young Cosette/Eponine though. I think I once heard of there being a "Louie" in Hairspray instead of "Lou Ann" which really amuses me. Keep the examples coming!

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Dean: Can I tell you something? Lorraine: That depends on what it is. Dean: I think you're really really pretty. Lorraine: (after a pause) Ok, you can tell me that.

#10

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:53pm

My friend's camp (probably illegally) did Hairspray this summer, and because of lack of boys they had an "Aunt Wilma" instead of Wilbur.

#11

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 12:00am

They have a male understudy for the Dynomites in Hairspray. The guy who did it left the show though.

#12

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 12:15am

Rent has had Paula, Stephanie, Alex, Mr. Cohen, two Mrs. Jeffersons, and a Jordan.

#13

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 12:20am

^What character was Jordan originally?

#14

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 12:22am

Gordon/The Man. It has apparently only ever been done once.

Updated On: 1/11/08 at 12:22 AM

#15

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 9:29am

Kelly James was an understudy Gavroche in Les Mis(as an adult). I imagine that she is short.

#16

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 9:51am

The original Narrator of Side By Side By Sondheim on Broadway was played by Ned Sherin. His standby listed in the program was like 'Esperaza Something' who everyone knew was the incomparable Hermione Gingold. She eventually took over the role from Ned later in the run.

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#17

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 10:04am

I've seen both a "Louie" instead of "Lou Ann" and a "Tommy" instead of "Tammy" in Hairspray. I would love to see a male Dynamite. I believe Rashad Naylor went on for a Dynamite his last performance in the show.

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#18

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 10:42am

"Has anyone actually seen a girl as Gavroche?"

Yes, I saw Crysta Macalush go on for Gavroche back in the day. She was awesome - probably better than most of the boys I had seen.

And I remember reading a great story somewhere about a Gavroche going on for Young Eponine in a national tour (i want to say it was in Hawaii??)

#19

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:24pm

That's right about the Jordan/Gordan thing in RENT and it was Karmine Alers (of course, that is to be expected, since she's their super-swing).
Also, when a guy had to go on as Mark's DAD, he had to say, "Mark it's the wicked warlock of the west, your father."

#20

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:28pm

The original run of Hair was quite well known for this. I believe Melba Moore played Hud, Sheila as well as numerous chorus parts during her run.

#21

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:42pm

In London's Avenue Q Gary is a male part but has (or had, not sure since the cast change) a female understudy.

#22

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:48pm

Well, the Gary Coleman thing is acceptable because I mean it is originally played by a girl anyway...

#23

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:50pm

And I remember reading a great story somewhere about a Gavroche going on for Young Eponine in a national tour (i want to say it was in Hawaii??)

Yep. Ryan Rumbaugh had to go on for Eleni Andersson.

#24

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:27pm

Actually, I believe it was Yaz Alers who went on as Jordan.

#25

re: Understudies of opposite gender

Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:52pm

I know Gary is OK, but it is the only time I can remember a role listed with male and female names in the programme.