Understudies on Opening Night?

[mikem]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 12:40pm

Rudi Dharmalingam of The History Boys is apparently being billed as an understudy, although he is the only actor who has played the part so far on Broadway. Does anyone know of other examples in which a featured or lead performer was out on Opening Night?

I wonder if Samuel Anderson would still be considered to be Tony-eligible, since he is the "official" cast member even though he hasn't performed yet (and is apparently not even in the country).

[inishmore]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 1:01pm

I went to the Fiddler revival opening and one of the featured guys was out. I can't remember for the life of me who now. Maybe John Cariani?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 3:34pm

Not for opening night, but didn't Kenita Miller go on for LaChanze the night BEFORE opening night?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 3:57pm

According to the Tony rules (not that it matters, since they constantly break their own rules), the performers that appear at the show's opening night performance are the ones elligible for Tonys.

[timote316]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 4:04pm

LaChanze was out the night of the press preview.

[Doogie]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 4:53pm

Didn't Eleanor Glockner go on for the Wardrobe on opening night in BatB?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 5:25pm

There's the famous "star is born" moment when, understudy Nancy Ringham had to go on for the ailing Cheryl Kennedy as Eliza Doolittle in the early 80s revival of My Fair Lady (the last time Rex Harrison performed the role). As I recall, Kennedy's voice was shot and Ringham was rushed on at the last minute for the final preview (when the critics came) and then officially opened the show the next night. Ringham's reviews were positive and polite, praising her courage, but pointing out that she needed perhaps a bit more time to fully master the role (her accent wavered as did her interpretation, but then she'd never had much chance to even rehearse the role before she was thrust into the spotlight). The producers gave her the role full-time and unfortunately, Kennedy -- who had done the entire pre-Broadway tour -- was not brought back after she recovered. Ringham still works frequently; I believe Kennedy just headed back to the UK to lick her wounds.

Showbiz is tough.

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 5:38pm

was that the Cheryl who married the composer?

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 5:53pm

megan lawrence was on maternity leave when urinetown opened

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 5:58pm

Cheryl Kennedy was apparently one of the few who DIDN'T become Mrs. Alan Jay Lerner (he had 8 wives).

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 6:00pm

I saw MFL in London in 80, no Rex Harrison, and it was starring one of Lerner's wives.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 6:01pm

That was probably Liz Robertson -- the last one.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 6:10pm

I don't think Mr. Anderson's role in The Boys is big enough for a Tony nod...

[turquoisefish]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 10:55am

I just hope that openning night of Wicked in London doesn't use the understudy for a certain green witch :)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 12:25pm

OT... but something wicked, I LOVE your icon!!! I saw that show! It was amazing!!!

[misto625]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 12:55am

Doogie- I don't understand, Eleanor Glockner was supposed to go on as the Wardrobe, that is her role. The understudies were Barbara Marineau and Anna McNeely.