Why Should We Be Okay With an UNDERSTUDY?- Page 4

[2373]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 4:07pm

your headline isn't very kind. the understudies are just as qualified.

That is the exact reason why I hate it when Broadway hires names to headline. As theatregoers, I hope people experience and enjoy the show as a whole and not just one person.

[i_heart_roger_bart]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 4:29pm

I love the three pages of "I like understudies"/"I don't like understudies". I don't think the original poster was trying to say they didn't like understudies. (Correct me if I'm mistaken) I think the point is that sometimes you have your heart set on seeing a certain performer. Personally, if it were up to me, I'd care to see the entire cast and ensemble in the show. However, like some have said, some understudies are far superior to the usual performer.

And in the line of replacements, they can be fantastic. To substitute Matthew Broderick for Roger Bart in The Producers was a wonderful, welcome change. And then to substitute Hunter Foster for Roger Bart was another wonderful change.

This is why I feel it's important to see a show more than once, if you find that you like it. It's not just understudies that make the show change everytime. Every performance is different. It's like watching the outtakes of a movie repeatedly. Everytime something new happens. Which, I know sounds like the freakin' ABCs on a board all about theatre. I know you all know this, but I just think it's a really cool experience to see a show at least a few times. (If you like it.. you don't want to go see one that sucks a bunch of times, obviously.)


Oh, here I go a-ramblin' again.

Updated On: 8/21/07 at 04:29 PM

[2373]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 4:49pm

i_heart_roger_bart..that was so well said and I agree.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 8:18pm

when i went to peter pan with cathy rigby i was surprised to
see that she had an understudy luckily cathy was at the performance but since the head line says cathy rigby is peter pan what do the producers do when shes out do they take down all
the posters at the theater and replace them new ones with the understudies name in place or does the audience complain and they give the audience refunds
i would be disapointed if that happen.

Updated On: 8/20/07 at 08:18 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 8:19pm

do they take down all
the posters and replace them new one with the undeerstudies name

Yes, and they go into your homes and take away all the newspapers and magazines that have Peter Pan ads in them, too.

[dashb10ard]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 9:15pm

Why should we be okay with an understudy (or "substitute lead," as it were)? Simple. Understudies work their ASSES off. They cover 3, 4, sometimes as many as 5 roles in a show. That's hard work. Imagine having to know staging, choreography, lines, harmonies, etc. for that many parts. Understudies don't get nearly as much credit as they deserve. They do so much, and they should be recognized far more than they are.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 9:22pm

I'm of the camp that I'll go to a show specifically if a particular understudy is on. I really enjoy seeing a different take on a role, or see a performance that's a little rarer to see.

A recent example was seeing Andy Karl on for Michael Rupert as Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde. He was amazing, and his performance was completely different than Rupert's. I'm really glad I saw it. Becky Gulsvig as Elle was another great understudy show.

And when I go to a show and someone I was looking forward to seeing is out, I usually am a little disappointed, but it doesn't take long to see the silver lining. You never know if it'll be one of the most amazing performances you've ever seen (I've had that happen).

[Jellylorum]

Posted: 8/21/07 at 4:58am

"It wasn't ME that saw it.. it was two friends of mine. They said she was really good. They were just dissapointed that they didn't get to see the woman who plays the role regularly, that's all."

Did they go to Mary Poppins just to see the show, or were they really intent on catching Ashley Brown? If not, then it doesn't matters if they didn't get to see Ashley. Especially since they thought the understudy was good and enjoyed her.

[Switz78]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 10:08pm

not to mention the understudies and swings of Poppins have to remember a **** load of stuff. Hell Supercali alone would cuz a coronary in most people if they had to learn it. Try changing what side you are on every night therefore changing if you start right, left, up, down or backwards. That's tough!!!

[wicked4life51]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 11:22pm

nathanlanestalker
i love you haha
your amazing

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 11:44pm

Usually for my first time seeing a show, I prefer the whole cast to be in, unless I know in advance that someone's gonna be out (ex: Kate Shindle's July vacay in LB).

When I go to a show for a second time, I like it to be mixed up a bit. Lots of times I make an effort to see a show during someone's vacation just to be sure I'm getting an understudy.

[Chason]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 11:49pm

"Usually for my first time seeing a show, I prefer the whole cast to be in, unless I know in advance that someone's gonna be out (ex: Kate Shindle's July vacay in LB).

When I go to a show for a second time, I like it to be mixed up a bit. Lots of times I make an effort to see a show during someone's vacation just to be sure I'm getting an understudy".
_________________________________________________________________

It's just too FUNNY how many people say "I'm okay with an understudy on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc..."
HELLO! I don't have the luxury of seeing shows a 2nd & 3rd time. And I'm sure I'm in the majority! Last year, when I saw PHANTOM at the Music Hall in Dallas, I opened up my program, and a sh*t load of inserts fell out! I thought "Well, apparently - EVERYONE took tonight off". It was simply supporting cast, stuff - and I was fine with it. Truly - I'm more about the play, itself - not the cast. I might be a little tead off, though - if (as was the situation with my original post) if I'd traveled all the way to NYC and seen someone other than THE Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins! (From what I've heard, the "problem" is with the play, itself - not the cast).
You guys are awesome. I appreciate greatly your thoughts and ideas. If I was in or NEAR NYC - I'd be broke all the time - because I'd have to see EVERYTHING once, SOME twice... and then when it gets down to shows like RENT.... I could never be content with anything less than once a month - regardless of the cast!

[la_vie_boheme_et_moi]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 12:15am

Why should we be okay with an understudy?

Seriously?

In my experience, the understudies I've seen have performed much better than the usual leads. It actually makes sense, as it would seem that if you didn't get the chance to do the show so often in that role, you would put much more heart and energy into it.

Not to mention that those usual leads are human. They become ill, they have personal emergencies, and it is entirely ridiculous to expect them never to miss a show.

Honestly, if you're only going to a certain show because you want to see one or two performers, you're wasting a ticket.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 8:46am

"if I'd traveled all the way to NYC and seen someone other than THE Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins!"

When did Julie Andrews join the cast? For me, she is THE Mary Poppins. Not Ashley or anyone else. :)

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 9:25am

Honestly, if you're only going to a certain show because you want to see one or two performers, you're wasting a ticket.

No offense, but what right do you have to pass judgment on the validity of people's reasons for seeing a show? If someone is a huge fan of a certain performer, and wants to see a show specifically for the opportunity of seeing that performer on stage, how is that "wasting a ticket"? From my experience, that's been a huge thrill, and one that was more than worth the money I paid for that ticket. If said performer had been out, I'd have been extremely disappointed - in each case I was traveling a great distance to be there, and pretty much had only one shot at it - but I am well aware it's a crap shoot, and unexpected and unavoidable things can happen. If it had been as a result of a planned but unpublicized absence, however (which seemed to be what the original post was referring to), I'd have been livid.

I suspect I'm not the only one whose reasons for wanting to see shows vary. Some I'd like to see for particular cast members, some for the show itself, and on some happy occasions, it's a combination of the two. I don't see how any of those reasons are less valid than any others.

[The Boy From Ohio]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:26pm

I still want to know why Sleeth changed his name. Also why do you (Chason/Sleeth) seem so angry when you post? We are all friends right?

edited for my crappy spelling.:)

Updated On: 8/25/07 at 01:26 PM

[Chason]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:46pm

"I still want to know why Sleeth changed his name. Also why do you (Chason/Sleeth) seem so angry when you post? We are all friends right?"

I just decided I'd rather use my first name instead of my last, that's all.
Do I sound angry when I post? I had no idea. That's not good. I will have to really watch that next time. I'm NOT an angry type person - quite the contrary, in fact. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'll bet you'd make a good friend!

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:57pm

"In my experience, the understudies I've seen have performed much better than the usual leads. It actually makes sense, as it would seem that if you didn't get the chance to do the show so often in that role, you would put much more heart and energy into it."

Amen. They can be better (not always, but still...) and they have to perform a role (or 2 or 3) and have to memorize their parts in addition to being in ensemble. Understudies are fine and I enojy reading the slips which end up all over the floor.

Of course, then tourists who came from Dubai to see Idina Menzel may be dissapointed, but Julia Murney is great.

[Midoria]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 9:09pm

"Of course, then tourists who came from Dubai to see Idina Menzel may be dissapointed, but Julia Murney is great."

Huh?