Wicked standby for Jennifer Laura Thompson

[49th Street]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 6:08pm

Does anyone know who is taking over for Laura Bell Bundy as Glinda's standby?

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 7:24pm

I'm sure it will be all over playbill, when they need someone. Since Jennifer doesn't have any scheduled absenses, I'm sure that they aren't in a hurry since Melissa has already proven herself great in the role. Maybe they won't even hire a standby.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 3:01pm

They can't 'cut' teh standby track unless the show closes for a certain period of time, much like when Beauty and the Beast transfered theatres. they had to close the show in order to elimate several tracks and trim the number of cast members... much like how when an actor is out for two weeks, an understudy can play teh role, but when they are gone for longer periods, they are normally required to bring in a new company memeber tof ill in.....

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 4:21pm

so they can't cut tracks...can they add them? for instance add a standby for fiyero or some such

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 4:23pm

When it first opened (on Broadway) there was no standby for Glinda or Elphaba. The first time Kristin was out Melissa Bell Chait went on.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 4:24pm

oh yeah now i remember

[thebigkrakowski]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 4:33pm

Who is it now? Chait?

[shira467]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 5:00pm

I believe it is still Laura Bell Bundy. According to her fansite, she leaves Wicked August 8. So until then, I assume she is the standby. Afterwards, who knows?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 5:23pm

yes, they can ADD tracks. But not cut.

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 6:17pm

Yeah, but they can take their time, right? It's not like the NEED a standby right away.

[shesings]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 6:26pm

what about eden? did she leave already? whos taking over for her?

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 6:28pm

She will be leaving too, soon. I think that all the posts for LBB apply to Eden. No word yet, they do have Kristy Cates, Idina never misses, they're probably not in a huge hurry.

[JakeB]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 6:45pm

Will there be flowers for Eden's last night? Bring her on from the wings..

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 6:49pm

eden is still the stand-by. i'm not exactly sure when she's leaving. i'm gonna send her flowers for her last day though.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 7:33pm

Every night before I lay my head to rest I pray that Stephanie Block will be the next Elphaba.

ok I don't, but I think about the idea often. She is quite a treasure.

[venticelli]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 7:40pm

I (as well as many other posters here) totally agree with you Chip - Stephanie Block would be a wonderful Elphaba come January 2005.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 8:45pm

hm..i've never heard her voice. she was in the workshops though right??

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 9:23pm

Stephanie actually played Elphaba for two performance in San Francisco when Idina went to finnish her album.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 9:24pm

she has my vote then!

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/23/04 at 10:04pm

She filled in for Idina b/c they told Idina she had to take a night off: they didn't want her to be tired for the opening on Bway. She didn't want to take off (according to a Stephen Schwartz interview)