Worst Understudy Ever?

I'm sure we've all gone to theatre and heard these words:
At tonight's performance, the role of soandso will be played by soandso. Most of the time, they aren't very good. But who was the worst?

Mine was Linda Muggleston, standing in for Marin Mazzie in "Kiss Me, Kate". It was my second time, and I'd seen both Stokes and Marin in the roles. This night, they were both out. She was truly terrible. She forgot the words to almost every song.

About two months ago, Charles Isherwood wrote an article about understudies, and a week later, somebocy who must have attended the performance I went to wrote a letter, explaining everything I just said. I'm glad it wasn't just me who felt this way.

Linda is no Brooke Shields' understudy in "Wonderful Town". She famously filled in for Donna Murphy over 70 times when she was playing Ruth, although, Donna was there all four times I saw it, and always sounded incredible. Linda also understudied Vanessa Williams in "Into the Woods" and Mary Stuart Masterson in "Nine". Luckily, on the nights I went, Vanessa and Mary were there, and I didn't have to sit through Linda again.

What is your worst understudy experience?

I usually don't mind understudies...but if I'd have to choose one, I'd probably say Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, who understudied BeBe. It's not that she was bad. She just wasn't Velma.

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Are you referring to Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel's husband who subbed for Norbert when he hurt his back? My cousin said he was very good.

Linda has been annoying me lately, speaking of which. Every time I see her in Wonderful Town (even though she's in the ensemble), she looks bored out of her mind. Watch her in Swing. She walks through the dance with a scowl on her face.

Without a doubt the worst understudy I've ever seen was on the RENT Tour in June...Aaron Tveit as Roger. He's like the fourth understudy or something like that and I was so disappointed I could have cried, his acting was so-so but his singing was aboslutely atrocious...he couldn't even stay on pitch. Anyone else see his awful performance?

Updated On: 1/23/05 at 07:24 PM

I concur about Linda, Shbrt. I saw it again two weeks ago, and she looked incredibly bored.

This is surprising, I've usually only heard good things about Linda Muggleston..

The worst understudy I'd have to say was Thursday Fararr in Aida. I was so upset I didnt get to see Heather Headley, and she didnt do anything for me.. She wasnt hurrendous, but it was too demanding of a role for her.

Yeah, bbe is talking about Derrick Williams. Could Michelle's understudy have been any worse than she was?

Updated On: 1/27/05 at 07:30 PM

Aaron Tveit? That's sort of amusing, I've only heard good things about him. Were you just disappointed that you weren't seeing Jeff Scot Carey as Roger? Though Aaron sounds pretty bad from what you've said, ShuQ.

Linda's probably just dissapointed that Brooke's never absent.

I can't think of any, but I'm sure someone I have seen was bad...

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Come to think of it, Randy Harrison (who wasn't really an understudy, but a temporary replacement) was god-awful. Being that it was my first time seeing it, I truly thought that Boq had a thing for Fiyero. I had to remind myself that it was Glinda he liked. Yes, Harrison was too gay in the role to have me believe that he loved Glinda.

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There have actually been times when I've seen shows where the understudy was better. Like the guy who understudied Radames in Aida and is now starring in All Shook Up. Cheyanne Jackson? He was amazing! I also loved Kristy Cates as Elphaba, not as much as Idina, but she was great I thought