I noticed while looking on Playbillvault.com that for Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman’s Characters in ‘Xanadu’ both had male understudies. So my question is, how was this done? Did the characters become male when the understudy went on, or did they play the role in drag? I realize this is probably a stupid question, but thought I would ask as it got me wondering how this was handled.i would imagine that some of the dialogue would have to change if the gender changed- including the joke about Mary's Baby Daddy.
Actually Annie Golden was standby for Mary and Jackie. She sat onstage with the band every night and sang backup. If one of the men went on they did the part as men and just camped it up. One of the sisters was male all the time anyway, so the roles were pretty fluid to begin with.
Even though these photos only show the finale, you can sort of see the effect in action.
For this performance, Andre Ward was understudying Mary Testa.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Coverage-Whoopi-Goldberg-Returns-To-Broadway-In-Xanadu-20080730
...Can we have a moment for Cheyenne Jacksonn's thighs?

Just one moment?

Why not two!
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
Thighs? Yall know he's got a video of him jerkin a pretty big dick out there, right?
If you call that big.... it actually kinda shattered my fantasies.
All y'all are so beautiful and effed up.
Thank you!! That’s sooo sweet! (Seriously!)
@TheatreFan4 If you think that is a big member I have horse farm I want to sell you in Tibet.
Videos