Posted: 7/9/15 at 9:10pm
A question for those who work or have worked on Broadway. When someone is replacing another actor in a leading role, how do they get that person rehearsed when the cast is doing eight shows a week??
Posted: 7/9/15 at 9:15pm
I was always under the impression that the understudy rehearsed/learned the lead character's part during the rehearsal period before the show starts performances.
Posted: 7/9/15 at 9:33pm
They rehearse with the stage manager, at times they bring in the understudies to rehearsal. And the replacement watches the show. A lot.
It is extremely common that the first time with the actual, complete cast is their first performance.
I'm sure there are variations, but the above is pretty common. (From what I've been told)
Posted: 7/9/15 at 10:21pm
The dance captain helps rehearse the replacement and then sometimes when they're doing scenes than involve other characters, those characters' understudies participate in the rehearsals instead of the actual actors who play the characters.
Then, replacements usually have a put-in, which is when they perform the show, including any costume changes. However, the rest of the cast isn't usually in costumes for someone's put-in.
Posted: 7/9/15 at 10:25pm
The dance guy from Hedwig pretty much said he can step in and do the show on a moment's notice. Anyway, he teaches the newbies EVERYTHING.
Posted: 7/9/15 at 10:52pm
as is most often the case with answers to questions like this, and notwithstanding the myriad of definitive answers that are offered, the correct answer is it depends. On the nature of the show. On the nature of the role. On the nature of the actor. If the actor is differently capable than the existing, there will be more rehearsal with the cast as they will have something to learn too; if it is a high profile actor and role, you will see more of the cast and probably even the director; if it is a big long running show you will see a resident director as well as a fight captain and stage manager; if there is a lot of close work, you will see quite a bit of the scene partner (no one has sex on stage with someone they never tried it with in rehearsal until everyone is comfortable) and no one has a complicated pas de deux with someone cold; and on and on. At the other extreme, you might meet the cast in the dressing room at your first performance.
And in answer to the actual question, even when performing 8 shows a week, actors can be called for an additional 8 hours of rehearsal (with limits on how much when).
Posted: 7/9/15 at 11:01pm
And additional rehearsal time can be paid for . . .
Posted: 7/9/15 at 11:06pm
Sorano has it right, it is unpleasant all around since the replacement never gets to rehearse with the people they will be onstage with.
There is only one put-in rehearsal with the real cast, usually on Thurs afternoon, and the replacement will go into the show that night or the next evening. The cast is out of costume, there is no orchestra or lights at the put-in since that all costs the producers money.
Hats off to anyone who replaces during the run of a show along with those who teach the show to them.
Posted: 7/10/15 at 12:26am
I just never get why people speak in absolutes about things that are not. It's not just in this thread, but lots of them. The beauty of the theatre (or one of them at least) is that things are done in the way they need to be done to get the job done.
