shows where you think there should be an alternate

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 4:36am

so reading peoples comments about a certain Wicked star... and just thinking back on shows i've seen... do you think there are shows out there you think needs to have an alternate or even just shoud have one.... it would be a great way to put more actors/actresses into the limelight for a change

I always thought Aida should have had one... i couldn't imagine having to sing those songs twice in a day

Wicked seems like a show that needs it, for Elphaba

eh... i go on and off... but the Phantom always felt like an alternate was needed, IMO

Jean Valjean in Les Miserables

i can't think of anymore... i'm too tired...

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 5:23am

The London production of Les Miz has occasionally had an alternate Valjean (beginning with Jeff Leyton's first time in the role there, I think). There were also two or three of them rotating at any given time during the entire run of the Duisburg production in the late '90s.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 7:04am

The Broadway production of Jekyll and Hyde had a mat. alternate.

[bwaymyway]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 7:35am

I agree with you about Elphaba...Idina kept getting really burnt out and not giving very pleasing vocal performances.

Phantom has a matinee Christine, right? I think she does Sunday and Wednesday matinees, or at least that's how it was last time I saw it.

[timote316]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 9:14am

I know Toni Braxton had an alternate Aida, but, afterall, it is Toni Braxton.

And I'm pretty sure I've seen that there is an alternate Christine.

Most (if not all) children's roles have alternates. (well, Noah Gellman, Young Simba, and Young Nala do)

There are several roles that should have an alternate. Che, Evita, Phantom, Elphaba all come to mind, in addition to those already listed

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 9:19am

I Am My Own Wife
Golda's Balcony

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 9:53am

Noah Gellman did not have an alternate. Harrison Chad played every performance (except one right before closing to allow his understudy a chance to go on).

Caroline in the same show should have had an alternate for matinees -- it's really too demanding to do 8 times a week. Same with Effie White in DREAMGIRLS.

[Belle-arina]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 9:56am

If I'm not mistaken the role of Kim in Miss Saigon had an alternate.

I definately agree that Elphaba should have an alternate as well.

And Christine in Phantom does have an alternate--I believe she does two weekday evenings and one of the matinees.

[kates]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 9:57am

Kim did have an alternate in Miss Saigon, as did Tam (the little boy).

[timote316]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 10:05am

I could have sworn I saw in the CD booklet that Noah had an alternate... Oh well, I wont argue lol. That is surprising, tho. Noah is a very challenging role for a child actor.

And yes, Caroline should have had an alternate. I doubt Tonya Pinkins would have liked that lol, but it was definately needed. Updated On: 11/10/04 at 10:05 AM

[BroadwayBoundBoi]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 1:32pm

Aida didn't have an alternate till Toni Braxton, then they kept her till the end of the run ... I know for a fact POTO has an alternate for Christine for like Wed. Matinees or something. La Boheme had three different casts and Elphaba should have two performers ... there seems to be enough people to do it.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 1:42pm

Wicked should have an alternate. But their star is the reigning Tony winner, They're going to keep her on stage as much as possible to sell tickets. Remembeer when Hugh wasn't scheduled, they simply didn't have Boy from Oz shows. They knew where the draw was. I don't think Wicked's draw is Idina, however. She's great, but the show's a friggin' spectacle. It doesn't need a star.
Rath - TOTALLY agree with you on Wife and Golda's. IF someone could do the roles as well as Tovah and Jefferson. Which I doubt.
But I think most, if not all, musicals on Broadway should have alternates for their leads.

[broadway86]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 3:06pm

What roles SHOULD have an alternate...

Noble Eggleston/Val duVal/Amos Pinchley/etc., LITTLE ME

Princess Leonide, TRIUMPH OF LOVE

Guido Contini, NINE

Peter Allen, THE BOY FROM OZ

Mama Rose, GYPSY

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 3:43pm

The nly reason Deb Cox had an alternate was so that she could be a mother.