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when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead

when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead

eastcoast101
#1when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 11:12am

We bought tickets several months ago for Gentleman's Guide, this past Friday, June 26.  When we got to the theatre we learned that Jefferson Mays was out.  We debated turning in our tickets, but in the end decided not to, since this was already our second attempt at seeing the show (had to sell tickets to an earlier performance due to a business trip) and it likely would have been several months before we could get back in.  So we stayed.  The show was enjoyable, but I certainly didn't find it "hysterical" or worthy of the glowing reviews we had seen for the past year.  Did we see half a show?  Should we have turned in our tickets?  And how do you make this decision when the lead is part of the attraction?  What shows are too closely tied to their leads to make them worthwhile with an understudy?  

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hork
#2when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 11:43am

I would have turned in my tickets. I have tickets for both Gentleman's Guide and Hamilton in October and my biggest fear is that Mays or Lin-Manuel Miranda will be sick or something and not appearing. Usually I'm okay with understudies, but there are just certain shows I have to see with a particular performer. When I saw In the Heights and found out that Lin-Manuel was sick and replaced by an understudy, I exchanged my tickets for another night. And I'm so glad I did, because he's an amazing performer, so I definitely want to see him in Hamilton. In the case of Jefferson Mays, my mom saw him and came home raving about his performance, and now she's actually going with me to see it again (mostly because of him), so I definitely want to see him in the role.


So to answer your question, if the lead is part of the attraction, I don't see a reason to see it without him/her. It's like going to a concert for a singer you like and having someone else step in. That said, there aren't a lot of performers I would make this decision for.

toofunktastic2
#2when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 11:55am

I find that there are very few shows that I would not enjoy if I saw an understudy, and there are honestly very few shows that I only enjoy if one specific person is playing a role. Quite often I vastly prefer the understudy to the lead, or I don't find enough of a difference in their portrayal that I don't really care. Of course, I'm the type of person who likes going to shows when leads are vacation so your mileage may vary.

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dramamama611
#3when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 12:39pm

The truth is: you might not have liked it WITH Mays.


There are very few understudies I've been disappointed with.  I've have never gotten a refund due to an understudy...and honestly can't imagine ever doing so. If I like the show well enough, I might go back a second time, but that's it.


If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Updated On: 6/28/15 at 12:39 PM

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Just_John
#4when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 12:47pm

I didn't love it with Mays, but his performance was certainly the highlight of the show.

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Nattalyee
#5when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 1:12pm

I never really care if I get an understudy, BUT if I came to a show specifically for 1 person and they are not there....I would absolutely turn around. I've been very lucky to never have that experience, but I would without a doubt leave if I came for 1 specific person and the tickets were pricey.  If the tickets weren't that bad of a cost, then I would just see the understudy and come back again.


When I saw Pippin the first time, Patina Miller called out, (it was her first ever call out of the show) and I got her understudy. I was very disappointed and thought of leaving, but the ticket wasn't that much and knew I could just do rush or something and come back. So I went back two more times! 

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HogansHero
#6when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 1:21pm

Gent's Guide is not a star vehicle, and though Jeff does well by it, the attraction of the performance is burned into the show and not tethered to him. 


Miranda's achievement with Hamilton is in the writing, not the performing. Giving up tickets to see the best show of many of our adult lifetimes because of an understudy is foolish, especially when those tickets are not easily replaceable. 

ARTc3
#7when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 1:41pm

More often than not, I stay. I did exchange my tickets - a few times - when Chita was out of, Edwin Drood, but that was the exception.


More often than not, its been fine, even an exciting event (Richard Burton stepping in at Equus before his scheduled run). On a few occasions, the understudy was a huge disappointment.


Mr. Mays was wonderful. Gentleman's Guide suffers from their publicity. It isn't hysterical. Its silly light comedy. Very enjoyable if you don't expect a laugh riot, which it is not.


ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.

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xxdrewboy85xx
#8when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 2:29pm

I personally have never returned/exchanged my tickets when an understudy has gone on. That's not to say I might not do it sometime in the future if I go to see a production for a specific actor only (but I can't remember a time when I have ever seen a show just because of one of the actors in it). 


 


IIRC, there have been only three times when I noticed an understudy going on that made me extremely disappointed. One was when I saw the OBC of Avenue Q and Ann Harada was out and we got Christmas Eve's understudy. The other two times were at different performances of Movin' Out. The first time I ever saw Movin' Out (out of too many times to count) John Selya was out and his understudy was on. The other was during the National Tour and Keith Roberts was out. I was extremely disappointed all three times until the show started as the understudies for all three were exceptional. (John Selya's understudy who's name escapes me was a revelation). After that National Tour Performance, the next day I was at the local dance apparel store buying new tap shoes and Keith Roberts walked in to buy new ballet shoes and got me and my friend in to that nights performance for free! So that actually worked out in our favor. :)


 


Then I saw Come Fly Away, and Keith was again out, but by this time I knew to trust Twyla Tharp and his understudy was brilliant as well.... and sexy AF. 


 


Needless to say, I don't think I would ever refund my ticket due to an understudy, you will probably be surprised and you may enjoy them even more than the full time performer (which was my case with John Selya's understudy). 

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hork
#9when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 2:38pm

I wouldn't give up my tickets for Hamilton if there was an understudy (I don't live in NY, so it'd be hard to reschedule), I'd just be bummed.

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ggersten
#10when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 3:12pm

On the first national tour of Legally Blonde, we had bought tickets to see it in St. Louis with Becky Gulsvig. But, she got injured and we didn't even get the understudy.  Laura Bell Bundy stepped back into the role - and my daughters couldn't have been more pleased.  

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henrikegerman
#11when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 3:36pm

You simply don't know if you are going to see something exceptional in an understudy's performance or not (then again, you simply don't know if the quantity you think of as known, the star, is going to be exceptional either.... even if you have admired that performer before).

The only sure thing is that sometimes if you stay you might see something you will never forget as long as you live; and, on those occasions, you will thank yourself for not having traded in those tickets.

For me the most recent thrilling example is when I saw Tari Kelly go on for Sutton Foster as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes.  Kelly was sensational.  

Now, please, someone give her a lead in a show worthy of her talent!

Another recent example:  when I stayed and saw Nick Lehane masterfully go on for Michael Cera in This is Our Youth.

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AHLiebross
#12when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 7:39pm

I don't know if theaters enforce the rule, but they often include disclosures on their Web sites that state that they will not refund tickets for changes in performers or even in shows. Of course, if they change from "The Book of Mormon" to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I think they'd have to give refunds.


Audrey


Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.

ebontoyan
#13when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 7:45pm

I saw GG with Jeff and Bryce and still didn't like the show

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dramamama611
#14when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 8:05pm

On Broadway, the basic rule is: you can get a refund for "above the title" actors only.  Will some make exceptions if you plead your case? It's been known to happen.


If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

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ramblingwreck97
#15when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 8:36pm

For me, it's essentially hit or miss when it comes to an understudy. However,I honestly think that a customer deserves a refund if one of the leading actors is out unless that information is available ahead of time. You are paying to see the show that has the cast that is advertised online and in the press for the show. I would definitely see Gentleman's Guide with understudies, as I personally don't think it'd have much of an effect on the show. But if you're solely going for the novelty of seeing Mays than obviously don't see it if he's out.

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Auggie27
#16when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 8:42pm

I saw Patti Cohenour go on for Victoria Clark the very first time in Piazza.  She didn't even have a proper set of costumes yet for the role and seemed to have to wear some she normally wore as Senora Naccarelli. She was simply stunning. Her "Fable" knocked out of the park. Of course, she was supported by a couple of actors people might've heard of: Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Morrison. 


"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

delongpre
#17when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 8:56pm

The only time I ever gave tickets back was for Cats when Betty Buckley was out. I was going to see HER so there was no point otherwise.


I saw GG and didn't love it even WITH the leads.


I saw If/Then (which I loved with Idina) with Jackie Burns as the understudy and I LOVED it.


I also saw Drood with understudies for both Chita and Stephanie J. Block and loved it also.


 

RemlapLBC
#18when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 9:38pm

We had tickets for The Addams Family on the night we arrived in NYC and when we got to the theatre it was posted Nathan was out. We turned our tickets in as we were going to the show only because of him. I'm sure the understudy was great but... We actually went ice skating instead and had one of my most fun NYC evenings. Eventually we saw the show when it came to Los Angeles. (of course, still w/o Nathan, but for a lot less $$ than at Broadway ticket prices)

asmith0307
#19when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 9:51pm

"We bought tickets several months ago for Gentleman's Guide, this past Friday, June 26.  When we got to the theatre we learned that Jefferson Mays was out.  We debated turning in our tickets, but in the end decided not to, since this was already our second attempt at seeing the show (had to sell tickets to an earlier performance due to a business trip) and it likely would have been several months before we could get back in"


 


I will say that Jefferson has been out for quite some time and will continue to be out as he is nursing an injury. I thought the understudy was great, but the show was not my favorite from last season's shows in general.


 


So in terms of this particular situation, even if you were able to come back quickly, there would be no guarantee that he would be on as this wasn't a single instance absence. (He's been out since at least Tony weekend)


 

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PianoMann
#20when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 10:14pm

The third time I saw the show, I rushed and prior to the box office opening, the staff put up a sign that Mays would be absent. I did strongly consider going to a different show, but having seen it with Mays twice I decided to stay. His understudy was quite good, and I agree with HogansHero that Mays has left his mark on the role and his understudy is basically replicating his performance down to almost every last note. I have to admit, I did enjoy it slightly less than I had previously, perhaps because I returned a third time to see Mays (the last remaining of the lead performers).

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VotePeron
#21when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/28/15 at 10:44pm

It's a tricky situation for me. When I pay student prices, I do not mind an understudy. I love going to shows for understudies, like Jackie Burns first full perf as Elizabeth in If/Then. If it's only ~$30, I never mind.


 


But then, last year my grandma and I had premium seats to Beautiful (the most expensive seats I have ever sat in, and I paid full price for BOM), and I was thinking on the way in how angry I would be if Jessie was out. She wasn't, but it was funny how that one time I truly thought about who was in or out.

MVintheheartland
#22when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/29/15 at 11:56am

I dragged my husband to see "Addams Family" when it was doing previews in Chicago. He is not a fan of musicals, but I assured him that this would be a riot with Nathan Lane. Nathan Lane was sick with the flu, understudy was so-so, the weather was crappy, and the restaurant we went to was overpriced. 


We probably should have asked for a refund or exchange. 


Oh well. Now I just go see musicals in NYC with my girlfriends, he stays home and works on his car, and we have survived 38 years of marriage. 


 

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Auggie27
#23when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/29/15 at 12:02pm

Interesting thing about BEAUTIFUL:  Once Jesse Mueller departed, the show seems to be one that doesn't require a particular performance to sell tickets.  The brand, like JERSEY BOYS and MAMA MIA, sells itself.  Everyone wanted to see Mueller while she was in it, but the show is actually proving an opportunity for (relative) unknowns, not a piece that will require a known performer to work.  Remember all the speculation about who might replace Mueller?  It didn't really matter.  It's the opposite of IF/THEN, which I still say will have a difficult time without Menzel. 


"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

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ACL2006
#24when there is an unexpected understudy for the lead
Posted: 6/29/15 at 12:31pm

I wouldn't be to concerned if you see HAMILTON and Lin Manuel-Miranda is out. Both times I saw IN THE HEIGHTS he was out and his u/s(Javier Munoz) was fantastic both times. And based on reports when the show was running, Munoz was actually better than him. We'll see what happens with HAMILTON.


A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.