Centerstage for Understudies
Day-in, day-out on certain days even twice do the big shows entertain thousands of guests on New York City’s Broadway - and that includes certainly Disney Theatrical’s latest production The Little Mermaid (if you are interested in the Original Broadway Cast recording of that one, check out my post from the past Monday). This is only possible thanks to large casts, which include so called “understudies”. Understudies are actors and actresses often performing in a smaller part of the show but have been trained to perform in one (or more often:) several lead parts of the show, requiring to memorize not only the signs, lines and the staging for one but several large roles in the show! And while they may not perform in the parts for months they always need to stay ready to jump in on a second’s notice if the lead gets ill.
Obvioulsy being an understudy is not easy and requires not only great talent (afterall a full theater might see the understudy in the leading part of the show) but also a lot of professionalism and dedication. But then being an understudy is also a great chance to get a break in the spotlight. One big name who got such a break was Anthony Hopkins who was the understudy for Sir Laurence Olivier in the National Theatre’s The Dance of Death back in 1967. But on Broadway there is also another chane to shine in the spotlight as understudy, even iof the lead stay fit and performs day-in, day-out: At This Performance, the ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway standbys and understudies.
At This Performance is a concert series presented by Musicals Tonight!. The next two concerts will take place on march 9 and 10 at 8 PM concerts at Off-Broadway’s McGinn/Cazale Theatre and will feature understudies from Disney’s The Little Mermaid as well!
On March 9 the list of performers will include Cicily Daniels the understudy for the role of Ursula, while on March 10 Bret Shuford the understudy for the roles of Prince Eric and Flotsam as well as Chelsea Morgan Stock the understudy for the role of Ariel will be featured together with other understudies from various shows. So if you happen to be in New York on one of these two days why not take a look at the great depth of talents Disney Theatrical assembled for their latest production??
On both days the concert starts at 8 pm at The McGinn/Cazale Theatre, located at 2162 Broadway, Broadway at 76th Street on the 3rd Floor. Tickets ($20) are available by calling (212) 868-4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com.
P.S.: if you go drop us a line, we would be happy to run your report /b review on the Mousekingdom Blog!