Being an understudy is far more challenging than simply learning the lines of a lead actor in case of emergency. Learn all about these unsung stage heroes today.
AI Summary
# Stuff You Should Know: Understudies
Dive into the fascinating world of Broadway's unsung heroes in this episode about understudies, standbys, and swings. Josh and Chuck explore what it really takes to be the insurance policy that keeps shows running, discovering that these performers aren't just backups waiting for their shot—they're often learning multiple roles, mastering intricate choreography and blocking, and potentially going years without stepping foot on stage. From the logistical nightmares of flu-swept casts to inspiring stories of performers like Anthony Hopkins and Shirley MacLaine who got their big breaks filling in for leading roles, you'll gain a whole new appreciation for the hardest working people in show business.
Annie Get Your Gun
1957
1h 46m
★ 6.5
"Karen Quackenbush is another example, she was a standby for Bernadette Peters in Annie Get Your Gun — Josh tells the story of Karen Quackenbush, a standby for Bernadette Peters in Annie Get Your Gun, who had to take over on short notice."
— Josh
"Tay Diggs was an understudy in the 1994 revival of Carousel — Josh cites Tay Diggs as an example of someone who got his start as an understudy in the 1994 revival of Carousel."
— Josh
"My brother worked on Dear John and he got me off as an extra. Man, I love that show — Chuck shares a personal anecdote about appearing as an extra on the TV show Dear John when he was 18."
— Chuck
Falsettos
2017
NR
2h 23m
★ 8.2
"In 2016, there was a cold on the set of Falsettos and the lead role, Stephanie J. Bloch's role of Trina went down — Josh cites an example from 2016 where multiple cast members of Falsettos got sick, requiring understudies to fill in."
— Josh
"I think the child lead, I don't know Gypsy as well, but played Dainty June filled in — Josh mentions that Bernadette Peters played Dainty June as an understudy early in her career in the play Gypsy."
— Josh
Hamilton
2025
2h 40m
★ 7.6
"Joey was talking about his friend who is a understudy in Hamilton, the touring production — Chuck references a friend of Joey Ciara who was an understudy in the touring production of Hamilton, covering six different roles."
— Chuck
Plaza Suite
1971
PG
1h 54m
★ 6.2
"I went to Broadway and saw Neil Simon's Plaza Suite with SJP and Matthew Broderick — Chuck mentions attending a Broadway performance of Plaza Suite starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, which became relevant when both actors caught COVID during the run."
— Chuck
Primal Fear
1996
R
2h 10m
★ 7.7
"I don't do the matinees anymore. We have an alternate that does my matinees in Chicago for a three year run. — Josh uses Chicago as an example of a long-running Broadway show where actors can use alternates to not perform matinee shows."
— Josh
The Dance of Death
1969
2h 29m
★ 6.7
"There was a play called The Dance of Death, which sounds like a really odd unnerving play — Josh mentions The Dance of Death, the 1967 West End play where Anthony Hopkins understudied Laurence Olivier and got his big break."
— Josh
The Music Man
1962
G
2h 31m
★ 7.1
"She's working as the lead in The Music Man, I believe. And she catches COVID. And her understudy takes over — Josh recounts how Sutton Foster caught COVID while starring in The Music Man and her understudy Kathy Voight Co took over."
— Josh
The Trouble with Harry
1955
PG
1h 39m
★ 7.0
"Alfred Hitchcock came to see that play a few months later and cast her in the trouble with Harry — Josh explains how Shirley MacLaine was cast in Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry after impressing him during a Broadway performance."
— Josh
Thoroughly Modern Millie
1967
G
2h 32m
★ 6.9
"Sutton Foster tried out for the lead in Thoroughly Modern Millie and didn't get it — Josh describes how Sutton Foster became the understudy for Thoroughly Modern Millie and eventually became the lead, winning a Tony Award."
— Josh
Wicked
2024
PG
2h 42m
★ 6.9
"There was a matinee of Wicked and midway through the show, Edina Menzel fell mid-show and fractured a rib — Josh recounts the story of when Idina Menzel fell during a performance of Wicked and her understudy Shoshana Bean had to take over mid-show."
— Josh
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