There are many reasons why you might choose to attend a performance of a play or musical. Perhaps you heard really wonderful reviews of the show and are hoping to learn what all the hubbub is about. Or maybe the show is near and dear to your heart and you never miss a chance to see it. Whatever your reasoning for seeing a play or musical may be, more often than not you will be eager to find out the actors that will be rounding out the cast of characters for your performance, right? I know I for one get incredibly excited when I see an actor that I look up to and enjoy watching on the cast list for the evening. Every once in a while, however, you open up your Playbill and you discover that you won't be seeing your favorite star; rather, you'll be seeing his or her understudy grace the stage. While this may seem a tragedy at the start; more often than not you will not be disappointed if you give him or her a shot.
On a trip to New York City this summer, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to see Disney's Aladdin on Broadway. I was incredibly excited to see it not only because I love Disney, but also because I was anxious to see a specific performer. I had wanted to watch James Monroe Iglehart as the Genie the moment I saw him sing "Friend Like Me" on the Tony Awards two years prior, and I was shaking with anticipation as I walked into the theater. I sat down, eagerly opened my playbill, and my heart sank as I looked at the cast list. James, who I had heard rarely missed a performance, was not on for that night. Instead, his understudy would be taking the stage, and I was heartbroken. All I had wanted was to see a Tony-winner, but instead I was stuck with Major Attaway, who I knew absolutely nothing about.
As the lights went down and the curtain went up I was grumbling about missing out on seeing James. As the curtain went down and the lights came up, however, I was on my feet, whooping and hollering for the Genie. He had absolutely nailed the role, and walking back to the train station afterward, I realized what a mistake I'd made in judging him before I watched him. I was wrapped up in his performance from the minute the show began, and although I didn't get to see the Tony-winning stylings of Mr. Iglehart, I got to experience a whole new world of Aladdin with Major bringing his own little bits of improvisation and comedy to the role. Plus, I got to see a show that many people have not had the chance to see; because James took on the Genie practically every night of the week, Major hardly ever got a chance to perform. For all I know, this could have been his first Friday night crowd ever. I sincerely hope that he is able to take on the Genie more regularly, as he absolutely killed it!
The moral of the story, then, is to never underestimate the understudy. He or she was given that role for a reason, perhaps seconded only because the primary actor is well-known. Whatever the case may be, he or she has rehearsed, practiced, and perfected the part as much as--if not more than--the original cast member, so that he or she is ready at a moment's notice to step into the role and knock it out of the park. And if the person you're watching step up to the plate is unknown now, he or she could end up being the biggest star on Broadway in a few years--and then you can say that you liked him or her before he or she was famous! Even if you were looking forward to seeing a specific someone portray a character, take a chance on his or her understudy. Who knows? You may even end up liking the show more with that person starring than you would have otherwise.
