Broadway News
At This Performance Continues October 17
They're the three little words most dreaded by theater-goers: "At this performance." There's nothing worse than shelling out mucho bucks for a theater ticket, waiting eagerly for the performance date to arrive, and getting all dolled up for a night at the Broadway theater only to sit in your velour-upholstered seat and open your Playbill to find those loathsome little white slips of paper inside. We've all been there. Even before you read the words on the page, your heart sinks, because you know that "at this performance" some roles will be played by understudies.
The thing that we always seem to forget, though, is that the understudies are always really, really good. This is Broadway. This is mecca for the most talented, driven, serious stage actors in the world. These talented people beat out hordes of competition to get to where they are and, in this case, second-place is pretty darn amazing.
But because they only get to step into the spotlight on the rare occasions that their principal gets sick or goes on vacation, At This Performance gives these talented understudies their moment to shine. The next installment of this ongoing cabaret series will be held at 7pm on Monday, October 17 at The Lion Theater on West 42nd Street.
Playbill.com's Andrew Gans reports:
"Among the performers who will sing and share anecdotes about their experiences are Ashley Blanchet (understudy for the role of Felicia in Memphis), Liz Byrne (standby for the roles of Mary Jane Greenberg and Lesley Gore in Baby It's You!), Alison Cimmet (understudy for the role of Blanche in Bonnie & Clyde), Joyce Chittick (understudy for the role of Erma in Anything Goes), David Hull (understudy for the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), Danielle Jordan (understudy for the roles of Emily Whitman and Young Sally in Follies), Jahi A. Kearse (understudy for the roles of Luther Dixon, Jocko, Chuck Jackson, Ronald Isley, Bass Man, Gene Chandler, Doo-Wopper and Drifter in Baby It's You!), Kimberly Marable (understudy for the roles of Deloris Van Cartier and Tina in Sister Act), Jesse Swimm (understudy for the roles of Bert and Northbrook in Mary Poppins) and Lori Wilner (standby for the roles of Bubbie/Raisel and Chayesel Fisher in The People in the Picture)."
The event will be hosted by casting director Stephen DeAngelis, with musical direction and accompaniment by Eugene Gwozdz.
-Anything Goes understudy Joyce Chittick photo credit: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.
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