Fun Home understudies- Page 2

[steven22]

Posted: 6/29/15 at 8:00am

I've seen the show a bunch of times with the full cast...would love to see it with an understudy or two! 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/29/15 at 9:16am

What a confident, in every way accomplished performance.  Lots of wonderfully talented little girls are gonna score in this role.  Lucas minted it, but isn't it terrific that so many others will make it their own?

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/29/15 at 10:44am

"Apparently Gabby replaced Sydney midway through the performance today (and I think has been on most of the past week). Word is she's phenomenal, but I hope Sydney gets better soon!"

I don't think that is correct. Gabby replaced the little brother mid performance the previous week (and that was her first official performance).

But the week in question..Abby learned she was going on about an hour before the show started when Sydney was too ill to go on. She wound up doing Tuesday (the whole show) though Friday. I believe Sydney returned on Saturday night?

Gabby can certainly equal Sydney in vocal quality...and her performance was amazing (I saw her Wed night)...and she will get better and better with time. But Sydney first performed this show live when she was 9 and she is almost 12...and this was Gabby's 3rd show. Not sure comparing is fair or necessary.

 

Updated On: 6/29/15 at 10:44 AM

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/29/15 at 10:48am

No, the information is correct. Gabby replaced Sydney mid-performance yesterday. A friend of mine who attended the performance confirmed the change.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/29/15 at 10:58am

Oh so sorry..I misunderstood. I guess Sydney came back from being ill too soon...and had to leave again.

My apologies for not reading more carefully....the never ending drama of being an understudy.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 6/29/15 at 12:04pm

I saw Lauren the night of the 20^th and thought she was great. I actually enjoyed her performance more than Emily’s. I thought Emily was good, but her character’s awkwardness felt a little too put on and forced. Lauren seemed naturally awkward and, in turn, it created a very endearing and sweet Middle Allison. Not to say Emily’s Allison wasn’t as well, but there was an innocence that I think is crucial to the role that isn’t fully there in Emily’s performance (for me).

Having seen these two ladies, as well as Alexandra Socha, in the role, I think Socha has been, far and away, the best in the part so far. With Socha, I felt like every line, movement, and expression was infused with a quality perfect for Middle Allison and she had a beautiful voice to boot. For me, she elevated that role to a place neither Emily or Lauren reached. Not to say Emily and Lauren weren’t great in the part – they both did a great job and, had I not seen Socha’s performance, I don’t think I would have felt like I was wanting for anything. However, having seen Socha and seeing one of those great performances where it felt like the actor and role were meant for each other, Emily and Lauren’s performance never reached that level for me.

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 6/29/15 at 12:54pm

Attended my first performance of Fun Home on Saturday the 27th @ 2.  The only replacement was Sydney.  I was so disappointed that she was out... but...  Gabby was wonderful and won me over in no time.  It was hard to believe she has only performed it a few times according to all the posts.

 

[playbill-love]

Posted: 6/29/15 at 1:14pm

I saw Gabby when she first went on on Tuesday, and came back on Sunday when she replaced Sydney mid-show. Sydney performed through the "party dress" scene, and Gabby started with the "When you lived in Germany, what color was your house?" scene before Maps. Gabby has already grown in the role just this week, and was a joy to see perform. Sydney is really hitting it out of the park, and I think she deserved the Tony, but Gabby is doing VERY well too.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 6/30/15 at 11:33am

I recently saw Gabby in for Sydney, and she was marvelous in every way.

Seeing Alexandra Socha's name a few posts above reminded me of her fantastic performance down at the Public.  Not that it's any of our business, but did anyone happen to ever find out why she abandoned the role?  I saw her in PAINT YOUR WAGON at Encores!, and she was delightful. 

[steven22]

Posted: 6/30/15 at 11:48am

I loved Alexandra Socha in Spring Awakening. I also really liked Emily Skeggs as medium Allison but would prefer to see Alexandra! 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/30/15 at 12:21pm

"I recently saw Gabby in for Sydney, and she was marvelous in every way.
Seeing Alexandra Socha's name a few posts above reminded me of her fantastic performance down at the Public.  Not that it's any of our business, but did anyone happen to ever find out why she abandoned the role?  I saw her in PAINT YOUR WAGON at Encores!, and she was delightful. "

 

This has been discussed here several times.  The answer is: no. 

 

I would have loved to have seen her too (nothing against Skeggs).

 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/10/15 at 10:24am

An interesting article...

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/the-life-of-fun-homes-12-year-old-understudy-covering-two-boys-one-girl-and-going-on-at-a-moments-notice-352859

 

 

[jessejaehoon]

Posted: 7/10/15 at 6:32pm

I've seen Alexandra Socha, Emily Skeggs, and now Lauren Patten as Medium Al, and they're all excellent. Patten is brilliant, similar to Skeggs' performance but definitely does not feel phoned in or like an imitation.

[Jace2017]

Posted: 7/11/15 at 3:28pm

For anyone interested here is understudy, Lauren Patten, Preforming Changing My Major from the U.S Women's Soccer Parade. I think she sounds great!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMMG97Z3e7Y

[cglaid]

Posted: 7/12/15 at 12:10pm

Wow, she brings a totally different energy to this song. Maybe a bit more masculine or something? Whatever it is, I think it totally works. For those who have seen her, what do they do with her hair? Does she wear a short wig, or goes as is? Looks like the show is in good hands when understudies/swings go on.

[jessejaehoon]

Posted: 7/12/15 at 6:22pm

When Ms. Patten goes on she just wears her hair normally.

[lunch]

Posted: 7/13/15 at 11:16pm

"For anyone interested here is understudy, Lauren Patten, Preforming Changing My Major from the U.S Women's Soccer Parade. I think she sounds great!
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMMG97Z3e7Y"

 That's a terrific performance. I'm not sure it's the best choice for a song to sing to a crowd of 8-year-old soccer players .... "I'm changing my major to sex with Joan!"  ... It's not the Joan part.  It's the sex part.  

[firebolts]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:16pm

Gabby sounds great in that audio posted on Tumblr of her singing "Ring of Keys" but she doesn't do the hesitations as well as Sydney. Lauren sounds a lot like Emily, and I have to agree with Lunch - an awkward song to sing at that event. 

Updated On: 7/14/15 at 03:16 PM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 4:54pm

"Gabby sounds great in that audio posted on Tumblr of her singing "Changing My Major," but she doesn't do the hesitations as well as Sydney. Lauren sounds a lot like Emily, and I have to agree with Lunch - an awkward song to sing at that event. "

Changing my major is not sung by Gabby/Sydney.

What is posted for Gabby is her first show or (or part of one show about a week later)...Sydney has been doing this since she was 9. I am sure Sydney has more details in her presentation..but IMO Gabby has a comparable voice tone.

[firebolts]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 4:57pm

^ I meant "Ring of Kings" - changed it. 

[SamHoffman523]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 5:38pm

"^ I meant "Ring of Kings" - changed it. "

 Keep trying.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 8/24/15 at 8:39pm

Just curious ...is there a second kid swing/understudy? I know Gabby covers all three kid parts but there has to be someone there is she is out. I mean no one can be there 100% of the time, can they? They have to get sick once in a while..and she is entitled to an occasional day off, no?

[steven22]

Posted: 8/24/15 at 8:50pm

Nicole was on for Judy all last week. 

[getatme]

Posted: 8/24/15 at 8:51pm

Gabby is the only child swing at the moment.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 8/24/15 at 8:52pm

I don't know what happened to my post but Jim Stanek will be on as Bruce this Friday.