ROA understudies.

[massofmen]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 10:52am

I haven't seen the show lately but hear there are many u/s going on in that show lately.
Maybe the rock singing is starting to get to peoples vocal chords. I wonder if this is how it will be over there at the brooks for a while.
Though I hear Michael Minarik is amazing as Lonny (mitch jarvis is apparently on vacation)

[Barney Stinson]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 12:06pm

I saw Minarik about a month ago, he was very good. Different from Jarvis, no Jack Black impersonation, and ummm . . . straighter, making the duet with Dennis even funnier IMO.

Always thought S. Wise was better than Spanger, but she's no longer the US. Haven't seen anyone else US.

[TreyKenyon]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 12:17pm

I saw the 7/2 performance and Jeremy Woodard was on for James Carpinello (not sure if he was sick or if it was a vacation). Thankfully for ROA, all the understudies seem to be pretty great in their roles. From what I had seen on YouTube, Jeremy has a slightly better voice than Carpinello, but lacks a little of the bad-ass rocker charisma.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 12:43pm

I think Rock of Ages takes a huge toll on the actors. I am telling all my friends to see it ASAP before permanent changes are made.

[AngryYoungMan]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 3:08pm

Michael Minarik as Lonny really interests me. I know people are saying he's really good - but I just can't imagine many other people besides Mitch playing the role. Lonny is such a huge part, and for it to be played completely different than the way Mitch does it makes me think that the show is a lot different when he's not there.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 3:41pm

>>>>that the show is a lot different when he's not there.

It's the same great show.
Michael was wonderful in the role.

I believe several people have been sick in the last week.

& I don't think this show is going anywhere anytime soon.

[NakedMaid]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 3:46pm

I see the show every night.
Unfortunately, there have always been a lot of understudies going on - even since Off Broadway. And Wise is the 1st Sherrie to be able to do all 8 shows a week for longer than 1 week! (Tho she was out more if this weekend)
While the music demands are rough on the non-rock trained voices, the HARDER thing is the performance schedule! After a 5 show weekend (Friday, double Sat, double Sun) they don't have a day off. They go into two more days of work. (OffBway schedule was worse: Thurs, Friday 7pm, Friday 10pm, Sat 2pm, Sat 8 pm, Sunday 2pm, Mon and Tuesday. YIKES!
I think it will take a little more getting used to for the actors.
Ultimately none of the understudies are a disappointment (tho Stacie's u/s is not my personal fav). Jeremy Jordan really fills the shoes for Drew - I'm always really impressed by him.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 3:49pm

Lucky^^^^^

[JP2]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 3:59pm

Jeremy Jordan is an amazing Drew. I haven't seen him as Franz, and can't imagine anyone other than Wesley Taylor.

I've seen Michael Minarik as both Lonny and Hurtz. He was awesome in both roles.

I also saw Tad Wilson as Lonny once, and he brings a certain hilarity to the role.

[Barney Stinson]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 4:14pm

"Michael Minarik as Lonny really interests me. I know people are saying he's really good - but I just can't imagine many other people besides Mitch playing the role. Lonny is such a huge part, and for it to be played completely different than the way Mitch does it makes me think that the show is a lot different when he's not there. "

Yeah, I had similiar thoughts/questions. Jarvis definitely puts his stamp on the role, or rather Jack Black's stamp on the role.

But Minarik was more than capable. Just as good vocally, IMO, but definitely different in delivery. The best way to describe it, I think, is that he is more reserved at the begining, and doesn't come across as outrageous early on. But that actually sets up later scenes to be even funnier, like the duet and the scene with Drew whining about life.

One other thing I thought was funny, is that he's a good amount taller/bigger than Jarvis, so Dennis doesn't look quite so comfortable lifting him.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 4:21pm

Michael Minarik is hilarious (I've seen him in Les Miz, Little Women and Urinetown). I know very little about ROA but would love to see him in this. :)

[AngryYoungMan]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 4:57pm

I know that Ericka Hunter went on as Sherrie a couple days ago, and that Tad was on for Hertz for a week or so this month.
I love the idea of Tad being Lonny, Dennis or Hertz - would love to see him play those parts.

I've heard Jeremy Jordan as Drew - he's very good. I did not like Jeremy Woodard as Stacee when I saw him off-Broadway - he seemed scared of the high notes. He's a great Joey Primo, and heard he's a pretty good Franz.

Isn't Michael Minarik a bass-baritone? Can't imagine him hitting some of the notes Lonny has to. Heard him at Bryant Park, wasn't impressed. I really want to see him!!

Has anyone seen a "Regina" understudy? Updated On: 7/29/09 at 04:57 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 5:15pm

<<< Isn't Michael Minarik a bass-baritone? Can't imagine him hitting some of the notes Lonny has to. Heard him at Bryant Park, wasn't impressed. I really want to see him!! >>

Michael was on as Lonny last night- he has an excellent voice, but really missed Mitchell !!! Just didnt find Michael funny or "campy" enough for the role.

Tad was on as Hertz, and was excellent.

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 5:24pm

Saw the show last night also. While Minarik's voice does have a baritone timbre, he definitely had all the high notes! He sounded great and I really enjoyed his take on Lonny. I love Mitch and think he is wonderful, but it was nice to see a Lonny that is not so reminiscent of a Jack Black impression.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 5:52pm

"Has anyone seen a "Regina" understudy?"

Never did, but would have liked to.

[broadwaybound882]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 5:53pm

The first (and so far, only) time I saw RoA, Minarik was on for Lonny and I thought he was just incredible, though Mitch looks great as well. But yhea, I've pretty much become a fan of Minarik's after seeing him in Les Miz and Rock of Ages.

[lstbutifulgrl2]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 9:03pm

understudies i've seen:

Michael Minarik: I've seen him as Lonny and Hertz. I like his Lonny. I actually saw him as Lonny the first time I saw the show, so I wasn't comparing him to Mitch (who I think is also hysterical). Michael's Hertz was also quite good.

Tad Wilson: I've seen Tad as Dennis, Hertz and Lonny. All very good portrayals of the characters. Tad going on as Lonny recently was a fluke. Mitch was sick and Michael just had surgery so he wasn't cleared to do the role (although Michael is covering for Mitch's vacation this week).

Ericka Hunter: Seen her as Waitress #1 (before she was given the role so she was an US) and as Sherrie. She blew me away with her Sherrie, I was not expecting it as good as it was. I also saw her as the reporter (the track usually played by Katherine Tokarz), she does the character with a Minnesota accent which I thought was hysterical.

Jeremy Jordan: I've seen him as Joey Primo and Franz. Personally he is not my favorite, and certainly not as good as Wesley in the role of Franz. I have not yet seen his Drew.

Jeremy Woodard: I've seen his Stacee. There are parts of his Stacee that I actually prefer over James Carpinello (and that could get me seriously yelled at by some of my friends). I agree that Jeremy does not play the role as the badass rocker, but at times his line delivery is funnier.

Katherine Tokarz: As Regina. Amazing. Hysterically funny.

[AngryYoungMan]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 3:40pm

Do the understudies have the same costume design and wigs?

[TreyKenyon]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 4:04pm

When I saw Jeremy Woodard as Stacee he had the exact same costume as James Carpinello.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 11:09pm

I saw the first Monday preview back in March. I saw an understudy for Sherrie, but I can't remember who it was because there was only an announcement, no slip in the playbill. It was whoever normally played waitress #1, I believe it was Savannah Wise. I think it was her first time in the role, and she was great! She almost made Constantine laugh on the stage the way she said her "I was mugged!" line. The one thing about the performance I was upset about was that they didn't give us the LED lights. It must have been an idea added later in previews.

[lstbutifulgrl2]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:05am

for the most part the understudies have the same costumes. Jeremy Woodard's 2nd act Stacee constume is slightly different than James' 2nd act costume.

[AngryYoungMan]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:43am

Does Minarik sport the mullet? Does Tad wear a wig for Hertz?

[AngryYoungMan]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:43am

Does Minarik sport the mullet? Does Tad wear a wig for Hertz?

[lstbutifulgrl2]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 8:19am

Yes, Michael wears a mullet when on as Lonny, and Tad wears a wig for Hertz. The wig was grey-ish and short hair. The only role I have not seen Tad wear a wig for was Lonny, obviously.

[TreyKenyon]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 8:26am

AwesomeDanny --- I saw ROA 7/2/09 and they didn't give out LED lighters then. Does anyone know if they ever officially did it? Constantine mentioned it on TODAY and the audience had them at the Tonys, but I haven't heard of it happening at any regular performances.