Xanadu- Broadway Understudies
Xanadu- Broadway Understudies
#1Xanadu- Broadway Understudies
Posted: 11/6/12 at 2:55amI was reading the cast bios for the BOM tour and in Jacob Ben Widmar's bio, it says that he was Whoopi's understudy in Xanadu... Were the "evil" Muse sisters ever actually played by a male understudy, or am I just not interpreting his bio correctly?
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#2Xanadu- Broadway Understudies
Posted: 11/6/12 at 3:53amYes, there were male performers understudying female muses. It rarely happened, but they did perform and it was hilarious.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Xanadu- Broadway Understudies
Posted: 11/6/12 at 5:19amYup. I've heard great stories in line with Blaxx's.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
sbflyfan
Broadway Star Joined: 4/12/07
#3Xanadu- Broadway Understudies
Posted: 11/6/12 at 7:51am
If I remember correctly, Andre Ward went on instead of Mary Testa for the first few performances Whoopi was in. I think Mary Testa was working on a cabaret show at the time.
"I'm seeing the LuPone in Key West later this week. I'm hoping for great vocals and some sort of insane breakdown..." - BenjaminNicholas2
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#4Xanadu- Broadway Understudies
Posted: 11/6/12 at 9:50amMary Testa was filming her bit in "Eat Pray Love." Annie Golden was the standby for Jackie/Mary but Whoopi had spent the week rehearsing with Andre (who was Mary's second cover) and requested he go on with her for her first performance. It was very fun and interesting to see him do it. Since he (and Curtis/Kyle/Jacob/Marty/etc) were technically playing girls anyway in their regular track, why not have them cover a larger role as well. Andre has the distinction of playing Terpsiscore, Sonny, and Melpolmene. So yes, Jacob was technically her understudy, but never went on.
