My Fair Lady Cast Replacements/Absences

[tgirl16]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 11:21am

Does anyone know when the principals of My Fair Lady's contracts end? I want to catch Lauren Ambrose but I won't be able to go to NYC until around December. Would I be able to catch most of the original revival cast in December? Thanks for any help!

[JustAFan3]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 12:29pm

Not sure, I posted similar question with regards to Carousel.  I saw MFL May 19th (eve) and Lauren was out.  I was disappointed because I really wanted to see her although her understudy was really good.  I followed all the posts regarding the casting, so seeing Lauren was a catalyst to seeing the show.  Still enjoyed it!

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 3:25pm

Harry Hadden-Paton just finished a scheduled absence this weekend, haven't heard if/when any of the other cast members will take some time off or not.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 4:08pm

Starting on Tuesday, Clark Thorell is taking over as Zoltan Karparthy.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 5:45pm

Any guesses about Diana Rigg? We're seeing it the Saturday after Labor Day. I recall AEA limitations on English actors in the past. Would this be a factor here. (besides the simple fact of her [marvelous] age)

Also hopefully Lauren and AHP will still be performing.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 8:09pm

Out of curiosity, who was Lauren's understudy?

[icecastle]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 8:48pm

The Eliza understudies are Kerstin Anderson and Heather Botts. I believe only Kerstin has gone on.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 10:22pm

I have no specific knowledge and perhaps should not be speculating, but since it was a seller's market for the role of Eliza, meaning that Bartlett Sher had one of the great roles for female actresses to hand out, and a great number of female actresses who craved the role, I would be surprised if a commitment of at least a year was not required of Ambrose.

Kelli O'Hara, a proven star, stayed in Lincoln Center Theater's production of The King and I for just over a year. I can't see Ambrose committing to less.

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 6/27/18 at 7:20pm

Just a heads-up, some absences have appeared on the official MFL website: http://www.lct.org/shows/my-fair-lady/schedule/

"Harry Hadden-Paton will not appear in the following performances:
- Tuesday, August 7 at 7pm through Sunday, August 12 at 3pm
- Saturday, September 22 at 2pm through Sunday, October 14 at 3pm

Norbert Leo Butz will not appear in performances Tuesday, November 6 at 7pm through Sunday, November 11 at 3pm."

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 6/27/18 at 9:12pm

During Haden-Paton’s 3+ week break in the fall, do you suppose they’ll bring in a temporary replacement or just use the understudies (Tony Roach and Michael Halling)? Both are capable and seasoned performers, but not recognizable names when fall can be harsh.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 3:01pm

It will probably depend on the advance. If they've already sold as well as they have so far, there's no need for "star" casting. And if the tickets are already sold, I don't think people are going to try to exchange them if he's not playing Higgins that day. I don't think his fan base is that big.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 4:46pm

If an actor commits for a year it includes the rehearsal process. My sense is that changes will be made next January.  

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 4:48pm

I agree about Haden, they will just most likely alternate his understudy.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 5:46pm

"During Haden-Paton’s 3+ week break in the fall, do you suppose they’ll bring in a temporary replacement or just use the understudies (Tony Roach and Michael Halling)? Both are capable and seasoned performers, but not recognizable names when fall can be harsh."

 

Is Haden-Paton a recognizable name? :o

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 6:39pm

I don’t think he is. I just see fall vacations, especially ones that are longer, as a time for shows to help themselves if necessary, though I don’t think My Fair Lady is in that position.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 11:04pm

SmoothLover said: "If an actor commits for a year it includes the rehearsal process. My sense is that changes will be made next January."

That is false. Traditionally, it's a year from the first preview. Doesn't mean everyone here signed on for a year, but what you said isn't correct in the most traditional cases.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 10:48am

This seemed like a good place for this news -

Kerstin Anderson will be taking over the role of Eliza at Sunday matinees. Part of my assumes this was the plan all along once awards season was over.

Link

Updated On: 7/2/18 at 10:48 AM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 11:02am

^ then my timing for choosing yesterday for a return visit to the show was excellent. 

Also, both Norbert Leo Butz and Linda Mugleston were out for yesterday's performance. Butz' understudy Joe Hart was a fantastic Alfred Doolittle, and came across as a little more menacing than Butz did. I told my friends afterwards that I felt a little bit like Hart's Doolittle has killed a man and would do it again. Liz McCartney was on as Mrs. Pearce and she was fine. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 11:06am

I found this for Kerstin Anderson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik3KMUwn5PU

I think she sounds great. I might have to make a return trip to see her. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 11:20am

Anderson was very good in the recent SOUND OF MUSIC tour. Unfortunately it was another misguided Jack O'Brien production, so she didn't have much to work with. 

[bfreak]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 11:22am

Seeing the show on Wednesday night, looking to see everyone! I think an alternate will help Ambrose's attendance in the long run (even though I don't think she's called out much since those consecutive May absences). I hope Norbert Leo Butz will be back in the show on Wednesday, he's an amazing actor and his Tony performance was excellent.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 11:31am

Has Ambrose called out at all since those consecutive absences?

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 2:47pm

poisonivy2 said: "I found this for Kerstin Anderson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik3KMUwn5PU

I think she sounds great. I might have to make a return trip to see her."

I saw Kerstin in May when Lauren was out - I thought she was fabulous!  I would highly recommend seeing her in the role.  I feel she's a bit more age appropriate??  (without knowing her age).  Anyways, she was great and has a beautiful voice.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 2:53pm

A Canadian in NYC said: "poisonivy2 said: "I found this for Kerstin Anderson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik3KMUwn5PU

I think she sounds great. I might have to make a return trip to see her."

I saw Kerstin in May when Lauren was out - I thought she was fabulous! I would highly recommend seeing her in the role. I feel she's a bit more age appropriate?? (without knowing her age). Anyways, she was great and has a beautiful voice."

Oh tht's great to hear. Actually her voice is what I would normally associate more with Eliza. 

[MCfan2]

Posted: 7/2/18 at 3:00pm

givesmevoice said: "Butz' understudy Joe Hart was a fantastic Alfred Doolittle, and came across as a little more menacing than Butz did. I told my friends afterwards that I felt a little bit like Hart's Doolittle has killed a man and would do it again. "

Wow! There's an interesting take on Alfie! 

I'm so glad my tickets are for the week before HHP's break. I'm sure I'd have a good time at the show anyway, but I really do want to see him, after hearing all the praise for his performance.