First off, I want to make it very clear that I am NOT downing Ali Stroker and I am well aware that when you see a show, you are paying for the show and not any of the actors. Now that we got that out of the way...
I saw Oklahoma! yesterday and Ali was out of both shows. Ive heard from quite a few friends theyve seen her understudy, so I was just curious if its just a bit of bad luck (one friend has gone twice to try to catch her) or if her attendance has been spotty or maybe shes just on vacation currently. I would like to see her for sure and Im just wondering if its worth going back or not.
By chance, I ran into Sasha in the box office yesterday; I'd seen her at the end of April, and she said she hadn't been on again since. I'd assume it's just the usual sick day or two for Ali. In any event, both are excellent--I had the chance to catch Ali the other day, each of them really make the character something special (though you're right, Sasha is not in a wheelchair!)
I saw the show Tuesday night July 2 and Ali was out and Sasha was on. She was incredible so I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. No she was not in a wheelchair which made her Ado Annie blocking very interesting since it seemed like she was constantly running around, sitting on laps, getting in faces, etc. Obviously there are two versions of the blocking for Ali and her understudy.
I was lucky enough to see Stroker, she was wonderful, but I had also heard from many people that they caught her understudy at different points over the course of the run.
When the show had its first run at Bard, the actress who played Ado Annie was able-bodied, so there has always been a version of the choreography and blocking for that. I believe both of Stroker’s understudies also cover other tracks, including Laurey and the ballet soloist.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
So I’ve heard (and also read on here) that if one of the principal actors of a show is out, then you’re able to receive a refund. Specifically, I remember reading that when Santino Fontana called out of Tootsie the audience got a refund.
I’m going to see Oklahoma! in August, and it’s mainly to see Ali Stroker (her Tony’s performance was electrifying) and now i’m nervous that there’s a chance I won’t get to see her...
I understand that the understudies are often just as captivating as the main actors, but I’m wondering that if this refund rule would also work for Ali Stroker calling out of Oklahoma! Anyone have any ideas? (Not trying to disrespect understudies, but like I said I REALLY want to see Stroker)
Generally, refunds are only made available if the person out of the show is above the title, which none of the Oklahoma cast members are.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
I assume Ali was cast because of her ability, not her wheelchair. If there was any other consideration about that, it's moot because she is so accomplished in the part. I would expect that "wheelchair-bound" is not a casting requirement for replacements or understudies, just as "not-wheelchair-bound" wasn't a requirement for principal cast..
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I caught the show pre-Tony on 4/14. I didn’t think too much of her absence at the time. I liked the show, but not enough to go back and see the show again just for her performance.
Bumping this because according to an interview with Sasha Hutchings in Dance Magazine it seems like she is now the Alternate for Ado Annie and Stroker no longer performs Matinees. Can anyone confirm?
ChairinMain said: "Bumping this because according to an interview with Sasha Hutchings in Dance Magazine it seems like she is now the Alternate for Ado Annie and Stroker no longer performs Matinees. Can anyone confirm?"
Yes, I saw the show on 11/1 (Ali Stroker was there) and the playbill lists Sasha Hutchings as the Alternate for Ado Annie on Wednesday and Saturday Matinees.
Saw the show this past Wednesday. Can confirm that Ado Annie AND Ali Hakem now have Wed. and Sat. matinee alternates. According to the playbill, Sasha Hutchings and Chris Bannow play the pair for matinees.
I won the lottery and took a friend with me. She found out during intermission that she had won the lotto for that evening so she went back again with our friend that had to sit out the matinee. Ali was on for the evening.
Sasha was great vocally but her acting didn't impress me much. Very by the book in such an extraordinary production where everyone is reinventing the characters so much.
Rebecca Naomi Jones has started shooting a series in Atlanta, and announced a few weeks she would now be in and out of the show until closing. Also, Denver fills in for Damon a couple times a week still.
LuPita2 said: "Rebecca Naomi Jones has started shooting a series in Atlanta, and announced a few weeks she would now be in and out of the show until closing. Also, Denver fills in for Damon a couple times a week still."
Yeah I forgot to mention that as well. Denver was on for Damon both shows last Wednesday. He was really great. If I didn't know Damon's work pretty well, I would have said that Denver was the full time actor in the role. Great chemistry with Rebecca.