Any understudies in Sweeney yet?

[jasobres]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 1:31pm

Hmmm?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 1:33pm

No idea, but the correct term would be standby since understudies are traditionally in the show (usually in the Chorus).

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:07pm

They are technically "standbys."(although to be fair, Cerveris also called them understudies on the radio. )

According to the interview with Cerveris on New York public radio earlier today none of them have gone on yet.

He also anwered the oft asked question of the instruments.

Since his standby (Merwin Foard) does not play guitar, if he were out his Foard would play the instruments he knows, and another standby, (I can't remeber which) would also be onstage to do the guitar parts.
It would work that way with any of them.

Updated On: 12/9/05 at 02:07 PM

[zoran912]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:12pm

Wow. That could get really tricky.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:12pm

I would love to see Merwin Foard do Sweeney. I love Cerveris, but I also think Foard has a lovely voice and could truly be great in the role.

[jasobres]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:24pm

Believe it or not, and I may have mentioned it before, but I actually know Merwin. I believe that he was actually TAUGHT how to play percussion while the show was in rehearsals. According to his wife, Becky Baxter, whom I'm a student of, it is hard!

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:27pm

Cerveris is such perfection as Sweeney though, I am getting chills thinking about his performance as I sit here.

I'd love to see every possibility for this show though, and Merwin should be great.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:39pm

penguin, you're killing me! I'm about to scream at work because I haven't seen this show yet! Aaaargh!

[Patronus]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:39pm

Seriously, penguin. January 26, 2006. We're there. For real.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:43pm

I REALLY hope there are no understudies/standbys on this weekend. I'm seeing it front row on Sunday. I've never seen Patti live, never seen Sweeney and I'm DYING to see this show. I hope that not only does blood get on the cello, but that a little splatters on me, too.

LOL

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:50pm

Hanna, you are going to have so much fun! The show is wonderful from anywhere in the theatre, but there's nothing like sitting that close and being able to see every facial expression.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:52pm

Please -- I'll be so close I can look up Patti's miniskirt. I hope she has on clean undies!!!!!

LOL

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:53pm

As long as Patti's understudy plays the tuba...the best moment in the show is when she's running around with that tuba.

[jasobres]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:58pm

Patti's stand-by does NOT play tuba, though. I think she plays clarinet, orchestra bells, and percussion. (Incidentally, I always though that orchestra bells were percussion.)

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 3:04pm

This sounds like rehearsing for this show could get really confusing....

and if Doyle's "Company" is also a success, we could be seeing a lot of this style of show.

[broadway betty]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 6:07pm

No one has been out yet. And I was told that the 4 standbys can only really cover one person. Like if Donna Lynne is out then someone has to play Pirelli and do her blocking and 2 others sit on the chairs and play her instruments. They're getting more standbys soon so there's more flexability.

But it's cool that no one wants to be the first one out. Both Patti and Mano were sick a couple weeks ago but they stuck it out.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 7:34pm

Donna Lynne's standby also has to conduct....

Patti's only contracted absences are in mid-February.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 7:40pm

I was wondering if they standbys all played the same instruments...I guess not. What a tricky situation! I guess they've got it all worked out though...

[broadway betty]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 9:16pm

It's crazy. Donna Lynne plays the accordion, flute, and keyboard. Her standby would play DL's keyboard parts, Lauren's standby would play the accordion and none of the standbys play the flute. What a crazy show to cast!

[Isabella2]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 12:26am

i think one of the cast members described the show as a giant jigsaw puzzle that they were trying to put together in the show.

All the intrument work is very tricky, I'm amazed at how well they handle it.

[pab]

Posted: 12/11/05 at 2:39pm

Interesting Times Article On This:
Sweeny Todd's Game of Musical Chairs

Updated On: 12/11/05 at 02:39 PM