Coming down from Boston on 12/29 to spend the day in NYC and see Xanadu (matinee) and The Little Mermaid and I wanted to know how I can find out if a principle actor is out or not. I'm familiar with the Broadway understudies site, but I believe that is mainly for actors that request days off far in advance. If a principal actor is out, is it possible to call the box office on the day of the show to find out? and if so, will they refund my ticket?
I dont believe any principal actor has been out yet for TLM, but I have read very recently that Kerry was out and Cheyenne was out due to a back injury (I may be completely wrong about all of this) so I wanted to know my options just in case. I'd really love to see the two together.
Last question: are the understudies (for Xanadu) good enough that I should still see the show even if they do provide a refund? Thanks.
They will (usually) not refund the ticket unless the person who's out name is above the title. Neither the Little Mermaid or Xanadu have names above the title. In my experience, the box office doesn't know who is out.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
They will (usually) not refund the ticket unless the person who's out name is above the title. Neither the Little Mermaid or Xanadu have names above the title. In my experience, the box office doesn't know who is out.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
And it's almost impossible to call a BO. It is not a number easily obtained since the BO doesn't sell tix over the phone, only in person.
Go, enjoy. Don't worry about understudies or not. And I can't remember ever be dissappointed in an understudy's performance.
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.
Thanks, I am not saying I write off understudies. I have seen a few shows where they have gone on and enjoyed them just the same. All I meant was since I'm coming down from Boston, and dont live in NYC - it's a one shot thing so I'd prefer to see KB and CJ, that's all. Principal actors arguably dont always play the role better than the understudy, but when all you hear about, and all that's publicized are the principal actors - you cant help but want to see them. Thanks for the replies guys. Updated On: 12/19/07 at 10:54 PM
Unfortunately most of the staff working the box office have no idea. The usually don't find out until around two hours before showtime when the understudy board it posted. I wouls still see the show. It's a busy week so chances of any of them missing a performances are slim. Of course you never know with illness but still.