Printer Friendly - Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Leadingplayer 2012-08-21 23:23:37
I don't think I ever have.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Wynbish 2012-08-21 23:26:01
Not that I'm saying this thread is a copy, but there was a discussion about leaving during Evita here:
http://broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1048076#4303299
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-21 23:26:30
Yes. When my friend and I saw ROCK 'N ROLL, he had to leave at intermission otherwise he was going to die from boredom. I was going to die from the same thing, so I left also.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by japhun2 2012-08-21 23:27:58
I left at intermission of The Woman in White--was complete garbage and decided my time was more valuable that the second act!
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Leadingplayer 2012-08-21 23:30:02
I meant someone in the show!!! Better change that post!!
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by OKBroadwayFan 2012-08-21 23:34:34
I actually understood your question and was logging in when you changed the title....
I was at How To Succeed... when Rob Bartlett who played Twimble and Wally Womble left at intermission. He played the Twimble in Act 1 and then they announced that his understudy would be playing Womble in Act 2.
He had a very flushed face during Act 1, I assume he became more ill and had to leave.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by japhun2 2012-08-21 23:35:51
ohh a CAST member (just re-read your topic)...
Last year in London I saw Lend Me a Tenor-the Musical. During the first act there was a scene where one actor threw a wine bottle for the other to catch. He dropped it and wine (yes actual wine) and glass went all over the stage and into the orchestra pit and front row along with shards of glass. The actor tried to catch it before it fell and would up slipping and gashing his arm. He was AMAZING...was wearing a long sleeved white shirt and no one knew he was injured until the shirt turned red--he was pouring blood but continued and sang a song and did another scene. The stage hands were off stage waiting on him--he did a costume change and finished the first act. At intermission they announced that there would be a delay. Turns out he needed 12 stitches and he STILL finished the performance.
Was amazed and awed at his effort and talent. The show only lasted a few months, but was a great take on a classic play...loved the music.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by bwayphreak234 2012-08-21 23:36:15
I left during Million Dollar Quartet. It was just SOOO boring.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by tphiliboy152 2012-08-21 23:37:10
I haven't been at a show when it's happened, but a couple of instances come to mind.
When Eden Espinosa took over for Idina after Act 1 of Wicked.
Many many many many women being replaced by the witch-switch half way through Act 1 or during Act 2 in Wicked.
Aaron J Albano recently had a show where he couldn't play Finch after Seize the Day in Newsies.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by My Oh My 2012-08-22 00:38:54
I've been to the theatre an assload of times and I've only experienced this once, and of course, it was at a performance of Les Miserables. 
December, 2004; 3rd national tour; Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, Leslie Henstock was Cosette for act one. Ali Ewoldt was Cosette for act two. Never found out what happened, but I'm assuming Leslie got ill, although she looked fine to me. I do recall her voice sounding a bit scratchy but nothing obvious.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Next2Noone 2012-08-22 00:39:59
I saw the Lion King tour a few years ago, and the guy playing Pumbaa was out after Act I. They made the announcement for Act II, but I would have never noticed otherwise
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by ChiChi 2012-08-22 00:42:14
When the tour of Ragtime came through Tempe, Tateh was played by a different actor in the second act. When Evita came through Tucson I went to a matinee and the guy playing Che left due to illness at intermission and was played by the swing for the second act.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by LizzieCurry 2012-08-22 00:42:37
I saw them switch Gavroches during intermission of the Les Miz tour in 2003. I think that's it, though.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by beltingbaritone 2012-08-22 00:44:24
I saw a performance of the Rent tour in Buffalo and Harley Jay scooted out right before the Life Support scene. His understudy looked like Harry Potter.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by WiCkEDrOcKS 2012-08-22 01:01:20
I was at ANYTHING GOES when Sutton left and was replaced mid-first act. Definitely an interesting experience.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by jv92 2012-08-22 02:02:57
I almost left LEAP OF FAITH at intermission, but I someone said the second act was better than the first. They were wrong.
I did leave the City Center Summer Stars THE WIZ a few years ago at intermission. It was intolerable. Don't play the race card. It just sucked.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Scottsacto 2012-08-22 03:05:27
When I saw "In The Heights' at the 37 Arts Complex--Lin-Manuel started the first act--then at the intermission an announcement was made that the Understudy would be playing Usnavi for Act 2.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by best12bars 2012-08-22 04:16:48
Back in the ear'y '80s when I first saw "Evita" in the national tour, Florence Lacey was replaced after Act I with her alternate Patricia Hemenway.
Lacey was very good, but Hemenway was a knockout. Both played the part on Broadway eventually.
Sadly Hemenway contracted spinal meningitis not long after. She recovered and was involved in theatre, married, etc., but her "glory days" as Eva Peron seemed to have been the pinnacle of her theatre career.
She passed away all too young at 59 in 2009. I still remember the chills I got when I heard her voice.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by egghumor 2012-08-22 05:51:33
I saw a performance of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' when Nell Carter left the performance at intermission. Terri White took over for Act Two. The announcement was rather humorous: "The role of Nell Carter will be played by Terri White."
I'm trying to remember other performances where this happened...
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Jon 2012-08-22 06:16:08
AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND - National Tour - Chicago-1993.
Marin Mazzie had been given the night off so that her understudy, Jeannie Croft, who was a Chicagon, could go on. There were probably about a hundred actors in the audience who had come to see her that night. When the announcement was made: "At this performance, the songs usually sung by Marin Mazzie will be sung by Jeannie Croft", there was applause and cheering instread of the usual groans.
About 15 minutes into the first act, another cast member, Shelly Dickinson, twisted her ankle badly during "Coffee in a Cardboard Cup". She was able to continue for most of the act, but clearly would be unable to do the intricate roller skating choreography for "The Rink", the Act I finale. Trouble is, Jeanne Croft was her understudy also.
Luckily, Marin Mazzie was a few blocks away, having dinner with her parents. "The Rink" starts with the two men, with the women adding on later. What a surprise when suddenly, Marin Mazzie rolls on instead of Shelly Dickinson.
Before Act II, the announcement: "For the rest of the evening, the songs usually sung by Marin Mazzie will be sung by Marin Mazzie. The songs usually sung by Shelly Dickinson will be sung by Jeannie Croft."
So, Jeannie's friends got to see her do one role in Act 1, and a different one in Act II. The only glitch was during "The Grass is Always Greener", when at one point, Jeannie and Marin were both singing the same harmony part, as Jeannie had briefly forgotten which role she was playing.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by best12bars 2012-08-22 07:25:40
^ Love that story!
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Auggie27 2012-08-22 08:18:24
A Saturday matinee of SUNSET BOULEVARD when Betty Buckley did not return, and Karen Mason replaced her (apparently summoned from home, make-up applied in the cab), bringing down the house. Buckely's act one was vocally solid, but she was muted (all noted only in hindsight; I would not have guessed illness.) I went back, and Buckley's victim-y/humorless take on the role was exactly the same, if more energized. Her "As If We Never Said Goodbye..." remains one of the best, if her overall performance disappointed. What I most recall about that day was Karen Mason's ability to leap in. Her "As if..." took on a new dramatic weight, because after the brief poolside scene with Joe, it was the moment when she had to make the audience believe she was Norma. A few people leaped to their feet (I was down front.) Of course Mason's voice is a force of nature. She was remarkable, and her performance, and take on Norma, seemed much more like Close's, whom she'd watched multiple times (an gone on for during vacation).
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Neverandy 2012-08-22 08:42:40
I was at Chicago during previews, Halloween 1996. Anne Reinking had to leave midway through Act 1. An announcement was made and Nancy Hess finished the show.
P.S. the theater was empty. This was literally days before it became the monster hit that it is now.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Urban 2012-08-22 08:47:30
The only one I saw was Wicked where Amanda Harrison left at intermission to be replaced by Jemma Stevenson (who I previously saw in a matinee performance).
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Hank 2012-08-22 09:14:26
Michael McGrath performed the first act as Patsy in Spamalot, but was replaced in act 2, which opens with the scene featuring Patsy's lead in "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life".
I remember the date, April 19, 2005, because it was Tim Curry's (King Arthur) birthday.
btw McGrath, Curry, and some of the other stellar cast members signed my Playbill. I did not get the reason for the switch, just asumed some minor voice thing. I was realy more interest in meeting Tim Curry and I wished him a happy birthday and told him I'm a long time fan. He responded with that trademark silly grin of his.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Midnight Radio 2012-08-22 09:23:46
When I saw the A Chorus Line revival, sometime in the first act Charlotte d'Amboise walked off the stage during someone else's monologue. After a short period of time, her standby came on stage. After the intermission, an announcement was made that she was playing the role of Cassie for the remainder of that performance.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by WiCkEDrOcKS 2012-08-22 10:07:29
There's no intermission in A CHORUS LINE. Did they stop the show to announce that she was being replaced?
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by winston89 2012-08-22 10:09:24
The revival of A Chorus Line didn't have an intermission.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Roscoe 2012-08-22 10:29:49
Nathan Lane left, due to injury, the performance of THE FROGS I saw a few years back. Lane could have just delivered the second act performance via phone from the hospital and no one would have noticed any difference -- one of the LAZIEST performances I've had the bad luck to pay to see. He was so busy counting the empty seats that he couldn't be bothered to connect with any of the other actors onstage.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Midnight Radio 2012-08-22 10:50:27
Wow, my memory must be ****. I definitely remember Charlotte walking off mid-performance but the show continuing to run without a pause. I thought they had announced the understudy but I guess not...
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by broadway guy 2012-08-22 11:21:02
Its Not broadway But Jason Berrent from the cirque du soleil show "Kooza" Ruptured his Achilles Tendon right befor the opening night of a tour show.Jason played the lead in the show and was always on stage.They had To Bring in a whole new artist and he had to learn the show in a couple hours before the show.
I was also at a La Nouba performance(cirque du soleil) and one of the les cons(four white guys) was replaced an hour into the show.They alll are suppose to look the same but you could tell cause the Guy who replaced him was alot shorter than the guy who had to stop performing.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by mikem 2012-08-22 11:35:32
I was at the Chorus Line revival and one of the actors left mid-performance because of injury. The actual switch took place seamlessly. There was no announcement, and I did not notice the switch was made at the time. (The actors told me about it at the stage door afterwards.)
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by dreaming 2012-08-22 12:12:49
I saw the 1997 revival of Candide and Jim Dale got sick at the end of act 1 and was replaced in act 2 by his understudy.
I also was at a performance of Newsies where someone (I forget who) was replaced in act 2 as well.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Wee Thomas2 2012-08-22 15:00:35
I saw a presentation of "Heaven on Earth" where one of the chorus girls (I think it was Ivy Lynn) was drunk or sick or something and didn't finish the show.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by shrekster224 2012-08-22 15:42:34
Yes, Jason Berrent was injured in either rehearsals or previews for Kooza, I believe mid-tumble sequence. There is video of it somewhere on the DVD extras. Ross Gibson, Red Bird from Mystere covered for a bit until he came back. After a Trickster or two, Mike Tyus, a fantastic dancer came in and I believe he was the best one and deserves to be on Broadway. Always saw him in the ensemble of Memphis or Chicago.
Anyways, this should go in the 10 show a week thread, but a character like that one is on stage the whole time and would be an exception to the "one or two acts-per" deal.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Patti LuPone FANatic 2012-08-22 17:43:09
Who was Charlotte's standby in ACL? from RC in Austin, Texas
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by kdogg36 2012-08-22 18:36:04
When I saw Avenue Q sometime in the summer of 2006, Barrett Foa (who appeared not to be feeling well) left the show during the first act (sometime after "Mix Tape"), and Howie Michael Smith finished the show.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by PitPro2004 2012-08-22 18:46:54
Also not Broadway but...
I was in the pit of a community theater production of PETER PAN when it was all too clear only minutes into the show that something was wrong with Wendy. Her eyes were huge as saucers and her speech was slow and stammered. Couldn't get a line right. She also looked like she was about to pass out. After 15 agonizing minutes, the curtain came down and it was announced that the choreographer would now assume the role. She did a wonderful job.
We later found out after the show that what we thought was illness could not have been farther from the truth; she had been smoking Mary Jo Wanna for half an hour in the car outside of the theater before show time. Needless to say they haven't hired her back.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-08-22 18:56:29
When I saw the tour of Mamma Mia one of the daughter's two friends was replaced at intermission. I honestly wouldn't have noticed since the roles seemed so nondescript anyway (when they made the announcement at intermission my friend and I looked at eachother and said "Who?" because we didn't even remember the character name), except the chorus girl who replaced her was black, and she had been white. Her replacement did seem to be a better dancer (or maybe the woman she replaced just was sick and felt off her game), but I don't think the character even had more than a line or two in Act II anyway.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Rypm25 2012-08-22 19:13:40
I don't remember the actor's name, but when I saw the revival of Into the Woods with Vanessa Williams, an announcement was made at intermission that the actor playing the steward wouldnt be going on for the second act.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Dollypop 2012-08-22 21:05:03
I was at that fabled performance of CAMELOT at Lincoln Center when Richard Burton was so drunk he couldn't continue the show.
We stayed to see the whole show (Richard Parry was an excellent Arthur)and got a full refund for our tickets.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by GavestonPS 2012-08-22 21:11:30
I was at that fabled performance of CAMELOT at Lincoln Center when Richard Burton was so drunk he couldn't continue the show.
Oh, that was every performance, Dolly. You just happened to see one where they actually put on the understudy instead.
The rest of us sat through an endless and incomprehensible Act II, with no refund for our trouble. I think you owe each of us a penny.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by North2009 2012-08-22 21:37:08
The Tommy Tune BYE BYE BIRDIE tour in the early 90's: Rosie (Leonora Nemetz at that time - Reinking had left the tour by that time - hurt her ankle during the Shriner's Ballet and then finished the book scene being carried off by a chorus guy. She did not finish the show, her understudy was the actor playing Mrs. MacAfee then went on for rest of show.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-08-22 21:38:44
How sad. I knew about Burton's problems with alcohol of course, but not that he would perform Camelot drunk. When I was 20, I was in a production of Pajama Game as one of two of the main male dancers. The other male dancer, who I had taken dance with for at least a decade and was friends with, was a huge stoner, which rarely was a problem when he was performing. But one night he for some reason decided to get stoned at intermission (I think he used some emotional excuse like issues with his girlfriend and he had to calm down) and got extremely stoned, extremely quickly and I ended up having to do Steam Heat as a duet as well as filling up some stage time in the Jealousy Ballet (where we were two sailors who were hiding in Gladys' closet who Hinsey finds... Which I now realize sounds kinda unintentionally hilarious).
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Auggie27 2012-08-23 09:37:18
The Burton Camelot stories are indeed sad. But his drinking while performing dates back to the first time he played Arthur. Julie Andrews talks about it quite candidly in her autobiography, with some amazement, as he often drank before going on but still delivered an apparently excellent performance. (Yet what if he hadn't been drinking?) Alcoholics notoriously have a threshold, and learn how to manage under the influence. Interestingly enough, acting is one of the few professions were such behavior would be possible or accommodated on an ongoing basis (admittedly, only with stars). One cannot easily turn up in an office reeking of alcohol and behaving differently. Not as a rule.
In light of the PETER PAN story: I was involved in a professional summer theater with the lead actor had a major marijuana, uh, issue (we'll let others determine if "problem" applies) and his line-retention abilities was the most obvious result. He paraphrased all the way through tech, and never really learned the play word for word. The pace could also go haywire at odd moments, because his internal metronome became much slower than the others', though not predictably "druggie." I also had a dear, late friend who toured as Eleanor in LION IN WINTER and freely admitted she played it stoned, insisting it improved her work. I didn't think she looked remotely high (and to be fair, her pace was fine), but I didn't think she was all that effective, either. Maybe 'tis better to save the recreation until the curtain comes down.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by mamaleh 2012-08-23 09:44:24
At a matinee of the '09 revival of HAIR, Gavin Creel injured his ankle during a number late in the first act. He came out during intermission with his identically dressed understudy/standby (can't remember which), explained about his injury and then very graciously introduced the performer who'd be replacing him for act two. We in the audience gave both of them a big hand.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by bdwaygirl 2012-08-23 09:47:29
I was at the performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie when Gavin hurt his ankle right before intermission. Brandon Wardell came on as Jimmy, and got a big round of applause when it was announced right before Act 2 got underway.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Midnight Radio 2012-08-23 19:17:22
The standby I saw take over mid-performance in A Chorus Line was Kimberly Dawn Neumann
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by everythingtaboo 2012-08-23 20:59:16
At Xanadu, after I'm Alive (or maybe Suddenly) where the cast all left the stage, they paused the show because Cheyenne had taken ill. There was an announcement and a brief pause so that Curtis could change into the Sonny gear, and he continued for the rest of the show. A cast member texted me later it was allergies.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by robinycus2 2012-08-23 21:08:27
No, but once when I was a teenager and was working at McDonalds... I had to leave 1/2 way through my shift. But I think they found someone to replace me. I was working fries.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by jpbran 2012-08-23 21:11:09
Ragtime in the mini-Chicago-sitdown that reopened the Ford/Oriental theater; maybe 1999? The actor playing Coalhouse was replaced for the 2nd act... First and only time I've seen it happen myself.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by sorano916 2012-08-23 23:09:48
Early in the Broadway run, when there was only two male swings, ensemble member Brian Charles Johnson left about 1/3 into the show. This was around the times of the Tonys so their schedules were unusual. For this particular show, it was at 7 pm with a call time was at 6 pm. Unfortunately, Josh Kobak, who was a swing, got the times mixed up and that the show started at 8 pm so when he wasn't at call time, the company manager just called him that they would be fine and he didn't need to come in.
Omar Lopez-Cepero, the other swing, was on for Declan Bennett, one of the ensemble members, from the start. Then after "St. Jimmy," Brian told their company manager that he wasn't feeling well, so she called Josh to get over to the theatre ASAP. Brian sat out of "Give Me Novacaine" and Josh was in Brian's track by the following group number, "Last of the American Girls/She's A Rebel." Luckily, Josh lived close by & rode a motorcycle.
Then, since Omar was more familiar with Brian's track, he switched and Josh took over Declan's track for the rest of the show.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Here I Am 2012-08-24 00:48:15
When I saw 'Lestat' on Broadway, Hugh Panaro left at intermission and Drew Sarich played the role in Act Two. And then Drew's wig fell off in the final scene. I felt so bad for him!
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by ZiggyCringe 2012-08-24 01:06:17
Three Times.
Phillip Officer in "Shogun" when the scenery fell on his head and knocked him unconscious.
Anne Reinking in the "Sweet Charity" revival where she drank from the champagne glass during "If My Friends Could See Me Now" and the cleaning people had left detergent in the glass, and she puked all over the stage and then was rushed to the hospital. Bebe Neuwirth, who was in the cast (and won a Tony for playing Nickie), filled in without missing a beat.
Strangely enough, the third is Gwen Verdon during a Lincoln Center "Sweet Charity" concert, where the scenery during the closet scene collapsed on her head. Fortunately, that was "Night of a Thousand Charitys", and Chita Rivera was on hand to fill in.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Far From Home 2012-08-24 01:50:49
After Richard Burton left Camelot, Richard Harris took over the King Arthur role. The show was playing the Masonic Temple in Detroit in September, 1981. During one of the shows, the second act had started and Lancelot had just finished singing "If Ever I would Leave You". Mordred had entered and said his lines before Richard Harris was to enter. The guy playing Mordred started looking into the wings and you could tell someone was telling him to leave the stage, which he did, and then the curtain was dropped. Someone, probably a stage manager, came out in front of the curtain and said that Richard Harris would not be able to finish the show, and that there would be a pause while the understudy got ready. William Parry did the second act, and he was wonderful! Apparently, Richard Harris thought he was having a heart attack. I always wondered why they didn't just put the understudy on at intermission.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by KylePKJP 2012-08-24 02:13:42
Next To Normal in January of 2010. Alice started the show and, having heard clips of her gruff voice I wasn't sure about what to expect.
It was clear from her dialogue in the first scence and toward the end of "Just Another Day" that she was struggling. But she worked her ass off during that first act.
As we all settled back in the house for Act II it was announced that "...due to an illness the role of Diana will now be played by Jessica Phillips." Some audience members growled under their breath but no one got up to leave.
Phillips' performance was utterly beautiful, hypnotic, and charming. Within 5 minutes of Act II starting the audience rallied and was totally behind her all they way. I've worked in theatre a long time and I have never witnessed an ovation like what Jessica Phillips got.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Leadingplayer 2012-08-24 02:42:07
Hey bestbars,
Was Patricia Hemenway an alternate or an understudy? I compiled a list of the Bway Evas and alternates but her name is new to me....It is not on IBDB...was she in it late in the run?
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Griffin2 2012-08-24 13:25:54
We were in the audience June 13, ???? when Idina Menzel left Wicked after Act 1 and Eden Espinoza replaced her. Have never seen anything similar happen since.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Chowsie 2012-08-24 16:00:13
At Billy Elliot we got a new Billy for the second act. In Act I he was played by an Australian actor, in Act II by an Asian actor. The actor playing the MC of the Christmas show at the top of Act II walked the new Billy out and introduced him in character. Charming.
This past summer, at Ghost, I saw Oda Mae replaced at intermission. Da'Vine Joy Randolph was giving it everything she had during Act I, but you could tell her voice wasn't all there. I wish I knew which one of her unterstudies went on, but she tore it up!!
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by defyingravity11 2012-08-24 16:35:57
When I saw The Pirate Queen in previews, Stephanie J. Block left mid way through the first act. I think this was the last performance before opening (where she took steroids to go on). I got to see her do the whole show later in the run.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by PitPro2004 2012-08-24 18:53:03
"Phillip Officer in "Shogun" when the scenery fell on his head and knocked him unconscious."
Phillip Officer? Oh, I thought it was Philip Casnoff, same guy who was in Chess?
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by ClumsyDude15 2012-08-24 20:11:50
One of the last times I saw Hairspray, Constantine Rosouli was Link and seemed fine, but after "Welcome to the 60's" ended leading into the dodge ball scene, on walked Curt Hansen, leaving the audience confused when Kate Loprest (as Amber) addressed him as Link.
Apparently, Constantine had food poisoning, but had family coming to see the show and had tried to stay as long as possible, but couldn't continue on. At intermission, they made an announcement that for the remainder of the performance the role of Link Larkin would be played by Curt Hansen, but for the better part of the end of Act One, the audience had no clue who this new Link was.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by Jersey Girl2 2012-08-25 00:48:27
In Rock Of Ages an US came in when Adam Dannhaisser's (I think) wife went into labor.
& once Constantine cut his hand and was replaced.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by dramamama611 2012-08-25 04:49:09
Two or three times, most recently in April at Newsies. I have no idea who it was, (I couldn't hear the announcement well) and I couldn't see any difference on stage. (Too damn many pretty boys on stage -- they blend.)
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by DefyGravity777 2012-08-25 16:37:13
Wicked 2NT in Pittsburgh on Sept 24,2011 evening show. During One Short Day Anne Brummel ran back to do the costume change and Christine Dwyer ran on. Never saw one before then and never want to see one again.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by robinycus2 2012-08-25 21:17:43
I saw Angela Lansbury in the 1st Act of Sweeney Todd in '79, and came back after intermission to find that Milton Berle had replaced her.
Then again, I may have been on something that night.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by TMR 2012-08-25 23:08:27
I saw Donny Osmond in "Beauty and the Beast" and he had to leave mid-show due to vocal strain or something. They made the announcement at the beginning of Act 2, and there were loud audible groans from the audience, many of whom I'm sure traveled great distances to see him. That's what happens with stunt casting.
WeeThomas2, I loved your "Heaven on Earth" comment! LOL!
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by MrJNLong 2012-08-25 23:22:04
I was at a matinee of the "All My Sons" revival a few years back when John Lithgow decided he couldn't go on for Act 2 because he was having some throat health issues and there was a lot of yelling in Act 2. He felt he needed to save his voice for later shows. I know this because he came out at the top of Act 2 with the entire cast and explained it to us while introducing the understudy. Since the show was directed in that quasi-Brechtian style that incorporated Lithgow reciting the stage directions to the audience at the top of the show, it made sense to have him explain it to us.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by WestCoastActor/Director 2012-08-26 01:04:14
I saw Dracula on Broadway many years ago and the actor playing Renfield got ill and the understudy went on for the final act. Since he covered more than one part he was not the same size. Suddenly Renfield was almost a foot taller but had the same red hair which I hadn't realized was a wig.
On the tour of Aida there has been some illnesses in the cast. Patrick Cassidy took ill mid show and the understudy took over. Patrick was very muscular in the show with many costumes showing off his chest. The understudy wasn't so it was like a new character was in there.
I have been in shows where people took ill or got injured and didn't finish the show. That's live theatre.
Have you ever been at a show where someone had to leave mid-show?
Posted by wonkit 2012-08-26 15:22:44
Not Broadway, but opera. Decades ago at the MET, in a production of CONTES d"Hoffmann, the scheduled American tenor playing Hoffmann failed to show (unfortunately something that he became known for). At the beginning of the opera, the general manager came before the curtain and made the announcement, giving the name of the second cast tenor who would sing the role. The tenor began the opera but was clearly in vocal difficulties by the end of the first act. Long intermission, much buzz. Announcement before the second act: First Act Tenor is in vocal difficulty so HIS cover would sing the role from the orchestra pit while First Act Tenor lip synched, because the cover was not familiar enough with the blocking to sing and act the role. This became known as the night of three tenors.
