Umm replacement cast members have performed when their musical does an excerpt--Phylicia Rashad as the Witch in Into the Woods--is that similar enough?
I think jetts7 is asking if an understudy has ever performed for an actor during the Tony broadcast.
OR maybe he is asking if an understudy has ever accepted an award on a actors behalf. I doubt this one though.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
^ She was there from the tour, the Broadway production was closed I believe?
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Becky Gulsvig was the u/s for Margot and Elle in Legally Blonde on Broadway (I saw her go on as Margot), but then got the part of Elle on the tour and performed on the 2009 Tonys as a tribute to several popular tours playing the country that year.
Brent Barrett was the standby for The Baron in GRAND HOTEL when he performed "We'll Take a Glass Together" with Michael Jeter on the Tony Awards. Rex Smith was in rehearsal for the role at the time, and the producers didn't feel he was ready when the televised ceremony rolled around. Barrett has spoken publicly about how awkward it was to have such a big triumph and then be standing in the wings watching another actor perform the role the next night.
Subsequently, Smith left the show shortly after he started, and Barrett assumed the role on a permanent basis (I think he also did the road company.)
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
At least one of the Scottsboro Boys had moved on to other projects by Tony time and were unable to perform. If I remember correctly, I think it was Christian Dante White who wasn't there.
it was Josh Breckenridge. Christian White was there. Josh was in San Francisco doing Tales of The City, from what I can find. His cover never even went on during the run, but got to do the Tonys. hate that.
Yes, Josh was doing Tales of the City at the time.
Of course it's been mentioned many times here that Judy Kaye had taken over from Madeleine Kahn by the time On the 20th Century opened, but she was initially a understudy and not a replacement.
did some googling... it seems E. Clayton Cornelious got to perform in Josh Breckenridge's place, having flopped in WONDERLAND, never performed in SCOTTSBORO, and still performing on the broadcast. I imagine he was leaving SCOTTSBORO for WONDERLAND also. Breckenridge was the dance captain, and one of my favorite performers in SCOTTSBORO - too bad he couldn't do it, but glad he was working elsewhere!!
When Xanadu did their number, the swings performed as well as the regular cast.
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert
Didn't James Joyce's The Dead use some understudies/alternates for the Tony performance? I don't remember Christopher Walken appearing on the telecast. The show was closed for almost two months before the Tonys.
.jpg)
Neil Patrick Harris to Star in HEDWIG on Bway in Spring 2014!
INTO THE WOODS Film to Hit Theaters Christmas Day 2014!
Bullock in Talks to Play 'Miss Hannigan' in ANNIE Film
NBC Reveals SMASH For Your Consideration Emmy Bids
MISS SAIGON Revival to Open in London in 2014
VIDEO: Brad Pitt & JIMMY FALLON Have 'Yodeling' Conversation from NY Rooftops
Shailene Woodley Cut from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2; Marc Webb to Recast Mary Jane?
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Tax Evasion
BWW CD Reviews: Andrea McArdle's 70'S AND SUNNY - LIVE AT 54 BELOW is a Fabulous Throwback to the 70s
That's a Lot of iPads - Apple Awarded $30 Million iPad Deal From LA Unified School District
STAGE TUBE: First Look at Highlights of BECOMING TRAVIATA Starring Natalie Dessay
BWW Blog: Claire van Bever - The Auditions Tips You HAVEN'T Heard
STAGE TUBE: Russell Brand Takes Over at MORNING JOE
joined:5/22/11
Posted: 5/30/12 at 05:00pm