Exhibits, Shows and Displays

When do understudies on Broadway shows typically perform?

I am going to see Hedda Gabler, which stars Mary-Louise Parker. I am hoping that she will be performing that night and that I won't get stuck with the understudy. Anyone have any info? I know understudies aren't always bad. In fact, they obviously aren't bad or they wouldn't be an understudy to begin with. I really want to see Mary-Louise Parker though. Haha. She's pretty much one of my favorite actresses, so...yeah. :)

Public Comments

1. In straight plays (non musicals) understudies are pretty rare unless the star is sick, and for future reference in Musicals understudies are much more common because if the lead had any sort of cold they can't sing. Seeing understudies isn't actually bad because they know the part just as well as the lead, and sometimes they are simply better for the part and people just don't know their name.