|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2016 12:02:09 GMT
Were any other cast announced at the event? I notice Ethan Le Phong of Miss Siagon has it on his twitter now he's part of the cast. Wonder who he will play? Understudy Aladdin? Alternate, isn't it? |
|
4,177 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Feb 23, 2016 12:08:59 GMT
Were any other cast announced at the event? I notice Ethan Le Phong of Miss Siagon has it on his twitter now he's part of the cast. Wonder who he will play? Understudy Aladdin? Alternate, isn't it? No idea? You probably know better than me. |
|
57 posts
|
Post by mrcurry on Feb 23, 2016 13:03:29 GMT
Were any other cast announced at the event? I notice Ethan Le Phong of Miss Siagon has it on his twitter now he's part of the cast. Wonder who he will play? Understudy Aladdin? He will have to improve his diction a bit. He can be hard to understand. Especially for tourists. |
|
57 posts
|
Post by mrcurry on Feb 23, 2016 13:06:47 GMT
There was a video of the Toronto show knocking around on Youtube. I was not very impressed to be honest. Not many `wow` moments that I remember.
ps, well done guys for getting this free forum together.
|
|
352 posts
|
Post by Raven on Feb 23, 2016 20:20:44 GMT
Were any other cast announced at the event? I notice Ethan Le Phong of Miss Siagon has it on his twitter now he's part of the cast. Wonder who he will play? Understudy Aladdin? Ethan is credited as an ensemble member on the Aladdin website. They aren't specifying who the understudies are, although there are mentions of standbys for Genie, Jafar, Sultan and Babkak. |
|
4,177 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Feb 23, 2016 21:01:35 GMT
Were any other cast announced at the event? I notice Ethan Le Phong of Miss Siagon has it on his twitter now he's part of the cast. Wonder who he will play? Understudy Aladdin? Ethan is credited as an ensemble member on the Aladdin website. They aren't specifying who the understudies are, although there are mentions of standbys for Genie, Jafar, Sultan and Babkak. Out of the cast he probably 'looks' the part the most so i'd guess he's cover Aladdin. We know Marsha is cover Jasmine. I thought that i read Nathan Amzi was cover Genie. |
|
728 posts
|
Post by sophie92 on Feb 23, 2016 21:03:05 GMT
I believe Ethan tweeted that he would be an Aladdin understudy
|
|
2,775 posts
|
Post by daniel on Feb 24, 2016 0:52:46 GMT
Ethan did confirm on his own Twitter that he will be cover Aladdin - though no mention of 1st/2nd cover. In terms of Standbys...Leon Craig is Standby Genie & Babkak, Fred Johanson is s/b Jafar & Sultan, Oliver Lidert is Standby Genie, Babkak & Sultan. www.aladdinthemusical.co.uk/cast.htmlNathan Amzi is cover Genie - I'd imagine he will be the only 'Understudy', given that there are 2 'Standby's ahead of him! |
|
4,177 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Feb 24, 2016 9:25:23 GMT
I think Ethan must be 1st cover/understudy. Look at the cast and tell me any of those other guys look anything like the part. They will struggle to find a 2nd cover from the cast it seems to me. Maybe Alex Pinder.
|
|
2,775 posts
|
Post by daniel on Feb 24, 2016 13:17:01 GMT
Antony Hewitt is the other Aladdin understudy - saw on Twitter today!
|
|
4,177 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Apr 25, 2016 11:42:10 GMT
Trevor Nicholas will be performing Friend Like Me on Tonight at The Palladium on Wednesday.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Apr 25, 2016 11:47:36 GMT
I am very confused these days - it must be my age! Can anyone explain what the current definition of "alternate" " understudy" 1st/2nd cover is for roles in musical theatre? What is the difference between an understudy and a 1st cover for example?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 12:05:36 GMT
Blimey. All these understudies, alternates, 1st cover brochure seller, 2nd cover man on door in case someone in cast turns up drunk etc, it sounds like a 'Wicked' casting director's wet dream.
Doesn't *anyone* turn up for 8 shows a week anymore?
Bring Back Ethel Merman. They just don't have the stamina nowadays.
|
|
4,369 posts
|
Post by Michael on Apr 25, 2016 12:55:21 GMT
I am very confused these days - it must be my age! Can anyone explain what the current definition of "alternate" " understudy" 1st/2nd cover is for roles in musical theatre? What is the difference between an understudy and a 1st cover for example? Standby: hired to perform (usually) one or two roles whenever the main actor is away (e.g. on vacation or sick). Is no ensemble member. In the best case, they are paid for sitting backstage doing nothing. Example: Elphaba in Wicked. Alternate: same as the standby, but they have one or two guaranteed performances per week. Example: Donna in Mamma Mia. Understudy: Ensemble member that has a track in the ensemble, usually several roles during the show. They understudy one or two lead/supporting roles and when they perform instead of the actual actor, someone else (usually a Swing) performs their ensemble track Swing: Super-Ensemble that knows several ensemble tracks, and on top of that maybe even understudies one or two roles. cover: Order of who will perform when the lead actor is absent. 1st cover is the 1st to go on and is usually the standby or alternate (I don't know any show that had both an alternate and a standby), 2nd and, if available, 3rd cover are usually the understudies. Unless they have a scheduled performance, the likelihood to see the 3rd cover is very small, as the main actor and the first two covers need to be absent. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 13:15:56 GMT
It really is somewhat telling of the difference in generations. Imelda Staunton can get through 8 shows a week of Mama Rose for several months (missing only 3 shows) and yet some performers today feel they need an alternate to help them get through the week!
|
|
716 posts
|
Post by theatre-turtle on Apr 25, 2016 13:23:49 GMT
It really is somewhat telling of the difference in generations. Imelda Staunton can get through 8 shows a week of Mama Rose for several months (missing only 3 shows) and yet some performers today feel they need an alternate to help them get through the week! I think it's sometimes just forward planning by producers. Eva noblezada wanted to do 8 shows a week in Miss Saigon but wasn't allowed to. |
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Apr 25, 2016 13:32:20 GMT
I am very confused these days - it must be my age! Can anyone explain what the current definition of "alternate" " understudy" 1st/2nd cover is for roles in musical theatre? What is the difference between an understudy and a 1st cover for example? Standby: hired to perform (usually) one or two roles whenever the main actor is away (e.g. on vacation or sick). Is no ensemble member. In the best case, they are paid for sitting backstage doing nothing. Example: Elphaba in Wicked. Alternate: same as the standby, but they have one or two guaranteed performances per week. Example: Donna in Mamma Mia. Understudy: Ensemble member that has a track in the ensemble, usually several roles during the show. They understudy one or two lead/supporting roles and when they perform instead of the actual actor, someone else (usually a Swing) performs their ensemble track Swing: Super-Ensemble that knows several ensemble tracks, and on top of that maybe even understudies one or two roles. cover: Order of who will perform when the lead actor is absent. 1st cover is the 1st to go on and is usually the standby or alternate (I don't know any show that had both an alternate and a standby), 2nd and, if available, 3rd cover are usually the understudies. Unless they have a scheduled performance, the likelihood to see the 3rd cover is very small, as the main actor and the first two covers need to be absent. Thank you Michael for taking the time to explain this.... I am a little clearer but it seems quite complex although probably straighforward in practice. This really comes about because unless it is a limited run (e.g. Gypsy where Imelda did the whole run) principles now have to take holidays, and together with allowance for illness, a producer has to ensure the role/s can be coverd. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 13:35:43 GMT
It really is somewhat telling of the difference in generations. Imelda Staunton can get through 8 shows a week of Mama Rose for several months (missing only 3 shows) and yet some performers today feel they need an alternate to help them get through the week! I agree with this actually! Imelda Staunton's role was one of the most demanding of last year and she performed them all. Maybe it's celebrities who want to have the day off every week. Maybe it's just to get names out there, who knows? Amber has an alternate in Dreamgirls but I can see why as its a huge role but then again Sheridan doesn't in Funny Girl and that's demanding |
|
527 posts
|
Post by Hamilton Addict on Apr 25, 2016 16:37:11 GMT
I don't get why everyone loves it.. I thought it was tacky and the humour was so basic throughout. Plus a lead who couldn't sing to save her life. This being said- surely London will be an improvement. I hate to say it, but I have to agree. I think the problem was I went in with extremely high expectations and then was disappointed. This felt like a panto. It really bugs me how during 'Friend Like Me' (a song that I absolutely adore) he stops mid-song to do sing some "Disney Classics". If I can get really cheap tickets I may go and perhaps the West End production may be a little different. |
|
4,369 posts
|
Post by Michael on Apr 25, 2016 16:57:22 GMT
It really bugs me how during 'Friend Like Me' (a song that I absolutely adore) he stops mid-song to do sing some "Disney Classics". And I found this genie-us (pun intended) and I wish they had included even more Disney songs in Friend Like Me. Aladdin will so become my new guilty pleasure. |
|
527 posts
|
Post by Hamilton Addict on Apr 25, 2016 17:57:44 GMT
It really bugs me how during 'Friend Like Me' (a song that I absolutely adore) he stops mid-song to do sing some "Disney Classics". And I found this genie-us (pun intended) and I wish they had included even more Disney songs in Friend Like Me. Aladdin will so become my new guilty pleasure. Just out of curiosity, are you a Disney fan? I think another problem why I didn't enjoy the show was I am not a massive Disney fanatic. Shrek was my guilty pleasure, need to find a new one now! |
|
4,369 posts
|
Post by Michael on Apr 25, 2016 18:32:00 GMT
And I found this genie-us (pun intended) and I wish they had included even more Disney songs in Friend Like Me. Aladdin will so become my new guilty pleasure. Just out of curiosity, are you a Disney fan? I think another problem why I didn't enjoy the show was I am not a massive Disney fanatic. Shrek was my guilty pleasure, need to find a new one now! Not a crazy Disney fan as many others, but I do enjoy most of the films. However, I'm a HUGE Alan Menken fan, and I guess that's one of the reasons why I love Aladdin that much. Proud of your boy is one of the best (musical theatre) songs ever written, and the songs in the Genie medley in Friend like me are all Alan Menken songs ( Beauty and the Beast, Part of Your World, Under the Sea, Colors of the Wind, Belle) - maybe that's why I thought it was such a good idea. |
|
4,177 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Apr 26, 2016 14:40:48 GMT
I am trying to book for this the weekend of West End Live. My options seem to be row O of Stalls or row C of Dress Circle. I have sat in the dress circle before for Miss Saigon and thought it was OK but never the stalls, so don't know really which would be the most favourable option here.
|
|
724 posts
|
Post by basdfg on Apr 26, 2016 14:43:34 GMT
Just by guessing id say Row C of the dress is a clearer view than row O of the stals
|
|
4,177 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Apr 26, 2016 17:12:34 GMT
Dress Circle, unless you are over about 5ft 10, when stalls will be more comfortable. I believe i sat in row E of the Circle for Saigon and whilst it was OK i felt too distant from the stage personally and I'm not even someone who likes to be particularly close. But if row O of the stalls feels even further away then the circle it will be. |
|
