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Question: Do understudies perform on matinee shows!?
I want to see Legally Blonde on broadway in the next week and was wondering since the "real" Elle (Bailey Hanks) is contracted to do 8 shows a week does she not do the matinee shows during the week such as 2 pm performance on a Wednesday!? What day would have the best chance of her performing!? Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I have already answered this question for you, so see my other answer!. Bailey will be performing at every scheduled performance unless she is ill!. There are only 8 shows a week in a typical Broadway run!. Legally Blonde is "dark" (no performance) on Mondays and Tuesdays!. There are two shows Wednesday, one show Thursday and Friday, and two shows on Saturday and Sunday!. That equals eight performances per week!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There are standbys, who are the first option to replace when the regular is unable to perform, and then the understudies are turned to next!. The theatre management only has to include in the playbill who is a replacement for the performance!.

also, there are 8 total performances a week!. 2 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off, 2 on Wednesday, and Thursday through Saturday!.

So it's just the luck of the day who you see as Elle!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

They do of course if the principal performer is unable to work for whatever reason!. But any actor worth his/her salt would never miss a performance!. There are a couple of legendary stories (Shirley MacClaine for one) who went on for the lead and wound up becoming a huge star!. Few actors I've ever known would want to risk that happening to them!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Understudies only perform if the lead cant!. And I'm jelous, I so want to go see that!Www@QuestionHome@Com