Onstage > Stage Management: Plays & Musicals
UNDERSTUDIES: Our lead role had a heat attack
abhibeckert:
We’re two days out from opening night and our lead has had a heart attack today - I’m told the doctors think he will be ok but definitely can’t do the show.
We don’t have an understudy and are looking for someone willing to pick up a major role where they need to memorise 20 pages of dialog where they’re doing almost all the talking.
Does anyone have advice to help someone learn the show as quickly as possible?
I’m thinking of wiring up an ear piece so someone can prompt if necessary in the first few shows. Has anyone tried that? I wonder if it would be distracting.
Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth
Tempest:
Wow, that's a rough situation! To be honest, you're probably not going to find anyone who can MEMORIZE the role in two days, with no notice.
I would suggest focusing on getting them to memorize their blocking, not lines. Then, make them a hand-held script: about half page size, single sided containing only their scenes, and bound or stapled on the edge, not three-ring. They can keep it in one hand and reference it as necessary. Make an announcement at top of show about the situation, stressing how great it is that X performer could step in with such short notice.
Audiences forgive many things when you let them in on the human issues that get in the way of a perfect performance.
I hope your actor feels better soon!
JustinJanke:
That is mighty high on the "worst possible situation" list. I'm sorry for everything.
Tempest made great suggestions, and I would really consider doing what they said. You can also try to find a somewhat local actor who has done the show before, and see if they could take on the role. See what other theaters near you have done the show before. Nothing is ideal in your situation, but it really couldn't hurt to have someone who is already familiar with the show come on board.
You have my thoughts and prayers, as does the actor.
abhibeckert:
Thanks for the advice. It's a niche play written relatively recently, so no chance of finding someone who's done it before. And everyone involved in the show is either unsuitable or unavailable for the entire run. Our prompt and voice/accent coach would have been perfect for example, but he will be out of town starting in a few days.
We spent an hour brainstorming names and making phone calls last night, and found someone experienced who could drive in immediately to do a full run of the show, script in hand while everyone else ran it as a full dress, rehearsal ran until midnight and was very exhausting, but went far better than I ever could have expected.
I think this is going to work.
Thanks for the advice on making a script for reading on stage - that will work well I think.
VSM:
SO VERY GLAD last night went well...
Best Wishes and keep up the compliments and thanks to the ENTIRE cast...
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