Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Audra McDonald began her career as a replacement performer. That’s right, the winner of six Tony Awards and the only Broadway star to earn a Tony in all four acting categories moved into the role of the servant Ayah in “The Secret Garden,” first on tour and then on Broadway, in 1993.
She was Audra Ann McDonald then. Her next role was as a star of the revival of “Carousel.” A superstar was born.
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It is so interesting to learn more about the professional dynamics between an actor and their understudy. In high school theater, we don’t have understudies, but they are so important in the professional world to the success and futures of the shows. It is such a trying time for producers and companies when a show has to pass from the original cast to the next round of performers. As the article states, Hamilton has been such a phenomenal success, but even with such an incredible show, there is still so much anxiety surrounding this major transition. Audra McDonald is an incredible performer and legendary in the Broadway community, and to hear a show being closed simply because they will lose her power is such a powerful reminder about how fragile this industry, and that no matter the success of a show, everything can change in an instant. The future of Hamilton is such a fascinating topic as they approach the aspect of touring without several members of the original cast, and I am really interested in seeing the future of the show.
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