In the cast of most Broadway shows, there are people who work as understudies, standbys and swings. The precise distinctions between those job descriptions are a bit arguable but basically, they're folks who go on when some cast member is ill or otherwise unavailable. Often, they go on and play large roles with very little prep and rehearsal. And obviously, in The Time of COVID, they are sometimes very necessary.
Recently, a lady high up in the Broadway community made some unfortunate remarks in an interview in Hollywood Reporter that seemed disparaging to the folks who fill those vital positions. She quickly issued a full and apologetic retraction. And then last Thursday night, there was a stunning example of how brave and heroic those who work as swings can be.
As you may know, a revival of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster is now in previews at the Winter Garden Theater in New York. Delayed 'til now by you-know-what, it's probably the show that has the most excitement and attention around it. Thursday evening, they had their fourth preview performance…without Sutton Foster, who tested positive for that thing that way too many people are testing positive for.
Her role as Marion Paroo — the female lead in the show with many songs and many dances — is being covered by a swing named Kathy Voytko, who also covers seven other smaller roles in the production. They're in previews so there hasn't been time to give her proper rehearsals but nevertheless, she went on that evening. As part of the curtain calls at the end of the performance, Hugh Jackman made this speech. This is a cell phone video shot from the audience so you might want to enlarge it as much as you can and turn up the volume a notch…
The Music Man canceled its performance for today and its matinee for tomorrow. At the moment, they plan to resume with the 8 PM show tomorrow evening but we'll see if that happens and, if so, who's playing Marion the Librarian.
This kind of thing is happening all over Broadway and no one has any idea how bad it will get or if it will lead to another total shutdown. But I thought you'd like to hear about this and see the video…and isn't Hugh Jackman one of the classiest human beings to ever have a star on his dressing room door? He's probably humble enough to not have a star on that door.