You're On In Five! The Art of Understudying

Are you ready to be soothed by the dulcet vocals of one Mr. Timothy Edward Kane?  Well you better get ready.  Grab a warm beverage and a fireside, relax and listen to him talk about early career hard learned lessons, playing the romantic interest of his actual wife, and ask yourself, “how many times can one person understudy Hamlet?”  Come on in, we’ve been waiting for you.

Hold on to your butts! Connar Brown shares delightful stories from her high school’s version of Avenue Q, Jr. to dinosaur-sized storytelling to The SpongeBob Musical to that time she took on a one-line role and saved the day. Full of laughs and very few complaints, Connar’s career has been quite exciting and we can’t wait for you to hear all about it!

“They say the mind is the first thing to go-go Gadget helicopter!” Join us as we try to get Derek to remember things he’s blocked out or can’t recall!  Scott & Derek reflect on their respective and connected POSEIDON! experiences and Elana gets on a too-high horse about critics & reviews. This fun episode is a journey and we’re so glad you’re taking the ride with us!

Japan. New York. Japan. D.C. Japan again!  Go on an international theatrical adventure with us and Manatsu Tanaka (they/them)! Manatsu is a Japanese nonbinary Performer and an Artist with many creative outlets: dance, acting, singing, Tate (Japanese Sword Stage Combat/Fighting), improv on the piano, aerial silks, drawing and recently they have started practicing hand poke tattoos. You do NOT wanna miss the exciting stories from this multi-talented extraordinary artist!

There are smart people / kind people / wise people. Tania Richard is all of the people!  Join us as we chat with, learn from, and are moved by Tania’s take on understudying, making career choices, and priceless advice. She takes us to school with life lessons that we can’t wait for you to hear. Oh and, check out her podcast Tania’s Take on race, culture and the culture of race. www.taniarichard.com

Scott and Elana kick off Season 3 with New Yorker-turned-Chicagoan-turned-Angelino, Juan Francisco Villa!  Anytime someone’s FIRST understudy gig is at Steppenwolf Theater, you know they have some exciting stories to share! Join us as we hear about Juan’s unique experiences, including having to take the stage without rehearsal!! Thank you for listening!

In our last episode of 2022, Scott and Elana speak with Kaleigh Cronin, our second Broadway understudy!  Kaleigh fell in love with the thrill of understudying when she was thrown on last minute for Olive Octopus (a role she did not cover) in a summer theater production in her home state of NH and the rest is history.  On Broadway, she stepped in for Emma Stone as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret” when she left to attend the Oscars (no pressure), has understudied and performed as a Mom twice her age (the deep voice comes in handy), has had to learn how to play accordion (apologies to her husband who had to deal with her practicing daily) and rehearsed yet did not go on for a stern lady-boss in a killer power suit (Boo, Covid).  Her non-understudy credits on Broadway include Sexy Soccer Lady/Helga (Yes. Seriously.) in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Giorgio Moroder in “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical”, Marie in “A Bronx Tale,” Lulu / Two Ladies in “Cabaret” and Lorraine in the National Tour cast of “Jersey Boys.” We discuss all these juicy credits, and so much more in this really awesome conversation!

Y'all, we booked a BROADWAY UNDERSTUDY - And she does not disappoint!  Roz has been in the business most of her life, and is so generous with her time and stories.  Her acting journey has seen her on Broadway in plays by Katori Hall, Tom Stoppard, and Aaron Sorkin!  She discusses acting with big stars, the "accoutrements" of being a Broadway actor, how she got started, and so much more.  Enjoy!

Scott and Elana welcome the south side's own Darren Jones to the podcast!  After he fell into acting in the 90's, he's worked consistently as an actor, and often as an understudy!  We talk about so many things in this episode, including being "discovered" while on a date after church, working with Spike Lee on "ChiRaq", and we discuss our experiences with Showmances - YIKES!  Enjoy!