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{{Short description|Stage performer who learns the lines and blocking or choreography of a regular actor}}
{{other}}
{{One source|section|date=October 2013}}
In [[theatre]], an '''understudy''', referred to in [[opera]] as '''cover''' or '''covering''', is a performer who learns the lines and [[blocking (stage)|blocking]] or choreography of a regular actor, actress, or other performer in a [[play (theater)|play]]. Should the regular actor or actress be unable to appear on stage, the understudy takes over the part. Usually when the understudy takes over, the theater manager announces the cast change prior to the start of the performance. Coined in 1874,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understudy|title=Understudy|publisher=[[Merriam-Webster]]|access-date=December 19, 2015}}</ref> the term ''understudy'' has more recently generally been applied only to performers who can back up a role, but still regularly perform in another role.

==Similar tasks==
Performers who are only committed to covering a part and do not regularly appear in the show are often referred to as '''standbys''' and '''alternates'''. Standbys are normally required to sign in and remain at the theater the same as other cast members, although sometimes they may call in, until they are released by the [[Stage management|production stage manager]]. If there is no doubt about the health of the actor being covered, or there are no hazardous stunts to perform, a standby may be released at the first intermission, if not before. At times, standbys are required to stay within a certain area around the theater (10 blocks in New York City is a common standard). Today, the standbys must also have a cell phone so that at any time they can be called to the theater.{{cn|date=June 2023}}

Alternates, like standbys, do not have a regular role in the production, but they are scheduled to perform a physically and vocally challenging role for a certain number of performances each week. They commonly go on for matinee performances. Examples of this include the starring roles in ''[[Evita (musical)|Evita]]'', ''[[Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark]]'', ''[[Dear Evan Hansen]]'', ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'', ''[[Jekyll & Hyde (musical)|Jekyll & Hyde]]'', and ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]''.  

In [[musical theater]], the term '''swing''' is often used for a member of the company who understudies several [[chorus (musical theatre)|chorus]], dance and/or other (usually smaller) roles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/BEHIND_THE_SCENES_The_Swing_Of_Things_20090830 |title=Behind the scenes: The Swing Of Things (Miriam Zendle, 2009) |publisher=Westend.broadwayworld.com |access-date=2010-01-24}}</ref> If an understudy fills in for a lead role, a swing acts the parts normally performed by the understudy. A '''super swing''' or '''universal swing''' is a swing who commutes around the country as needed to act in various productions of a widespread show. The term "super swing" can also refer to a performer who understudies every role in a performance, most notably in performances with smaller casts such as ''[[Six (musical)|Six]]''. 

In contrast, a [[Prompter (theatre)|prompt]] cues an actor while not personally being on the stage or in the spotlight.

==Notable examples==
Several actors made their names in show business as understudies who took over leading actors’ roles for several performances. Examples include [[Anthony Hopkins#Background|Anthony Hopkins]] for [[Laurence Olivier]], when Olivier became ill with cancer during the run of the National Theater's ''[[The Dance of Death]]'', 1967; [[Ted Neeley]] and [[Carl Anderson (singer)|Carl Anderson]] for [[Jeff Fenholt]] and [[Ben Vereen]] respectively during the 1971 [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] run of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' when Neeley and Anderson were asked to star in the [[Jesus Christ Superstar (1973 film)|1973 film version]] and subsequent tours; and [[Edward Bennett (actor)|Edward Bennett]] for [[David Tennant]] as ''[[Hamlet]]'' in the [[Royal Shakespeare Company|RSC's]] 2008 production. [[Kerry Ellis]] was called to perform as Eliza Doolittle in ''[[My Fair Lady]]'' when [[Martine McCutcheon]] took ill. In the audience that day was [[Brian May]], who was then writing his musical ''[[We Will Rock You (musical)|We Will Rock You]]'', and he was so impressed with Ellis's performance he immediately wanted to cast her as Meat, a lead in the show.

In 1974, baritone [[Thomas Allen (baritone)|Thomas Allen]] fell ill during a performance at [[The Proms]] of Carl Orff's ''[[Carmina Burana (Orff)|Carmina Burana]]''. His understudy was unable to take over{{snd}}he was a medical doctor, and was attending to Allen. [[Patrick McCarthy (conductor)|Patrick McCarthy]], then unknown, stepped out of the audience, went backstage, and offered his services as a professional singer who knew the part. He received a standing ovation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/19/arts/bonkers-for-music-cheer-glory-for-britons-it-s-time-for-proms-that-exhilarating.html?pagewanted=all|title=Bonkers for Music, Cheer and Glory; For Britons, It's Time for the Proms, That Exhilarating Feast|last=Hoge|first=Warren|date=19 July 2001|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2014/august/how-i-saved-a-prom-patrick-mccarthys-famous-proms-rescue-of-7-august-1974/ |title=How I saved a Prom: Patrick McCarthy's famous Proms rescue of 7 August 1974 |website=[[Royal Albert Hall]] |date=7 August 2014 |first=Patrick |last=McCarthy |author-link=Patrick McCarthy (conductor) |access-date=31 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715233544/http://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2014/august/how-i-saved-a-prom-patrick-mccarthys-famous-proms-rescue-of-7-august-1974/ |archive-date=2015-07-15}}</ref>

In 1978, [[Madeline Kahn]] departed the [[Broadway musical]] ''[[On the Twentieth Century]]'' nine weeks into its run. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that "she said she was withdrawing because of damage to her vocal cords."<ref>''The New York Times'', April 25, 1978, p. 46</ref> She was replaced by understudy [[Judy Kaye]], who had been playing a small role, and the critics were invited to return. According to ''The New York Times'', "bang, boom, overnight [Kaye] is a star."<ref>Corry, John. "Broadway; Terrence McNally has a comedy about stage due in fall", ''The New York Times'', May 5, 1978, p. C2</ref> They praised her performance, Kaye won a [[Theatre World Award]], and her theatrical career took off. She later starred in the US tour opposite [[Rock Hudson]].<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/cast.php?showid=6388#content "Tour Cast"], broadwayworld.com, accessed February 13, 2015</ref>

In 2002 (and also in 2003, 2005 and 2006), [[Sam Moran]] had filled in for [[Greg Page (musician)|Greg Page]] in the children's entertainment singing group [[the Wiggles]] during their concerts more than 150 times before stepping up as part of the official lineup in November 2006.

When [[Carol Haney]] broke her ankle while playing the role of Gladys in ''[[The Pajama Game]]'', [[Shirley MacLaine]] assumed the role.

Arthur Stanley Jefferson, also known as [[Stan Laurel]], was an understudy of [[Charlie Chaplin]] working for [[Fred Karno]], a [[music hall]] impresario, before Laurel and Chaplin entered American film.

[[Roberto Alagna]] opened the 2006–07 season at La Scala on 7 December 2006 in the new production of ''[[Aida]]'' by [[Franco Zeffirelli]]. During the second performance on 10 December, Alagna, whose opening performance was considered ill-at-ease, was booed and whistled from the ''loggione'' (the least expensive seats at the very top of La Scala), and he walked off the stage.<ref>{{cite news
  | last = Owen
  | first = Richard
  | title = Tenor who stormed off La Scala stage vows he will return
  |work=The Times |location=UK
  | date = 12 December 2006
  | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article751154.ece
  | access-date =3 July 2008}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
</ref> The role of Radames was taken over successfully for the rest of the performance by his understudy [[Antonello Palombi]], who entered on stage wearing jeans and a black shirt.<ref>{{cite news
  | title = Booed tenor quits La Scala's ''Aida''
  |work=BBC News 
  | date = 11 December 2006
  | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6169177.stm
  | access-date =3 July 2008}}
</ref>

During the [[The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall|25th-anniversary performance]] of the [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] musical ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'', the titular character and Christine are played by understudies Simon Shorten and [[Katie Hall (actress)|Katie Hall]] when they walk on a lowering walkway during the title song. In the film release of the performance, footage of the principal actors (in full costume) singing the song on the walkway was filmed in one rehearsal and added in the final cut.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Acting]]