Just saw Wicked in Chicago today, had some general "broadway" questions?

Question

Just saw "Wicked" today in Chicago.Seems like a grueling schedule, 8 shows in a week. and week after week. Its hard to comprehend how the actors don't burn out, especially seeing how hard they sing and act for 2.5 hours the same show day after day. What happens if an actor gets sick? or wants a day off. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks

Answer 1

First of all, all Broadway shows fall under union agreements and regulations.



Any musical theatre piece is indeed a gruelling rehearsal process. Usually anywhere between 6 to 12 months of rehearsal, that's 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. Not including fittings for costumes, props, etc and not including the enourmous amount of tech calls and rehearsals.



For the most part, every majour role will have a specifed understudy. Someone else in the cast that will know and can do the role as well, in case the principal is ill or unable to perform (yes, sometimes performers get a day off, unlike as us Stage Managers who do not have understudies :)).



Also, there are positions called "Swings." These are performers who learn up to 5 different tracks in the show (principal, chorus and other). They can be put in on a moments notice in case of emergency or illness. This is also why Opera for example only performs every other day, and never two shows in a row.



There are also many things that performers are encourage to do while in the midst of a long run. Drink lots of water, warm up properly to avoid injury and just generally take care of themselves.



As per union regulations, there are also things that are provided for their use: a massage therapist, physiotherapists, lung and sinus doctors, etc. Also, there is a maximum number of shows allowed in a week, and a maximum number of shows allowed in a day (ie. you can not do 4 shows back to back, which would be 2 days of 2 shows).



Truth is however, that the run of the show is the easy part. Only having to work for a max 4 hours a day is a blessed relief after a gruesome 12 month rehearsal period of 10 hour days.



No job in theatre is easy, there is always work to do outside of the show as well. At least performers get to go home after the show and don't have to come back until the next performance. The rest of us get to take care of tech notes, costume and prop notes and all sorts of reports and paperwork, after we run the show. :)

Answer 2

If an actor is sick and/or wants a day off, they have an understudy that goes on for them. Broadway shows also have a set day where they dont perform the show. (Most shows are closed on Mondays) But that also varies with each show. Also, actors (at least the leads) get a week off once every six months. (from what I've heard) But of course, that too varies with each show/contract.

Answer 3

An understudy will take over.

An understudy is a theatrical term for someone who learns the lines and blocking/choreography of a leading actor or actress in a theatrical play. Should the lead actor or actress be unable to appear on stage because of illness or accident, the understudy takes over the part. Usually, when the understudy takes over, the theater manager will make the announcement prior to the start of the performance. Several actors made their name in show-business by being the understudy of a leading actor and taking the role over for several performances (for example, Sir Anthony Hopkins with Sir Laurence Olivier).

Answer 4

We build up endurance, its what we love to do and there are ways to do it without getting too tired. Different actors deal with the stress in certain ways. A good deal of them just sit at home and veg out all day before getting to the theatre. They're body is their income so they take good care of it.



If an actor gets sick a "swing" takes their place. A swing is an actor who is usually in the chorus but also knows two or three other roles just in case. If you look closely, there will be people in the chorus that look very similar to the leads.



They do get regular days off, union rules.