I’m sorry, but we need to discuss this again.
Recently, the Broadway League’s President, Charlotte St. Martin, downplayed Swings and Understudies in newer shows.
It broke my heart and got me seeing red.
For a bit of context, this was due to positive COVID-19 tests found in some Broadway shows. (Mrs. Doubtfire, Six, Hamilton, Lion King and even Jagged Little Pill planned to reopen but sadly had to close... they played their last performance in December 21st, 2021) and St. Martin stated that they will not be closing Broadway again. With all these cases showing up, St. Martin came up with some theories regarding these temporary closings of these shows, in the screenshot above, she said that there are “understudies and swings that aren’t as efficient in delivering the role as the lead is.”
She uses an example to a show she watched that came to this conclusion. This is so far from the truth, yes we are living in a trying time and what is happening right now, we couldn’t have seen coming. But Swings, Alternates, Understudies and Standby’s keep the show going, they always have and always will. There are protocols for when the lead actor is sick/away and the official Understudy is on vacation. There are moments when shows have to pause mid production to get swings into costume and make-up, I don’t have to remind y’all at what happened to Beetlejuice: The Musical during that day during Valentine’s Day, if you don’t know what happened, search for it.
The Swings saved the show that night, and so did the Understudies.
Overall during that amazing Valentine’s Day, the show was saved.
She has since apologized but that doesn’t stop the fact that she had this belief, the performers that had seen the production grow from start to finish and to see and hear from the head honcho of the Broadway League downplay their work, is just heartbreaking.
Multiple Broadway stars started out as Swings and Understudies, and there are some that currently thrive as Swings and Understudies. (Will Blum in School of Rock and Beetlejuice, Mallory Maedke in Six)
Fuck you, Charlotte St. Martins
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