Oh me, Oh my.
Brad Bass went on, correction, is on, as Huey tonight. That’s right, it is Act II and Brad has survived the first act of being shot out of the cannon that is the role of “Huey Calhoun.” We have two “Huey” understudies, Bryan Fenkart and Brad Bass. Bryan has been on a handful of times, but this is Brad’s first time onstage; I sense that he was nervous about his debut- heck, I was nervous too! All day, I was half excited/half terrified. I could barely sit still. Ask my office, I was a bit crazed.
The life of an understudy is not an easy one. Rehearsing once a week on a blank stage with folding chairs…no props, costumes, lights, or band. Oof. Life upon the wicked stage ain’t nothin’ what a girl supposes.
In college, a professor of mine told a story about being a dresser on the original production of Starlight Express. That’s right kids- let us time machine back to the show and remember what the costumes were like for those roller skating train cars. Costumes in that show were easily 30-40 pounds and let us recall how understudy rehearsals are like….bare.
So my professor is telling this story about how the “Rusty” understudy went on for the first time. The way that set was designed, it was basically this giant bowl onstage so you could not see from the stage from the wings- the stage could only be viewed from backstage video monitors. So, the story goes, the “Rusty” understudy is on singing “Starlight Express”, the super huge title song ballad and the blocking is to ‘roll’ downstage slowly with only a pin spotlight illuminating your face.
So here he is, skating downstage, “Starlight Express, you must confess, are you real, yes or no?”
And he’s rolling and singing and they are all watching from backstage on the monitors.
All of a sudden, whoosh- he is GONE.
There is no face in the spotlight. But he is still singing!! Since the crew cannot see the stage and it is all dark except for this spotlight, the stage manager yells at the spotlight operator to open up the pin spot.
“Starlight Express answer me yes…” Still singing. No one is there.
So the spotlight starts to grow in diameter. Little by little. (This is the part of the story that is usually added by hand gestures).
Finally, the spotlight is shining on the floor and they see it; two hands on the edge of the stage. Rusty had fallen into the first row of the audience. On roller skates. With thirty pounds of costume on and was lifting himself back onstage. And still singing. Hi ho the glamorous life…
It is still one of my favorite stories I have ever heard.
Fortunately, Brad has not fallen off the stage. Yet.
The best moment of the evening came at the stage door a few minutes before places. Brad’s son, Justin, was there to wish Brad good luck and the conversation went something like this:
Brad: Now you know, I don’t do it exactly like Chad. It is going to be different.
Justin: (disappointed) Aw Man!
Brad took it in stride though…and took to the stage where he is currently soaring.
Memphis Lives in Me is about to start!!! I’m out!
Show Power reminder: Tomorrow, from 10-3pm, next door to Memphis at the Minskoff Theatre, there is a bone marrow drive for Broadway Actress, Shannon Tavarez. As a company member of Lion King, she plays young Nala but has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia. The Broadway Community is coming together and they are sponsoring a drive in hopes of finding a bone marrow match. If you are in town, come on down- all you have to do is get your cheek swabbed. And even if you are not a match for Shannon, you may be able to save another life.
