Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 6/25/2010

Question
What happens if a person appearing in a Broadway Musical and is the lead actor comes down with Laryngitis?

Does someone else take over for him?

Does he get fired?

Is there any famous people that performed while having Laryngitis on stage?

Thanks.

Answer
Hey there, K.  Thanks for writing.  

Most Broadway musicals have 2 people in roles especially the huge ones.  Much of the time, there are 2 completely different casts because this does happen.  This person is called an understudy.  

No, this person does not get fired unless they are purposely doing this.  If they are going out at night or during the day and wrecking their voice or misusing their voice and it is something that frequently happens with the same person (a trend), then there could be a possible firing.  However, it usually is rare that a person with this kind of attitude would get a role on Broadway anyway.

There are people from film and from Broadway who have not been their best and have performed, yes.  But when it comes to having no voice, there is little chance for them to be able to fix it.  The voice is very sensitive and needs some attention and time to heal.

Does that help you?

Wanda