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A Brilliant Study in The Understudy
Roundabout Extends Run
Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Justin Kirk in The Understudy
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“You have no rights! You’re an actor!”, says stage manager Roxanne (Julie White) in The Understudy at the Roundabout Theatre Company. Indeed, rights are at the heart of the play by Teresa Rebeck, another fine addition in the literary tradition of plays about actors.
Rebeck smartly chooses to only tell three sides to an intricate story of life backstage at a Broadway play. Among them: Roxanne, an understudy named Harry (Justin Kirk), and the Jake, the famous star of the show, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Their goal is to rehearse for a Franz Kafka play, but there is a lot in their way, including somewhat of a love triangle. The trio rehearses the production, scene-by-scene, set-by-set, but it doesn’t take long before everything—the stage included—falls apart.
Justin Kirk’s performance goes a long way in making The Understudy an unsung hero no longer. His performance runs the gamut from sincere to hilarious, a lofty feat since Harry has his career, as well the love of his ex, Roxanne, to fight for. This is even more impressive because Kirk is playing two parts: Harry’s part in the Broadway show and the part of Harry in the play. All of the performers are standouts, but Kirk deserves particular mention for segueing between his two characters so seamlessly.
What makes this production so unique is that the entire theatre is used. Watching Julie White rush past 400 seats to the stage manager’s desk at the rear of the theatre is a singular shock. The action is all around the audience several times. Be prepared to feel as if you are actually backstage watching the story unfold.
Rebeck and the entire cast should be commended for giving an emotionally complete look at the hardships and triumphs of show business. The entire production reads like a case study of show business bureaucracy, but never has any study been quite so honest, truthful and hilarious at the same time.
The Understudy’s run has been extended through January 17, 2010. For tickets and more information, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.