Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Understudy Hall: ‘Phantom’’s Jeremy Stolle drives his BMW all over the Majestic

We’ve all done it. We’ve taken our seats in a Broadway theater, opened our Playbills in anticipation of the rising curtain, and groaned when that little slip of paper has fallen out and floated to our feet. The disappointment sets in: one of the lead actors is being understudied. It’s a common occurrence, yet rarely are the stories of these underdogs of Broadway told. We’ve all seen incredible understudies, as well as mediocre ones. But the truth is that without them, the show couldn’t go on. And don’t kid yourself for a second—they know exactly what the audience is thinking of them. Understudy Hall is a series spotlighting some of Broadway’s greatest pinch hitters. Now let’s kick off the series with an actor who is always on call to play one of the most coveted roles in Broadway history. 

Jeremy Stolle has gone months at a time without playing the Phantom or Raoul, the two leads he has understudied in The Phantom of the Opera since he joined the company in October 2007. Most nights, he plays the operatic Passarino in the musical’s haunted Opera Populaire. But during the week of February 15, while the regular Phantom, John Cudia, was on vacation, the 33-year-old California native went on as the tortured genius during the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening performances. Given that the 22-year-old Broadway mainstay sold over 90 percent of its tickets that week, the excitement of the packed, cheering house should sustain Stolle for the next few months, in case it’s that long till he next dons the mask. 

You’re making your Broadway debut understudying the Phantom and Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. How does that make you feel?
That feels amazing. I started acting at 15. I wasn’t into musicals whatsoever, and everybody has their one show that they find and they really like, and Phantom was mine. At 15, I really wanted to play the Phantom of the Opera. Ninety-five years later, I’m here as the Phantom of the Opera. I couldn’t be happier. I couldn’t even speak for a good half hour when I got the hiring call. Every day I come to work loving to be here. When it comes to playing the Phantom, I walk down the street with just a little bit of pride about that. 

What does it feel like when you’re in your moment as the Phantom, whether it’s in your favorite scene or taking your final bow?
It feels amazing for me, because I’ve worked really hard at this part. It’s not an easy part. People have ideas about the role, like, “Oh, you’re only on stage for 30 minutes.” It is 30 minutes of full-out sprints. It’s one of the hardest things ever. 

Give me a brief history of your background.
I am from the San Francisco Bay Area. I taught high school for two years; I was a substitute. I taught math, English, and choir. Then I decided that with two bags and a plane ticket, I’d move to New York. 

What is the longest period you’ve gone without performing the role of the Phantom or Raoul?
I’ve never counted, but months at a time. It really depends on the leads. Our leads aren’t flakey at all. We go on occasionally, on their vacations and their sick days. I do get to go on as the Phantom every so often, but I also rehearse the role at the theater during the day a lot. So I’ll have run Phantom six times within a three-month period during rehearsals and then I’ll have done it once at an actual performance. That is to make sure it’s fresh. 

***VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP: Jeremy Stolle unlocks the mystery of the Phantom's never-seen full mask***


What’s the shortest notice you’ve been given before performing?
For the Phantom, the shortest notice happened just last month. I came up to my dressing room to change for Act II and I hear on the intercom, “Jeremy, can you please call the office?” I call and they tell me, “We need you to do Act II.” I literally took my clothes off and ran to the other side of the stage. 

What goes through your head when you hear that? I’d crap my pants.
No, I go, “WOO-HOO!” I’m fully prepared to do it. 

How did they get the makeup on you so quickly?
When you’re the Phantom, you don’t do anything. You don’t even tie your shoes. Two girls do it. They’ve got a blow drier and the glue, and the stage manager’s standing there asking, “Are you guys ready? Are you guys ready?” Once Act II starts, they’ve got about a 15-minute window between the orchestra and “Masquerade” before I actually need to be out there. So we just kind of chance it. It was quick, but they’ve been doing it for a long time. 

People are usually disappointed when understudy cards fall out of a Playbill. How do you feel about that?
I would feel the same way as a kid. I’d go to see Phantom and think, “He better be on.” I kind of have to ignore it. You have to laugh and say, “This is my job.” If they see the picture of the actor playing the Phantom outside, then that’s what they expect, and then they see my name and I’m already two steps in the mud. But I know when I do the show that it’s going to be done to the best of my ability; it’s going to be done well. If they don’t like it, then I can’t help that. But you’re going to see what you’re supposed to. I’m going to tell a story and I’m going to kick ass. I’m thinking of the point in my last story, how I went on in Act II. While I’m sitting in the chair getting my makeup done, over the intercom in the theater they announce, “Ladies and gentlemen, due to illness, Act II’s Phantom will be played by Jeremy Stolle.” Sixteen hundred people went, “AUUGGGHH!” You can’t take it serious. We were back stage going, “HAHAHAHAHA!” I try not to think about it. I hope that I can do well enough to shine through the understudy class, so that the audience doesn’t weigh, “John Cudia… Jeremy Stolle.” I hope I can shine through that and they will enjoy the show. 

What does your family think of your understudy status?
My parents didn’t get the understudy deal until I told them how it actually works. Everybody thinks there’s this one guy that is the next in line, but it’s not true; there’s several people. It depends on the process, the work, who needs it, who does what—there’s a whole strategy to it. I have to explain the world I live in of not being this guy. They want to know what the potential is to move up. I have to explain that there are people who have done it in the past, but it doesn’t mean that I’m the next in line to get the job, because I’m the understudy. But they think it’s great. They think it’s so exciting every time I get to go on. They start telling their friends, “He’s going to be on this day!” For me, it’s like, OK, I get to do something else today. For them, it’s like, “He gets to be the Phantom today!” 

Do you have nights where you’re not scheduled to go on, but you’re feeling really good, and you think “I am so in the mood to KILL IT as the Phantom tonight!”?
Yeah, some days I come in and I’m like, “Man, I’m in good voice! I would kick butt today!” Absolutely. 

“John, just take a sick day!”
Yeah, I get paid more every time he does. I tease him a lot. I say, “Hey man, you sick? What’s going on?” 

Do you find you have a special connection with the person you understudy, John Cudia?
We’re thick as thieves. John was an understudy at one time. He’s been in this company a long time. He obviously knows he has a lot of my respect. I think he’s amazing. He always checks in with me, asks me how it’s going, if I need tips or ideas, or encouragement. When he’s out, he’ll say, “Kick butt!” His wife will, as well. He couldn’t be a greater guy. 

What’s it like to know three vocally challenging roles, particularly one that is considered to be one of the most challenging male roles, vocally and emotionally, on Broadway?
It is a lot, and it took a long time to learn. I learned one role at a time. I learned Passarino first for a month, then we moved on to Raoul, and then we did that for two months, and then we picked up the Phantom, and they told me I wouldn’t go on until I was ready. It was a lot of work. I’d have to run the show in my head and aloud in the room before we went on in that particular track. There’s a lot of motives in this show—lyrics that overlap with different characters in the same music—and that can kick your butt. 

Since you’ve inhabited both these characters, how is it different playing the Phantom and Raoul?
(Hearty laugh) Playing the Phantom is like getting into your BMW and when you’re playing Raoul, it’s like borrowing the Toyota. They’re both exciting, but the Phantom is just such a pinnacle role. You’re the Phantom, you’re the mask, you’re the third most recognized icon in the world. Raoul, it’s fun. He just doesn’t have the journey. He’s got, “Hey, I’m rich. Hey, there’s a girl. We got together. We’ll get rid of the other guy. We’re done.” The Phantom—the emotion is just pouring out when you sing. You know when you sing in the shower and you sing as loud as you can and you’re just kicking butt and you’re pouring it all out and you’re a little exhausted afterward because nobody’s around? That’s what you get to do in this role. You just get to go to the limit, sing in the red zone, and do it the whole time. And it’s so fun. You’re doing something that not many people can do. They think they can, but you know they can’t. 

Today’s understudies are tomorrow’s Broadway stars. What are your thoughts and hopes regarding that notion?
I think being an understudy is a great part of the journey. I certainly hope that in some form, in some show, I’ll get my crack at having it for myself. I’ll certainly have a place in my heart for the understudies. If I get there. There are no promises for anybody in this world. I’m hoping this is a step.

23 comments:

  1. What a fab idea! to give credit to the understudy!I'm one of those who moan when I see the slip of paper fall out of the Playbill...I'll bet Jeremy was really glad to tell how he feels about his role in the production...his parents will also be glad you took the time to feature him...kudos to you, Jes! Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Mimi: He really did seem grateful to be able to vocalize how he felt about going on in the role. You'd think anyone who gets to play Phantom is just bursting to talk about it! Maybe this'll go on his parents' refrigerator, haha! You're never too old, right?

    ReplyDelete
  3. If I could get on a plane as fast as Jeremy transforms into Phantom... I would die to see him play this role. I would be the one groaning if that little white slip DIDN'T appear in the Playbill (with much respect to Mr. Cudia). Congrats, J. The Lees are always sending 'Bravos' your way.

    Great blog, Jesse. Can't wait to see what comes next!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I saw Jeremy as Raoul last March and he was utterly fantastic! I enjoyed him more than Tim Martin Gleason in the role (of course, Tim's now the Phantom in the tour). It really is true that the understudies you see today will be broadway's stars. An Elphaba u/s that I saw a few years in Chicago is now Broadway's Elphaba... But congrats to Jeremy on his hard work! This was great to read!

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Betay: I know! Isn't it crazy to think he could transition into the mindset of the character so fast? That's what's so cool about understudies—they have to do this stuff! And they pull it off. Very glad you enjoyed!

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Anonymous: I'm so glad to see someone commenting who has seen Jeremy perform the role! You're very right about Wicked. That show churns out a lot of stars, doesn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I know I already mentioned how much I enjoyed watching Phantom for the third time, and it was the best with Jeremy Stolle as the Phantom. I really felt the whole article was interesting, but especially the last two questions.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for asking my question! Brilliant interview. I'm sure he was as excited giving it as I was to read about it. Very insightful. May I ask who else you have in the future scheduled for this series?

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Liz Lovejoy: Yeah, wasn't his answer to what it was like playing Phantom as opposed to Raoul fascinating? I loved his BMW comparison (hence I used it in the headline)! Really made me understand how he felt.

    ReplyDelete
  10. P.S. Jeremy is hot.

    Looove the video. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. @Carlos Alvarado: No problem! I want to get readers' questions out there. He actually answered your question before I got to ask it. But I was still glad the answer got in there. I have future Understudy Hall participants in the works, but nothing settled yet. I promise, you will know when I know! So please stay tuned :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. @Liz Lovejoy: Yes, he is a good-looking guy. The Phantom is usually quite attractive. Usually more attractive than the characters that fear him in the play. When they're all screaming at the sight of his face, I want to say, "Shut up, even with the scars, he's STILL better looking than you!"

    ReplyDelete
  13. I saw Jeremy as the Phantom in May 2008 (I think it was his second time in the role), and he was fabulous. I saw him as Raoul too, and he was incredible there as well. He's an all-around great actor and makes both of the roles come alive.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I was at that performance where Jeremy was called to fill in for the second half. Since he hasn't performed the primary role much, he still has to grow into the acting half of the role. But vocally, he has an amazing "It's over now, the Music Of The Night" line. Looking forward to seeing him in the title role many times in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  15. @Anonymous: Yep! I'd love to see him jump to lead status. In any show.

    ReplyDelete
  16. @Anonymous: That is SO COOL that you were at that show! Thank you so much for commenting! Nice call out to his powerful delivery of that famous line. So interesting to hear from someone who was there.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I loved the article. I am a little biased since he is my brother but I am glad you gave him the opportunity to voice his opinion as an understudy. I think he is amazing and I know that this is only one more step for him.

    P.S. loved everyones comments

    ReplyDelete
  18. @Jennifer Stolle: Jennifer, how exciting and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! Stories like Jeremy's are my favorite to tell. And it's an added bonus that he's a great guy.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nice interview. I don't know who you are planning on interviewing next for this feature, but I think it would be interesting to talk to somebody from a show with more of a following (not that Phantom doesn't have a following, but it's mostly a tourist audience), because in those shows, like say Hair, the fans will go specifically to see an understudy and maybe you don't get as many groans.

    ReplyDelete
  20. @Linda: Fantastic point! I have absolutely read about fans that *hope* there will be an understudy when they go see certain shows. Spring Awakening used to be like that all the time. And I bet those understudies will have different perspectives than Jeremy does. Thank you for the inspiration! I definitely plan on featuring understudies from different types of shows—the tourist favorites and the cult followings.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a great interview! It's so interesting to get the understudy's perspective. I've never seen Phantom but I'm sure I will someday. I'd love to see Jeremy in the role after reading this!

    ReplyDelete
  22. @Esther: I'm glad you enjoyed! Are you based in New York? If so, I'm surprised you've never seen PHANTOM. It's almost a right of passage here! And kind of hard to avoid after a certain amount of time. Would love to know what you think about it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great interview! Supporting the underdog! I saw Jeremy last summer as Rauol. He was great! I can't wait to seem as Phantom.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.