Does anyone else remember when the standbys would cover for both Nessa and Elphaba? I know that Shoshana went on as Nessa once with Idina and Eden did as well.

Why don't they do that anymore?

I think the switch happened when Shoshana became a lead and the dark-skinned Saycon took over as Elphaba standby. Because Sean McCourt + Cristy Candler =/= Saycon, and Nessarose already had two covers at that point whose skin matched better (Glinda understudy Stacie M Lewis and Cristy Candler), I guess they figured that the Elphaba standby didn't need to keep covering Nessarose. And then when Ben Vereen took over as Wizard, if Saycon had gone on as Nessarose, people would think that Nessarose was also the Wizard's daughter, which is not the case.

This is just my speculation, by the way. ;-)

The second cover for Elphaba also covers Nessarose now.

This is semi-related, but I'm pretty sure that previous Nessaroses were also Elphaba understudies, but Cristy isn't listed and and Elphaba u/s, and none of the Chicago Nessas have been either. Anybody know why they stopped doing that? (I would have loved to see Heidi as Elphaba!)

Jenna Leigh Green is the only lead Nessarose to also cover Elphaba. Tour had Maria Eberline and Marcie Dodd cover both, and now Chicago has Jennifer DiNoia. And London has Cassidy Janson. Broadway had Eden and Shoshana.

Jenna was an exception to the rule, I guess, because after she left the tour hired a standby to cover Elphaba instead of two understudies.

That is incorrect.

While the second cover for Elphaba on tour (Marcie Dodd) and in London (Cassidy Janson) covers Nessarose, those are the only companies in which this is the case.

All other second Elphaba understudies (Caissie Levy in New York, Dan'yelle Williamson in Chicago, and Courtney Corey in Los Angeles) do not cover both roles.

I didn't know CJ covered Nessa. Has she ever gone on?

I would think I would have heard about it if she did. (LOUDLY.) So I would think not. From what I understand, London is more cut-and-dry when it comes to cover order, and Caroline always comes before her.

Touche`.

Though, Dan'Yelle Williamson is first cover Elphaba while Jen DiNoia is second cover in Chicago. She [Jen] understudies Nessarose as well.

I'm not 100% sure (someone more familiar with the Chicago production can verify,) but I'm almost positive Jennifer DiNoia is the first cover. She's been put on over Dan'yelle on a more consistent basis.

I am pretty sure Dan'yelle is first cover understudy. She goes on more often then Jenn from what I've heard.

^ She has.

I think Jen has only gone on three or four times.

no shes not! I asked them yesterday! they split the role! 50, 50!



They take turns! Danyelle just went on so now whenever the standby isnt available Jen will go on!

and Jen has went on way more tha Danyelle! Danyelles only been on 6 times Jens in double digits she doesnt even rememeber but she said thats because Danyelle came after her! they would have had an equall number if they started at the same time! trust me I live in Chicago



more than double that!

Yeah the few times Katie's been off (she actually hasn't had that much holiday...), Caroline's gone on as Nessa. A few weeks ago, Caroline wasn't feeling very well and had practically lost her voice, but she still went on as Nessa. CJ has never gone on :-( (and probably never will unless something amazing happens in the next 2 weeks...)

Jen and Danyelle said there is no first cover second cover thing! at least not for them! its 50, 50 for them but I know Glinda in Chicago isnt split!

Ok don't freak out, we're sorry we assumed.

However when Dee leaves, and if Carmen takes over, I bet its Dan'yelle who takes over teh standby position only because Jen is a swing and nessarose u/s as well as elphaba u/s. I mean why promote the girl who can do it all, then they would have to hire a new swing, new assit. dance captain and a new elphaba u/s, which doesn't really seem worth it when they can easily just keep Jen in that spot.

But yeah its a shame Dan'yelle has only gone on a few times, she is so amazing from what I've heard. But yeah I would kill to see Jen as nessarose, I think she would sound brilliant.

And as for the standby as nessa issue, Sho and Eden only went on as nessa once or twice, so it was most likely very uncommon. Too bad because I can just imagine Lisa or Caissie belting out WWOTE. Just imagine CJ belting that out, it would give me chills I'm sure.

I wasnt fraking out LOL! i always go exclamation crazy LOL but no Im not saying who said it but more than likely Jens gonna be the SB! cause shes only gonne be the assistant dance captain until they find someone else (she told me about the dance captain thing) and its simple! she just remains the Elphaba cover shell be standby and someone else will take the Nessa cover like she did when Jaqui left! And ure right Danyelle is AMAZING!!! ME and Danyelle are really close she blows me kisses at curtain call! LOL she sounds almost Identical to Whitney houston! she like Whitney and saycon mixed but like she doesnt have the overly "black" sound if you know what i mean! Not saying that its a bad sound cause I sing like that! She has a little Brandi Chavonne Massey but only Brandis good parts

Jen would be a better Nessa, I don't like Jen's elphaba. Jen sounds way to young for Elphaba. Just my opinion though, but I would prefer to see Dan'yelle take over.

I love young sounding Elphies! and theyr both so fantastic they should both be standbys LOL! although i think danyelle has broadway potential! But yeah I love young sounding Elphabas!



Not trying to bash, but I think Heidi would have been a horrible Elphaba