The Understudy

By Theresa Rebeck, directed by Larry Schneider

Performed in the Carriage House Theatre at the Lyndhurst in July 2015.

In this bitingly witty and entertaining comedy, the lights of Broadway cast an affectionate glow on one of the most notorious roles in the theater: the understudy. The play opens with Franz Kafka’s undiscovered masterpiece making its Broadway premiere. Roxanne, the stage manager, has the daunting task of running the understudy rehearsal. Enter Harry, a journeyman actor who just happens to be Roxanne’s ex-fiancé. And then there’s Jake, a Hollywood action star craving a little legitimacy. Throw in an unreliable techie and a bunch of producers threatening to close down the show and you have one very funny comedy.

Veteran director Larry Schneider brought together a sterling cast including Carly Jayne Lillo, Peter Lillo and Michael Muldoon to deliver this delightful comedy to the wonderful Lyndhurst Carriage House Theatre. Nan Weiss and Emmy Schwartz were the indomitable stage managers.