"I was ready to go on. It was as though my entire life had led to this moment; all the dancing lessons, singing, lessons, and fledgling acting lessons; all the years of understanding movement and working with teachers and choreographers since I was three years old..."
--- Shirley MacLaine, My Lucky Stars: A Hollywood Memoir

As the understudy to Carol Haney in the original production of THE PAJAMA GAME, Shirley MacLaine may have never expected to go on - Haney was known for never missing a performance. But early in the run of the play she twisted her ankle, leaving novice Shirley MacLaine to play the role. Despite a few mistakes in a role she had never before performed, she endeared herself to the audience. When she performed the role a second time big shot movie producer Hal B Wallis was in the audience and offered her a five-year contract. Shirley MacLaine went on to star in over 50 films, earning 5 Oscar Nominations before finally winning for the 1984 movie THE TERMS OF ENDEARMENT.

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Laura Benanti (Tony Nominee for INTO THE WOODS) understudied Maria in the 1998 Revival of SOUND OF MUSIC.

Christian Borle (Tony Nominee for LEGALLY BLONDE) was the standby for Malcolm Gets in the 2004 Broadway Show AMOUR.

Laura Bell Bundy (Tony Nominee for LEGALLY BLONDE) understudied the role of Glinda in Broadway's WICKED after originating the role of Amber in HAIRSPRAY.

Norbert Leo Butz (Tony Winner for DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS) was an understudy for both Mark and Roger in RENT.

Carolee Carmello (Tony Nominee for LESTAT) understudied a handful of roles in the original Broadway production of CITY OF ANGELS.

Victoria Clark (Tony Winner for THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA) was an understudy for the role of Miss Adelaide in the 1992 production of GUYS AND DOLLS.

John Cullum (two time Tony Winner, Tony Nominee for URINETOWN and 110 IN THE SHADE) understudied the roles or Mordred and Arthur in the original 1960 production of CAMELOT.

Charlotte D'Amboise (Tony Nominee for the 2006 Revival of A CHORUS LINE) was a standby for Christina Applegate in the 2005 Revival of SWEET CHARITY.

Christine Ebersole (Tony Winner for GREY GARDENS) understudied the role of Lily Garland in the original Broadway production of ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

Hunter Foster (Tony Nominee for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS) understudied the roles of Danny, Kenickie and Teen Angel in the 1994 Revival of GREASE and Marius in LES MISERABLES.

Sutton Foster (Tony Winner for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE) was an understudy for Eponine in LES MISERABLES on Broadway in 1998.

Jonathan Groff (Tony Nominee for SPRING AWAKENING) was a swing and understudy for the roles of JT and Nick in the 2005 Broadway flop IN MY LIFE.

Cheyenne Jackson (ALL SHOOK UP, XANADU) was an understudy for the roles of Jimmy and Trevor Grayden in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE.

Brian D'Arcy James (Tony Nominee for THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS) was an understudy in the 1994 Revival of CAROUSEL.

Judy Kaye (Tony Nominee for MAMMA MIA!) understudied the role of Lily Garland in the original Broadway production of ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY and performed the role of Mrs. Lovett when Patti LuPone was out of the 2005 Revival of SWEENEY TODD for a week.

Celia Keenan-Bolger (Tony Nominee for 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE) was an understudy in Michael John LaChiusa's LITTLE FISH off-broadway in 2003.

LaChanze (Tony Winner for THE COLOR PURPLE) was an understudy for Deena Jones in the 1987 Revival of DREAMGIRLS.

Beth Leavel (Tony Winner for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) was a standby for the roles of Dorothy Brock and Maggie Jones in the 2001 Broadway Revival of 42ND STREET.

Manoel Feliciano (Tony Nominee for SWEENEY TODD) understudied the roles of Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and Taylor in BKLYN.

Terrence Mann (Tony Nominee for LES MISERABLES and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) understudied the Ringmaster in the original production of BARNUM.

Matthew Morrison (Tony Nominee for LIGHT IN THE PIZZA, Original Cast of HAIRSPRAY) understudied the role of Chuck in FOOTLOOSE on Broadway.

Donna Murphy (Tony Winner for PASSION and THE KING AND I) was an understudy for several roles in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD.

Kelli O'Hara (Tony Nominee for LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA and THE PAJAMA GAME) understudied the role of Emma in JEKYLL AND HYDE.

Nancy Opel (Tony Nominee for URINETOWN) performed matinees during Patti Lupone's run of the original production of EVITA.

Orfeh (Tony Nominee for LEGALLY BLONDE) was a swing in the original Broadway production of FOOTLOOSE and covered the roles of Betty Blast, Irene, Rusty and Wendy Jo.

Natalie Portman (Oscar Nominee and Golden Globe Winner for CLOSER) was one of Laura Bell Bundy's understudies in RUTHLESS!

Christopher Sieber (Tony Nominee for SPAMALOT) understudied The Wolf and Cinderella's Prince in the 2002 revival of INTO THE WOODS.

Britney Spears (Grammy Award Winner) was one of Laura Bell Bundy's understudies in RUTHLESS!

Ben Vereen (Tony Winner for PIPPIN) was an understudy for Hud in the original 198 production of HAIR.

John Lloyd Young (Tony Winner for JERSEY BOYS) understudied the role of Miles in THE DRAWER BOY at the Papermill Playhouse in 2005.

Karen Ziemba (Tony Nominee for CURTAINS and Tony Winner for CONTACT) was an understudy in the original Broadway production of A CHORUS LINE.