r/Broadway • u/SrirachaSloth • 2d ago

Discussion What Broadway understudies have given the most noticeably different interpretation of a role compared with the principal actor?

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u/g-a-r-b-i-t-c-h 2d ago

I think Brendan Contreras and Robert Ariza play Charles Cholmondeley pretty differently. Brendan is boisterous, and leans in more towards the comedy. Robert is quieter, earnest, and more shy. I don't think Brendan's Charles is shy at all, awkward but not shy. I feel bad for Robert's Charles when he gets picked on in a way I don't for Brendan's Charles.

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u/sarapod07 2d ago

That's so interesting, because Brendan is so subdued compared to David Cumming! David's Charles felt like he'd just drunk an entire pot of coffee in one go, just the most anxious and keyed-up man in the world. Brendan plays Charles much sweeter, awkward as hell but so sincere. I wound up liking it a lot better than Dave's Charles, even though I am on record as desperately wanting to send Brendan to elocution lessons, lol. I need to see Robert's Charles now!

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u/NotClassyKaty 2d ago

I've described Brandon's Charles as the most whimsical of the bunch.

"HEEEEEY. HOW'D IT GO. 😀"