(Source: Broadway.com)
The Standbys is the title of a
new documentary about standbys on Broadway. Standbys cover the lead role in a
show in case the actor who usually performs is sick or on vacation. A standby
does not perform unless the actor they cover is unable to do so.
The documentary follows the lives of three
different Broadway standbys over the course of a few years, revealing their
heartbreaks and triumphs. Since standbys only go on when the actor that usually
plays the role is out, it can be incredibly discouraging to sit on the
sidelines. And because they are covering lead roles, the standbys have
essentially been told that they are good enough to be a lead on Broadway, but
yet must sit and watch someone else do it 97% of the time. But the phenomenal
thing about this documentary is that they are telling the story of people who
are just as talented as everyone on the great white way but who are often
overlooked.
It’s hard to feel too bad for these standbys, after all, they do get to say that they
are Broadway performers. One of the people featured in the movie is Merwin
Ford, who has basically made a career as a standby. However, it is emotional to
watch these tremendously talented people spend most of their time on the sidelines,
desperate to get on stage. The most heartbreaking story is that of Ben Crawford
who is dealt a crushing blow, just when it seems that everything is taking off.
Overall, this is definitely a movie that you are
going to want to bring your tissues to, but it is well worth the watch and
tells a very inspiration story about people achieving their dreams.
No comments:
Post a Comment