Understudies to Watch for: Dorcas Leung

I'm so excited to talk about Dorcas Leung because I think the instinct when a show announces a standby is to be disappointed. Sometimes you've looked forward to a show for months and months and months and to find out moments before curtain that someone you were excited to see won't be on the stage can be a bummer.

BUT... fear not, because it turns out it can also be amazing news. Broadway understudies are some of the most crazy talented people around, and can bring a new and fresh interpretation to a role you may have missed. Dorcas Leung is a perfect example. Currently touring with the Angelica cast she is the understudy for Eliza Hamilton...AND Angelica Schuyler...AND Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds. Girl has the range.

Leung made her Broadway Debut in 2017 as Gigi in Miss Saigon. As a standby she is sometimes told just 30 minutes before the show begins that she'll be going on that night!

Dorcas also recently sang the role of Abigail Adams in 54 Below's 5th Annual 54 Sings 1776. I look forward to her playing Martha Jefferson in a future production just to round out the full first lady set.

I was lucky enough to see Dorcas as Angelica at the Kennedy Center and her performance was astounding. Those rap portions are hard and I was particularly impressed with her ability to convey SO MUCH emotion while going a mile a minute. Plus, her knowledge of all three roles gives her a unique lens to perform through. Dorcas also brings considerable knowledge to the role. In an April Broadway World Interview she discussed how she prepared for her role: 

One of my favorite things to do was read about the sisters. I loved reading about Eliza's resilience and how every decision she made was thought out, including burning her correspondences to Alexander Hamilton. Or, how Angelica was invited to men's round tables to discuss politics or education, which is unheard of for a woman in that time period. Or, how Peggy once had a tomahawk thrown at her during the American Revolution while she protected pregnant Angelica and Eliza! If these are the kind of women I get to portray, yeah, I'm in.

Her passion for the sisters is evident on the stage and her performance was a highlight of the night.

GO UNDERSTUDIES!