Broadway replacements have big shoes to fill—literally. Stepping into a role originated by someone else brings with it a highly unique set of challenges and rewards. In The Replacements, Backstage speaks with replacement performers who have lived to tell the tale.
What makes an international pop star trade in his microphone for eight shows a week? Cody Simpson can tell you. The Australian singer had been itching to delve into the acting realm when a certain Russian princess came knocking. While making his Broadway debut as Dimitri in “Anastasia,” Simpson spoke with Backstage about transitioning from one type of stage to another, and the true actor’s education of theater.
How did “Anastasia” and Dimitri come onto your radar?
I’ve had an interest in the theater for quite a long time now. Ever since I was young, I’ve been interested in acting in all forms. I formally studied in L.A. for a while, and I started to go out for a few auditions. I auditioned for a couple of musicals and word gets around in those circles. I had one role I almost landed [and then didn’t] but it led me to potentially playing Dimitri in “Anastasia.”
What was your rehearsal process like?
I had been doing a bit of vocal training in Los Angeles for a while, prior to even finding out about this. I was just interested in the technique of more traditional themes. When I found out about this, I worked on the songs as best I could before I came to New York. You have about three or four weeks of formal rehearsal for the show before you get put in, but I sort of came in knowing all the songs already, which made it easier.
Some of this company has been together for nearly two years—what’s it been like to forge bonds on and off stage?
So far, everyone’s been really welcoming and had an open arms mentality, especially with it being my first show, my Broadway debut. I was really grateful to have everyone be so supportive and so cool. [Lead] Christy Altomare has been so awesome from my very first rehearsal and helped me along so much. I’m grateful to have such a welcoming group. I’ve developed pretty strong friendships with a lot of them already.
You’re certainly no stranger to performing onstage, but what has the adjustment from concert performance to eight shows a week been like?
I didn’t think too much about it before I went in. I knew it’d be a challenge and it was going to be grueling and it requires a lot of discipline. But, in a sense, I’m very fortunate to have grown up as a competitive athlete and was born into a family of two Olympic swimmers because I was on that path myself and was training four—10 times a week, morning and night. That kind of commitment to a craft, whether it be artistic or athletic, was something that was very easy to carry from my childhood to now. It requires strength and work, obviously, but it was something I felt ready to do.
You’re certainly no stranger to performing onstage, but what has the adjustment from concert performance to eight shows a week been like?
I didn't think too much about it before I went in. I knew it’d be a challenge and it was going to be grueling and it requires a lot of discipline. But, in a sense, I’m very fortunate to have grown up as a competitive athlete and was born into a family of two Olympic swimmers because I was on that path myself and was training four—10 times a week, morning and night. That kind of commitment to a craft, whether it be artistic or athletic, was something that was very easy to carry from my childhood to now. It requires strength and work, obviously, but it was something I felt ready to do.
For Dimitri, how have you made the role your own while paying homage to the original performance?
It’s a give-and-take because you’re not originating a character. You have slightly less freedom coming in after two guys have played it previously. You have to make sure you’re staying true to the show and the past performances. You have to stay true to what the show created for that character, and also put your own spin on it. The director and everybody else has encouraged me to do that and, quite frankly, what I wanted to do was come in and do it a bit differently than anyone. I was a bit reluctant to watch too many performances of someone else doing it because I think it can pollute the purity of your interpretation.
What has been the no. 1 lesson you’ve learned in making your Broadway debut?
It has been extremely educational to me as an actor. A lot of my idols or inspirations in the entertainment industry are film and stage actors—not strictly musical actors, either. I’ve wanted to take on a leading role for a while and as an actor, it’s kind of every guy’s dream to play a leading man, whether it be in a film or a play. That’s been really exciting and educational for me, having such a big responsibility as a character.
Catch Cody Simpson in “Anastasia” through Feb. 17
Inspired? Check out Backstage’s theater audition listings!
