The third company was launched so soon after the second (Broadway), the show's details were still being set. Just
as the idea of an alternate arose from Elaine Paige's vocal meltdown in London, the Los Angeles company was caught unawares
a month after opening. Flu swept the company and both Loni and Valerie were unable to perform. With just hours before performance
time, Eva understudy Emily Grinspan was told she would be going on. The company had not taken time to schedule understudy
rehearsals for her because, with an alternate for the role, no understudy in London or New York had ever gone on. Emily's costumes
were still in the workshop at Barbara Matera's.
That night, Emily went on in costumes altered from Loni's set, and other than missing the cue for the balcony speech, did a very
good job. Some months later, the same thing happened and understudy Sheri Cowart went on, but she'd been rehearsed and had her
own set of costumes.
Loni Ackerman's body mike would frequently go out during her death scene. Scott Holmes would yank off his body mike and
hold it to her, aping his earlier appearance as a journalist.
The cast was full of practical jokers, and one common trick was to short sheet the bed that Eva must get into in the final scene.
Any lapses, mistakes or stories misheard should be forgiven due to extreme age.
© 2000
