Jessica Patty - "The Understudy"

[@Ignorance96]

What's ironic, is that she was Bebe's understudy a year later.

[@MonroeGScott]

And she's an understudy now on Bandstand, haha!

[@mackelliotschaefer]

I was actually at one of the performance where she went on for Wednesday in Th Addams Family. She was amazing!

[@jjohansan]

omg the tounge when she sings "Or belt it out like Idina Menzel" HILARIOUS!

[@daisythomas6844]

From the day I was born I just knew I belonged on the stage To New York I did move, study hard I did do Now I’m making a steady wage But you won’t see my name on the marquee because Talented me - is the understudy - oh. (Chorus) Why must I be the understudy? Waiting for stage management to call? “Hello Broadway” I’m a sore thumb in the chorus because Come on - I’m drop dead gorgeous And one day you’ll see my face on Sardi’s Wall When I stood by in Side Show Sittin’ in the ninth row was Director Joe Mantelo He said “your talent girl is unique” So now I’m a green freak Defying Gravity but only once a week! Why must I be the understudy? It’s time for me to ring my own damn bell My vocal chops are crazy I can mix like Marlin Maizie Or belt out like Idina Menzel When I stood by for Sutton, I was cuter than a button But all doors seemed a shutin’ Once when I went for Be Be she kicked me in the Knee Knee And said “girl you won’t ever be me me!”

[@jennaelsammak7679]

Daisy Thomas thanks😂❤️

[@siaplayalata]

thank youuu!!

[@megansulak2673]

She is phenomenal!!!

[@shannon982]

"It's BenAnti she's from jersey!" Love that part! And this whole song!! Why isn't she a big star yet?!

[@madison6752]

Shannon because she's the understudy

[@joyceneary4201]

Shannon u

[@poppykate6004]

Great song, great voice!

[@emilyramsden9950]

The melody is almost 'always the bridesmaid' i love you, youre perfect now change!! is it just me that can hear that?? ha x

[@wrencampbell7911]

Every time the musician in the back smiled, I smiled.

[@blytheinthedark]

why do I relate to this SO MUCH

[@kimmyshopland]

i sang this song recently and oh my god it might have been the hardest thing i’ve ever done but also the most fun - it was brilliant!

[@greenldsgirl]

Absolutely amazing.

[@skuncle3036]

My goodness, she's gorgeous!!

[@toad455]

so talented. loved her as Cassie in A Chorus Line

[@newnerd1018]

Full lyrics: From the day I was born I just knew I belonged on the stage To New York I did move, study hard I did do Now I’m making a steady wage But you won’t see my name on the marquee because Talented me is the understudy… oh Why must I be the understudy? Waiting for stage management to call?: “Hello Broadway” I’m a sore thumb in the chorus because Come on - I’m drop dead gorgeous And one day you’ll see my face on Sardi’s Wall When I stood by in Side Show Sittin’ in the ninth row was Director Joe Mantelo He said “your talent girl is unique” So now I’m a green freak Defying Gravity but only once a week! Why must I be the understudy? It’s time for me to ring my own damn bell My vocal chops are crazy I can mix like Marlin Maizie Or belt out like Idina Menzel When I stood by for Sutton, I was cuter than a button But all doors seem to be a shutin’ Once when I went for Be Be she kicked me in the Knee Knee And said “girl you won’t ever be me me!” My voice never cracks, my acting is stronger I’ve got a big rack, unlike Lea Salonga A true triple threat, go ask Chris Gatelli My jazz hands won’t sweat, unlike Liza Manelli! One day the Shubert’s will see their mistake And give me my well deserved break! Why must I be the understudy? For Eden, Steph, and Sara Ramirez? Though my work here never teeters I am not Bernadette Peters! Even asked to stand in for Roxie Perez, What?!, I watch what I eat Won’t have chianti when I take a seat Behind Laura Benanti “It’s Ben-AN-ti, she’s from Jersey” Telsey and Co. May I speak to Bernie? It’s me, yah you know wait! Not Julia Murney! I’m so much better Ms. Eder Much less caddy than old Patty More a soldier than Ms. Bolger So much subtler than Ms. Butler Way less deadly than Ms. Headly Way more mellow than Carmelo Oh! Why must I be the understudy? One day they’ll all realize their wrong I know that I can fill those big shoes I’m the next Julie Andrew’s I’m a Star! And one day someone else Will be singing this song This Singing this song (Defying gravity ending riff)

[@susannewhitney3735]

I totally relate to this

[@rentfan14]

Fantastic belt!

[@secretninja247]

When she says she's a star, all she makes me think of, is Rachel Berry from GLEE XD haha

[@johnrone4852]

hahahahaha!!!! I love the Wicked pun! Great!

[@JaneP2023]

Anyone else notice the musician in the back singing along?! Haha

[@srfs4life962]

He's the understudy

[@meganowl]

Nah he's just counting

[@rosiel.8026]

I’m in love

[@zfwilliams23]

YES JESS PATTY!

[@History_of_Jess]

Wow, she is really talented, and this song is too funny!

[@MegaBroadwayPrincess]

She's so cute! :D I wish I had her smile

[@lapintosEden]

So funny and sooooo true !!!!

[@AVLIVE664]

This is my solo song

[@dinky590]

@wickedfan22 I've looked for lyrics everywhere and I haven't found any yet. The only option right now is to buy the sheet music from Bobby Cronin's website.

[@missshelbayy]

LOL at the ending;D this is funny!

[@jenistar96]

When I stood by in Side Show sittin' in the 9th row was director Joe Mantello He said your talent girl is unique so now I'm a green freak defying gravity but only once a week Oh why must I be the understudy it's time for me to ring my own damn bell My vocal chops are crazy I can mix like Marin Maizie or belt it out like Idina Menzel When I stood by for Sutton I was cuter than a button but all doors seemed a shuttin'

[@LhamasBecomeLions]

You can buy the sheet music off Bobby Cronin's website for $7.99

[@Jason-o5s]

Cheer~~~(in the theater) a person who learns another's role in order to be able to act as a replacement at short notice.(piano accompaniment...good)😊

[@carlysharpe8454]

Is there an instrumental track for this kicking around anywhere?

[@WeeLoisMckean]

Carly Sharpe I'm looking for the same thing!

[@DigitalRainbowLPS]

Can someone please comment all the lyrics?

[@WickedManic]

wow that was fucking brill.

[@megmeirion2830]

Can i get the music for this?

[@seagullseagull7678]

I lost the part for a guy to a girl :( I'm just glad she is way better than me so it doesn't feel to bad

[@GREENROOMMUSICAL]

you might love our song "It's All About Me"

[@jenistar96]

Oh why must I be the understudy one day they'll all realize they're wrong I know that I can fill those big shoes I'm the next Julie Andrews I'm a star and one day someone else will be singin' this song This song singin' this song ah ah ah ah ah

[@milliethompson7136]

Can you get sheet music for this?

[@jenistar96]

Here are the real lyrics, straight from the sheet music: From the day I was born I just knew I belonged on the stage To New York I did move study hard I did do now I'm making a steady wage But you won't see my name on the marquee cuz talented me is the understudy Oh why must I be the understudy waiting for stage management to call hello broadway I'm a sore thumb in the chorus cuz come on I'm drop dead gorgeous And one day you'll see my face on Sardi's wall

[@emmavanhoy7900]

this is an amazing song!! is there sheet music for sale? I would love to buy the sheet music.

[@jaijackson3818]

Sheet music please

[@nikavance9453]

Wasn't she also Roger's understudy in Evita?

[@Tori3396]

Where can i get the music???

[@milliemoo388]

Does anyone know where I can find a karaoke version of this please xx

[@theroseandpearl]

does anyone have the sheet music

[@leonaalexander4649]

Is this from a musical or is it just a song?

[@samstreveler3335]

I love acting and always wanted to be on stage or tv then I realized. I am not good at acting

[@kenzij]

Sam Streveler Same bro. Same. I also was going to be an artist (suck), a musician (not dedicated. At all), and a singer (horrendous).

[@jessknox4504]

What musical is the last few notes from that she sings. please tell me if you know

[@theresa4194]

Jessica Knox Wicked! It's the last riff of Defying Geavity

[@theresa4194]

*Gravity

[@idamnicolosi2970]

Somewhere that green

[@BroadwayMusicalFreak]

Whats up with the toungue at 1:33

[@PHSDM104]

Thomas Gall It's a jab at the way Idina Menzel belts out her notes.

[@samanthabohrer7760]

Is this from a musical or not?

[@elizawildes8733]

not, but a lot of people sing it.

[@jillianburgess771]

It was written for the understudy for Idina Menzel as the original Elphaba in Wicked.

[@Fabulousface92]

she on broadway?

[@AshleighSherlock1998]

Is this from a musical or did she write this?

[@josephiny4]

Nope - Bobby Cronin wrote it for Anne Brummel :)

[@stormparker3376]

Is this song from a musical.

[@stormparker3376]

??

[@rachelbodenger1588]

Nope

[@josephiny4]

Nope - Bobby Cronin wrote it for Anne Brummel :)

[@arsonboi9105]

I sang this for an adition and guess my role

[@jennaelsammak7679]

Musical Cat what was your role?

[@EmareeVA]

How did you get they backing track?

[@verityjude2269]

understudy? 😂

[@arsonboi9105]

I ended up as tech/understudy for the lead and loved it so much that I do tech now. We weren't allowed to use backing tracks so I had to sing it acapella.

[@jenistar96]

Once when I went on for Bebe she kicked me in the knee knee and said girl you won't ever be me me My voice never cracks my acting is stronger I've got a big rack unlike Lea Salonga A true triple threat go ask Chris Gatelli my jazz hands won't sweat unlike Liza Minelli One day the Shuberts will see their mistake and give me my well deserved break Why must I be the understudy for Eden Steph and Sara Ramirez Though my work here never teeters I am not Bernadette Peters

[@CaptainQuirky]

Thanks so much for posting these! Question: I've never really understood why she says she's "got a big rack, unlike Lea Salonga." Lea doesn't look that flat-chested to me? Is there some joke about her padding her bras or something that I don't know about? Or maybe she is pretty flat and my perception's just kinda wonky?

[@honorakelly5289]

You need to be the next waitress!!!

[@jenistar96]

Even asked to stand by for Rosie Perez what I watch what I eat won't have a chianti but I take a seat behind Laura Benanti it's BeNANti she's from Jersey Telsey and Co may I speak to Bernie it's me yah you know wait not Julia Murney I'm so much better than Ms. Eder much less caddy than old Patty More a soldier than Ms. Bolger so much subtler than Ms. Butler Way less deadly than Ms. Headly way more mellow than Carmello

[@kenzij]

Did anyone else find the pianist distracting? Maybe it's something about his hair, or how he's nearly in focus, or the fact that he's already yawning less than 30 seconds in. I don't know, but I found it difficult to focus on the woman's face.

[@ashleygerhard]

She should at least be grateful to be an understudy though. It's better than being in ensemble. It's a compliment by the director if you are the second choice. I get it can get annoying, but it can also get annoying to never ever get a role or even be in ensemble so maybe she should be a tad grateful... it's fine lol

[@peppycleric876]

Ashley Gerhard it's written as a joke and not a serious complaint

[@starlagiannattii7373]

god you're sad

[@horrormgirl4979]

I agree that understudy’s are just as good as the main actors and it’s great to be an understudy, but this is meant to be a joke

[@genevieve5920]

lol this isn't her own song. :p 9and I know this was 11 months ago but still)

[@BroadwayMusicalFreak]

Still Kinda weird

[@tommarkiewicz]

what an abhorrent song. funny, but ridiculously rude (i know it's meant to be tongue in cheek, but nonetheless just so disrespectful to broadway greats)

[@micaelaackermann3774]

No it's not. Do you even know theatre?

[@tommarkiewicz]

I do, I'm a professional musical theatre performer.

[@pearljoslyn9947]

It was written as a joke for a broadway actress...

[@bookworm38886]

everyone moves up in the chain of musical theatre, even the greats were like this at some point. have a sense of humor.

[@horrormgirl4979]

Tom Markiewicz this is meant to be a joke, and jokes aren’t meant to be taken seriously.