Flu season is upon us and Covid is trying to make a comeback…and not even the stars of Broadway are immune.

The cast of “Hamilton” recently found out just how much chaos an illness can cause…especially in the middle of the show.

Every leading cast member for a play or musical on Broadway has an understudy – someone to give them a bit of a break or to fill in in times of sickness.

And just in case things really get crazy, the understudies have an understudy known as a swing – someone who can fill multiple roles in necessary.

All of this came into play on December 19 at one of the most popular musicals on Broadway – “Hamilton”.  The show began with Marc dela Cruz in the role as Alexander Hamilton and Kyle Scatliffe playing his normal roles as the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson.  But during the intermission, Scatliffe had to leave due to illness!

As luck…Murphy’s Law…would have it Marc dela Cruz was the only actor in the house who could take over the roles of Lafayette and Jefferson.

When the audience returned to their seats for the second half of the show Marc dela Cruz was now the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson; while ensemble member Alexander Ferguson took over the role of Alexander Hamilton.  And swing actor Adam Ali-Perez took over the ensemble role for Ferguson.

Only in live theater!!!

While the audience noticed the character changes, one audience member noted, “I thought they both did a great job!”

And the show goes on for “Hamilton” at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.  Nominated for 16 Tony Awards, “Hamilton” took home eleven awards and remains one of the hardest tickets to find on Broadway.