Former standby relishing time as lead in musical ‘Memphis’

Saturday, April 14, 2012

By Bill Buell (Contact)
Gazette Reporter

SCHENECTADY — For theater fans who don’t quite know the difference between an understudy and a standby, Bryan Fenkart has the answer.

“Standbys aren’t a part of the ensemble,” said Fenkart, who also knows something about playing the lead, having earned that distinction with his portrayal of Huey Calhoun in the national touring production of “Memphis,” opening Tuesday for a six-day run at Proctors.

“I was an understudy for the lead, but in that case you still play one of the minor parts. If you’re the standby, you’re not in the ensemble because you’re just there ready to go on whenever the lead is out.”

‘Memphis’

WHERE: Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday

HOW MUCH: $70-$20

MORE INFO: 346-6204 or www.proctors.org

In Fenkart’s case, that turned out to be quite a bit. Between October of 2009, when “Memphis” opened at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway, until October of 2011, he had numerous opportunities to sub for the Tony-nominated Chad Kimball in the lead role.

Read Bill Buell's story on MEMPHIS star Bryan Fenkart at

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2012/apr/14/0414_memphis/