I assume most of you know that English-language movies are dubbed in countries where English isn’t the primary language.

But did you know that the same actors in some markets are often used to dub the voices of the same stars from film to film? So when you go see the latest Tom Cruise movie, you know who’ll dub his voice, because it’s the same guy who’s dubbed his past work.

And these repeat dubbers become celebrities in their own right, accruing a following tied to the careers of their headliners. 

A) I’ve always wanted a piece of art to explore this phenomenon.

B) This practice has a parallel in the live-theater realm.

The most famous example is probably how Javier Muñoz consistently understudies Lin-Manuel Miranda, to such a degree that the former now has fans of his own. 

But here’s my favorite example:

Elena Shaddow was Kelli O’Hara’s understudy in 2002’s Sweet Smell of Success on Broadway. A few years later, when The Light in the Piazza went on tour, Elena played the role that Kelli had just originated on the Great White Way. Moving to the next decade, The Bridges of Madison County was written for Kelli, but when she had a scheduling conflict for its out-of-town tryout in Williamstown, who stepped in? Elena, ultimately becoming Kelli’s standby for the Broadway run. Later in the decade, The King and I recycled The Light in the Piazza’s approach: Kelli on Broadway, Elena on tour.

And now, Kelli has a scheduled absence from off-Broadway’s Days of Wine and Roses this weekend. Who’s taking over for her? 

Who else?

Now someone write a musical for such a pairing, about such a pairing.

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While we’re on the subject of understudies…

I would kill to see an actual actor pick up the titular razors in the current Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd; Josh Groban’s replacement is Nicholas Christopher, who plays Pirelli most nights in one of the production’s strongest performances.

I would doubly kill to see my once-and-always Princess Diana — Jeanna de Waal — get a chance to not overact Mrs. Lovett.