While employed by Wilson, Manulis directed rehearsals of understudies and reviewed scripts. Sexton also understudies the lead role of Dusty Springfield. Portman and Britney Spears were chosen as the understudies for star Laura Bell Bundy. Scott Bakula was one of the understudies. Burton was generous and supportive to everyone throughout the production and coached the understudies himself. Choi played the character Franken, which was one of the three understudies of prince Kaibutsu-kun. Erin Leigh Peck and Nicholas Rodriguez are the original understudies. In some instances, a lead role is covered by multiple understudies. Understudies Henderson and Slamp remained with the production. Alongside the subject information they target instilling profound and social qualities in the understudies. One of the understudies was then-unknown "First Lady of the West End" Kerry Ellis. Understudies were Kate Wilford and Chris Cunningham. Understudies were Dana Slamp and Brian Henderson. Kerin Blair, Bob Garrett, Michael Hoit, and Kitty Ray were understudies. They were all replaced by their respective understudies.