I don't really know about the body mikes. My guess is that it was just felt that neither of them needed body mikes. Truth is that for all I know, it's not true that they didn't wear them. I can't remember who I heard it from decades ago, but I do think it was true. For one thing, as the run went on, I think Ken Jennings could have used one, really just for a few moments here and there. Merle Louise always came through loud and clear, but that is a tiny role (if a demanding one). Without someone special, that character can almost disappear, she has so little stage time. There certainly was never any danger of that with Merle Louise.
Jennings was a Kringelein understudy, although not on opening night. I don't know exactly when he became an understudy for the role, but at some point he did.
Actually, there was an exception to what I wrote about him, or at least probably it was an exception: I saw that Circle in the Square All God's Chillun Got Wings, and I don't remember him in it. His role was pretty small. Well, actually I think i do have a vague memory of him in it, but I might be just imagining this. :)
But after Sweeney, I saw him in Present Laughter, London Assurance, A Christmas Carol, Side Show and Urinetown, and he was always quirky and strange, sometimes to an extreme degree. Which I don't mean as a criticism. I love him. I'd walk the plank for him. He's one of the unsung greats. |
