Krista Hemsley and Jessica Sundwall shared the role of Alice in BYU's adaptation of Wonderland. (Bradley Slade)
A cold turned into a sinus infection, which turned into laryngitis. And for Krista Saltmarsh Hemsley ('21), that meant losing a dream vocal lead.
She had worked for nine months cultivating her role as Alice in BYU's premiere of the Broadway play "Wonderland," a fantastical modern-day retelling of "Alice in Wonderland." Not only was the play written by Broadway legend Frank Wildhorn (one of only two composers to ever have three Broadway shows running simultaneously), but Wildhorn also allowed BYU cast members to personalize the script and even attended rehearsals to give feedback. It was an opportunity most theatre students could only dream of.
Understandably, Hemsley was devastated. She could still speak and dance the part, but singing was out of the question.
The rehearsal before opening night, director and theatre professor Tim A. Threlfall had an idea. With Hemsley's consent, he invited understudy Jessica G. Sundwall ('21)—"who has equally terrific . . . voice," says Threlfall—to sing Hemsley's solos offstage while Hemsley lip-synced.
Read the full story at the BYU Magazine website.