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On Call to Be on Stage: An Understudy’s Suitcase

WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG?

Zander Meisner, an understudy for four roles in ‘Once the Musical,’ at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. where the musical is on a six-week run through Aug. 16. He plays 10 instruments in the show including the guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, electric bass, harmonica, melodica, piano, drum set and cajon. APRIL GREER FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

By HILARY POTKEWITZ

Zander Meisner says he is living a dream: He is touring the U.S. as a cast member in the Tony award-winning Broadway show “Once the Musical.” He gets to play 10 different instruments —when he gets on stage, that is.

The 31 year-old is an understudy for four roles on the show, but days can go by without his services being needed. As a standby, he performs only if a lead actor is on vacation, calls in sick or is injured.

He’s on the road for weeks at a time. The show is at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. until Aug. 16, then it goes to Hershey, Pa. Mr. Meisner moved out of his last apartment in Astoria, Queens, in June and is traveling with about half of his worldly possessions scattered among two hard-shell suitcases, his backpack and his guitar case....

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