January 27 marks National Swing Day, a holiday created by Actors' Equity Association to celebrate Broadway’s unsung heroes.
Known as some of the hardest working actors in show business, swings are ensemble understudies, filling in for ensemble tracks when a performer is out. Not only do they need to be ready to jump into an ensemble track at a moment's notice, in many cases, swings also function as understudies, knowing a principal role as well. It’s an extraordinary feat of memory and malleability.
READ: 5 Essential Facts About Broadway Swings
In honor of National Swing Day, we take a look at some of the Broadway stars who made their debut on the Main Stem as a swing.
Jeremy Jordan
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Rock of Ages Playbill - Opening Night
Patti Murin
Xanadu Playbill - Opening Night
Norbert Leo Butz
Rent Playbill - Opening Night
Angie Schworer
Will Rogers Follies - Opening Night, April 1991
Kimber Sprawl
Joseph Marzullo/Media Punch
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Playbill - Opening Night
Jay Armstrong Johnson
Hair Playbill - Opening Night
Jan Maxwell
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
City of Angels Playbill - Opening Night, Dec 1989
Jonathan Groff
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
In My Life Playbill - Opening Night, Oct 2005
Donna Murphy
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
They're Playing Our Song Playbill - Dec 1979
