{"id":340125,"date":"2026-07-14T21:48:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T21:48:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/340125\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T21:48:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T21:48:39","slug":"as-dorothy-understudy-rilyn-dick-strives-for-seamless-transition-if-she-ever-takes-over-the-lead-in-broadway-palms-wizard-of-oz-wgcu-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/340125\/","title":{"rendered":"As Dorothy understudy, Rilyn Dick strives for seamless transition if she ever takes over the lead in Broadway Palm’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ | WGCU News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meghan Renee Wombles stars at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre as Dorothy in \u201cThe Wizard of Oz.\u201d<\/p>\n

Judy Garland originated the role in the 1939 movie. Her daughter, Liza Minnelli, was Dorothy\u2019s voice 33 years later in the cartoon \u201cJourney Back to Oz.\u201d Diana Ross played Dorothy in \u201cThe Wiz.\u201d <\/p>\n

And Rilyn Dick will wear the ruby slippers for Broadway Palm should Meg Wombles be unable to take the stage for any reason. <\/p>\n

She\u2019s the understudy.<\/p>\n

\"Rilyn<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Jennifer Dick<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Jennifer Dick <\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick, a North Fort Myers High graduate and Florida Southern College sophomore, is Meg Wombles’ understudy for the role of Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. <\/p>\n

\u201cI got a message from our casting director and he asked if I wanted to come back to \u2018Oz\u2019 because I did the most recent production of \u2018Oz\u2019 here, which was in 2022,\u201d said Dick. \u201cHe just asked me to send him some materials for understudying Dorothy. I did and then he let me know that that would be my contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

Understudies are the unsung heroes of the stage, standing in for sick or injured actors at a moment’s notice. It happened to Rilyn when she last appeared in \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d at Broadway Palm.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur last \u2018Wizard of Oz\u2019 was during the second wave of COVID and we had a point in time where our Dorothy and our Tin Man went out and then our Scarecrow got sick,\u201d Dick recounted. \u201cAnd so all understudies and all swings were on. And we had these safety rehearsals \u2026 they’re called put-ins \u2026 where we have to rehearse the tracks with the new people, and it was absolutely insane.\u201d<\/p>\n

The insanity \u2014 Dick calls it a moment of panic \u2014 starts the instant the cast receives the text notifying them someone can\u2019t go on.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s like, oh my gosh, really? And you’re thinking in your head, oh my gosh, what are we gonna do? But our stage manager, Sean, and all the stage managers I’ve worked with in the past, are excellent at keeping everything under control,\u201d said Dick. \u201cWe have understudies that are really prepared for this reason. We have amazing swings \u2026 who are ready to go on at a split-second notice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rilyn<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Natalie Hendry, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre<\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick (right) as an Ozian pictured with Meghan Renee Wombles in the role of Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ <\/p>\n

When the lead goes down, the success of the show falls squarely on the understudy\u2019s shoulders. Every cast member from the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion to the Munchkins and the citizens of Oz, take their verbal and visual cues from Dorothy. That\u2019s equally true of the conductor and, derivatively, every member of the orchestra.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want it to be as seamless as possible for the rest of them if I do have to go on,\u201d Dick noted.<\/p>\n

Seamless means identical in every way to Meg Wombles.<\/p>\n

It is the job of the understudy not just to perform the role. She has to perform the role exactly as and where Wombles does. Any deviation \u2026 any deviation at all \u2026 in how she delivers her lines, how she moves in relation to her castmates and how she sings each of the musical\u2019s iconic numbers, could throw everyone off \u2013 from her co-stars to ensemble members to the orchestra to Toto.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually a lot of it is just sitting and watching,\u201d Dick noted. \u201cI want to be as close to what she’s doing as possible and like not only for safety reasons, but just to keep the show consistent. I wouldn’t want to throw like an oddball delivery of a line or something at them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rilyn<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Natalie Hendry, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre<\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick (center left) reveres Meg Wombles, whom she describes as one of the sweetest persons she’s ever met. <\/p>\n

The relationship between NFL quarterbacks and their backups is notoriously awkward. That\u2019s not the case with Dick. She reveres Wombles.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is literally one of the sweetest people that I’ve met,\u201d Dick said. \u201cI’m so happy that she’s in this cast. Her and I got our meals together. We go get coffee together. We both love our Dunkin’ and our mochas and it is so nice to be able to work with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, it is a fact that something bad has to happen for Rilyn to ever perform as Dorothy onstage.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonally, I find the joy in even being considered to work underneath somebody as amazing as Meg, and being able to practice and still learn a principle track without the pressure of doing it eight times a week, 50 times,\u201d she said. \u201cSo it’s a unique role. It’s more of like an educational experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet, some understudies have gone on to enjoy great careers in their own right.<\/p>\n

Shirley MacLaine replaced Carol Haney in \u201cThe Pajama Game\u201d and went on to star in “The Matchmaker,” “Can-Can” and “Sweet Charity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bernadette Peters, the Dainty Jane understudy in \u201cGypsy,\u201d achieved success onstage and in film, winning Tony Awards for \u201cSong and Dance\u201d and \u201cAnnie Get Your Gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

And Sutton Foster, originally hired as the understudy to Millie Dillmount in \u201cThoroughly Modern Millie,\u201d is one of Broadway\u2019s brightest stars.<\/p>\n

\"Rilyn<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick, pictured here with poster of Glinda in Broadway Palm lobby, starts her sophomore year at Florida Southern College next month.<\/p>\n

Rilyn\u2019s goals are less lofty. She starts her sophomore year at Florida Southern College next month.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have an excellent season coming up,\u201d said Dick. \u201cThey’re doing \u2018Sister Act,\u2019 \u2018Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,\u2019 \u2018The Dollhouse\u2019 play, and \u2018Wait Until Dark.\u2019 So I’ll be auditioning for that season and see what comes of it. During my summers, I hope to be here or at the sister theater or working for anywhere that will take me. And just boosting up my craft and building that resume.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"If<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Natalie Hendry, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre <\/p>\n

If Meg Wombles were to go down during the ‘Wizard of Oz’ run, Rilyn Dick would assume the role of Dorothy until her return. <\/p>\n

Still, Dick would relish the chance to sing \u201cOver the Rainbow\u201d just once for a live audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did get to sing it once with the orchestra during our tech because they were all so busy onstage and I was just sitting here waiting to go on,\u201d she said. \u201cSo they pulled me over and had me sing with the orchestra so they could get the timing of the song and stuff. And it is just really a magical song. Dorothy’s such a magical character and all of the show is just wonderful, magnificent. It’s so magical. It’s so lighthearted and fun, but also like punchy and spunky at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d is on the main stage at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre through Aug. 8.<\/p>\n

Even if she doesn\u2019t appear in the role of Dorothy, you\u2019ll see Dick in the ensemble. She\u2019s a Munchkin, a snowflake, an Ozian and one of the flying monkeys.<\/p>\n

\"Jordan<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Natalie Hendry, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre <\/p>\n

Jordan Ross Weinhold as the Lion, Meghan Renee Wombles as Dorothy, Jeff Gallup as the Tin Man and Stephen Sandham as the Scarecrow in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ <\/p>\n

MORE INFORMATION:<\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick is a dual musical theater\/computer science major at Florida Southern College. A sophomore, she has performed in 49 shows locally since the age of 4. Her extensive stage credits include:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d represents her eighth Broadway Palm production. She was also in \u201cThe Little Mermaid\u201d (teen ensemble, 2023), \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d (teen ensemble, 2022), \u201cAnnie\u201d (Holly, 2018), \u201cA Christmas Story\u201d (Susan, 2017), \u201cRapunzel\u201d (Young Rapunzel, 2017), \u201c101 Dalmatians\u201d (Pepper, 2016) and \u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d (Zuzu, 2015).<\/p>\n

She was also in two Disney pilot programs at Melody Lane Performing Arts Center under the direction of Producing Artistic Director Dana Alvarez: \u201cFinding Nemo\u201d (Gurgie, 2019) and \u201cFrozen\u201d (Young Anna, 2018).<\/p>\n

\"Rilyn<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Jennifer Dick<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Jennifer Dick<\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick played Anna in ‘Spring Awakening’ in 2024 for Arts Bonita Youth Theatre.<\/p>\n

Her community theater credits include \u201cSpring Awakening\u201d (Anna, Arts Bonita Youth Theatre, 2024), \u201cBring It On\u201d (Campbell, The Belle Theatre, 023), \u201c13 the Musical\u201d (ensemble, Alliance Youth Theatre, 2022), \u201cHeathers\u201d (perverted geek, Wolf Creek Collective, 2022), \u201cRapunzel\u201d (Glumwart, Wolf Creek Collective, 2021), \u201cAnd the Nominees Are\u201d (featured soloist, Cultural Park Theatre, 2021), \u201cOn Stage Places Please\u201d (featured soloist, Cultural Park Theatre, 2020), \u201cChristmas Spectacular\u201d (featured soloist, Cultural Park Theatre, 2019), \u201cMatilda\u201d (Alice, Florida Repertory Theatre, 2019), \u201cChristmas Spectacular (Clara, Cultural Park Theatre, 2018), \u201cLion King\u201d (Shenze, Melody Lane Performing Arts Center, 2018), \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d (barrister, Cultural Park Theatre, 2018), \u201cStanding O\u201d (featured soloist, Cultural Park Theatre, 2018), \u201cSeussical the Musical\u201d (young kangaroo, Cultural Park Theatre, 2017) and \u201cChristmas Spectacular\u201d (Angel, Cultural Park Theatre, 2016).<\/p>\n

\"Dick<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Jennifer Dick<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Jennifer Dick <\/p>\n

Dick played the part of Fastrada in North Fort Myers High School’s 2025 production of ‘Pippin.’ <\/p>\n

Dick is a product of Janelle Laux\u2019s musical theater program at North Fort Myers High School, where she appeared for Red Knight Theatre in \u201cFrozen\u201d (Olaf, 2025), \u201cPippin\u201d (Fastrada, 2025), \u201cSix the Musical\u201d (Anne Boleyn, 2024), \u201cAll Shook Up\u201d (ensemble, 2024), \u201cFinding Nemo\u201d (Nemo, 2023), \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d (Lefou, 2022), \u201cSomething Rotten\u201d (ensemble, 2022) and \u201cKnight on Broadway\u201d (featured soloist, 2021).<\/p>\n

\"Rilyn<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick portrayed Anne Boleyn in North Fort Myers High School’s 2024 production of ‘Six the Musical.’ <\/p>\n

Among her many accomplishments, Dick was the \u201cBest Overall Scholarship Winner\u201d and \u201cBest in Room\u201d at the 2025 Florida District Competition, and a \u201cSmall Group Musical\u201d winner at the 2024 Florida District Competition.<\/p>\n

\"Dick<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Jennifer Dick<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Jennifer Dick <\/p>\n

Dick dreams of performing on a cruise ship after college graduation. <\/p>\n

While she has been in more than 50 theatrical productions, Dorothy is the first time she has understudied the lead in any show.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s a bit of a big responsibility, so I Googled how to understudy because I’d seen other people do it,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n

While she\u2019s been a keen observer of Wombles\u2019 onstage interactions with the other \u201cOz\u201d cast members, interacting with the two dogs who play Toto is easiest of all.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love our dogs, Luna and Kobe, and I was able to be in the room when they did the whole dog training, getting comfortable and stuff, and I got to meet the dogs. They are a piece of cake. They are so sweet, so loving, so affectionate. Like, clicking with them is absolutely not an issue, and if there’s ever a moment where the dogs are too scared, Dorothy actually has some treats that she can give to the dog, and that wins them over every single time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dick realizes she may never see the stage as Dorothy. In fact, she hopes that is the case out of respect for Wombles. So she treats the job as a learning experience and hopes that her approach proves to cast, crew and directors that she is reliable and accountable as a performer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it just proves that you can count on me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Dick's<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Jennifer Dick<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Jennifer Dick <\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick strikes a pose for her 2025 senior picture at North Fort Myers High School. <\/p>\n

Understudy is just the latest way Dick is expanding her repertoire of theater skills.<\/p>\n

During her freshman year at Florida Southern College, she worked backstage on performances of \u201cLegally Blonde\u201d and \u201cCarousel,\u201d learning lighting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I worked backstage for the dance show, which was amazing because I have always struggled with dance,\u201d Dick related. \u201cThe dancers were so sweet and they would help me learn my steps because I had ballet and jazz that I was taking outside of in-class time. It was really nice to see the dance shows. I’d only ever seen the theater side, so seeing the dance shows was really cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

In fact, Dick cites ballet as the area in which she\u2019s improved most over the past year.
\u201cI have the most lovely ballet teacher, Olivia McCartney. I really was bad at ballet. Like you would laugh. You would laugh out loud. And she was willing to work with me at such a low level and get me up to a place where I was comfortable enough to send in a ballet audition for this show.\u201d<\/p>\n

It worked. Dick is in the snowflake number, which is contemporary ballet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother benefit to my craft from Florida Southern would be my vocal lessons,\u201d said Dick. \u201cWe all get private vocal lessons, and I had the pleasure of working with Dexter Morgan, who is no longer at the school with us. He’s transferred to bigger, better things. But he is absolutely phenomenal. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and he allowed me to feel confident enough in myself to submit for this and then eventually book it.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Florida Southern College, she is on the presidential scholars list with a 4.0 while double majoring in musical theater and computer science with a concentration in cyber security and AI. Since high school graduation, she has received a number of scholarships, including the Linda L. Mann Scholarship, Ellen Sheppard Humane Scholarship, George E. Judd Scholarship, Pfeiffer Scholarship, Christoverson Scholarship, Bright Futures Scholarship, Musical Theatre Scholarship and Southern Experience Scholarship.<\/p>\n

\"Rilyn<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Jennifer Dick<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Jennifer Dick <\/p>\n

Rilyn Dick pictured with her mother, Jennifer. <\/p>\n

Understudies who made good in their own right<\/p>\n

When it comes to understudies who\u2019ve gone on to fame and fortune, Shirley MacLaine\u2019s success story is unparalleled. It even became a lyric in \u201cApplause,\u201d the “All About Eve” musical that tells the story of the ever-opportunistic understudy Eve Harrington. MacLaine was understudy to Carol Haney in \u201cThe Pajama Game.\u201d After Haney was injured, MacLaine went on for her for several weeks while Haney recuperated. But after she returned to the lead, Haney injured herself a second time. It’s during this second stint in the role that a famous producer by the name of Wallis caught MacLaine in \u201cThe Pajama Game\u201d and signed her to a contract with Paramount. MacLaine, who went on to become a star and household name, appearing in such films as “The Matchmaker,” “Can-Can,” “The Apartment,” “Irma La Douce,” “Sweet Charity” and many others. She continues to work today.<\/p>\n

If Shirley MacLaine is history’s most prominent understudy, Sutton Foster is certainly the most famous from recent memory. She was understudy to Erin Dilly in \u201cThoroughly Modern Millie\u201d (a role that Kristin Chenoweth turned down in favor of a sitcom deal). When Dilly left the show because of creative differences, Foster took over the lead and went on to win a Tony Award for her performance. Now one of Broadway’s brightest stars, Foster has gone on to head up the companies of \u201cLittle Women,\u201d \u201cThe Drowsy Chaperone,\u201d \u201cYoung Frankenstein,\u201d \u201cShrek the Musical,\u201d \u201cAnything Goes\u201d and \u201cViolet,\u201d and has also appeared in \u201cGrease,\u201d \u201cLes Mis\u00e9rables,\u201d \u201cAnnie\u201d and \u201cThe Scarlet Pimpernel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Petina Miller was in the ensemble of \u201cSister Act\u201d and understudied the part of Deloris. When the show was rewritten and workshopped for a London opening, Miller moved up to the leading role full time on London’s West End and Broadway as well. Miller went on to play the Leading Player in the last revival of \u201cPippin,\u201d winning a Tony Award for her performance. She’s also had success in film and television, appearing in “The Hunger Games” series and “Madam Secretary.”<\/p>\n

Other understudies who became Broadway luminaries include Cheyenne Jackson, who understudied the roles of Trevor Graydon and Jimmy Smith in \u201cThoroughly Modern Millie\u201d and Radames in \u201cAida\u201d before originating the role of Chad on Broadway in \u201cAll Shook Up,\u201d winning a 2005 Theatre World award for his performance before going on to leading roles on Broadway in \u201cFinian’s Rainbow\u201d and \u201cThe Performers\u201d and appearance in “United 93” and “30 Rock”; Elaine Stritch, who understudied Ethel Merman in \u201cCall Me Madam\u201d even though there was a 17-year difference in their ages before becoming one of Broadway’s most iconic performers; and Vivian Vance, who understudied Ethel Merman in \u201cAnything Goes\u201d before being \u201cdiscovered\u201d by Desi Arnaz, who hired her to play Ethel Mertz on \u201cI Love Lucy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Support for WGCU\u2019s arts & culture reporting comes from the Estate of Myra Janco Daniels, the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation, and Naomi Bloom in loving memory of her husband, Ron Wallace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Meghan Renee Wombles stars at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre as Dorothy in \u201cThe Wizard of Oz.\u201d Judy Garland…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":340126,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-340125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=340125"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340125\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/340126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=340125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=340125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=340125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}