Will Jerry Seinfeld Step Into Colin Quinn's Story?

What’s the deal with understudies? It’s a good question for Jerry Seinfeld, the sitcom superstar-turned Broadway director. Will Seinfeld step in if needed in fellow comedian Colin Quinn’s new solo show Long Story Short, which begins on October 22 at the Helen Hayes Theatre?

At a recent press event for Story, which comically traces the rise and fall of historical empires, the question arose as to whether Quinn has an understudy for his 11-week run on the Great White Way. Well, who else? The actor joked that the only person qualified to fill his shoes is his esteemed director.

“It’ll be the only show on Broadway where people will be happy to get the understudy,” Quinn quipped, intoning, “The role of Colin Quinn will be played by Jerry Seinfeld.”

How did Seinfeld respond to the suggestion? The comedian, who headlined his own solo Broadway show, I'm Telling You for the Last Time, which ran for 10 performances at the Broadhurst Theatre in August 1998, simply laughed.

Long Story Short opens on Broadway on November 9.