From Fire Alarms to Radio City Music Hall: How 'Six: The Musical' Alternate Mallory Maedke Got On Stage at the Tony Awards

We all know how Sunday nights go. One second you're making dinner, then you're performing at the Tonys. Totally normal, right?

This year's Tony Awards marked a celebratory return of theatre to the world. This was the first year that theaters managed to keep their curtains up for an entire season since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Of course, what would live theatre be without it's mishaps? Casts were constantly rotating and shifting due to cast members testing positive for Covid-19. The shows were able to go on due to the tireless work of understudies and swings. With limited notice, these talented performers were often tasked with the responsibility of taking on different roles, often at a moments notice. This was remained true at the Tony Awards.

Mallory Maedke was cooking dinner when she found out she would be performing at the 2022 Tony Awards. In fact, the actor recalled, she was not simply making dinner; she was burning dinner. She reflected, "I was literally burning ground turkey on my stove. My fire alarm was going off, and I was missing calls left and right from my manager. Then I saw a text that said SOS, and I thought, 'Oh no, who's all out today...who am I about to play?'"

Maedke has been the dance captain and alternate for Six: The Musical! Just a few short hours before the Tony Awards, Abby Muller, who plays Jane Seymor in the Brodway cast, tested positive for Covid-19. Brimming with the show-must-go-on spirit of the theatre, Maedke got to Radio City Music Hall and absolutely rocked the stage.

Congratulations Mallory! We hope you feel better soon Abby!