Each year, the University Philharmonic director appointed various orchestra members to play in the pit orchestra for the school's annual musical. One year, I was surprised to learn that a violist who hadn't been selected was playing in the production. She told me that a violist who had been selected offered her "one whopper pizza" if she'd take his place.
If only I'd known I could have bribed another bassist with food, I could have avoided playing in the pit for "H.M.S. Pinafore." It's a Gilbert and Sullivan production, but my reaction to it 35 years ago--i.e. not for modern sensibilities and not for me--still stands.
I don't remember which production the substitute violist played, but I'm not surprised that she accepted the original violist's offer. When you're a college student, pizza is often a sufficient incentive.
