Bette's still got it!
Broadway Star Joined: 4/2/04
I say Rachel York is a major triple threat. Her singing alone could qualify her as a legend one day, but she is also blessed with an uncanny acting ability - great at both comedy and drama. She's a fine dancer, too, as witnessed from her work in VICTOR/VICTORIA, ANYTHING GOES, EVITA, and A CHORUS LINE.
And what about Donna Murphy and Kristin Chenoweth? Powerhouses, both.
Ruthie Henshall has only sounded nasal to me on recordings, whenever I've actually seen her before I never noticed her being nasal.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
I adore Jackman's work, but he does have a nasal singing voice that takes a bit of getting used to. However, it should be noted that he increased the nasality in The Boy From Oz- it's part of his Peter Allen impression. And his singing has improved with every musical (especially for someone who is comparitively untrained). Sooo...he's not a perfect triple threat, but he's a pretty damn good one. And he has star quality to spare. Updated On: 6/21/04 at 04:41 PM
Ben Vereen is a good dancer and singer, but his acting really leaves a lot to be desired.
Desi Arnaz was definitely a triple-threat in his day, starring in Too Many Girls with Gene Kelly, but he left Broadway to do some silly television show.
How about Ann Miller? Cady Huffman? La Chanze? Nell Carter? Sharon McKnight? Those larger women can move too!
I know it's been said at least a hundred times but SUTTON! And she is most definitely an incredible dancer!
I've noticed we've left off a few African-American triple threats such as Hinton Battle, Alfonso Ribero, Cleavon Little, Robert Guilliaume, Samuel E. Wright, Alan Weeks, Ralph Carter and others. And yes, Nell Carter was a legitimate triple threat. I remember the "Ain't Misbehavin'" NBC special she was in.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
I love Hugh Jackman's work, mostly for the acting ( movies, included) - that he can sing and dance as well, is a bonus to me. For sheer stage presence and magnetism - he's got to be up there!
Two Words - Ma Donna
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
Four words - Shang hai Sur prise
Wha? So she can't make a mistake? Or Five?
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
I'm willing to forgive Esther, er, Madonna for all of her past sins..... but if I had made some of those movies, I'd want to change my name, too.
Swing Joined: 6/21/04
RUTHIE HENSHALL, Kristin Chenoweth, and Sutton Foster
Madonna is a triple threat! She can sing and dance and she threatens to act quite a lot.
Swing Joined: 6/7/04
Wow, I'm surprised no one mentioned Donna Murphy! And of course I agree with Sutton and Hugh.
Oh god my mind was totally in modern mode! I ADORE Chita Rivera, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, early Joel Grey, the list goes on!
I'm gonna get in trouble with this one...BUT
Really...with names such as Gene Kelly, Gwen Verdon, Liza Minelli and Chita Rivera on this thread (not to mention names I haven't seen...like Fred Astaire and the incomparable Judy Garland), people really think Sutton Foster is the BEST triple threat???
She's a talented girl and has a bright future and a lot of potential...but come on!!!
I'm with ya there, Robbie.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
Me too. I like Sutton a lot, but at this very early point in her career, you simply cannot compare her to Verdon, Rivera, Vereen, Minnelli in her prime, Garland in hers, Sammy Davis Jr et al
Margo, this is to something you said earlier but I'm pretty sure Willy Loman is a character in Death of a Salesman. I think you're refering to Billy in Chicago.
I'd also like to add that for every Sutton Foster who got to step out into the spotlight, there are a least 10 chorus kids behind her who are just as talented and deserving of the titles of Triple Threats.
To the fabulous ensembles of Broadway shows, who we rarely acknowledge.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
No, I did not misspeak (or mis-type). Andre de Shields played WILLY LOMAN in an all-black production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN in Chicago a couple of seasons ago (check his bio, if you don't believe me). I was emphasizing the fact that he is a TRUE triple threat, one of the few who can sing and dance AND do the most serious of serious drama.
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