Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

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Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 10:31am

Does anyone know of any actors who are STILL in the chorus or smaller name role of a show since it opened on Broadway?

Like, Mamma Mia!, 42nd Street, Hairspray, The Producers, etc.?

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 10:33am

Mary Bond Davis is still amazing as Motormouth in Hairspray... not sure of any other shows...

::bust a move::

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 10:34am

DIdn't someone stay in Cats throughout the run?

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 10:36am

George Lee Andrews has been with Phantom since opening night Jan. 26th, 1988.

"When you're a gay man, you have to feel good about yourself when a urologist says, "Yeah. I pick you". - Happy Endings

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 10:56am

Marlene Danielle was in CATS for 15 years on Broadway.

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 11:01am

Anna McNeely was in CATS for I believe 7 years, left to do the 1989 revival of GYPSY, then went back to CATS when GYPSY closed.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 11:04am

Shele Williams was in Aida from start to finish (4 years)

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 11:08am

Vance Avery was in the Cabaret revival from start to finish as well (I believe he is now touring as the Emcee).

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 11:18am

I was just about to say Vance, but you beat me to it!

"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL

#10

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 11:45am

Yeah, this is not a criticism ... but what's the story with George Lee Andrews? He used to be a neighbor of mine, and I always wanted to stop him and say "why are you still there?" He's very gifted -- I saw him in NIGHT MUSIC twenty years ago (he'd been Cariou's understudy, and got to do the tour with Jean Simmons) -- so what's such a commitment mean to an actor? I don't get it -- has anyone ever let him try, say, The Phantom?

"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#11

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 11:53am

I believe Byron Utley was with RENT from the begining up until fairly recently..I could be wrong though.

Sunchips: Best Kept Secret in the chip aisle!!

#12

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 12:01pm

Of course almost all of the BFO cast stayed with it frostart to finish, but taht was just over a year. Hugh never missed a show, maybe some others in the cast never missed one either!

#13

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:29pm

Add Jeff Keller to those Phantom Facts. Keller and Adrews have been playing those playful pompous theater managers forever. I bleieve Keller told me that they "switched" manger roles just to keep it fresh a long while back.

And Jeff Keller did understudy and play Phantom several times in the past. He was quite impressive. I've got a photo or two of him.

Regarding staying in the same role forever.. well, it's not bad work when you can do what you love and get paid for it for 18 yrs. Besides, in all due respect, neither actor strikes me as being that versitile to doing more popular roles. They're both getting a bit up there. But they remain great in their roles!

www.pbentertainmentinc.com BWW regional writer "Philadelphia/South Jersey"

#14

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:04pm

A bit further back, both Barry Nelson and Jerry Orbach had histories of staying with shows a long time.

Barry Nelson did light comedies like Cactus Flower and Mary, Mary for a couple years when everyone else was gone in a year or less.

Jerry Orbach did Promises for two years and Chicago for two in NY and another year on the road. He did 42nd Street for maybe 3-4 years until his salary went so high that Merrick didn't renew his contract.

Marian Seldes did the complete run of Deathtrap in the 70s, no missed performances and no vacations. This was over 4 1/2 years counting pre-Broadway and previews. I have heard this is a Guinness record. [Spoiler] Since she didn't appear in the 2nd act, she wrote a memoir in that time.

Patti Lupone played Evita for 20 months or so when it first opened. Barbra played Funny Girl for about 2 years from out of town opening until final performance. Lansbury did Mame for two years.

"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher

#15

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:08pm

Todd Michael Smith? is that his name is still with hairspray.. same with peter matthew smith. Meghann Dreyfuss, Somer Lee Graham (sp?) , Janet Rothermel and Jon-Erik Goldberg are all still in Mamma Mia from the original company.. I believe Michael Benjamin Washington might still be there as well.. Kelly Sheehan is still in 42nd st. She was the 18 yro who got cast (her mom and aunt were in the 82' production) and she was bumped up to Lorraine i think.

#16

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:09pm

Aren't the orriginl Timon and Pumba still in Lion King?

David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel

#17

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 5:09pm

I believe Brad Oscar has been with The Producers the while time, either performing (Franz or Max) or as a standby (Max).

#18

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 5:15pm

Chris Clay, Merrill West - 42nd Street

Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

#19

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 5:17pm

No way...the original timon and pumba were Max Casella and Ernie Sabella - they're long gone.

I can't remember her name, but the original Madame Giry in PHANTOM was in the show for years and years, don't know how long.

Also, Joe Machota in MAMMA MIA was in it from the beginning just up until about two weeks ago.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#20

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 5:29pm

In Cabaret, Vance Avery (swing, Emcee), Michael O'Donnell (Bobby), Kristin Olness (Helga) (<3), Fred Rose (Herman/Max/Customs), and Leenya Rideout (Texas/Lulu) were singled out by Sam Mendes on closing night for being the cast members to stay the whole run (though Leenya "cheated" a bit). Christina Pawl (Rosie) had returned for awhile too.

#21

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 5:35pm

The Original Madame Thenardiar is in the current Les Miz tour.

#22

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 5:36pm

Leilah Martin was her name - I remember now.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#23

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 5:37pm

Is Yul Brynner still in The King and I?

BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"

#24

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 6:05pm

That's crazy re: Andrews.....but honestly, good for him. If he can hack it and not go insane with the lack of continued artistic fulfillment, it is a long, steady job....I'm sure he's long-since paid off his mortgage, so good for him.

Vance Avery was AMAZING--I saw him when he'd taken over as the emcee in summer 2003.

Gregg Edelman is still with Wonderful Town, but it's only been open just under a year, so not as noteworthy I guess.

#25

re: Actors Still In Broadway Shows Since They Opened?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 6:08pm

kristin lee kelly stayed with RENT for a REALLY long time. I think she's still with it too.

"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions." ~The one and only John Lennon

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