Best Physical Performance Of A Number...

Completely ignore the vocals. What is the best physical performance of a number you've seen? Consider the movement, gestures, facial expressions, choreography, just forget the vocals. And don't judge it soley on choreography, just let that be a factor along with other physical features.

For me they are


Tyne Daly - from her violent rampage in Everything's Coming Up Roses to her Rose's Turn, which is like a soft-core porno. Her physical performance of those two numbers are stunning.

Gwen Verdon - Whatever Lola Wants and Who's Got The Pain? with Fosse.

Ann Reinking and Bebe Neuwirth - Hot Honey Rag, you can see it on the 97 Tonys. Wonderful chemistry.

Angela Lansbury - The Worst Pies In London

Brooke Shields - Conga and Swing! Her physical performance in this role really added a lot!

There are so many more I'll add later.

So what are the best physical performances of a number you've seen?

Updated On: 7/22/06 at 12:18 AM

Brooke Shields in everything in WT and Norbert Leo Butz in everything is DRS.

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Heather Headley "Easy As Life" in Aida, it's wasn't much, but the gestures really went with the emotion in the song.

Patti Lupone "A New Argentina" in Evita, the arm movements she does capture the drama and power of the song, fantastic.

Sutton Foster in "Show Off" from The Drowsy Chaperone

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Donna Murphy in "I Read," the woman was touching her own body to give herself warmth, when she picked up the coffee cup her hands would tremble, her expression during the song was haunting, I have never seen such a well-thought physical performance in my life.
Very recently I got to see a video of the original Tommy Tune-directed production of Nine and Anita Morris' performance of "A Call from the Vatican" is nothing short of breath-taking, probably the most sensual and sexual (NEVER vulgar) number I've seen before. Not to discredit Jane Krakowski (one of my favorite stage actresses) but Morris didn't need a flying blanket to make this number a true showstopper.
Speaking of Jane Krakowski, her "Take Back Your Mink" in the London production of Guys & Dolls was also very sensual and much different to what I had seen done in this show in term of the character's physicality.
Bernadette Peters during "Children & Art" in the Sunday in the Park with George filmed performance.
I agree with Gwen Verdon performing "Whatever Lola Wants" and "Who's Got the Paint?" in the Damn Yankees film. However, while I loved Bebe Neuwirth and Ann Reinking in Chicago, I personally preferred the chemistry between Ruthie Henshall and Ute Lemper in the London production during the "Hot Honey Rag."

Updated On: 7/22/06 at 04:18 AM

Forgot to add: Spelling Bee -

Sarah Saltzberg as Logainne - her face and her gestures and her everything. The vocals were just a part of the package of her character.

And a second place would be Leaf Coneybear (I saw Barrett, but I'm sure most people would say Jesse). It's more his mannerisms and less his vocals at all (until the "doodle...") that make him seem so bizarre and awkward.

Ahh, my new love for Spelling Bee...

I thought Angry Dance was well done from Billy Elliot, especially when James/George performed it.

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I second Norbert, Sarah Saltzberg, and Felicia.

I also loved Tracy Miller during "I Can Hear The Bells". She had nothing to sing, but she did some hysterical physical comedy while trying to "hear" the bells.

And Tyler Maynard during "Epiphany", channeling numerous divas with his over-the-top gestures.

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Awww, jimnysf. =)

I third Norbert in DRS, absolute perfection.

Ensemble - 7 Brides For 7 Brothers
Gene Kelly - Sining In The Rain

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Jim Dale and anything in Barnum

"What Causes That" from Crazy for You

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Sutton Foster in Millie as a whole. She tore that show up with all the tapping and physical comedy. I loved when she slid under the desk and got all tangled up. Pure genius. :)

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all the Billy Elliots!

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