Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

#1

Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:12pm

-Jenn Gambatese
-Merle Dendridge
-Patti Lupone
-Beth Leavel
-Sutton Foster
-LaChanze
-Felicia Fields
-Elisabeth Mendes
-Amy Spanger
-Laura Benanti
-Tracee Beazer
-Felicia Finley
If i forgot about anyone, let me know.

My favorite is:

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"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#2

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:21pm

Victoria Clark in PIAZZA is the top ome right now IMO

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#3

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:26pm

Agreed 100% Margo.

#4

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:27pm

Patti in "Sweeney."

I've been four times and have been blown away along with finding new touches and improvements in her tour de force performance each time.

#5

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:31pm

I somehow regret not seeing Judy Kaye last week.

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"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#6

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:31pm

I agree with Margo. Victoria Clark's performance is stunningly as good as (or better than) Olivia de Haviland's performance in the Light in the Piazza movie.

But of the performers you mention, I think Patti, Beth Leavel and Felicia Fields really have the larger-than-life quality that "diva" (in its pre-MTV/VH1 meaning) implies. The others, though talented, still have a way to go.

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#7

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:34pm

I am also in the Victoria Clark boat.

Patti LuPone and Beth Leavel are close runners-up.

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"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. " --Sueleen Gay

#8

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:38pm

I forgot to include Patti Cohenour.

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"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#9

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:46pm

Victoria Clark does give an incredible performance...excited to see her final on Sunday!

I would also vote for LaChanze and Felicia Fields, as I thought they both gave excellent performances in The Color Purple.

#10

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:57pm

Can you imagine Ethel Merman's reaction if she were to be referred to as a diva? I can hear her spouting the "F" word as she turns over in her grave

The start of the use of the word diva in recent years coincides exactly with the absence of excitement and presence generated by Broadway performers of yesteryear. Think Merman, Martin, Lawrence, Verdon, etc. None of them were ever referred to as divas.

#11

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/27/06 at 12:02am

Muscle-

My love for Patti's performance aside, I, too, would have loved to have seen Judy Kaye tackle the role. I imagine she was phenomenal.

#12

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/27/06 at 12:04am

Maybe in 30 years, people will say the same thing about the actresses now performing on Broadway. People tend to idealize the past.

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"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#13

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/27/06 at 12:10am

So true.

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yr ronin,
joey

#14

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/27/06 at 12:10am

Idealize today's performers 30 years from now? Give me a break :)

#15

re: Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

Posted: 6/27/06 at 1:54am

I think Victoria's performance is the best thing on Broadway right now. BUT, I don't think it's the best Diva performance, because I don't think Victoria is a Diva.

That would belong to Ms. Lupone - just ask her.