Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers

[AHLiebross]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#1

Posted: 1/18/15 at 11:51pm

We have numerous threads about various lead performers, and sometimes discuss supporting performers who are well-known or who cover the lead roles. What about the supporting "workhorses" who play their roles day after day and can escape unrecognized out the stage door?

My favorite performer in this category is Christian Sebek, who plays Ubaldo Piangi in "The Phantom of the Opera." He is an opera singer with an incredible tenor voice and he's a great comic actor. He is also short; since I'm under five feet I support short performers. I've seen Mr. Sebek in the role several times, and he is by far my favorite Piangi. In any event, I nominate Christian Sebek for the favorite unsung supporting musical actor role.

Who are some of other folks' favorite unsung supporting performers?
Bio of Christian Sebek -- Piangi

Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.

[JBroadway]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#2

Posted: 1/19/15 at 2:09am

Bradley Dean comes to mind. I saw him as El Gallo in the Fantasticks off-bway a few years ago. He's very talented, and totally leading-man material. He's done a lot of leading roles on tours and in regional theatres. On Broadway, he's mainly done ensemble + understudy work. Case in point: he's in The Last Ship, understudying Arthur, and he's going to be in the ensemble of Dr. Zhivago. Very talented man, and definitely unsung!

[JBradshaw]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#2

Posted: 1/19/15 at 2:50am

Donna Marie Asbury in "Chicago"
Over 10+ years in "Chicago" I've never seen her give anything less than 100% as June.
When she goes on as Velma it's perfection, as is now her Mama.

[MrSweetNAwful]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#3

Posted: 1/19/15 at 3:49pm

Joyce Chittick. Anything I've seen or heard of hers I've enjoyed. I saw her live in Wonderful Town, saw a bootleg of the Sweet Charity revival and I think that was her owning a bit part line "That's right honey, get it outta yer system!"
I also own the recordings of Pajama Game and Cabaret. She's outstanding: consummate gypsy, frequent dance captain, stand out supporting character actress, unique and rich singing voice, all around workhorse.

You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl

"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor

"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl

"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#4

Posted: 1/19/15 at 3:54pm

Mary Testa has been phenomenal on everything she's been in. Too bad her vehicle "Queen of the Mist" isn't more well known. She rips your heart out.

"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir

[Phillypinto]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#5

Posted: 1/19/15 at 3:57pm

katie finneran barely sang in promises promises and won a tony!!

Use my fabulous TodayTix code: JEYCY

[Finch]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#6

Posted: 1/19/15 at 5:56pm

She may have "barely sang" in Promises, Promises -- but she was billed as the 2nd principal female character. I would not consider her to be one of these unsung supporting performers.

[AHLiebross]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#7

Posted: 1/19/15 at 6:47pm

To me, winning a Tony makes a performer "sung" -- not "unsung."

Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#8

Posted: 1/19/15 at 7:32pm

David Hibbard

[theatregeek6]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#9

Posted: 1/19/15 at 7:47pm

Curtis Holbrook
Sara Jean Ford
Kristoffer Cusick
Ellen Harvey

[Demitri2]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#10

Posted: 1/19/15 at 7:59pm

Rachel Bay Jones. I found her an amazing Catherine in PIPPIN. She truly made that role her own. I'd go out of my way to see her in whatever she chooses to do next.

[little_sally]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#11

Posted: 1/19/15 at 8:12pm

Rachel Bay Jones' performance in Pippin made me like and care about Catherine for the first time ever. Usually I dread those scenes/songs.

I'm always blown away by Jeffrey Schetcher every time I see him, especially his dancing.

A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.

[JRybka]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#12

Posted: 1/19/15 at 8:17pm

Leslie Kritzer was fabulous in Legally Blonde.

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."

[Mister Matt]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#13

Posted: 1/19/15 at 8:29pm

Fuschia Walker, Janine LaManna, Wesley Taylor and Michael Berresse

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

[bwayphreak234]

Favorite Unsung Supporting Performers#14

Posted: 1/19/15 at 8:32pm

Helene Yorke in Bullets Over Broadway.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "