Is Andrea McArdle funny?

[Overkill]

Posted: 9/2/12 at 4:01pm

Let me start off by saying that I love Andrea, and I'm a huge fan. I LOVED her in Beauty and the Beast (one of my favorite Belles), Cabaret, and even saw her Mamma Rose... which was okay.

When her name was coming up for Hannigan in the upcoming revival, I did my research, and found videos of her performing the role on YouTube. Her biggest problem was the lack of comedy, and honestly, I thought her performance (based solely on the videos, I admit) was just awful... No wonder she didn't land the role on Broadway...

After finding a video of her performing "It's a Privilege to Pee" from a regional production of Urinetown, I'm just convinced that while this woman is super talented in her own right, she needs to stay away from all musical comedy.

I'd love to see her play Diana in Next to Normal. Seems like a role she'd be better suited for.

[timesboylive]

Posted: 9/2/12 at 4:03pm

inside scoop.. She will be playing Diana at a regional theatre this year (well early 2013)

[Overkill]

Posted: 9/2/12 at 4:36pm

^ Yessssss!! Ya know, I think it may be with TheatreZone in Naples, FL - Seeing as how it's in early '13, and she worked with them just last year in Blood Brothers and in '07 with Evita... If it is, I'll flip my ****, and I'll be there in a second!!!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/2/12 at 4:42pm

I'm sorry but I dont think Princess Diana should be played for laughs. McArdle might very well be funny but this is so completely disrespectful, it makes me want to vomit.

VOMIT.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/2/12 at 4:44pm

I've seen her live a few times and seen her interviewed. She's definitely not warm and fuzzy, but she's not cold either. She's like a young Stritch-she's ballsy, blunt, and slightly dark. Her humor is cutting and she's a straight shooter. She's seen the worst sides of the business and keeps her wits about her. She's not kissing ass at this point in her career.

That being said, her voice is glorious and she's a wonderful actress. I'd prefer her in dramas myself.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 9/2/12 at 5:29pm

Funny "HA HA"?

Or Funny "Strange"?

[timesboylive]

Posted: 9/2/12 at 5:34pm

not saying with who.. (again wink wink) but she was AMAZING in blood brothers, one of the only 2 times I have cried in the theatre... And I thought Evita wasn't my favorite performance of hers, or of the show.. Andrea McArdle playing Eva Peron is just not a ticket you pass up

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/2/12 at 6:12pm

Really excited about her playing Diana!

As for comedy or comic timing, perhaps you're right. I don't know and don't much care. Her voice is so terrific, and maybe she should tackle more dramatic roles and stay away from the "ha-ha" ones. It's okay.

Back in the "golden age," roles would have been written for her, tailored to her talents, rather than having her try to fit into molds created by others.

I agree versatility helps a lot as an actor, but being really good (I mean REALLY good) at one or two things ain't so shabby either.

[Overkill]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 12:19am

I agree, b12b. She's amazing, and I love her (as I stated before), and I don't mean to necessarily put her down for not being funny, I was just wondering what other people thought of her playing the broader, comedic roles. Such as Hannigan and Pennywise.

I just think she fares better in non-BROAD roles. Big comedy just isn't her thing.

URINETOWN - Privilege to Pee:
https://youtu.be/o08f9akELG0

Her Pennywise reads as Annie, all grown up. Just the tom-boyishness, grown up orphan look of it. lol


I am SOOO excited for Next to Normal, too. And I'll definitely be there to see it. I've been saying for years that she should play Diana!!

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 1:27pm

Not that funny, but lovely nonetheless:
Doatsy Mae ain't as simple as she seems..

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 8:01pm

Aaaand, the mods deleted my post for calling her obnoxious. Guess I'm not entitled to say how I think she comes off. Every person I've heard who has dealt with her and every interview I've seen of her has echoed this sentiment. I don't see why it needs to be deleted.

This isn't any headline-making news break, nor is it the first time someone on here has said the same thing. Updated On: 9/3/12 at 08:01 PM

[It's a fine life!]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 8:05pm

I enjoyed Doatsy May.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 8:11pm

Aaaaaaannd you had to come back again to call her obnoxious, again?


Classy

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 8:12pm

Yes. Yes, I did. I guess I'm just classless like that! :) Updated On: 9/3/12 at 08:12 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 8:28pm

I love the voice as much as anyone, but Miss McArdle has always come off ill-at-ease on stage to me, even when she was doing her nightclub act. That lack of comfort may work in drama on occasion, but it's usually no aid to comedy.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 8:33pm

I've seen her live a few times and seen her interviewed. She's definitely not warm and fuzzy, but she's not cold either. She's like a young Stritch-she's ballsy, blunt, and slightly dark. Her humor is cutting and she's a straight shooter. She's seen the worst sides of the business and keeps her wits about her. She's not kissing ass at this point in her career.

Yeah but I still can see a vulnerable heart and soul in Stritch. I don't necessarily see that in McArdle.

[bryan2]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 8:53pm

Having met her a number of times-I work with her Mom- I can tell you she is not cold -quite the opposite-very funny and very warm- I also thinks she takes no crap and is tells you exactly what she thinks which is to be admired especially in show business- She has a great family and she is strong as hell so she has my complete respect! I just love her and her strong personality it rocks!!!I agree that years ago they would have been writing things for her - and I still think they should

[It's a fine life!]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 8:56pm

25 years from now, what do you think we will be saying was her most legendary role...Do you think it would automatically be Annie, or do you think she'll tackle another role one day and make absolute history with that?

[bryan2]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 9:02pm

She always says she is looking for her NORMA RAE -so i think she will find it

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/3/12 at 9:13pm

Someone who loves her needs to write something for her. Much like a has been actor rises from the ashes and nabs an Oscar nod for a surprising project, I think she will have her day again.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 9/4/12 at 1:36pm

Funny ha-ha or funny crazy? There is fine fine line.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 9/4/12 at 2:03pm

Is she funny, how? Like the way she talks? Is she funny like a clown, like she amuses you? She's there to make you laugh?

[It's a fine life!]

Posted: 9/4/12 at 2:18pm

She's a quirky girl!

[mickeytribbiani]

Posted: 9/12/12 at 12:24am

I am not exactly sure what value there is to judging her negatively as Penelope Pennywise as a "Tomboy". How should Pennywise be played? As Audrey Hepburn? Grace Kelly? The character only seems to work when played exactly as Andrea McArdle played her.

Personally, I found her Pennywise completely engaging and fun and FUNNY.

[Overkill]

Posted: 9/12/12 at 1:45am

Um... I wasn't judging her negatively for playing it as a tomboy. I was just commenting on how it reminded me of a grown up Annie... Because, although you might not know... she played Annie. Who is a tomboy...

I WAS saying that I didn't think it was funny. Like, the boob thing. What was that about? It was just solely to make people go "hee hee, she grabbed her boobies!", and the rest of her performance didn't make me think any more of her comedic abilities.

That being said, I did not see her in the show. Just the clip. I'm glad you found her funny, thank you for answering my question. I just wanted to hear opinions on what people thought on the subject.

People just look for fights on this board. Especially the newcomers. Welcome, by the way.

Updated On: 9/12/12 at 01:45 AM