MOST OVERRATED AND UNDERRATED BROADWAY STARS- Page 5

[JemimaPearl]

Posted: 12/27/06 at 7:19pm

Merle Dandridge deserves way more credit than she gets. Her voice is just beautiful. She moved my Broadway-hating dad to tears and that's while she's playing a freakin' gorilla. That's acting talent.
Also, Chester Gregory. He has an amazing singing voice. Even when he's UPSIDE DOWN!!!!
(Can ya tell I just saw Tarzan?)

Updated On: 12/27/06 at 07:19 PM

[lostgirl]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 9:57am

Overrated
Idina Menzel- yes, the fangirls are irritating but I didn't like her even before Wicked. I just don't like her voice- I don't find it aesthetically pleasing. It's sujective but it's my opinion. It doesn't sound healthy to me and I think her belting can often sound as if she's yelling

Patti LuPone- Another performer who's tone I dislike. I'm aware that she's originated a lot of great roles and I give her credit for that, but I feel like she's more about being the center of attention than serving the character best

Mandy Patinkin- I often feel like he's going through the motions with little/no emotional connection or resonance. I also don't like his nasal sound

Linda Eder- It's not that I dislike her voice per se, but she seems to be a one trick pony- she always does the same things

Christine Andreas- I've never liked her (even back in her Scarlet Pimpernal days) but I'm a bit bitter at the moment because of her taking on the role of Margaret in Piazza. From Vicki to this...

Sutton Forster- It almost breaks my heart to but her on here because she's got as great voice and I like listening to her. She also has a great stage presence. But there's nothing behind that: no feeling or connection to a character.

Underrated

Kristin Chenoweth- A year ago I'd have said she was overrated based on Wicked. The I saw her in Candide and bought her album. The woman is incredable and it's sad that her versitility isn't acknowledged. Yes, she does the perky Glinda thing, but she can also do a gorgeous colortura

Celia Keenan Bolger- Yes she has her fans, and she deserves to be more well known. She's a great actress on a dramatic level (she gave Spelling Bee an emotional core) and her voice is extremely versitile. She pulls off belty stuff like Eponine in Les Mis as well as soprano roles like Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Clara in The Light in the Piazza

Kelli O'Hara- Yes, she's getting some long deserved recognition but she needs a Tony already! I really think she's one of the most exciting talents to come along in years. For a long time she was trapped in flops and bad shows (Dracula, The Sweet Smell of Success) but with Piazza she finally gained some of the attention she deserves and then she showed a whole nother side of her talent in The Pajama Game- she deserves to be a household name

Aaron Lazar- Another actor who deserves all the sucess that is finally coming his way and more. I hope he's consider for some of the great roles in the future

Laura Benanti- She's gotten a bad reputation for missing shows due to health problems, but she deserves great roles worthy of her talent in the future

David Burnham- Another person I'd like to hear more of

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 11:59am

"The woman is incredable and it's sad that her versitility isn't acknowledged. "

Kristin Chenoweth has a lot of vocal versatility. If she wanted she could take different roles besides her usual "blonde" roles.

[Danielm]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 12:07pm

Christine Andraes didn't "take the role from Vicky". If Vicky had wanted to tour with the show I'm sure they would have let her. I happen to think Andreas is extremely underrated. She has an incredible, powerful and warm voice, great intrepretive skills and is a very good actress. I thought she was quite good and very different in the roll in Piazza.

[lostgirl]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 1:00pm

Sorry I meant "take over from"- I know she didn't steal the role. but to me- not being a fan I feel a bit cheated. I loved Vicki and Patti but Christine just leaves me cold

[Danielm]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 2:04pm

Well, lostgirl, you are certainly entitled to your opinion but I think it once again illustrates what's wrong with this thread. You don't like her--is that the same as her being overrated. Since I haven't seen a whole lot of adulatory articles about her, the reviews, while good, didn't overpraise her, I think you're confusing "I don't like her" with her being overrated.

[bardolator]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 2:28pm

I think it's odd that Stephanie J. Block is showing up on "overrated" lists, considering she's relatively new to the "scene" and thus hasn't had much opportunity to be "rated" at all! XD

Ditto, some of the other performers listed as both "overrated" and "underrated"--have you all seen each of these people in person or at least heard a professionally-produced recording? Since I have not, I'm keeping my opinions out of this thread (most of the people on whom I'd feel qualified to give an opinion aren't on the radar enough to have been over- or under-rated, or they've already been covered).

[lostgirl]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 3:56pm

Danielm-I have seen several reviews of Piazza that praised Christine Andreas' performance. I disagree with those reviewers and therefore consider the performance overrated. I also disagree with the positive reviews that she recieved for The Scarlet Pimpernal- She's gotten a lot of positive recognition in her career and I feel that at least some of it is unwarrented

[Sylar2]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 4:29pm

Overrated:
Josh Strickland, Max Von Essen, Michael Arden, Kerrie Butler, Julie White, John Tartaglia

[fairygodmother]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 7:28pm

we do have a problem with this overrated/underrated thing - people say that you can't judge a legend, that's its all about their influence etc. but also people complain there are too many contemporary artists. so we can't win on that count, can we?
i think the best way really is to say who, in your own humble humble opinion, doesn't live up to the hype that they seem to get, and who hasn't been recognised for their fab talent.
i have a problem in that I'm in the Uk, so i'm gonna have to go off recordings, but those who have disappointed, or those who couldn't possibly live up to their god-like status (IMHO):

patti lupone
barbara streisand
idina menzel (the only one i've actually seen on stage so far, and although she was damn fine, like others have said - she is not invincible!)
from a UK pov (sorry) Paul Nicholas (get the man off the stage) Elaine Paige, Michael Crawford


as for underrated, i suppose the people who i feel should be more famous are:
shoshana bean
michael berresse
and, off topic but i don't care, alan tudyk - i love him. ooh, and bradley whitford.

[Danielm]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 7:51pm

In this world of over-rated pleasures
Of under-rated treasures
I'm so glad there is Christine Andraes.

[MrAmySpanger]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 10:08pm

"I mean, what's with all the wicked bashing? I'm not really trying to defend it, but it is your username... "

I've explained my screen name quite a few times. I'm not doing it again. I'm not doing any Wicked bashing here.


First you said this:
"first of all- Noone here has the right to claim any one person overrated or underrated-it's sheer opinion."

Then this:
"Elphaba3-AMY SPANGER OVERRATED?! WHAAAT? please explain."

You just contradicted yourself in the same post.




yah
so
uhm
how am i to know what your usernam means
i hardly read these threads
and i said you were doing wicked bashing because you were saying that she was incapable of making othese decisions because all of the preformers were in wwicked.
misconception? whatever

then
i did not contradict myself
i asked how she is overrated
i didnt say she is over or underrated
i didnt say that they should have made that judgement
i just asked them to defend it
kthnx

oh and i like your icon =]

[overthemoon419]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 11:31pm

I can't buy Max von Essen as overrated. The man has a killer set of lungs and he's adorable to boot. Plus, he's done a handful of shows compared to a ton of benefits - how is that overrated? Most people don't know who he is (although I think they SHOULD).

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 1:42am

Overrated: Idina Menzel

...aaaaand thats about all I got.

[steamheat]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 1:52am

amy spanger overrated? kerry butler? thats insane.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:09am

As for Marin Mazzie, her voice is absolutely painful to me. Hell I could sing better than her and my singing voice is crap. As for Amy Spanger, I just don't think she's as amazing as everyone makes her out to be. I thought of some more underrated people:

Tammy Blanchard, Laura Bell Bundy, Kerry Butler, Erin Dilly, Jenna Leigh Green, Lorna Luft, Marni Nixon, Kate Reinders, Angie Schworer, Carole Shelley

[Nonfreak]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 3:08am

First of all, let me start by mentioning that I like all of these people. Yes, I think Chenoweth is overrated. Yes, she really is talented, to say the least, a great voice. I've seen her live since "a new brain"..I love her. .....but.....basically....in a way...every role she playes, she plays kind of the same. Granted, wicked was written for her, but she still always plays thet same type. Even now, she just did the reading for "young frankenstein", and guess who she played, the Madeliene Kann part...kind of her again. Again, really talented, I love her, but she is in sense, ...limited.
Idina Menzel....again, I love her, saw her live in Rent, about a month after it opened. But, to put her up there with the "legends"...that's maybe jumping the gun....she has the possibility..but time will tell. Really...she has only done 2 roles. Maybe after a few more roles, if she nails 'em, then we can see her in that caliber....but it's just too soon. Sutton Foster...another one who I love....she "was Millie".....but again....she's only done 3 roles....let's see what the years will say.....I will say that i find her voice a bit on the nasal side....but I do love her..and a sweet person as well.

I do however agree with some people...I think Marin Mazzie to be underrated. She is wonderful, and never gets alot of recognition...and as for her voice, just listen to Passion or Ragtime. Sarah Uriarte Berry......how much more diverse can she get. beauty and the beast, les mis, taboo, light in the piazza? Every role was different...and she nailed 'em all..Again........this is all just my opinion....
Updated On: 12/29/06 at 03:08 AM

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 5:23am

Good choices with the exception of Chita Rivera. She is a Broadway legend...and she's flawless. You forget one person that is underrated- Ann Reinking. Always has been, until the Chicago revival.

[Bruce Memblagh!]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 6:17am

Over rated:
Bernadette Peters (HATE that voice, but love the acting skills)
Amy Spanger: ugh. Give the girl a personality she can portray on stage.
Patti LuPone

Underrated: too many to mention.

[RentHead2]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 7:02am

Underrated: Sherie Rene Scott, Lisa Howard, and Erin Davie - everytime I see any of the performances I am blown away!

I hate to say someone is overrated, and doesn't give the performance you expect. Unlike many people on here everytime I went to see Idina Menzel (Wicked, Rent, or SWIWS), I was blown away and the fact that 2/3 shows she has done have been "cult" shows that attract incredibly young fanbases should not be held against her. Which I believe is the case on these boards - she has had incredible success being attached to 2 of the biggest shows broadway has ever seen. And if you saw her performance in SWIWS, you understand what I mean - she is a fierce talent (Sorry, I love saying fierce ever since I saw Title Of Show). Just an opinion.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 1/7/07 at 9:42pm

This thread makes me sad. Move it to the Student board if everyone's acting at this level of maturity.


But since I'm posting , I think Ruthie Henshall is underrated and deserves more Broadway acclaim/roles. She should be as recognized here as she is over in the West End.

[snl89]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:50pm

I hate to say someone is overrated, and doesn't give the performance you expect. Unlike many people on here everytime I went to see Idina Menzel (Wicked, Rent, or SWIWS), I was blown away and the fact that 2/3 shows she has done have been "cult" shows that attract incredibly young fanbases should not be held against her. Which I believe is the case on these boards - she has had incredible success being attached to 2 of the biggest shows broadway has ever seen. And if you saw her performance in SWIWS, you understand what I mean - she is a fierce talent (Sorry, I love saying fierce ever since I saw Title Of Show). Just an opinion.

thank you

[broadwaygal3]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 11:31pm

Elphaba3 - Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, Brian Stokes Mitchell-

Are you kidding? Three of the greatest performers ever to grace a Broadway stage. Three of the greatest voices I've ever heard!

What are you basing your "overrated" list on? Did you ever see any of them in person? And specifically, Stokes, if you're basing your opinion of Brian being "overrated" becuase of his CD, then you must see him in concert or in a Broadway show.
The CD selections, IMO, do not show what a beautiful voice he has. He is an incredible talent.

[HollyImposter]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 2:29am

Kristin Chenoweth and Amy Spanger are both underrated. No one could ever give them the amount of credit for their talents that they deserve!

[broadwayjoe476]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:20am

Underrated:
Ashley Brown - that girl gave a he!! of a performance in Beauty and the Beast, and now in mary poppins, wow! If you haven't seen her she has big things ahead of her in her career, she can do just about anything and she is good!