Featured Actor Joined: 1/5/05
I don't know if Norbert Leo Butz has been mentioned. Such an amazing dancer. His voice is alright but his acting is good too. I've seen him on "Law and Order". Very believable!
I sort of think of Michael Baresse as a triple threat - he dances amazingly, has a nice singing voice and can act - thats not a combination that comes along all that frequently.
Norbert dances?
Norbert is not what I would consider a triple threat.
Yes, Michael is fabulous. I love, love, love him! He is indeed a true triple threat. Not to mention the fact that...oh, well, never mind!
Harry Groener. Simply magnificent in CRAZY FOR YOU.
The sad truth is that most true "triple threats" get stuck in the chorus and can't get out. Most leads aren't triple threats, but manage to sell their performances to an audience better than chorus performers. That's what ultimately makes them stand out.
I think Norbert Leo Butz comes across as a triple threat who is also a leading man these days. But if you match his dancing up against chorus boys, he'd lose. But you add in his voice, his acting, his personality... along with his dancing... and you've got a triple threat. The same could go for Bernadette Peters. Although she hasn't danced much in years, she used to be one heck of hoofer.
She's wrong for Gabey, though.
I don't really like Bernadette Peters' voice...I mean, it's unique. Very hard to fit in a variety of roles. However, just her entire PERFORMANCE is not a force to take lightly. I haven't seen her dance, but I consider Bernadette's voice her "weaker" attribute of the three.
In his day, Tommy Tune was a wonderful singer/dancer/actor. After his injury I don't know if he can still dance
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
Raul Esparza!
I'll add Jim Walton to the list.
I'd forgotten about Harry Groener - really amazing in Crazy for You, I agree.
I agree about the "voice" comment. Most triple threats that either work steadily in leading roles or are big stars are primarily actor/dancers with decent or acceptible voices. They're not amazing singers usually. Case in point: Fred & Ginger, Gene Kelly, Gwen Verdon, Reinking, Ziemba. None of them have the vocal prowess of Streisand, LuPone, Garland, Sinatra, Alfred Drake, etc.
"The sad truth is that most true "triple threats" get stuck in the chorus and can't get out. Most leads aren't triple threats, but manage to sell their performances to an audience better than chorus performers. That's what ultimately makes them stand out."~best12bars
AMEN! Ya know, when I go through my list of triple threats in my head I constantly come up with names like Mary Ann Lamb, Caitlin Carter, Rocker Verastique and Jimmy Borstleman, etc., (yes, I know that they are all in the original CHICAGO revival cast and that is not why I am listing them). It is always the ones in the ensemble. It is performers like them that are equally talented across the board in all three disciplines. Can't beat a killer gypsy that is for damn sure!
I know this was posts ago. But Ann could most definitely sing. Her singing is quite good in ANNIE. And I've only heard clips of GOODTIME and she sounded really good. I can't seem to find that CR - I wan't it so bad.
I agree most triple threats are in the ensembles. Michelle DeJean from CHICAGO is one f&(king amazing triple threat. She understudied Roxie, and now is going to play it full time on the tour. The girl is fabulous dancer, she has a great voice, and has wonderful acting skills.
And I really don't know if Norbert can qualify as a triple threat. Come on now, could he handle the dancing in ensemble shows like CHICAGO, Chorus Line etc? Lol sorry don't think so. He's a fantastic singer and actor though.
I know you can't seem to find a post these days without someone mentioning Michael Arden (no matter how unrelated the topic is), but when this Tharp/Dylan thing comes out we might have a new triple threat on our hands, that is unless he just does the singing 'Movin Out' style.
yes, yes, yes hushpuppie! Tommy Tune is/or was? a triple threat, PLUS he directed and choreographed shows.
When the hell is he coming back to the boards, by the way? Anyone out there have any scoop?
Broadway Star Joined: 11/4/03
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/05
Ruthie Henshall is surely a triple threat? Is John Barrowman a triple threat? Is his voice is pretty good and his acting was better than i expected on Dr Who... never seen him dance though!
I'm agreeing with Raúl Esparza... he's just amazingly talented!
Of the "younger" generation, certainly Raúl. Brilliant actor, stunning voice, and apparently quite the little dancer! I knew he *could* dance, I just didn't realize he was quite so agile. Snaps to him, though - doesn't look easy.
Talented or not, people like Norbert Leo Butz, Raul Esparza, Michael Arden and Matthew Morrisson are NOT triple threats. They may move well, but they aren't dancers. You could never put them in FOSSE or 42nd STREET or A CHORUS LINE.
People like Michael Beresse, Jack Noseworthy, Shonn Wiley, Brad Anderson, David Elder...these are triple threats. They sing as well as they act as well as they dance.
Updated On: 7/27/05 at 05:37 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
Have you seen clips/actually seen him do anything in Chitty, Michael Bennett? If you haven't...you will be proved wrong immediately.
I can't think of any male triple threats (shows how few good roles there are for that type of performer). I agree, I love Norbert but could he do Chicago (maybe he could, or has, but I can't imagine it)? But then could any of the Chicago male ensemble pull off 'Great Big Stuff'?
In all of the shows I have seen, whenever there is a big dance break, most of the lead roles kinda move backstage to let the chorus do their dancing thing.
I just got back from Spamalot (VERY pleasantly surprised...) and thought Christian Borle was a pretty good singer, actor and dancer. Although not really an AMAZING singer, just good.
Yes, I've seen him in Chitty Gavroche. He moves well. He's not a dancer.
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