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Most Versatile Broadway Performers

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#1

Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:17pm

Which performer(s) do you think are the most versatile? These would be performers who are able to avoid being type-cast and play a variety of different roles. List the performer and then a minimum of two roles they have played convincingly that would illustrate their versatility. I will get it started:

George Hearn as Sweeney in Sweeney Todd and as Albin in La Cage aux Folles



"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering." --Harold Hill from The Music Man
#3

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:23pm

Raul Esparza is versatile in everything he takes on. He amazes me!
"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance." - Elizabeth Taylor
#4

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:32pm

Raul is quite versatile and thats why we all love him.

I'm sort of biased-but I think Sarah Uriarte Berry is VERY versatile. I was in Sound of Music with her a few years ago and she was a wonderful Maria. She can go from the inocent Belle to headstrong Maria to belting the crap out of Nicola in Taboo to the fiesty Franca in Piazza
#5

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:32pm

My votes for Audra McDonald. No one can act (or sing) a song better.

And although she's past her prime, Angela Lansbury (listen to Gypsy, Anyone Can Whistle, Mame and Sweeny Todd back to back. You'd never guess they were the same person!)



Edited for spelling.

Updated On: 1/30/06 at 04:32 PM

#6

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:35pm

Ruthie Henshall. An amazing dancer, has an amazing range (her soprano is simply lovely.)

From dance musicals to Sondheim, she can do just about anything.
#7

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:36pm

Norbert Leo Butz: Jamie in Last Five Years and Freddy in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.

-Dre-
You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~

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Updated On: 1/30/06 at 04:36 PM

#8

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:37pm

Bah, I was going to say Norbie. Way to steal mine.
"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
#11

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:44pm

Bernadette Peters Dames at Sea, Gypsy, Sunday in the Park
DF loves the little children, all the children of the world black and yellow, gay or straight, they are perfect in her light DF loves all the children of the world-Dame Fanadette
#12

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:05pm

Rachel York-Dessa Rose/Mother in Ragtime contrasted w/ Norma in Victor/Victoria

Will Chase-Neville in Secret Garden concert contrasted w/ Roger in Rent

These are the two performers where off the top of my head seeing them in the above diff. roles(all I got to see them in unfortunately) not only did I think they were fantastic in all mentioned, but the roles were soo different that I sat there in shock that it was indeed the same performer. That's what I think is truly versatile.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
#13

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:28pm

I'll add my vote for Raúl.
"Nothing's lost forever. In this world, there is a kind of painful progress. Longing for what we've left behind, and dreaming ahead."
#14

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:31pm

Generally Versatile Performers (not counting the obvious Golden Age legends):

Carolee Carmello
Raul Esparza
Mary Testa
Norm Lewis

Updated On: 1/30/06 at 05:31 PM

#16

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 6:29pm

Donna Murphy - Fosca in Passion~ Anna in The King and I~ Ruth in Wonderful Town...

Performer overcoming possible type-casting: Kelli O'Hara~ Clara in Piazza~ Babe in Pajama Game~ Susan in Sweet Smell of Success~ Franca in Piazza~ Albertine in My Life With Albertine and hopefully a whole lot more!
The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies and his life just to make sure that one note follows another... and leaves us with the feeling that something is right in the world. ~Leonard Bernstein~
#17

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 7:02pm

Cathy- you took mine. :-P

I'll add my vote for Raul Esparza and also add Ben Vereen.
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#18

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 7:25pm

Sutton- Eponine in Les Mis, Millie in TMM and Jo in Little Women.

And Harvey Fierstein- Edna in Hairspray and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.
And then, do you know Monseiur Marius, I believe I was a little in love with you.
♥♥♥
#19

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 7:26pm

Michael Crawford- Dances with Vampire and Phantom of the Opera!!
"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck
#21

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 7:37pm

I kind of didn't want to be the one to say it, but take a look at Idina's roles and how varied: Maureen to Kate to Elphaba to her roles in SWIWS. It can pretty much be charted of how mature she has gotten in her acting and performances. For the most part goooooood, sometimes ehhhh
#22

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 7:42pm

Yes, I was sort of thinking of Idina too, but I didn't want to be the one to say it.
And then, do you know Monseiur Marius, I believe I was a little in love with you.
♥♥♥
#23

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 7:48pm

My vote goes to Sutton. She was Millie and then after you see her take on a very ditzy comedic role you saw her take on JO which is completly differnt and I think she could play just about anything.
<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
#24

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 10:35pm

Rachel York all the way. Wickedrentq expressed it beautifully. I'll add her performances in "Kiss Me, Kate" and the TV movie "Lucy" as even more proof. She is a total chameleon. Rachel disappears and the character is all you see.

Name one other actress who could play Ruth Sutton, Mother, Norma Cassidy, Lilli Vanessi and Lucille Ball. Everyone wanted to type her as the ditzy blonde after "City of Angels" and "Victor/Victoria." I guess she showed 'em.

LC
#25

re: Most Versatile Broadway Performers

Posted: 1/30/06 at 10:41pm

Kudos for Shuq on mentioning Patrick Wilson. He's such a terrific actor.

Yeah, I would also have to say Norbert Leo Butz.

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