Most Versatile Performers

[GClef2]

Most Versatile Performers#0

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:28pm

While many performers seem to find their niche quite early in their careers, and stick to what they are familiar with, some performers consistently surpise us with their versatility.

Who do you think are the most versatile performers of today?

Some that I feel are very versatile include Audra McDonald, Kellie O'hara and Mary Testa.

"The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love." -Little Fish

[ashley0139]

re: Most Versatile Performers#1

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:29pm

I really agree with Kelli. Also, Celia Keenan-Bolger is versatile- she played Clara and Olive, which are two very different roles.

"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Most Versatile Performers#2

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:31pm

Raúl Esparza. Can. Do. Anything.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 6/18/06 at 04:31 PM

[larry64]

re: Most Versatile Performers#3

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:31pm

JIM DALE. PERIOD!

[rosekwbp]

re: Most Versatile Performers#4

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:32pm

Bernadette Peters. The variety of her roles never ceases to amaze me.

[EponineAmneris]

re: Most Versatile Performers#5

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:40pm

Bernadette Peters, John Lithgow, Kelli O'Hara, Hugh Jackman, Patrick Wilson and Tracey Shane all come to mind.

"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES--- "THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS

Updated On: 6/18/06 at 04:40 PM

[sicetergo]

re: Most Versatile Performers#6

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:46pm

Judi Dench - Sally Bowles, Lady Macbeth, Desiree Armfeldt, Madame Ranevskaya, Juno(& the Paycock, Judith Bliss and Queen Victoria are quite a stretch :)

[All_For_Laura]

re: Most Versatile Performers#7

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:54pm

Victoria Clark, From Sweeney's Beggar Woman, to Southern Beauty Margaret.

...What happened next, was stranger still, a woman breathless and afraid, appeared out of the night, completely dressed in white. She had a secret she would tell, of one who had mistreated her. Her face and frightened gaze, my mind cannot erase...But then she ran from view. She looked so much like you...

[singingshowgirl]

re: Most Versatile Performers#8

Posted: 6/18/06 at 5:01pm

I really feel Audra McDonald, Bernadette Peters, and Kelli O'Hara (yes, i realize they have all been mentioned!)

but seriously with audra....how often does someone win 2 Tonys for a musical and 2 for a play? usually, someone wins just musicals or just plays

kelli's musical range is amazing. clara and babe are completely different vocally


i think kristin chenoweth has enormous vocal versatility because of all her opera stuff.....but all her parts have been the same comic parts....and while she's great at them, i'd love to see her do something else!!!

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

re: Most Versatile Performers#9

Posted: 6/18/06 at 5:38pm

I'm sure this thread has been done 500 times, but anyway Terrence Mann is rather versatile (from Javert to Frank-N-Furter). And I love the picture of Raul in Company

If Percy Blakeney were in Les Mis....

Percy: Sink me! If it isn't Javvurt!
Javert: Zsah-vair, it's pronounced Zsah-vair.
Pecry: But it's spelled J-A-V-E-R-T Javvurt.
Javert: Repeat after me Zsah...Zsah....
Percy: Oh! Zsa-Zsa! Like the Gabor sister! Well I personally have always prefered Eva.
Javert: (Looks for gun)

[LovinGoodMusicals]

re: Most Versatile Performers#10

Posted: 6/18/06 at 6:11pm

Patti LuPone-Dur.
Lea Salaonga-Her voice never cease to amaze me!

=]

[bjh2114]

re: Most Versatile Performers#11

Posted: 6/18/06 at 6:13pm

KELLI O'HARA!!! The end.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

re: Most Versatile Performers#12

Posted: 6/18/06 at 6:29pm

Kelli O'Hara
Ruthie Henshall
Audra McDonald
Malcolm Gets
Norm Lewis
Hugh Jackman
Victoria Clark

couple others, can't think now.

[lovesclassics]

re: Most Versatile Performers#13

Posted: 6/18/06 at 6:50pm

I know I've posted this on other similar threads, but Rachel York, Rachel York, Rachel York.

City of Angels
Les Miserables
Victor/Victoria
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Kiss Me, Kate
Sly Fox
Dessa Rose
Ragtime
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

She has NEVER played the same type of character twice. And not to mention Lucille Ball! Dramatic actress, comedienne, triple threat on stage, screen and TV - plus an incredible solo/concert vocalist. What a chameleon.

lc

[SeptemberKel]

re: Most Versatile Performers#14

Posted: 6/18/06 at 7:07pm

I've always felt that Donna Murphy is one of the most versatile performers - from Fosca to Ruth Sherwood, she can do anything!


And.... Patti LuPone (I also agree with Audra McDonald).

"Of course there is the castle - the ruined castle. I find it lovely. Probably because it's ruined, I suppose." - Passion

[greeneyed_one]

re: Most Versatile Performers#15

Posted: 6/18/06 at 7:33pm

Norbert Leo Butz

[mrslovett7]

re: Most Versatile Performers#16

Posted: 6/18/06 at 8:07pm

Patti LuPone, Victoria Clark and Audra McDonald

~H* "I slept through the nominations, as I always do. Anything I need to know, I'll find out when I get up at a reasonable hour!" -Michael Cerveris

[TheaterAddict7652]

re: Most Versatile Performers#17

Posted: 6/18/06 at 8:11pm

Agree with Norbert Leo Butz and Raúl Esparza. It amazes me how Norbert can go from Jamie in L5Y to Freddy in DRS effortlessly. And Raúl Esparza is the only actor who's performence has effected me from looking at a photograph of him performing.

There's a lot I am not certain of...

[broadway_show_fan]

re: Most Versatile Performers#18

Posted: 6/18/06 at 8:18pm

Agree with Rachel York and Audra for sure.

And definitely Vicki! Any woman who goes from a show with the Kit-Kat girls to Winston-Salem is a-okay to me.

How about Tyne Daly?

[wickedrentq]

re: Most Versatile Performers#19

Posted: 6/18/06 at 11:09pm

Loveclassics--of course I totally agree!
On her last day in DRS

I'd also add Will Chase. For both him and Rachel I see them in different parts and honestly can't believe it's the same person. It's a testament to their versatility.

"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

[LittleRed00]

re: Most Versatile Performers#20

Posted: 6/18/06 at 11:30pm

Agree with many of the people already listed, but I have to add Michael Cerveris. Tommy, Hedwig, AND Sweeney? Come on!

"Isn't it nice to know a lot...and a little bit...not."

[lovesclassics]

re: Most Versatile Performers#21

Posted: 6/18/06 at 11:54pm

*lovesclassics scurries to Greg Jbara love thread on OT board to read WRQ's review of Rachel's last performance in DRS*

[wickedrentq]

re: Most Versatile Performers#22

Posted: 6/18/06 at 11:57pm

*loveclassics should PM WRQ for more details*

"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

[jo]

re: Most Versatile Performers#23

Posted: 6/19/06 at 3:18am

Equally successful on stage and on screen - Hugh Jackman.

Can host Awards shows as well

[bwayondabrain]

re: Most Versatile Performers#24

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:22am

definitely agree with both Kelli and Norbert

possibly Mylinda Hull