Most Versatile Performers
Most Versatile Performers
#0Most Versatile Performers
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#1re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:29pmI 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
#2re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:31pm
Raúl Esparza. Can. Do. Anything.
larry64
Stand-by Joined: 3/3/06
#4re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:32pmBernadette Peters. The variety of her roles never ceases to amaze me.
#5re: Most Versatile Performers
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
Stand-by Joined: 3/16/06
#6re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:46pmJudi Dench - Sally Bowles, Lady Macbeth, Desiree Armfeldt, Madame Ranevskaya, Juno(& the Paycock, Judith Bliss and Queen Victoria are quite a stretch :)
#7re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:54pmVictoria 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...
#8re: Most Versatile Performers
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
Broadway Star Joined: 7/19/05
#9re: Most Versatile Performers
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)
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
Understudy Joined: 6/17/06
#10re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 6:11pm
Patti LuPone-Dur.
Lea Salaonga-Her voice never cease to amaze me!
=]
#12re: Most Versatile Performers
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
Broadway Star Joined: 10/7/05
#13re: Most Versatile Performers
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
Featured Actor Joined: 8/20/04
#14re: Most Versatile Performers
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
mrslovett7
Leading Actor Joined: 3/18/06
#16re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 8:07pmPatti 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
Broadway Star Joined: 2/7/06
#17re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 8:11pmAgree 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...
#18re: Most Versatile Performers
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#19re: Most Versatile Performers
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
Chorus Member Joined: 11/19/04
#20re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/18/06 at 11:30pmAgree 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
Broadway Star Joined: 10/7/05
#21re: Most Versatile Performers
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#22re: Most Versatile Performers
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#23re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/19/06 at 3:18am
Equally successful on stage and on screen - Hugh Jackman.
Can host Awards shows as well 
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#24re: Most Versatile Performers
Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:22am
definitely agree with both Kelli and Norbert
possibly Mylinda Hull
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