One Song Wonders
One Song Wonders
#1One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/2/10 at 9:22pmEvery so often there's a performer that may have a small, limited part but leaves such an impression. Sometimes they'll only have one song in a show and even win a Tony such as Jane Krakowski in Nine or Kristin Chenoweth in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Any others anyone can think of? I've been thinking about it lately and thought it might lead to a good discussion :)
JB Fan
Stand-by Joined: 9/19/06
#2One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/2/10 at 9:28pmYes, I am aware of that. I'm talking about limited stage time. Small part but big enough impact to lead to a Tony.
JB Fan
Stand-by Joined: 9/19/06
#3One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:10am
You titled the thread "One Song Wonders" and said "Sometimes they'll only have one song in a show and even win a Tony such as Jane Krakowski in Nine or Kristin Chenoweth in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Pardon me for correcting you, but, you made it sound like you thought that was the case.
#4One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:13am
I thought Carla was a relatively large part in Nine. I'm not very familiar with the show, but I was under the impression that Luisa and Carla were the largest of the female roles.
Would Ron Holgate as Richard Henry Lee be considered a One Song Wonder? [this seems like something I could find on TV Tropes.]
JB Fan
Stand-by Joined: 9/19/06
#5One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:20amYes, Richard Henry Lee only has one big scene and song...he shows up later, but, very briefly.
JB Fan
Stand-by Joined: 9/19/06
#6One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:20amYes, Richard Henry Lee only has one big scene and song...he shows up later, but, very briefly.
JB Fan
Stand-by Joined: 9/19/06
#6One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:20amYes, Richard Henry Lee only has one big scene and song...he shows up later, but, very briefly.
#8One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 1:20amCapathia Jenkins in Fame Becomes Me epitomizes and sends up this trope with her eleven o'clock number, "A Big Black Lady Stops The Show."
Fanb
Featured Actor Joined: 12/4/09
#9One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:57pmElaine Stritch in the revival of "Pal Joey": One short scene and "Zip" and she walked away with the show.
#10One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 1:04pm
So your "rules" are "small part, maybe one song, ends up with a Tony?"
Marilyn Cooper, Tony-winner for "Woman of the Year," singing "The Grass is Always Greener" with Lauren Bacall.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#11One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 1:12pmI think Petra is a great example. She has one song in the second act the if done right can completely steal the show. I saw the show in Ohio 2 summers ago and the Petra completely had the audience in her hand and had probably the best applause at the end of the show
#12One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 1:52pmTeen Angel, and the Acid Queen in TOMMY.
Fanb
Featured Actor Joined: 12/4/09
#13One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 2:12pmElaine Stritch in "Company;" Song and a half - "The Little Things You Do Together" + "Ladies Who Lunch" = Legendary.
#14One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 8:47pmMaybe not groundbreaking, but Rebecca Luker in Mary Poppins.
#15One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 9:11pm
Betty Buckley in "Cats." She had a small bit after the Jellicle Ball in the first act.
Then came on in Act 2 and sang the BIG SONG, won a Tony, and became a Broadway legend.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#16One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 9:12pm
I just saw "Billy Elliot" tonight and so it's fresh in my mind - I think David Bologna (or, whomever is playing "Michael") fits this category. David even got nominated. Michael isn't that huge of a part (he's onstage for quite a bit, but not many lines).
Beth Leavel in "Drowsy Chaperone" also comes to mind. She had one big song and also won a Tony.
"Abuela Claudia" in "In the Heights," played by Olga Merediz, has one big song and very small parts in only a few other songs and she also got a Tony nomination.
#17One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 9:14pm
Beth Leavel may have had one big song, but she's all through DROWSEY.
A supporting role? Definitely. But it's still a big part, not to mention the title role.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#18One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/3/10 at 9:22pmI was going by the thread title, which is a loose category of "one song wonders" and also pointed out that she got the Tony. I know she had a solid part in the show.
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#19One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/4/10 at 12:13amTessie O'Shea in "The Girl Who Came to Supper." A showstopping song medley and a Tony Award.
#20One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/4/10 at 6:28am
Arvide from "Guys and Dolls" if played correctly... he has exactly one song, and only a few lines. Usually, the song ends up being one of those 'why the heck is this in the show?' moments, but some really good actors can make it a highlight.
Fruma Sarah from Fiddler on the Roof can steal the show, too, even though she only really sings two verses.
#21One Song Wonders
Posted: 1/4/10 at 10:47amI think the thing I'm confused about with this thread is how much stage time (both singing and not) the character "should" have. Because Petra is still part of the action, even when she's not singing. I think I was thinking more along the lines of someone like Fruma Sarah or the strippers in Gypsy, who are really only there for their song and maybe another brief scene.
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