They all absolutely ooze stage presence. None of them are ever boring in anything they do. I think the fact that none of them have the most "pleasing" voice adds to their charm. Would Liza be Liza without that rhaspy tremor? Would Hugh be Hugh without that nasal "honk" he often does so well. Would Carol be Carol or Harvey be Harvey if they spoke and sang in crystal clear, legit voices? No, they wouldn't; and they probably wouldn't be near as interesting, either. Carol Channing can captivate an audience by simply eating beets and dumplings --- *that's* stage presence. I do, however, agree that simply listening to these performers isn't always at the top of my list of fantastic things to do.
Yeah, I never got the whole Ethel Merman thing for a while either, but I think the reason she was so famous in her day is because of her big voice. I think it was Irving Berlin who said , "If you're writing lyrics for Ethel Merman, they'd better be good because everyone is going to hear them" Keep in mind that in her day, theatres weren't miked.
And I agree about Liza Minelli. Too much vibrato. Blech.
"This is what I trained to do, and this is what I love about theater. What I love about being an actress is being able to really look into myself and understand another human being. And out my own self, to shape and form and fashion a real human being--and to present that in such a way that people see something of themselves or their own understanding in that human being."
--Phylicia Rashad
I agree they have stage presence, but all are considered Broadway musical actors. I could understand hype if they were acting in comedies or plays without music, but they are all representative of the Broadway musical theatre.
The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.
The problem I find is that they are far more interesting as themselves than they are as the characters they play. You never lose yourself in their acting. It is not Dolly Levi up there, but larger than life Carol Channing. Same thing with Merman and Minnelli, although I would NEVER put Minnelli in the same league as Channing or Merman.
The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.
"You won't fight without layers of armor
Suit on up and come brace my sword
You look back when the pieces are missing
Hollowed out hope that no time can restore."
I'm retitling the thread, if you guys don't mind. I think thats a more accurate was to describe them instead of "overrated."
My contibution will deal with beloved cabaret performers: Ann Hampton Calloway ( Ilike her sister Liz, though), Andrea Marcovicci and the legendary Julie Wilson.
The first two I find mannered beyond belief and I just don't understand why Ms. Wilson is applauded the way she is.