Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
#1Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 10:07pm
What roles in musicals are generally played by people who aren't the greatest singers?
The first examples that spring to mind for me are Henry Higgins, Harold Hill, and King Arthur in Camelot... but there are obviously others out there, especially comic relief roles. Anyone?
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
PiraguaGuy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
#2re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 10:07pm
Tevye
Sam Byck
Luther Billis
Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08
Updated On: 4/7/09 at 10:07 PM
#2re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 10:42pm
I think one could argue that Nathan Detriot in Guys and Dolls could be played by a person that isn't the greatest singer.
jonartdesigns
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
#3re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:00pmJoanne in Company comes to mind.
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
#4re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:03pmI don't know if Desiree Armfeldt "generally" is played by non-singers, but I wouldn't consider Glynis Johns the best singer. but god, is her Desiree perfection.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#5re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:04pm
sdd
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=972787#3631451
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=963561#3533883
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955158#3440952
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954269#3427915
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955012#3441622
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954344#3428699
Updated On: 4/7/09 at 11:04 PM
#6re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:42pmLucy in YAGMCB.
Men don't even belt.
#7re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:50pmThought of another one: Billy Flynn in Chicago (actually think it could be argued that Roxie doesn't need to be the best singer in the world, either. I do think Velma needs more talent to pull off "All That Jazz" and that her character is supposed to be a gal that did make it vaudville)
#8re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:58pmJudas in godspell?
ThankstoPhantom
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
#9re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:14amSophie in Elisabeth has been played by singers and non singers, and is usually better played by non singers.
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
#10re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:18amRuth Sherwood in WONDERFUL TOWN was created by a non-singer, but revived with a singer, who was replaced successfully by a non-singer.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#11re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:21amI would say pretty much any role that John Lithgow plays.. he always seems to get high praise for a non-singer.
#12re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:35am
Albin in La Cage
Edna in Hairspray
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#13re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 11:46amAlbin??? George Hearn a non-singer???
#14re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 11:49amEdna??? Michael Ball a non-singer???
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#15re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 12:44pm
FAIL
END OF THREAD
ALL SUBSEQUENT POSTS WILL BE DELETED
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#16re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 1:18pm
The Bea Arthur roles:
Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof
Vera in Mame
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#17re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 1:38pm
"Edna??? Michael Ball a non-singer???"
Harvey Fierstein - non-singer
Bruce Vilanche - non-singer
John Pinet5te - non-singer
Paul Vogt - non-singer
George Wendt - non-singer
Traditionally Edna has been cast with a non-singer. Michael Ball seems to be the exception.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#18re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 5:18pmMichael McKean would be the other Edna exception.
#19re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 8:03pm
(And, some would argue, John Travolta...)
But then again, the best singer in the version of Guys and Dolls that I did played Nathan. They actually had him sing "Sit Down" instead of Nicely-Nicely. So you never know.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
#20re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers
Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:51pmand john pinette has a great voice...the kind of high tenor voice that most of the men who understudied the role took on. Just an opinion, but check out some of the "mock-opera" he sings in his standup.
Videos