Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

#1

Singing 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?

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In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy

#2

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/7/09 at 10:07pm

Tevye
Sam Byck
Luther Billis

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Updated On: 4/7/09 at 10:07 PM

#3

re: 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.

#4

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:00pm

Joanne in Company comes to mind.

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#5

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:03pm

I 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.

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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

#6

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:04pm

sdd

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Updated On: 4/7/09 at 11:04 PM

#7

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:42pm

Lucy in YAGMCB.

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Men don't even belt.

#8

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:50pm

Thought 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)

#9

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/7/09 at 11:58pm

Judas in godspell?

#10

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:14am

Sophie in Elisabeth has been played by singers and non singers, and is usually better played by non singers.

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How to properly use its/it's: Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...

#11

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:18am

Ruth Sherwood in WONDERFUL TOWN was created by a non-singer, but revived with a singer, who was replaced successfully by a non-singer.

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"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."
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#12

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:21am

I would say pretty much any role that John Lithgow plays.. he always seems to get high praise for a non-singer.

#13

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:35am

Albin in La Cage
Edna in Hairspray

#14

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 11:46am

Albin??? George Hearn a non-singer???

#15

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 11:49am

Edna??? Michael Ball a non-singer???

#16

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 12:44pm

FAIL

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#17

re: 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

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#18

re: 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.

#19

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 5:18pm

Michael McKean would be the other Edna exception.

#20

re: 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.

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In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy

#21

re: Singing Roles Traditionally Played By Non-singers

Posted: 4/8/09 at 9:51pm

and 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.