Today's Performances that Will Become Iconic — Page 2

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in WICKED immediately came to mind. Say what you will about their performances and the show itself, but WICKED isn't going anywhere any time soon and I think it'll be pretty cool to tell my grandkids that I saw that original duo, more than once. I don't think giving an iconic performance has much to do with being easily "replaceable" or not. I think that's a sign of a truly great, legendary performance. And I think that's a different thing than being "iconic."

And besides the ones that have been mentioned (Ebersole, Pinkins, LuPone, etc), Hugh Jackman in THE BOY FROM OZ was one of the first ones I thought of as well.

Updated On: 9/6/13 at 10:36 PM

When I saw the thread title, I immediately thought of Alice Ripley.

Updated On: 9/7/13 at 12:09 AM

Menzel has proved replaceable. In fact, I think people have found that others were better than her in the role.

Same with Carol Channing in Hello Dolly, but she still remained the icon.

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Do you guys think LuPone's performance in Gypsy could become somewhat iconic? Obviously many women played the role before her, but I get the sense that she left a pretty indelible mark on the role.

Stop it with LuPone Gypsy. LuPone will be remembered for Evita. LuPone didn't really take Gypsy in a new direction like Angela Lansbury did. Same with Anything Goes, she turned in a good performance but it wasn't iconic.

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Laura Osnes as Cinderella.

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Anne Hathaway in Les Mis. Not broadway, but still.

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I will probably get shot for this, but I feel that Nick Adams as Felicia/Adam in ‘Priscilla: Queen of The Desert’ will become iconic in terms of the show and the character. I know a lot of people did not like him, but I LOVED him and thought he was amazing in the show.
Let me also state that I have also seen Bryan West, Steve Schepis and Oliver Thornton in the role (The only Felicia I never got to see was Daniel Scott of the Australian production and Graham Weaver of the UK Tour). It was Nick’s personality that made him soo good in my eyes. He was soo into it, danced his ass off, and nailed every line. He had this little extra spark that took his character over the top. While I feel that Bryan West did more vocally with the role, his acting and physicality was not on the same level as Nick’s. If you took Bryan West’s Singing and Nick’s acting and dancing together, you would have the perfect Felicia.
Do I think the role will become an Iconic Musical theatre role- probably not. But I feel that in regards to the show, it will become the iconic take on the character and role.

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Updated On: 9/7/13 at 05:18 PM

I had completely forgotten Nick's performance in that until you mentioned it...and now I hate you for reminding me.

Seriously though, I just feel that it will be an Iconic portrayal of THE CHARACTER AND THE SHOW- I mean, when you think of the character, at least for me, Nick comes to mind. I just feel that his take on the character will be the one best remembered.

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Why do people love Laura Osnes as Cinderella so much? I thought she was fine, but I wouldn't equate her to Tonya Pinkins or Christine Ebersole...

I really don’t think people will forget the show. The movie had a large cult following long before the musical came along, so I highly doubt people will forget the show. Remember one person’s mess is another’s masterpiece.

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"I really dont think people will forget the show."

Oh, honey. It's already long forgotten.