Today's Performances that Will Become Iconic- Page 2

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 10:36pm

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

[jv92]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 10:37pm

Menzel has proved replaceable. In fact, I think people have found that others were better than her in the role. It's true that other people played Cassie in A CHORUS LINE and did quite well, but probably not as well as Donna McKechnie. (Another iconic performance more than 15 years ago.)

Nathan Lane in THE PRODUCERS: Perhaps because it was such a popular hit, and he won the Tony, it's somewhat iconic. (Although he was playing a role closely associated with Zero Mostel, not making something completely new.) But for my money, THE NANCE was his "iconic" performance. But perhaps because the whole world didn't see or doesn't know THE NANCE, it doesn't reach "icon" status.

But then again, one man's icon is another man's old hat hack.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:09am

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


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

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:12am

"Alas, I'm not sure Grey Gardens and Caroline, or Change were around long enough to each icon status."

I honest to God don't mean this to be snarky or rude, but I'm guessing you're a kid, right?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:18am

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.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:18am

Tonya Pinkins, Caroline Or Change
Victoria Clark, The Light In The Piazza
Hugh Jackman, The Boy From Oz
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal
Christine Ebersole, Grey Gardens
Audra McDonald, Ragtime
Patti LuPone, Gypsy
Natasha Richardson, Cabaret

I'd go as far as to add Sutton Foster for Thoroughly Modern Millie and Harvey Fierstein in Hairspray.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:22am

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.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:27am

The media in previous generations covered Broadway shows more and so the icons could be remembered. Ed Sullivan, Rosie O'Donnell and other talk and variety shows all did their part to reinforce these icons. Today's shows don't cover the Broadway icons and I think they will be lost to future generations.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:32am

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.

[jwsel]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 1:51pm

Patina Miller and Andrew Martin - Pippin. (Ben Vereen is already an icon in the role of the leading player, but Miller reinvented the role and I think will become the model for future performers. That there are YouTube videos of performances of Magic To Do, Glory, and On The Right Track will only help.)

Alan Cumming in Cabaret.

Cherry Jones in Doubt.

Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman.

Harvey Feirstein in Hairspray.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 1:57pm

Laura Osnes as Cinderella.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 2:00pm

I can't tell if that's a joke or not.

[N2N Nate.]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 3:03pm

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

[strawberry]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 3:06pm

John Lloyd Young - Jersey Boys
Alice Ripley - Next to Normal

[darreyl102]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 5:18pm

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.

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

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 5:23pm

Nobody's going to shoot you, but I think even Nick's mother has already forgotten his performance in that.

[rorschach37]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 6:06pm

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

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 6:20pm

Without a doubt, people will be cherishing Hunter Parrish's magnificent performance in GODSPELL for years to come!

Long live God!

[darreyl102]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 6:42pm

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.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 6:44pm

You're assuming people will remember that mess of a show.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 6:49pm

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...

[donnamurphybemymom]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 7:12pm

To whoever said Miller will be better remembered than Vereen... I actually don't have words. BUT to answer the question, I'm afraid that Pinkins and Ebersole's shows were not well known enough to survive especially with Wicked, Avenue Q and Spring Awakening (3 obscenely popular shows)winning awards those years. Maybe they will be remembered through sheer awesomeness of their performances but then again no one mentioned Brent Carver (Probably the greatest male performance in Broadway history) or Chita Rivera for Kiss of the Spider Woman.The SHOW has to be memorable too and Change/Grey Gardens just aren't well known enough. BUT

Ripley in N2N
Close in Sunset Blv (even though Rebecca Luker should have won for Showboat)
Menzel in Rent (Mostly cause Rent is well-known)
Foster in Millie
McDonald for P&B/Ragtime
Porter in Kinky Boots
Esparza in Company (it's who you think of when someone says Bobby)
Cumming/Richardson for Cabaret (everyone remembers this revival)

[darreyl102]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 7:20pm

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.

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 7:43pm

BILLY PORTER AS LOLA IN KINKY BOOTS!!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 7:51pm

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

Oh, honey. It's already long forgotten.