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#1

Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:29am

Okay, so verytime I touch a topic it always dies, so let's see how long this one will last.

So! Who, and in what shows, did YOU find some performances you weren't quite expecting to seE? Whether it be good or bad.

Today I saw DRS, and Norbert is completely amazing. I saw him in Wicked, and thought, 'Well, he's pretty good' (Yes, I know, I KNOW look what he was given to work with..), but today. Wow. He's amazing! Completely amazing. New found respect for him. ;D!

I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.

#2

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:30am

Going into Caroline, or Change, the actors I kept hearing about were Tonya Pinkins and Anika Noni Rose. So imagine my surprise when it was Veanne Cox who really blew me away. She made me a fan for life with that performance.

#3

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:18am

Hey, i liked norbert in wicked, though I didnt think he really "fit" the part.

#4

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:22am

I didn't not like Norbert in Wicked. I mean,i like Wicked, I do. But, he's beyond belief in DRS. I liked him in Wicked, don't get me wrong, but I fell in love with him in DRS.

I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.

#5

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:26am

A performance that I never expected was Michael Jeter's in "Grand Hotel". He was brilliant and stole the show.

"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"

#6

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:29am

I went into Mamma Mia expecting to be entertained by the ABBA songs (I'm a fan) and not much else, but then I saw Louise Pitre's performance and became a fan for life! I still remember the chills I got when she sang "Slipping Through My Fingers" and "The Winner Takes It All". Wow.

"Years from now, when you talk about this - And you will - Be kind. "

#7

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:32am

When we saw the Reprise production of Pippin recently, John Schuck surprised me completely. I had NO IDEA he had a legitimate background in musical theatre. He should do it more often!

#8

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:35am

I went into The Normal Heart expecting a great performance, after everything I'd heard about Raúl, but I got more than I EVER could've bargained for; my first exposure to the most brilliant actor I've ever seen. Perfection. I knew he was talented, but nothing I could've heard or read before had the potential to prepare me for him. I was completely drawn in by him after about three seconds of seeing him on stage.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 5/2/05 at 01:35 AM

#9

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:46am

These are people I went in questioning, and came out raving:

Christina Applegate, SWEET CHARITY
Antonio Banderas, NINE
Mary Stuart Masterson, NINE
Adam Pascal, CABARET
John C. Reilly, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Matthew Morrison, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
Norbert Leo Butz, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Drew Lachey, RENT
Alfred Molina, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Brian Stokes Mitchell, MAN OF LA MANCHA
Edie Falco, FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE
Stanley Tucci, FRANKIE AND JOHNNY...
Jimmy Smits, ANNA IN THE TROPICS
Sally Field, THE GOAT
Neil Patrick Harris, ASSASSINS

and:

Bjork in DANCER IN THE DARK

Movie, I know, but she's brilliant in it.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#10

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:27am

all the ALTARS BOYZ in Altar Boyz
Chad Kimball in Into The Woods
Barrett Foa in Avenue Q
Ron Todorowski in Movin' Out (This guy is amazing!)
Raul Esparza in EVITA (national tour)

#11

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:38am

From quite awhile ago - David Bowie in The Elephant Man.

#12

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:55am

Drew Lachey in RENT really surprised me, considering the stunt casting I had seen before him was definitely worse than I expected.

Another person I never expected to SEE in RENT, was Jai Rodriguez. And he's absolutely the most fantastic Angel I've seen to date.

"The tick BOOM tick BOOM is so loud I can't hear the rain on the grass. I can't hear the wind. I'm about to scream. But I realize I'm not alone."

#13

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 3:40am

Seeing Sutton Foster for the first time in Les Miserables. Only thing I can think of is, this girl is going to be big one day.

#14

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 4:08am

Jai Rodriguez was in RENT way before his "success" with Queer Eye.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#15

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 5:08am

Hugh Jackman in THE BOY FROM OZ --

I read all the glowing reviews of his performance - but I did not expect to see him sing and dance so well when I finally got to see it. And exude so much male sexuality inspite of the character he was playing.

Michael Ball in THE WOMAN IN WHITE --

Likewise, I had read about his great take on the role of Count Fosco, but I was not prepared to see the many-layered interpretation of how he played the character. The beautiful and big voice I knew was going to be there - but I never thought a man of his ( Count Fosco) girth could seduce the audience the way he did.

#16

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 5:40am

Let's see - Norbert : HATED him in Wicked. (Though I loved Joey Mac), but was blown away by his performance in DRS.

The Normal Heart - I cannot, for the life of me remember the woman's name, (not Joanna Gleason) but all through the first act I kept thinking "God, what a horrible actress." But, in the second act, she her energy level changed, and her monologue became strong and powerful, thus being a surprise.

Caroline or Change - I expected Tanya to be great, but it was Anika who stole the show for me.

A Raisin in the Sun - The show blew me away. P. Diddy was alright, but he had the rest of the cast making up for his poor acting skills, and it became the best show I have ever seen.

The Impossible Dream - HATE that song. And then I heard Brian Stokes Mitchell sing it, and recieve an applause one very rarely hears in the theatre...a long one.

Jennifer Laura Thompson: I love Kristin Chenowith. But, never did I expect Jennifer to play that role ten times better.

"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive. "Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot." "No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one." Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.

#17

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 10:01am

recently i was blown away by rachel york. way more than i thought i was going to be.

#18

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 10:19am

Joey McIntyre in TICK TICK BOOM! really surprised me. I was extremely touched by and impressed with his performance. The guy's a better actor than I knew he was. His performane in Wicked - good but not quite on the same level, at least not for me.

Updated On: 5/2/05 at 10:19 AM

#19

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 10:41am

Christopher Sieber/Christian Borle/David Hyde Pierce, SPAMALOT
Jai Rodriguez, RENT
Denis O'Hare, SWEET CHARITY

There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.

#20

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:46pm

Apdarcey- Completely agree with you on Rachel York in Dessa Rose. What a charismatic, multi-dimensional performance. And she has a gorgeous singing voice, too.

#21

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:04pm

apdarcey and plum,

While Rachel York's performance in DESSA ROSE didn't surprise me (I've been a fan of her work for a long time and knew she had that kind of range and depth), it did enthrall me. I think it's the best work she's ever done, and she's done some fine, fine work!

I know conventional wisdom says that Victoria Clark will probably win all the Best Actress in a Musical awards this year, but do either of you think that Rachel York has a chance of "stealing" the Drama Desk from her? It would be great if she could get the recognition she truly deserves for that performance. I wonder if it will just get lost because it's in an Off-Broadway show that didn't get strong reviews overall.

Thoughts?

lc

#22

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:09pm

The Normal Heart - I cannot, for the life of me remember the woman's name, (not Joanna Gleason) but all through the first act I kept thinking "God, what a horrible actress." But, in the second act, she her energy level changed, and her monologue became strong and powerful, thus being a surprise.

Lisa Kron, I believe.

I shall also add to my list, though obviously not "brilliance" like that of which I spoke about Raúl, but Matt Morrison in Piazza. I had no idea he could sing like that. VERY surprised, and I'm definitely a big fan now.

And, alright... I guess I have to say I didn't expect Adam in Cabaret to be as good as he was. I'll admit that initially I was like "honey, I love you, but... this is going to work... HOW?" He pulled it off. Not perfectly, but damned well enough, and quite beautifully given his own abilities. He really took a risk and stretched... and succeeded.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

#23

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:22pm

I never expected to be as blown away with these performances as I was:

Sian Phillips - An Inspector Calls
Janet McTeer - A Doll's House
Patti LuPone - Master Class
Victoria Clark - The Light in the Piazza
Ann Duquesnay - Noise/Funk
Veanne Cox/Henry Winkler - The Dinner Party
Betty Buckley - Sunset Boulevard
Brendan Fraser - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Martine McCutcheon - My Fair Lady
Janine LaManna - Seussical

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#24

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:30pm

I just saw Kendra Kassebaum as Glinda in Wicked. (This is the part where people yell and get mean) I actually think I liked her more than cheno.

<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado

#25

re: Unexpected Performances...

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:39pm

I was amazed by Ms. R in Spamalot....I had not expected that, and to me, she stole the show.

It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story... AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956

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