What Inspires You?- Page 2

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 1/20/04 at 5:10pm

Well, like BroadwayNYC, the city inspires me because it has so much opportunity that can be taken advantage of. My biggest inspirations on Broadway though are Bernadette Peters and Idina Menzel. I had seen AGYG from the last row about 4 years ago, and was still struck by Bernadette's performance. That's when I became a big fan of her, and that's been growing ever since. And Idina, I also had a really bad seat for Wicked, and when she came out and sang "The Wizard and I", I was blown away. I had never heard of her before I saw Wicked, and after I saw that show, began to listen to my "Rent" cast recording. I had never listened to it before, when I got it, and seriously, I don't know why. I got "Still I Can't Be Still" and "The Wild Party" for Christmas and that's when I realized what an amazing performer Idina is, and very versatile (which has already been established). She's also a very nice person. At the Wicked cd signing, she actually payed attention to what I was saying to her, about how much I loved her performance, etc., and seemed to appreciate it. Wow I wish I could be like those two women when I get older....

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 1/20/04 at 6:28pm

You don't have to wait until you're older to be like them. They are both nice, genuine, appreciative ladies. There's no reason that you can't emulate those good qualities right now in your everyday life.

[Megan Marie]

Posted: 1/20/04 at 7:13pm

Bernadette Peters
Stephan Sondhiem as well as Stephan Schwartz
My voice instructor/musical theatre director R. Ursan
Julie Andrews
Johnathan Larson *BIGTIME**

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/20/04 at 7:53pm

actors: sutton foster, jane krakowski (sp?), heather headley, and idina menzel

places: time square (the energy)

creative: susan stroman and natasha katz

songs: for good (wicked)

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 1/20/04 at 7:55pm

Idina Menzel. Period.

Also Jonathon Larson, Natasha Katz, Eugene O'Neill, and Stephen Sondheim, to name a few...

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 1/20/04 at 9:31pm

2 things, marissa jaret winokur, and hairspray.my 2 favorite things

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 1:39pm

With all the various postings in the last 48 hours I thought this was an "oldie but goodie" worth bringing back up for discussion.

And at current, young broadwaystar2b inspired me today.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 1:46pm

My 93 year old Grandmother.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:04pm

Broadway in general has inspired me. I mean, what other place is as exciting and memorable, that you also have to work your butt off to achieve in. I mean, Hollywood is basically all about glamour and beauty....talent is way down the list in their concern. Broadway, is the average guy's venue. People who have come from nothing to fulfill the dreams in a great show is awe inspiring. Broadway is what really made me want to be an actor/singer. Even if I don't make it to broadway, it will always be my inspiration.

[mominator]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:06pm

Lets see so many..
Sondheim, Schwartz, Kristin Chenoweth ( I am not a huge fan, but MAN what a voice!) Same said for Idina. Well there is a real short list, I am sure I am forgetting someone.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:11pm

But, if we are diving into musical theatre itself, I would say my inspirations are:

PEOPLE: Anthony Warlow (Duh), Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jonathan Larson (Duh), and others

SHOWS: Phantom of the Opera, RENT, Parade, and so on.

[Corine2]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:19pm

Musto's humor and column
Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart
Tony Kushner/Jeanine Tesori Caroline Or Change
Violet. Millie.
Jeff Marx/Robert Lopez Avenue Q
Stephanie, Tags, The cast of Q
Sutton Foster for her belt (Gimmee Gimmee)
Brent Barrett(voice)
Donna Karger and Roma Torre
Patrick Pacheco
Elaine Stritch
Barbara Cook
Rosie O'Donnell
Waymond Wong- (He is so nice and talented)
Bob Blume
William Wolf
The Siegels
John Shin
Colin Lively (I adore you)
Rare Hair Salon (Ruth Roche)
Kathy Najimy
Christine Pedi
Michael West
Dame Edna
Harvey Fierstein
Nathan Lane
Kerry Butler
Kristin Chenoweth
Gerard A- (For making me laugh for 23 years)
John Freedson
Namo
Updated On: 7/8/04 at 02:19 PM

[javero]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:49pm

Any stunt casted actor that actually turns in a good performance consistently in a play/musical. Why? Because I believe in redemption and threatre is the one place where some of these allied artists can find it. Many wander over to theatre because it remains the one venue in which they can make an artistic statement of some sort, removing themselves from the banality of radio-friendly pop music and triteness of Tinseltown.

Updated On: 7/8/04 at 02:49 PM

[sean martin]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:53pm

Harold Prince.

That man single-handedly gave Broadway some guts and nerve.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 4:33pm

Desingers that inspire me:
David Rockwell
Bob Crowley
Heidi Ettinger (or Landesman)
Julie Taymor
Robin Wagner
Eugene Lee
Karen TenEyck

Composers/Lyricists that inspire me:
Marc Shaiman, Scott Whitman
Jonathan Larson
Cole Prter
Alan Menken, Howard Ashman
Charles Strouse, Lee Adams
Frank Loesser

[Broadwaygirl4life]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 4:34pm

MICHAEL CAVANAUGH!

he has inspired me in so many ways!

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 4:36pm

Composers/lyricists:
Jonathan Larson (he's my number 1)
Stephen Schwartz
Andrew Lloyd Webber
They're all incredible guys who have contributed so much to theatre.

I'm inspired by any person or show that people said would never succed, yet they went far. Or the people who started as nothing and worked their way up to lead or supporting, or even a Tony nomination or win.

[sean martin]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 4:37pm

Great list, Link. Any idea what Karen is up to these days? Her web site is gone, and I heard she moved to LA.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 4:43pm

Idina Menzel and Sutton Foster, for their passion and incredible talent.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 4:46pm

Sean...Thanks...I don't know where Karen has gone, but I love her style. I wish she would put her website back up. I someday see myself going into that style...the sort of Yale school of design style (and hopefully GOING to Yale to stufy under Ming Cho Lee).

And I just wanna say how much I love your website and how often i visit. I am actually in Calgary all summer, so we should get in contact my email is [e-mail] . I am in rehearsals for a production of Fiddler on the Roof that will be in Olympic Plaza August 2-14th...definitely try to come out and see it if you can. I am one of the Motels (we alternate nights).

Akiva

[sean martin]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 4:49pm

Cool! FIDDLER at Olympic Plaza? I had no idea -- this a ATP thing? And definitely, look for an email. That'd be great!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 4:54pm

My cat.
Love.
The Magic of a Moment when you know you are witnessing greatness on stage.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 5:03pm

Sean,

The company that is putting it on is called Summerstock Conservatory...Last year they out on Guys and Dolls in Olympic Plaza (floating stage built on the water). I designed the sets for that, and was actually hired as an actor to sing the role of Rusty Charlie, but that was more coincidence. This year I am more invloved in acting than in sets.

Hopefully see you there,
Akiva

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 5:29pm

*Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, Marin Mazzie, Bernadette Peters, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Donna Murphy, Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers, and Audra McDonald, for the complete professionalism, class, heart, and gift that they bring (brought) to their craft everyday and for always setting new standards of excellence in every performance they give (gave).

*Sutton Foster, Kristen Bell, Enrico Rodriguez, and Danny McNie for being solid constant inspiration in that it's possible and for letting a little girl from Royal Oak with big broadway dreams keep being able to believe in herself.

*My parents and my 89 year old grandmother who never ceases to amaze me everyday with what she can do.
*A good hug
*A smile
*A Thank You
*Words
*Silence

Updated On: 7/8/04 at 05:29 PM

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 5:30pm

what, or i should really say who, inspires me to want to be a part of the theater world are everyone who is involved with this business. i think that everyone works so hard to pull off what they do, and i just really respect that. everyone is so damn nice too.