why are we calling Audra just a musical actress, kids?
Yes... she's more known for her musical work...
BUT!
TWO of her four TONYS are for PLAYS. A Raisin in the Sun AND Master Class. Granted... she sung in Master class, but they were operatic arias. It was still a play.
Hardly JUST a musical actress.
I vote Donna Murphy. RIDICULOUSLY versatile. and incredibly talented. Can we talk about the roles she's played? Fosca, Ana, Ruth Sherwood, Lotte Lenya?
Kelli O'Hara???? Huh??? How? I can get how people might think she's talented (even if I think she's as bland as it gets), but to compare her to Blanchett is preposterous, IMO.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Martha Plimpton may very well be, but I haven't seen enough of her work to be convinced.
Kelli O'Hara? No. As much as I think she's brilliant and as much as I have loved her in everything I've seen her in, she has in no way exhibited the craft and focus that we're talking about. Not that she's incapable of it, but she's just starting out.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."-Charlie Manson
I was going to say Donna Murphy (She is the most versatile actress I can think of except perhaps Cherry Jones) but I thought she may be more mature than what the OP was looking for.
"This ocean runs more dark and deep than you may think you know...I'll be the fear of the fire at sea."
-Marie Christine
Martha Plimpton was the first that came to my mind as well, though I don't think any of the women mentioned here compare. I think Blanchett is the type of actress that only comes around once in a generation, once every few, even.
Amy Morton is a wonderful thought--I think she's absolutely stunning in August, but what else have we seen her do?
Kelli O'Hara reminds me more of Julianne Moore: a great actress who is always recognized for doing great work, but always losing the award to someone else.