Who's the most Versatile person around? — Page 2

#26

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:28pm

I agree with Margo's list. Meryl Streep and Signourney Weaver for me defines versatility as American actors likewise Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave. On a side note, I had no idea that Dench played Sally Bowles. Now, what I would have given to see that!

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Happy...Everything! Kaye Thompson

#27

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:33pm

I agree with Margo.

Versatile means able to play many different kinds of roles.
Triple threat means equal in singing, dancing, and acting.

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"People that excel in the arts understand that the journey is the reward...the result an added bonus. Every day I act or train is a blessing and a dream come true. If Broadway beckons so be it. I have a personal definition of success that is unshakable by a possibly unobtainable goal." -HamletWasBipolar

#28

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:35pm

You beat me to it, Gladys. Brian d'Arcy James might not have to sing another note, but I'd die if he didn't, haha.

And I also agree with Bette Midler and Daphne Rubin Vega. They're both INSANE. Loves it.

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~*Sara*~
Who would play you in the movie? "Taye Diggs." --Brian d'Arcy James

#29

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:37pm

How is Chenoweth versatile? Many of her roles have basically been the same. She's been Sally in YAGMCB,Glinda in Wicked, Cunegonde in Candide. Kristin is talented but, is not versatile in the roles she's playing.

Updated On: 8/27/06 at 03:37 PM

#30

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:40pm

I'd have to say Richard Thomas. Although, I haven't seen any of his performances on stage, I have seen his television performances in the past. To playing 'Johnboy Walton', going to playing roles such as 'David Young' ('To Save the Children'), and 'Richard Farley' in 'Stalking Laura'( just to name a few). Richard Thomas in my opinion, is the most versatile person around. There's nothing he can't do.

#31

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:43pm

I guess I'm thinking she has the potential for versatility. She hasn't really shown it so much, but when I think about what I could see her doing, I reckon she could pull off anything she put her mind to. Is it just me? Ah well. ^_^

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Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter

#32

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:44pm

^ I think Chenoweth could pull of different thing's. Maybe she's not choosing to or is not being offered versatile roles.

#33

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:45pm

Kelli O'Hara? Really? She has attempted to be versatile, but has yet to pull it off. She's great when she does the one role she's good at.

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#34

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 5:59pm

My vote goes to Valerie Harper.

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"I believe that art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, to engage in a constant search for the truth." - Barbra Streisand

#35

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 6:22pm

thinking it over I'd have to agree with
Audra McDonald
Matthew Morrisson
Rachel York (why doesn't she get more work? She saved Victor Victoria!)
Judi Dench (stage to screen effortless)
Sutton Foster
Hugh Jackman(what hasn't he done lately)
and hello....Toni Collette (duh)
Merly Streep (I swear she could damm near do anything- angels in america...wow, she played a man!)
Johnny Deep (and now his gonna play Sweeney, he'll be even hotter!)

Updated On: 8/27/06 at 06:22 PM

#36

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/27/06 at 11:34pm

Maybe this IS another golden age and we're just too inside to spot the lustre.

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http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=972787#3631451 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=963561#3533883 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955158#3440952 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954269#3427915 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955012#3441622 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954344#3428699

#37

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 5:46am

Forgot to say Clare Higgins. The most fabulously dextrous actress that I've ever seen live.

#38

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 6:37am

I guess I'm just goofy about the guy but- Norbert Leo Butz.
He can do Shakespeare, musical comedy,and I expect to see more of him now on both the large and small screens.

#39

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 11:34am

Donna Murphy, I was so skeptical when I went to see her in Wonderful Town, I had no idea thtat the actress who moved me to tears in Passion when I was 14 could bring tears of laughter to my eyes almost 10 years later. She's a top-notch performer.
And what about Blythe Danner? Probably one of the best stage/film/TV actresses working at the time.

#40

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 12:03pm

Danner's great. I also meant to mention Christopher Plummer who's done everything over the course of a long career. In addition to dozens of acclaimed performances in a huge range of roles on tv and film, he's also one of the most respected stage actors as well, in both classical and contemporary roles (he's one of the few actors to receive a Tony for both Best Actor in a Play as well as Best Actor in a Musical).

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#41

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 12:07pm

I hate, conceptually speaking, when people ask who THE most ___ something is, because who are we to make singular absolute statements?

Anyway, with that in mind, surely there have been better or at least people of equal range, but that Mr. Esparza ain't so bad.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#42

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 1:32pm

A-L-I-C-E R-I-P-L-E-Y

#43

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 1:36pm

Jim Dale

Sings, acts, dances, writes, directs, composes, etc. Not only versatile, but damned talented in all of his disciplines!

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"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

#44

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 1:56pm

Chris Sarandon.

I just watched "Dog day Afternoon' for the first time, and had no idea that that amazing performance was from the same man who played both Prince Humperdinck AND Senior Nacarelli. total transformations. just amazing.

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"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 01:56 PM

#45

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 2:11pm

broadjay,

Couldn't help but notice your question about Rachel York. Actually, I think she gets lots of work. In the past two years she has done Sly Fox, Dessa Rose, Ragtime, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Sound of Music at the Hollywood Bowl, and, next, My One and Only at Reprise! She also squeezed in a concert performance of Summer of '42 during that time.

I think this type of schedule typifies what many, many incredibly talented Broadway performers do - they play Off-Broadway and Regional theaters, tour, do concert gigs, make TV guest appearances, and do some film work. Just enhances the argument that there are tons of versatile folks out there - they just may not be as well recognized as some.

lc

#46

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 6:43pm

Lovesclassics, thank you!
I wasn't aware she'd been so busy, great to hear,
I huess what I meant by not getting much work, was she doesn't get alot of credit for her versatility and that voice, basically her talent, I wish it were acknowledged more, you know? (-:

#47

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 6:50pm

Leah Hocking. Just this year alone.
Miss Sandra
Velma Von Tussle
Donna Sheridan

#48

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 7:11pm

Stephanie J. Block.

#49

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 7:54pm

The first person I thought of when I saw this thread was Meryl Streep. She can be hysterical, heartwrenching, stunning, doubty. I really do believe that if there's one actress who can do just about anything, it's her.

#50

re: Who's the most Versatile person around?

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:29pm

Celia KB (spelling bee,piazza, sweeny), kelli o'hara (piazza to PJ game, WHAT?)...and as long as we're doing hollywood, Kate Winslet and Dustin Hoffman!