over-rated

this will throw a nice big cat amongst the birds........but will be interesting to read........who do you feel is an over-rated performer and why

Hmmmm.....how about Bernadette Peters? Always the same performance, maybe Bebe Neuwirth too. Bring back the real Broadway divas!

Updated On: 7/8/03 at 08:23 AM

Oh yes Michael Crawford , and then there is Sarah Brightman, then again she possibly doesn't rate at all, she just gets lots of publicity.

I don't get Matthew Broderick, for one. And that's just my opinion~

I don't think Adam Pascal is overrated. In fact, I really don't hear too much about him.

I saw him in RENT (twice) and AIDA (twice) and thought he was good. A lot of friends of mine can't stand his singing voice. I, personally, think it works great for both of these scores. He has an amazing tenor rock belt. He knows just how to place those high notes -- and with power! His acting is OK. Just OK. Plus ... he's damned HOT! And, another thing in his favor is his longevity. Not too many principals in Broadway shows stick with the show too long anymore. His 3+ years with AIDA is commendable.

Michael Crawford is DEFINITELY overrated!
Hunter Foster ... overrated.
Jane Krakowski ... overrated ... but I do like her.
Brian Stokes Mitchell ... overrated .. but I do like him sometimes.
Karen Akers ... overrated.
Sally Mayes ... overrated.
Bob Cuccioli ... overrated.

And, while we're at it ... here's the flipside...

UNDERrated:
Howard McGillin
Kerry Butler
Alice Ripley
Emily Skinner
Michael Cumptsy
Gary Beach
Marian Seldes
Michael Hayden

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Mandy Patinkin. He really has a very unpleasant voice in my opinion. I also feel that his acting range is limited. It seems to be the same performance no matter what the role is. When he isn't playing a character, he seems to have no real stage presence.

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This is a VERY interesting topic. I agree about Adam Pascal. I don't like his singing voice. I think he belongs more in rock concerts than on Broadway. It's interesting you think that Robert Cuccioli is overrated and Michael Cumptsy is underrated. Let's see. Their two big roles on Broadway- Julian MArsh and JEkyll/Hyde. Which is bigger and harder to handle...My point exactly. Acting wise, MIchael had to do practically nothing, and Robert had to do everything in the show. Geez, just LISTEN to him on the Jekyll and HYde CD, and you can tell how amazing his acting is. Michael's minimal, minimal singing in "42nd Street" is very average. He didnt blow me away at all with Marsh. I think your list is a little strange, judging by the roles they have played, as well as their singing abilities. Just my opnion, please don't get defensive!

I don't think Robert Cuccioli's over-rated as, honestly, I don't think a lot of people hold his talents in that high regard. He's not even working on Broadway consistently. He originated one role that got mixed reviews and got a Tony nomination. Since then he hasn't done anything of note.

He's not in a position to be over-rated. He's barely relevant. That's not to dismiss him but I don't think anyone could say he's being given too much for whatever his talents may be.

Hi BillyLawlor...
Thanks for your reply to my post.

Regarding the whole Cucciolo/Cumptsy thing. It's about WAY more than singing.

Michael Cumptsy has had many more roles on Broadway than Julian Marsh. I've seen him in THE HEIRESS, 1776, ENCHANTED APRIL and 42nd STREET, and he was so terrific and different in every single production. He's very versatile. Julian Marsh doesn't need to be a big ol' loud belter. It's more important to cast an actor who can sing in that role than it is to cast a singer who can act. I do think he's very underrated. Check out ENCHANTED APRIL to get a very different performance than he gave in 42nd STREET. He was so great in THE HEIRESS, too.

Cuccioli just doesn't impress me in the least. I know his voice very well from THE WORLD GOES ROUND (and sort of from J&H), but there's not too much range there (I mean "range" as in versatility, not notes). He screeches his way thru J&H. Not too big on dynamics. Everything is loud. I don't think I was even able to get thru the whole J&H CD more than once because his voice was too piercing -- and just a hair sharp in a lot of places. I remember seeing him in an OffBroadway production of THE ROTHSCHILDS, and I remember thinking that we'd definitely be seeing more of him. But we haven't. J&H ... and that's really it.

That was my reasoning. Hope it clears up what was going on in my head when compiling my lists!

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Bernadette Peters.

I think in her hayday, she was the it girl. Now when she performs it seems she's so damn bored. When I saw her performances in Hey Mr Producer I was bored to tears by Unexpected Song and You Gotta Get A Gimmick, the other two ladies Ruthie Henshall and Millicent Martin Blew Bernie away. NO comparison.

I dont hate bernie, it's just everyone rants and raves and lately she hasn't impressed.

In My Humble Opinion

or

In My Honest Opinion

Kristin Chenoweth

in two words:

Kristin Chenoweth

In my opinion, since "Charlie Brown", she has managed to destroy any piece of material that has had the misfortune of coming into contact with her...

...and her fascination with interpolating High C's and High D's into even the most unoperatic of tunes (Note: "His love makes me beautiful" at the "Funny Girl" Benefit) is not only annoying but disrespectful to the music she is singing.

If she want's to sing opera (which I assure you, she can not...sorry, a heavily miked "Candide", while a fantastic show, ain't "Aida"), than she should go DO so...and leave this music alone...

and her stage persona...

A chipmunk with high notes...

Ugh!

voiceanth...

I can certainly understand not liking Kristin Chenoweth. There are many people who go ga-ga over some performers, and I can't stand to listen to them (Michael Crawford, etc.).

And regarding...

"If she want's to sing opera (which I assure you, she can not...sorry, a heavily miked "Candide", while a fantastic show, ain't "Aida")"

Kristin can most certainly sing opera. I did a production of PHANTOM with her (the GOOD one by Yeston & Kopit) and she played Christine. She kicked butt, vocally.

I agree with what you said about sticking high notes in songs where it just isn't in the spirit of the tune, or basically inappropriate.

She can (and does) sing opera amazingly well.

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Updated On: 7/8/03 at 03:42 PM