over-rated- Page 2

[FrontRow]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 3:50pm

I've thought Laura Benanti is overrated since she was nominated for a Tony for SWING. Nice hair, nice figure, but I don't think she's that pretty...and regardless of her other assets, she doesn't deserve the label "beautiful" if she doesn't have a pretty face (hello, Sarah Jessica Parker).

Plus, is Laura Benanti really anything besides a younger, brunette Rebecca Luker?

Yeah, I know, they're both talented. But the question was who's overrated, and I just don't see the fuss over LB.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 3:54pm

Phantom is not an Opera...

it's a Broadway show that uses miking...

Singing opera...real opera...means singing a role like, lets say Donizetti "Lucia Di Lammermoor", which requires you do the following:

..to sing a 25 minute solo mad scene..with a range of a low C to a High E above High C...over two ocatives of range covered...

..in Italian....

...against a 50 piece orchestra...

..in a 3000 seat hall...

..with no amplification whatsoever..

..That's an opera singer...

There's no question she has a voice...AND the notes...and talent...but she makes me crazy when she throws the kitchen sink into something like "Let yourself go" ....

[scooter38432]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 3:54pm

In defense of Laura Benanti...

I've seen her in SWING, INTO THE WOODS, and NINE and thought she was outstanding in all three.

Her appearance didn't even cross my mind. She's looked lovely in everything I've ever seen her in.

And, I do love Rebecca Luker. Their voices are very different, though. I really don't see any comparison between them, other than the fact that they're both attractive sopranos.

[magruder]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 5:48pm

Well, Lucia is the Madame Rose of the opera world. It's probably the craziest, most punishing music out there for a soprano, and you are right, Kristin would never survive it. But she could probably make it through light operettas and maybe a Cherubino or a Pamina or something of that ilk, don't you think?

[Alvin and My Sheepdog Rex]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 6:32pm

LuLuhed,

While I totally disagree with you about Matthew Broderick who I have enjoyed for many years. From Ferris Bueller on the Big Screen to Leopold Bloom on Broadway, I have enjoyed his many wonderful performances.

Now about that sandwich in your photo! That is one good-looking deli meal. I'll guess Stage Deli. Where is it actually from?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 7:00pm

The Over-rated list will indeed get very long in this age of everybody's-a-star hype.

One performer who I believe to be highly over-rated but whose name hasn't been mentioned yet is Audra McDonald. Siff acting, no stage presence, she carries a melody. No doubt other views may differ but for me, at this point in time, Audra is definitely in the top 10 of the Over-rated.

Yours for a better Broadway!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 7:16pm

Audra McDonald..Thank you...that's another one...

Are ya an opera singer or Broadway...

and stage presence?

I saw her do a concert where she looked at nothing but the balcony for two hours...

[luluhed]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 7:20pm

Alvin-LOL! I was waiting for someone to ask about the sandwich! Can you believe I even took a picture of it? Anyway, there is a certain restaurant in NJ called Harold's. It's famous for it's HUGE and I mean ridiculously HUGE portions of food. The sandwich in my photo is only one half of the mini-pastrami. The slices of cake are large enough for 8 people to share, and so on. I'm glad I live in NY and have no car, because if I went there more often than once a year, I'd be in trouble. I think I'll change the photo to the one of half a regular brisket/turkey combo!

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 7:58pm

Wow, I must disagree with Audra being on this list. I've seen her in concert and have been a huge fan of hers since I heard the Ragtime recording. I think her expressivness and pure vocal talent are genuine and extraordinary. I think she truly deserves any recongition she receives.

[Hank]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 8:09pm

Overated: the ladies of Nine.
Underated: the ladies of Hairspray.
By the way, luluhed, I'm a Jersey guy, and where the heck is Harolds? I often like to plug great Jersey cuisine, the hot dogs at Rut's Hut in Clifton top my list, also the fried calimari at JR's in Seaside Hts. You NYers don't know what you're missing.

[Becky]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 8:13pm

I'm not sure I agree with Adam Pascal being over rated, and it's not because I happen to like him. He doesn't receive enough hype or attention to be considered over rated. Maybe back in the early RENT days, but certainly not in recent years.

I don't know, my definition of over rated is someone who receives ongoing accolades, hype, name-recognition status, etc when they really don't deserve it. I wouldn't put Adam in that category. He's seems to be an actor who has gotten a few roles that his style was right for -- but you don't hear his name popping up constantly, and he's not really a name draw.

People either like his style or they don't, for he's not a traditional Broadway performer by any means. However, plenty of people happen to love his vocal style, and I can certainly understand why. Just because he's got a gravely rock sound doesn't mean there isn't room for him on a Broaway stage. As long as there are people who enjoy his work, why not?

[luluhed]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 8:15pm

There are around 3 Harold's but the only one worth going to is the one Harold is still with. It's in Edison, right off the parkway in some industrial park, I think connected to a motel.

[CaTheatreGirl]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 8:25pm

In addition to The Producers, I also loved Matthew Broderick in H2$ and pleasantly surprised that he could sing and dance -- maybe not expertly, but sufficiently for the role and to win a Tony!

As for Kristin, wait until you see her in Wicked. She's wonderful and so funny. Imagine a blend of Elle Woods (Reese in Legally Blonde) and Karen from Will and Grace. I can't wait to see this show again.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 8:39pm

Stephen Sondheim.

As a lyricist he knows no peer. But ...I'm sorry, but I love melody. And there aint a lot of melody in Sondheim. There just isn't. A lot of it is sing-songy like the ticking of a clock. And frankly his scores can be an outright chore. For every song that gives me pleasure comes several that seem doughy and over-kneaded. Every so often I say to myself, "LcZ, you just haven't been fair to Steve. You need to try to give him another listen." And I do. And every time, I come rushing back to Cole Porter or Harold Arlen, famished for some melodic nourishment.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 8:52pm

underrated ::

Adam Fleming
Shoshana Bean
Todd Michel Smith
Shayna Steele
Joe Machota
Gavin Creel

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 10:07pm

BroadwayGuy...I have to admit that I only recognize one name on your list. I guess it proves they may be under rated....not exactly household names...lol


Yours for a better Broadway!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 10:18pm

Adm and Todd are very talented boys in the Hiarpsray chorus. Adam covers Link.


Shosh is a 'Tracy' cover. Listen to the 'Godspell' recording from the 2001 cast. She is fantastic. Along with Leslie Kritzer.


Shayna covered Mimi and Joanne in Rent, Mary in JCS and is now a Dynamite in Hairpsray and she covers Inez. The girl has a powerhouse voice like you wouldn't believe.

Joe tpured as Ren in Footloose and is currently Sky in mamma mia, where he is sadly under used. He is a find.

Gavin toured as Nick in Fame, was nominated for a Tony for playing Jimmy in TMM, and is currently playing a small role in Bounce. Another amazing performer that needs something he can just run away with. Updated On: 7/8/03 at 10:18 PM

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 10:22pm

I got the best one here:

JULIA MURNEY

She's never even been on Broadway and her "Wild Party" performance was beyond forgettable. Yes, she can sing, but she does not deserve the praise and attention that you all constantly give her. I wonder if she will EVER get to Broadway...

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 10:27pm

I agree that Matthew Broderick is overated. He can't act, his singing voice is completely through his nose and his dancing is clumsy.

And I also don't see what's so great about Sarah Jessica Parker. Her face looks like a Halloween mask.

[Grand Motel]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 10:37pm

I know you will argue on this one but I don't understand why I'm supposed to be so excited about Seth Rudetsky... Okay, he's a nice guy who plays piano a lot for charity, but OVERRATED. Sorry, Mr. R.

Call me a chatterbox, but I just don't get it!

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 10:45pm

I think Seth is UNDERRATED! This community needs to appreciate what he does for the theatre.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 11:11pm

Mandy Patinkin is my choice also.

Adam Pascal overrated? nope

[Belter]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 12:07am

I posted a Looooooong post .... and it didn't appear .... and testing to see if THIS will appear .... not the first time this has happened .... anyone know WHY?

[Belter]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 12:08am

I agree about Ethel Merman, though I believe her appeal was not in the recordings, but in seeing her live. I never saw her live, but people I know have, including someone who was her understudy and they adored her. SO there was something there. Unfortunately it was "of its time" and I think it's hard for a lot of new listeners to understand what made her great. It doesn't help that she is shoved down our throats as the "Great Ethel Merman" ...

I think Mary Martin is currently underappreciated by young performers. Of course, young performers probably underappreciate past performers simply because they haven't heard of them -- but Ms. Martin -- on any recording -- breathes, lives, gives listeners the character with every note. If you were to find her opposite, IMO it would be Kristen Chenoweth. I agree completely that she is overrated. It's not her fault, she does have talent, but she got pigeon-holed into a "little girl voice, switch to opera to impress people, I'm a blonde" sort of thing. Partly she did it to herself, but there are DA casting people who think the public wants to see that -- so although in at least two cases when KC has auditioned the person she beat out for the role was told "You're better than her, but she's got the name" she DOES keep getting the roles.

It helps her that Broadway's going Hollywood, IMO -- slowly requiring more and more lollipop actresses.

I also think Michael Crawford was overrated from the beginning. Having seen him in POTO I was NOT impressed. I thought Sarah was also overrated as far as acting -- heck, the whole show was poorly directed. It didn't matter, IMO, because ALW found all the right emotional buttons so the show succeeded, and continues to succeed due to those buttons. Anyone starring in that show when it opened would have won the Tony. Sarah only didn't win because of the controversy of her being forced into the show by her husband.

I thought Heather Headley was overrated in Aida. I saw opening night, and she was off pitch for her high notes. Also heard from a friend who worked on the show that they beefed up the chorus to cover her voice. However, I saw her sing "Don't Give Up the Ship", that David Freidman number, at the Easter Bonnet competition one year and she was phenomenal. So perhaps it was just Elton's music.

I think Marissa J. Winokur is overrated -- I've seen her sing on TV shows, promoting Hairspray and thought her voice was pretty pitiful. However, friends who have seen the show said she really carried it and was better in context.

I don't agree that Audra is overrated vocally -- she really does have the chops.
Acting, different story. She's young and was too fast famous.

Mary Bond Davis is underrated, IMO. Listen to her solo work in Ragtime (she begins one song -- can't remember the title) ... but heck, who cares if she's underrated -- the woman gets WORK!

I think Jason Robert Brown's work is overrated. I can hardly listen to his shows. Then again, maybe they're just not to my taste.

Sondheim is NOT overrated -- he is that good. Unfortunately, and he'll live just fine with this truth -- he's someone whose work takes time to understand and appreciate. I need about two years after hearing it to come to realize how good it is. I hated PASSION, now love the music (still hate the book and story), I hated SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, now appreciate it ... he's ahead of his time, and to some that may make him seem overrated.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 1:00am

Let me just say that I have not seen any of these performers in person, so I am basing my opinion on TV, Film and Recordings.

Audra McDonald: Great voice, no spark.

Mandy Patinkin: AWFUL voice, over-emotional,ham. Oh, and can't act.

Brian Stokes Mitchell: Stunning vocals, but rather stiff. His THE QUEST on the Tony’s was brilliant vocally, but his acting as the aged Cervantes/Quixote was something my high school drama teacher would not have allowed.