over-rated- Page 4

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 7/12/03 at 1:46am

I read this thread and become scared that many of my favorite performers are on this list, two of them promarily Michael Crawford and Mandy Patinkin. Ive always enjoyed these two men for their outside of the norm voices. I hate singers that all sound the same, so if i can find a couple of stars with really unique sounds, i like it. mandy does sound weird, yes, and michael does sing just below every pitch, yes, but somehow i think it works for them. Well im not sure what im trying to express here. dont get me wrong, im not saying theyre underrated, just saying that some of their praise is deserved.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 7/12/03 at 2:38pm

Ana Gasteyer should play Fanny in the revival of Funny Girl... the woman is incredible. Saw her at Chatterbox and she sang "I'm the Greatest Star" and just blew me and my friends away. She has the pipes AND comedic talents that just embody the role in its entirety. She's playing the role in PA -- I would love to see it.

I agree Julia's not right for the role, but I still think she's fabulous.


Whoever said that Alice was underrated... I don't think that's quite true. Alice has QUITE the following. If anything, Emily's underrated, especially in comparison to Alice. It's amazing how many more fans Alice formed through Side Show in comparison to Emily. As someone who admires Emily's work more, I just don't understand how one can watch both their performances and not be totally captivated by Emily's talent. She's such a brilliant performer, and I, personally, don't think Alice can hold a candle to her as an actress OR as a vocalist. But that's the beauty of life -- everyone has different tastes and different opinions and you can argue yours until you're blue in face, but it won't change anything. It's all apples and oranges!!! (Personally, I prefer bananas, but that's just me... hehe.)


There are so many performers people fawn all over and I'll never understand why. I'm an old school musical theatre girl... I like the classic, traditional type performers. The mainstream, pop generation (Rent, Aida stars, etc.) just don't float my boat. I think they're overrated, whereas many of you would argue they're not recognized enough.

*sigh*


One person who I WILL say I think is completely overrated is Ann Reinking. As a dancer, I think she's far past her prime and should NOT be performing, ever. I also think she's a horrible director and is over-hyped as a choreographer. Not a bad one, but there are far better.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 7/12/03 at 3:07pm

Yoiu think 'Side Show' is a show steeped in older musical theater traits and NOT the modern pop-inflections?

That's interesting.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 7/12/03 at 6:12pm

Not, I don't think that, but what musical today really doesn't have pop inflictions? It's certainly not what you think of when you think of a pop musical, such as "Rent" or "Aida." It's obviously contemporary, and has some pop culture inflictions, but the day they try to make Britney Spears "Violet" and Christina Aguilera "Daisy" is a day I don't think anyone will live to see. (And if I do live to see that day, it could quite possibly be the day I slit my wrists.) It's not a pop musical in the sense that the entirety of the show could be carried by solely pop stars.

I DO like old school musical theatre, and I think that aspect of my personality carries over to the type/style of contemporary theatre I enjoy. And for the most part, I don't enjoy pop musicals, give or take one or two, which happen to be the mainstream of theatre today.

[birdy]

Posted: 7/12/03 at 7:02pm

Re: Colm Wilkinson,
Although I'm disappointed that I never saw him in "Les Miz", I watched a concert of his on PBS a few years ago. It was frightening. My sister and brother-in-law were watching it at their house and afterwards, my sister called and could barely speak. If I remember correctly, one of the lowlights was a jazzy, "swing" version of "You'll Never Walk Alone". Yikes! I also did not like his Phantom on the ALW birthday thing. And I think he had a beard under the mask (I assume he was not actually performing the role anywhere at that time, or he would not have had the beard). I'd still love to see him in "Les Miz", though. Had hoped he would be the final Broadway Valjean, since it wasn't going to be J. Mark McVey (someone who is underrated).

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 7/13/03 at 11:47pm

I also think Colm Wilkinson is WAY overrated. I hate the way his voice sounds. So much hoarse vibratto! He's very passionate, and I like his acting, but I just don't like his voice. It's just my opnion, and my taste in voice styles.

[BialyBloomInc02]

Posted: 7/14/03 at 9:33am

I agree with you both - I find Colm Wilkinson to be a terrific actor (he just puts a unique sense of sympathy in his delivery of lines), however, as mentioned before, his singing is very overrated. I found the bits and pieces I watched of the 10th anniversary Les Miz concert proved to make a 'caricature' of his own voice, often going into massive and spurratic falsetto with heavy and awkward vibratto. It was actually quite amusing to watch, but just was not the calibre with his original Les Miz performance.

[birdy]

Posted: 7/14/03 at 9:28pm

I think what you said about a "caricature" of his own voice, is sadly true. And yet, that distinct sound he has (had?) seemed to be used by a number of Valjeans over the years, esp. the earlier ones.
And speaking of "Les Miz", that brings me to Terrance Mann, and that brings me to over-rated. Granted, I had never seen him in person before this past February, and had found nothing wrong listening to him on the recordings of "Les Miz", "Cats", and "Beauty and the Beast", but exactly what he was doing on stage when I saw him in "Les Miz" in Feb. and again in May, I am still not sure. A disappointment.

[seabyrd]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 12:06pm

How true about Cuccioli - I saw him in "And the World Goes Round" years ago, and I was struck by the unmusical voice he has - sounds like a manufactured voice, neither natural nor well-trained. Something like: gee, I think I'll learn a few things and call myself a singer. Not. Another highly overrated performer is Faith Prince, the most nasal, shrill, and totally unappealing Tony winner in years -- what a fluke. Her "charm" escapes me. And dont get me started on Mandy Patinkin and that VOICE! Overwrought is a kind way of putting it..........

[scooter38432]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 4:25pm

birdy...

I completely agree about Terrence Mann. I just don't see the appeal. He's got some serious pitch problems. Can you figure out why he's so popular with casting directors? He's not handsome, he's not a good singer. I guess his acting and dancing have put him on the map.

[Jennifer]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 5:23pm

I haven't seen this one listed, but my pick is Linda Eder. Don't get me wrong, she has a great voice, but you'd think she was the second coming by the way people act about her.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 10:52pm

I, for one, think she deserves all of the praise she gets. Her voice isnt just great, it's magnificent. I have never ever been disappointed with her vocally.

[qpidsangel]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 12:34pm

A couple people have commented on the "pop" musicals of today, but every era has them. Look at Pippin, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar all very pop-oriented of the day. Every era has them it's just whether we like the style or not. I posted before about Howard Keel and am surprised that no one else has commented on him. What are your opinions about him?

[scooter38432]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 12:58pm

I, for one, really like(d) Howard Keel. Great baritone.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of my favorite movie musicals of all time...
Now, Jane Powell I could live without...

[glitzguy3]

Posted: 7/17/03 at 12:20am

I have to agree with Bernadette. It seems like everything she does is exactly the same as the last...

[birdy]

Posted: 7/17/03 at 6:25pm

scooter38432, I don't know what to say about the appeal of Terrance Mann to casting directors, other than his "look" must have been right for a number of shows (even under make-up). Plus,over the years he has become a "name". He has his fans. And he seems nice enough - came right out after a matinee of "Les Miz" and was very pleasant to those people asking for an autograph. But, the performance was still a disappointment.
Jennifer, I wanted to comment on Linda Eder. I first heard her on the "Jekyll and Hyde" highlights album (with the aforementioned Colm Wilkinson), and for whatever reason, she annoyed me. I think I felt she was overdoing things. Then I'd see her on T.V. and she was always tilting her head to the side, which again annoyed me (don't know why). Then, I finally saw her in person, singing at a skating thing at Madison Square Garden, 3 weeks after Sept. 11. She sang twice, the first being "America, the Beautiful" as the skaters came out, led by Scott Hamilton carrying the American flag. She was obviously moved and
seemed like a "real" person, so I have softened up a bit towards her. But, like you, I don't quite get the 2nd coming feelings although she does have a nice voice.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 7/17/03 at 7:06pm

I LOVE Howard Keel. I really enjoyed him opposite Kathryn Grayson, as well.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was one of the musicals I grew up on, but I've never been a huge fan of Jane Powell, though I don't dislike her. Keel is definitely the best part of that movie, though. Love him.

[scooter38432]

Posted: 7/17/03 at 7:28pm

daisy...

Not to mention those dancing brothers! Tommy Rall and Russ Tamblyn, in particular.

That barn raising sequence is classic!

Oh, what are your thoughts on "Lonesome Polecat"? I kind of like its interesting melody, harmonies and rhythms but many friends howl when they see those guys doing ballet moves while weilding axes and saws...

[sharon1]

Posted: 7/17/03 at 7:41pm

I always liked Howard Keel also. Great voice. Many people who saw Dallas didn't know that he was a film star long before that TV show.

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/17/03 at 8:29pm

I guess that this thread is just for fun, but I am still reminded of the fact that whether or not we may think think that several of the performers are over-rated, they all went through a lot to get where they are, and whether or not we like them, we should still give them credit for their efforts. Obviously they have something that casting directors want, because they certainly are cast in quite a few shows! Anyways, I do have to disagree however, someone said that Terrence Mann is an over-rated performer, but in my opinion he is under-rated. I think that he was an amazing Beast, and I don't believe that any of the performers from Les Miserables can compare with his portrayal of Javert, WOW!!! Anyways, I'm sorry that I can't participate in this thread, but I'm in too great of a mood right now, and just don't feel that I can bash anyone at the moment, sorry!

See Ya!!!

Phantom05

[Juliette Capulet]

Posted: 7/18/03 at 12:51am

"...I think that he was an amazing Beast, and I don't believe that any of the performers from Les Miserables can compare with his portrayal of Javert..."

I really liked his Rum Tum Tugger from CATS as-well.

Tendres Baisers,
Juliette Capulet Updated On: 7/18/03 at 12:51 AM

[scooter38432]

Posted: 7/18/03 at 6:24am

Hi Phantom05...

Thanks for your comments on Terrence Mann. As someone had stated before, he definitely has his fan base.

I saw his portrayals of Javert, The Beast and Chauvelin (SCARLET PIMPERNEL) and was disappointed. (Chauvelin and Javert were basically the same performance.) I just prefer to hear singers/actors with good pitch. He's not a bad actor ... just don't let him sing. I also saw him in GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER in which he was fine because there was no singing required.

Every other Javert I have seen blew him out of the water. Herndon Lackey for one. Riveting.

As far as The Beast ... I disliked this show so much, there is no way I could sit through it again. The only saving graces were Burke Moses' Gaston and The Beast's transformation.

Regarding PIMPERNEL, to give him credit, he was plagued with the worst songs in the show, but he made me groan nonetheless.

I'd be curious to find out what TM will be doing next. Haven't seen him in a long while. Maybe there aren't good roles for pitch-challenged leading men as of late.

Vive le diference!

Happy happy joy joy...

Updated On: 7/18/03 at 06:24 AM

[MagicRoy]

Posted: 7/18/03 at 11:41am

I know people will kill me for this....but I feel Nathan Lane is overrated. I had trouble noticing differences between Max Prince, Pseudelus, and Max Bialystock. All his characters are the same....they are all played "as Nathan Lane." His singing voice is irritating. He does two things well (1) show emotions really big. When he's sad, you know he's sad....but it's always Nathan Lane being sad...not Max Prince being sad. (2) Delivering one-liners. This is a talent that many people (Brad Oscar, ahem ahem) lack. That is probably the biggest reason he got the Producers tony. Now sometimes (in characters like Hines in the Pajama Game, Nicely in Guys and Dolls, etc.) it is necessary to play for laughs (and lean more towards the laughs than to characterization). Zero Mostel's characterization of Max was not all for laughs....
Anyway...Max Bialystock is an incredibly easy role to play for anyone who has good timing and can belt a song. Granted, Broderick had some problems with his performance too...but Bloom is a much more difficult role to play (as an actor...not vocally, but acting-wise).

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/18/03 at 3:08pm

Has anyone heard terrance mann in "Rocky Horror Show", I've always wondered what he was like in that show?!?!?

See Ya!!!

Phantom05