under-rated

[KB]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 3:14pm

As a more positive thread: Who do you think has been under-rated on Broadway or not given the chance to shine?

[KB]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 3:16pm

To answer my own question up until this morning I would have said Frances Ruffelle but I see that she was cast as Roxie Hart in London.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 3:35pm

I wouldn't say Frances is under-rated, more under-utilized. Most people hold her in high regard, even though she doesn't have a gigantic body of work.

[Rob]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 3:42pm

I saw Frances hmmmn.... I was a freshman in college... I think it was early 1998? appear in NYC in a solo cabaret show and she was great. I'd love to see her back on Broadway. This might motivate me to dig out her CDs from wherever they are gathering dust in my collection.

[scooter38432]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 3:48pm

Does no one else find her nasal and whiny?

I had to buy CD of the concert cast of LES MIS just so I could hear the glorious voice of Lea Salonga singing that role. Quite a difference!

Do I sound too bitter? I don't mean to.

[orion59]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:19am

Maybe not so much under rated but certainly under utilized;

Victoria Clark

Chistine Baranski (Yeah, i know she has a new sitcom coming soon but she needs to do another Broadway show)

Debra Monk....wher has she been lately?

[magruder]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:31am

Victoria works a lot! She was in Cabaret as Fraulein Kost for a long stretch. She was a very funny, very broad Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown for three months after Nancy Opel left and she's off in Seattle right now doing Light in the Piazza.

[mother cabrini]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 10:36am

rachel york

[zannafan]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 10:41am

I don't know for sure because I haven't seen her...but I have heard that Heather Laws was really awesome in Cabaret. I really would like to have a chance to see her. Some might be bothered that I posted when I haven't seen her, but I thought it might generate some good discussion.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 10:46am

Rachel York is under-rated, to some extent. She was absolutely amazing as Kate. Loved her voice. She's very pretty as well.
The most under-rated performer I can think of is Shoshana Bean. Her "Bless the Lord" on the Godspell 2000 recording blew me away. She really needs a starring role on Broadway.
The same goes for Jessica Grove. I think she is extremely under-rated, and I love her. I think she is a TRUE triple threat. She is such a nice person, too. She has a great vocal range.

[mother cabrini]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 12:56pm

hear hear to billylawlor....rachel york is a good looking gal....she can do drama comedy sing dance.....i like her, i really do!

[BatBoi]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 12:59pm

Michael Flannigan, he was Chris in Miss Saigon among other roles and has an AMAZING voice! Last I heard he was doing a show in Chicago. Truly an lost talent if broadway doesn't get him back.

[orion59]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 1:15pm

Victoria does work a lot but, I still think she is under rated by virture of the fact that she is not as widely known a I think she should be. Her Cabaret gig was a while ago, wasn't it? She just hasn't been able to really break through yet as a star. At least not in the same way as someone like Sutton Foster, for example, who seems to be reaching goddess like status among some fans or Alice Ripley or Heather Headly who seem top get a lot of attention.

Posted: 7/9/03 at 3:07pm

to further comment on Rachel York

I bought this cd to benfit AIDS and it has Rachel York, Lilias White and countless other broadway stars. Rachel sings a new song "Will It Matter That I Was" and let me tell you she blew me away, The song was so captivating and Rachel belted the crap outta it in the style of Linda Eder, Patti LuPone and Alice Ripley. She literally through me for a loop.

Has anyone heard this amazing song? If not it'll change the way you veiw Rachel!

[iluvny]

Posted: 7/10/03 at 3:20pm

I think Kate Levering is underrated. I thought she was excellent in 42nd Street, and I wish she would come back to Broadway soon!

Posted: 7/10/03 at 5:33pm

i found the rachel cd, it's called celebration of life

i bought it at tower records at the end of the musicals section with the compilaiton cds

here's the link to amazon with the cover photo.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE CD LINK

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 7/10/03 at 7:16pm

I have seen 42nd street twice, but never with Kate Levering. I've heard her dancing was magnificent, but her voice isn't all that great. Now, I'm not putting her down, I'm just saying I really don't think she's under-rated.

[CJR]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:38am

Gabriela Garcia ~ currently a swing in the cast of Chicago, and she is absolutely talented beyond words

Michelle Robinson ~ currently plays Liz in Chicago... this woman has no business in the ensemble

Roxane Carrasco ~ see above: no. business. in the. ensemble

[iluvny]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:40pm

I've heard that said about Kate Levering (the not strong singing). When I saw the show, however, I thought she was fantastic and deserved more praise. Just my opinion! :)

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 3:36pm

I actually thought Kate Levering had a wonderful voice when I saw 42nd Street. I got to see her the 2nd time she came back to the show and from the cd-tv performances - then it seemed that she came a long way and i agree she is very under-rated i'd love to see her back on bway soon. I also think Jennifer Laura Thompson is under-rated as well. She is such a talent and I'd love to see her in something even bigger than URINETOWN.

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/13/03 at 1:34pm

I think that Max Von Essen was under-rated, he has such an AMAZING voice, and was by far one of the best performers in DOTV!!!!

BYE!

Phantom05