Overrated Performers- Page 6
Overrated Performers
bronxboundexpress
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/15/04
#126re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 6:59pmI just thought of another one: Barbra Streisand. She can't act, she can't sing and she is so full of herself, I can't stand her. Let the flaming begin...
"When you're a Jet, / You're a Jet all the way, / From your first pirouette / To your last grand jete." --Brian Kaman
Ruth Sherwood
Leading Actor Joined: 10/4/04
#127re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:01pm
Kristin Chenoweth
Idina Menzel
Nathan Lane
Hugh Jackman (He was a gracious performer, but I don't see what was so fabulous about his performance in TBFO.)
"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one."
-Stella Adler
#128re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:01pm
Ok, this person isn't on broadway but I have to say it.
DIANA ROSS
Good lord, I can't stand even to look at her. She is SO diva without any cause for it.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#130re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:10pmBarbra Streisand can't sing and can't act? Wow....this is news to me. I think she's brilliant in every aspect.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#131re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:12pm
Streisand can't act? Stresiand can't sing? Well, now I've heard EVERYTHING!
I love how it is so EASY to say Idina...I don't think she's overrated, I think her fans are just to immature to respect her as an actress...
I would say an overrated actor is someone who is ALWAYS cast in shows and is ALWAYS being nominated for Tony's...
#132re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:15pm
To me, overrated means they have an overwhelming amount of fans and you just don't see the appeal.
Idina Menzel and Nathan Lane are #1 for me.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#133re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:16pm
Nathan Lane? Really?
Well, then, Idina should be honored to be overrated with such talent...
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#134re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 10:00pm
I would say an overrated actor is someone who is ALWAYS cast in shows and is ALWAYS being nominated for Tony's...
Say what? Surely you meant to phrase that another way. Or maybe you'd like to add, oh, I dunno...Audra McDonald to your list? That definition makes no sense. Last time I checked genuine talent had a lot to do with casting and Tony nominations.
Updated On: 2/16/05 at 10:00 PM
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#135re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 10:03pm
sorry, Plum...
I meant (or thought it was implied) that the person really isn't talented...
So here: I would say an overrated actor is someone who is ALWAYS cast in shows and is ALWAYS being nominated for Tony's but you are left asking yourself, "WTF?"
Does that make sense? I can't think straight right now...
#136re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 10:04pm
"I agree with Melissa...Donna Murphy is UNDERRATED!"
Thank you.
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#137re: overrated
Posted: 2/16/05 at 10:15pm
No big deal, BSoBW2. :) The definition of "overrated" is as subjective as the definition of "pretty." But I do think some people here are conflating people whose talents aren't to their taste with people who have very little talent at all. 
JBSinger
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/04
#138re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:24pmNow baddadnpa, you are getting into a whole other arena. Broadway stars/larger than life PERSONALITIES versus overrated performers. No, you can't ever really get past the fact that you are looking at Carol Channing, Barbra Streisand, Hugh Jackman, Harvey Fierstein, Elaine Stritch, Ethel Merman - but that is part of the appeal - the whole package. Do Streisand's line-readings in movies ever really vary very often. No, but that does not mean she isn't amazing in what she does. That's part of casting a star. if you want to lost in the theatre, then I suggest only seeing shows without stars (excepting the Bway semi-stars) because you'll always bring the extra baggage with you.
#139re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:58pm
i totally agree cathy..
idina mezel is good, yes, but my lord, ive heard better...
<3 darren
#140re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:37pm
I'm going out on a limb here.
I think that Denis O'Hare should have gotten more flak than he did for his performance of Take Me Out right in the middle of Assassins.
I think Michael Crawford's Phantom was something to see. Since then, has hasn't had the material to sustain his "rating". Bad choices.
I am not at all impressed with Hunter Foster. The performance I didn't see is Urinetown. That may have been the one.
"When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do."
:: Clouseau Blog ::
:: Clouseau Blog ::
#141re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:42pm
I like Idina. I used to love her, and now I like her. I think she's talented, more so as a singer than an actress, but a fine actress.
I must address Kristin because I think she's an amazing performer and singer. I wouldn't say that she is overrated by people like me (who love but do not obsess). But she is overrated by the tweens who saw Wicked and think she's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I must say though, in ALL the times I've seen her perform live, and other instances...that woman has NEVER missed a note. I've never heard her crack or go flat or be pitchy or anything. It's sick, I tell you. Unfair.
Continuing on...
Anika Noni Rose - saw her in Caroline LA tour, nothing special.
Marissa Jaret Winokur - I liked her, she was good, and a nice person to boot - but maybe I was expecting more?
Eden Espinosa - I actually like her voice up until D-ish. Then it gets a very sharp, harsh tone which I dislike.
Amy Spanger - I didn't realize she had a following until this board. But I saw her in Urinetown...everyone else was great, but she was draggy. And she has NO upper register, I swear.
I'm going to get burned for this but...
Norbert Leo Butz. A year and a half ago, people said that they liked him, yet he wasn't a very good actor because the role sucked. Now, there's a thread "Norbert's Gonna Win The Tony??". I saw him perform in Wicked and in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in San Diego. I felt the material was contrived, and his acting choices did nothing to make the humor feel any more natural. I felt he completely overplayed it. The character itself is already over-the-top, and I think he overdoes it. However, when he was just chillin' as Freddy Benson with his hat and khakis, I felt that was good acting. Otherwise, forced.
Regarding Jason Alexander...I saw him in The Producers and thought he was hysterical! However, to each his/her own!
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
onceadancer2
Leading Actor Joined: 5/22/03
#142re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:43pmEthel Barrymore
Every movement has a meaning--but what the hell does it mean!
#143re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:53pmNoLe Butz was pretty bad in 'Wicked'.
"When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do."
:: Clouseau Blog ::
:: Clouseau Blog ::
#144re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 2:06pm
Liza Minnelli scared me when I was little, so I never understood that appeal. It wasn't until recently, when she started guest-starring on Arrested Development that I learned to like her.
I always thought Harvey Fierstein sounded like he was speaking/singing mid-belch, so I never understood why he gets cast in the first place.
I hate Nathan Lane for raping Zero Mostel's career. I mean, geez, get your own roles.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
Jamie Hat
Broadway Star Joined: 4/5/04
#145re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 3:26pm
Over:
Hunter
Idina
Adam
Just Right:
Denis
Hugh
Raul
Carolee
Sherie
Under:
McGrath
Murney
D'Arcy James
#146re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 4:53pmIs Nathan Lane really supposed to be such an a-hole? That's too bad...
#147re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 6:39pm
I agree with the orignal post EXCEPT Hugh...omg...yes alot of his appeal is his looks (but those are SOME looks) but he has an AMAZING voice and as a performer he is wonderful.
Crawford not such a big fan....
I know I'm the only one in the world but I don't like Bernadette Peter's voice..but as a performer AWESOME...
*ducks from the food products thrown*
and all that I could do because of you was talk of love...
#148re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 6:42pm
JC - Norbert's problem in Wicked wasn't Norbert being overrated or undertalented. It was because Fiyero was hardly a role worthy of his talents. Go see DRS; you'll change your mind.
Someone said Julia Murney was underrated. I don't think she's underrated, because most people who actually know anything about her love her. Problem is that not enough people even know who she is, let alone have seen her show off what she can do.
jo
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#149re: overrated
Posted: 2/17/05 at 7:53pm
Hugh Jackman overrated ?!! --
The TONY voters didn't think so!
Nor the theatre critics!
Nor Michael Riedel, eventually!
Nor the TBFO audience!
Nor I 
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