All of my career, I have had one great insecurity. One unfulfilled wish. To be able to sing in a Broadway show.
When I have watched and admired people who can sing, like Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Victor Garber, Mandy Patinkin, Michael Cerveris, Jason Danieley, Julie Andrews, Brian Stokes Mitchell, to name a few, I have always wondered what that must be like as a performer. To have that freedom. That joy.
Over the past few years, I've watched people tackle that task, actors who audiences might have assumed were not up to it. I remember wondering how Johnny Depp would measure up in the lead role of Sweeney Todd after seeing so many Broadway greats like Len Cariou and George Hearn shine in that part.
Johnny Depp amazed me. I thought he was truly great. Maybe the best thing he's ever done.
Now I am shooting the musical version of Rock of Ages. And in this film, there are other people who are bravely attempting things you might not expect of them and with remarkable results.
I have seen some of the comments here and on Twitter that people have made, without seeing a frame of the film. That's a shame.
For an actor or actress to reinvent themselves through the musical form takes guts, whether it be Cagney or Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls or Tom Wopat in Annie Get Your Gun or Johnny Depp. It is one of the most naked, and thus demanding, aspects of performing.
I always think of Dean Jones and his career as a Disney star, yet who memorably performed one of the more powerful musical numbers written by Sondheim. Watch this clip and remember that the greatest performers nearly always have another card or two up their sleeve, no matter how well you think you know them.
Robinson looked at her and said "Never be afraid of hanging yourself. It's only when we dare to fall on our faces that we grow as actors". One of the BEST things I ever heard an actor say.
So put the noose around your neck and leap, Mr. B -- we never know to what heights we can climb until we try. I look forward to seeing the movie.
PS. Love the aeroplane/credit card commercial. I usually mute tv ads but I will stop and watch that one because I love it so much.
I've grown up loving your acting, you keep me laughing constantly. 30 Rock is almost always in my DVD player for that exact reason. I've seen you sing in a few SNL sketches and I thought you have a wonderful, and very strong voice! I also couldn't believe that I don't see you singing more often! I believe it's a beautiful talent that you either have... or simply do not. You could do spectacular things with the voice that you have been blessed with, and I personally believe you would be a great addition to any direction you decide to apply your talent towards. So, I wish you the best of luck and hope to hear more of your singing soon! Broadway, here you come! ;)
Sincerely Yours,
Brittney
In an earlier response I had suggested some songs that you could sing to suit your style. Here`s another one: It’s called `The last ride` original was sung by Hank Snow (my favorite). It has lots of narratives.
In fact, if you place an order on me, I could compose entirely new lyrics to go with the tune, and the new title could be `The first song`.. or something to that effect.
My charges: Nil.. Your one line response will do for me.
Time required: Four weeks
Further inputs required from you for composing the lyrics: None.. Your beautiful write up and its responses will do.
But it is fun to see people you never expected to sing come out with these great voices -- like Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line. Very impressive.
Those were the good old days.
Radcliffe has something though vocally and it's a broadway voice. He must have worked his butt off too to get to that point.