Who do you think are some of the most under rated actors or actresses on Broadway? My top 2 would be Mara Davi and Krysta Rodriguez, Most under rated meaning, people who don't get cast on Broadway near as much as they should, or don't get recognition through awards or reviews.
Jeanna De Waal, it's a shame she hasn't transferred with either of the two shows she did at ART, though I think she left on her own terms. I hope she can original a role on Broadway soon.
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Laura Bell Bundy. She seemed on a hot streak with Hairspray and Legally Blonde. Hasn't been back since. But has such a killer voice and acting ability. I'm dying for her to come back
I agree that Jennifer Damiano's singing and acting are both wonderful. But is she really underrated? By the age of 25, she has already originated principal roles in four Broadway shows, having been nominated for a Tony Award for one of them. So while I will happily and eagerly go and see her in whatever show she's in next, I won't cry too hard over her impressive career trajectory to date!
For me it would have to be Jennifer Laura Thompson, who is returning to B'way this season in DEAR EVAN HANSEN. She was a stunning Glinda (first take over) in WICKED, and although she originated Hope in URINETOWN, she has never had the leads that I would have expected somebody with her looks, voice, charisma and killer comic timing to have. She was terrific in NICE WORK managing to be hilarious with some iffy material, and she found comedy and pathos in the NPH/LuPone NY Phil COMPANY that I didn't know was in the role of Susan. Am a big fan.
Underrated is just a such a relative, subjective term. One could argue that Jennifer Damiano is underrated in the sense that she hasn't had the opportunity to play any roles that really showcase her talent besides Natalie. Also, you could argue that ANY actor is underrated, so long as you believe that person deserves more praise than they are getting already - even if it's a lot of praise.
JBroadway, fair enough, but Jennifer Damiano seems to be on a trajectory of only originating roles in new shows (at least so far), similar in a way to Idina Menzel's trajectory. Idina has said in interviews that she prefers originating roles and chooses to work less frequently in order to wait for original leading roles rather than go into revivals, or work as a replacement. Maybe Jennifer has made a similar decision to only choose original roles, or maybe it is just what has come along. But Jennifer is only 25 (i just looked it up on ibdb), and has already originated 4 roles on Broadway. Idina was 1 month shy of her 25th birthday when she debuted on Broadway in Rent (ibdb again). So Jennifer's biggest leading roles might well be still ahead of her. But to have already played Natalie, plus made a big impression performing some very emotional songs in the other three shows, puts her in a very good position of being likely to be offered other original roles.
I will agree with the poster above who mentioned Jennifer Laura Thompson. I also found her performance in Nice Work hilarious and charming, and was recently quite surprised that she was playing a mom of a teenager in Dear Evan Hansen (she looks much too young for it, but emotionally she certainly pulled it off).
Call_me_jorge said: "Jeanna De Waal, it's a shame she hasn't transferred with either of the two shows she did at ART, though I think she left on her own terms. I hope she can original a role on Broadway soon.
Unless she's improved a lot since American Idiot, I'd say she's rated just fine.
hork said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Jeanna De Waal, it's a shame she hasn't transferred with either of the two shows she did at ART, though I think she left on her own terms. I hope she can original a role on Broadway soon.
Unless she's improved a lot since American Idiot, I'd say she's rated just fine.
"
She has improved. American idiot was 5 years ago.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement