Broadway Character Actors - Help!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 12:05am

Hey all -

So, I'm reuniting with a former director of mine for a concert I'm doing in May. He wants me to aim for songs that 'a character actor' would sing. My only problem is: My past credits are 'all over the place' - Joseph (JOSEPH), Capt. Smollett (TREASURE ISLAND), Bazzard (DROOD), Valjean (Les Miz), The Boss (SIDE SHOW), Shaw Moore (FOOTLOOSE), and most recently, Eddie Flagrante (ZOMBIE PROM) just to name a few.

I'm curious as to what B'way working well-received, well-respected 'character actors' there are out there (past or present, really) that I might have heard of / grown somewhat familiar with to base my song selection off of? Any and all insight appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Best,
- Mike

Updated On: 4/9/08 at 12:05 AM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 12:26am

Anyone, anyone?

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 12:27am

Marc Kudisch (Trevor Graydon in Millie, Baron Bomburst in Chitty, Snake in Apple Tree).
He does a lot of great work and often plays larger-than-life or different characters.

You might consider David Pittu a character actor.

Chris FItzgerald (Though he doesn't have a huge history, he's on his way to character actor stardom.)

Gary Beach.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 12:29am

Updated On: 5/6/09 at 12:29 AM

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 12:30am

Eddie Korbich, especially lately.

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 12:31am

One of Freddy's songs from DRS?

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 12:39am

Right on, right on!

Thanks you guys!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 2:22am

How would one, y'know, 'define' "character actor" -- Wikipedia can only be *so* much help... LoL

[puppetman2]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 1:44pm

Great character song is Ray Walson's "Those Were The Good Old Days" in Damn Yankees. Have used it often

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 2:13pm

Character actors are generally anyone who is not the typical leading man/woman or ingenue. They tend to be a little quirky, sometimes funny or scary. I mean the joke is they're not as beautiful or glamorous but now more and more actors are blending the lines. Kristin says she's a character actor in an ingenue's body. I would put people like Norbert, Angela Lansbury, Patti Lupone (now), Marissa Jaret Winoker, Tituss Burgess, Mary Testa, Emily Skinner etc. as character actors. Look at the roles these people play and you get character roles.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 2:33pm

Thanks for your help!

Please, please, keep the song suggestions comin'!

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 4:16pm

To give you songs we need parameters. For example...do you want something comedic or dramatic, fast or slow? What's your voice type. I think to say character songs is a bit too wide...for me at least.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 7:21pm

Any of Roger DeBris or Franz's songs from THE PRODUCERS
Any of Sammy's songs from THE WEDDING SINGER
Think of the Time I Save from THE PAJAMA GAME
I'm Not That Smart from SPELLING BEE
Pirelli's Shave Solo (Don't recall the name) from SWEENEY TODD
Any of Alan Swann's songs from MY FAVORITE YEAR
Master of the House from LES MIZ (Though it might be a bit overdone.)
Brush Up Your Shakespeare from KISS ME, KATE (If you can get a partner.)
Oh What a Difference from I LOVE YOU BECAUSE
Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat from GUYS & DOLLS
If I Were a Rich Man from FIDDLER (Again, overdone.)
How Can I Change My Luck? from FACE THE MUSIC
Me, Be Our Guest, or Human Again from BEAUTY & THE BEAST
Lots of Good Songs from ALTAR BOYZ, take your pick.
Little Red Hat from 110 IN THE SHADE

Also, check out Martin Short's FAME BECOMES ME. It has a ton of really great songs that are supremely funny.

Hope that helps!

[nmartin]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 8:52pm

Progres Is the Root of All Evil from Li'l Abner
Reviewing the Situation from Oliver
Marry Me from The Rink

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 8:54pm

Although he's done a few leading roles, I'd characterize Michael Cerveris as a character actor.

[helloagain]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 9:35pm

I Can't believe no one has mentioned Nathan Lane!!!! Most if not all the roles he has played. Also Danny Bernstein. Loads more but those are the two that pop into my head at the moment. I would also consider Brian D'arcy James

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:19am

How about songs like:

"Cest Moi" and "If Ever I Would Leave You" from CAMELOT, or "Finishing the Hat" from SUNDAY, or "Nothing's Gonna Harm You" from SWEENEY... I just ordered the Musical Theatre Anthology for Bass/Baritone and Tenor (I define my voice type as 'baritenor' - I can't pinpoint my range 'cause I can hold my end of the bargain with both stylings).

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:22am

Updated On: 5/6/09 at 03:22 AM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:24am

Would Lancelot, George, and Toby be looked upon in the same respect as 'other roles' for character actors. I just spent good money on these books 'cause that's what I'm *used* to singing for auditions and performance pieces alike ... I hope I made the smart choice here.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:28am

Updated On: 5/6/09 at 03:28 AM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:31am

Well, the director wants me to bring in songs that I would 'kill' to sing ... Just-so-happens that "Not While I'm Around" (why I called it something OTHER than the actual title, I'll never understand - LOL) and the other songs mentioned are dream roles of mine. I'm 5'7" and more-often than not, I'm labled "Cute" -- The director already knows I'm DYING to sing "Finishing th Hat" -- So, when push comes to shove, I feel that some of these songs will work for me.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:39am

Updated On: 5/6/09 at 03:39 AM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:48am

Avid fan of both, actually!

I know COMPANY's "Marry Me A Little", Sorry/Grateful, "Being Alive" aaannnd... something else is included (divided up between Bari/Bass and Tenor books).

Thanks for all of your help and continued support!

You're wonderful!

Best,
- Mike

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:57am

Updated On: 5/6/09 at 03:57 AM

[mattonstage]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 8:05am

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Mr. Celophane yet. It's probably one of the best "character" songs out there.