THEIR FAVORITE THINGS: Singer, Actress, Comic and Funny Girl Marilyn Michaels Shares Her Theatregoing Experiences
By Andrew Gans
November 14, 2012
Playbill.com's new feature series, Their Favorite Things, asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.
This week we spotlight the choices of singing actress, comic and impressionist Marilyn Michaels, who starred in the national tour of Funny Girl and will be seen in the Nov. 26 Actors Temple benefit.
(Clicking on a name bolded in blue will take readers to that actor or show's entry in the Playbill Vault.)
Zero Mostel in Fiddler On The Roof.
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"No one will ever top his Tevye, an authentic gem." |
Jack Lemmon in Tribute.
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"Who knew he could be so thrilling on the stage?" |
James Earl Jones in Fences.
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"Wow." |
Ian McKellen in Amadeus.
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"Thrilling... The moment where he gets dizzy reading Mozart's music from the sheet music…pure gold." |
Douglas Hodge in La Cage aux Folles.
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"A committed, enchanting performance. My then husband refused to believe that he is straight!" |
Marlene Dietrich in Concert on Broadway.
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"Breathtaking… A recreation of youth by a genius who had more than glamour; she had soul!" |
Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music
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"I had orchestra seats…but I was out of my seat for most of it. Consummately brilliant." |
Bette Midler's Clams on the Half Shell Revue.
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"Comedienne, innovator and tragedienne all rolled into one tiny package…" |
Brian Stokes Mitchell in the revival of Kiss Me, Kate.
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"When he sang 'So In Love' and imbued it with this split second of being devastated, falling back onto the set at the end, I so got it!" |
Alfred Molina in Red.
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"The usherettes told me they were closing the show because no one could play Mark Rothko as good as Molina. I couldn't think of any other actor who could do what he did with that part." |
Dorothy Loudon in Annie.
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"The funniest and heartbreaking actor as Miss Hannigan…" |
John McMartin in Follies.
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"My mom and I thought he was really having a breakdown in the last number. We got really scared! It takes a brilliant actor…to make it that real!" |
Gwen Verdon in Sweet Charity.
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"Alternately dancing and charming and conjuring our embrace." |
Betty Buckley in Sunset Boulevard.
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"Such a fine portrayal, vocally and revealing a softer essence than I had ever seen in her before…" |
Carol Burnett in Once Upon a Mattress.
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"Comedic genius." |