Stealing the Show

I've never stolen a show before. It's something that's always fascinating to me, though. And, I'll admit it, I've always wanted to steal a show.

At times I've thought it's because I'm not in a big enough role. But that's not really true. Stealing a show is done by people specifically not in the leads. That's why it's called "stealing" a show. No one would ever say the actor playing Val Jean stole Les Miserables or the actor playing Eva Peron stole Evita.

Sometimes it's a function of the material: One character gets the funniest lines or one terrific song. That's why Joanne can so often "steal" Company from Bobby. It's why a character like Ado Annie can upstage the blander Laurie.

And material is always relevant. The funniest or most brilliant actor in the world would be hard-pressed to steal the show if it's a tiny and/or boring role.

But it's also up to the actor. If certain roles are natural show stealers, certain actors naturally rise to the occasion and steal the scene or show. And I think it's usually about being funny. (It's harder to steal the show with a dramatic performance than a funny performance.)

Everybody in Spamalot was funny. The material was funny and the actors were funny. But Christian Borle stole the show as Not Dead Fred and Prince Herbert. On the other hand, Christian Borle did not manage to steal Thoroughly Modern Millie in the somewhat tame role of Jimmy. It's a combination of role/material and an actor's talents.

In Urinetown, the whole cast is in agreement that one of the actors is going to totally steal the show. (It's not me. Alas! I'm still not funny enough.) Part of it is that she has good, funny material to work with. But she's in a relatively small — though featured — role. But her facial expressions and what she does with the role are so funny! You can't help but want to watch her. (It will be interesting to see if the audience finds her as hilarious and captivating as the cast does.)