When it comes to being labeled an “entertainer,” these powerhouse duos can do it all.
Alan Cumming and Neve Campbell
Cumming and Campbell are starring together in the upcoming original Showtime movie Reefer Madness, a musical lampoon of the 1936 anti-marijuana film, premiering April 16 at 8:00 p.m. EST.
On Cumming: A veteran of many films, including the Spy Kids series and X2: X-Men United, it was his recent turn as the Emcee in the Broadway run of Cabaret that the actor got his best notices to date. Cumming put a seedier spin on his character than Joel Grey‘s Oscar-winning film portrayal, complete with a costume that left him nearly naked save for some very tight trousers and precariously placed suspenders fastened by a bow tie. The show proved that the actor had enormous stage presence, enviable energy and unmatched charisma. We can’t wait to see him do more.
On Campbell: The young actress began her career as a teenage performer in her native Canada, singing and dancing in the chorus of the Toronto production of The Phantom of the Opera–and has never looked back. Although she ventured into TV land for a few years, starring in Fox’s Party of Five and then worked hard at shedding that good girl image in films such as Wild Things, Campbell‘s accumulated credits sufficiently impressed legendary director Robert Altman. He asked her to pen and star in his film The Company (ultimately co-written with screenwriter Barbara Turner), the story of a young ballet dancer poised to become a fictional Chicago troupe’s next big thing. The actress, who trained at the National Ballet of Canada as a girl, used her insights into the world of ballet and her dancing skills to deliver her best performance to date.
Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
When these two mega-watt stars teamed up in Baz Luhrmann acclaimed Moulin Rouge, they proved to audiences they were more than just pretty faces, singing and dancing with the best of them.
On Kidman: The statuesque Australian redhead with creamy alabaster skin and blue eyes that cast a slightly mischievous air, the Oscar-winning Kidman had become established herself as one of the most prominent actress of her generation. But what most may not know is that Kidman studied ballet as a child while also studying theater. So, she’s got the rhythm in her blood. Maybe that’s the reason her singing and dancing as the doomed courtesan Satine in Moulin Rouge blew us away. Kidman reportedly beat out Courtney Love (can you imagine what kind of movie that would have been?) for the role and received her first Best Actress Oscar nomination for the effort. Kidman had also signed up to play Ulla the Swedish secretary in the upcoming The Producers, a movie version of Broadway show, but had to bow out. Uma Thurman stepped in instead (see below). Instead, we’ll be seeing Kidman in the film version of the TV show Bewitched, also starring Will Ferrell.
On McGregor: The charismatic actor knew he wanted to act at the of age nine. By 16, he had left home to work with the Perth Repertory Theatre in his native Scotland. He then migrated to London where he studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since then he’s starred in some of the better indies such as Shallow Grave and Trainspotting and is probably best known as Obi Wan Kenobi in the latest Star Wars series. Still, this guy can sing. He first lent his pipes to the edgier indie Velvet Goldmine, but it was his turn as Moulin Rouge‘s Christian, the talented but naive writer who falls in love with a magnetic Satine and sings his heart out to her, that won him rave reviews. He’ll be next seen as Obi Wan in the highly anticipated third and final Star Wars installment Revenge of the Sith but let’s hope he sings again soon.
Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones
When these two va-voomed onto the big screen in Chicago, the feature film adaptation of the hit Broadway show, jaws basically dropped. No one could believe the petite Zellweger and the voluptuous Zeta-Jones had that kind of musical-theater experience. Boy, were we wrong.
On Zellweger: This cute blonde, who may have once projected a wholesome, girl-next-door quality when she first started out in films such as Jerry Maguire, has definitely moved on to more diversified and demanding roles, even winning the Oscar for her gutsy performance in Cold Mountain. But her most challenging role had to be playing Chicago‘s Roxie Hart. Maybe it was her background in athletics and cheerleading that helped her prepare for the singing and dancing, playing a woman who murders her lover and then dreams of a career as a vaudeville headliner. She offered a surprising, razor-sharp performance, garnering her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Coming up next for Zellweger is her star-turn in the Depression drama Cinderella Man with Russell Crowe.
On Zeta-Jones: Beginning her career as a child performer on the musical stage, the gorgeous Welsh actress starred as the wholesome heroine Annie but got her biggest stage break when she headlined the West End production of 42nd Street, portraying chorus girl-turned-star Peggy Sawyer. Of course, we know her for her performances in films such as The Mask of Zorro and Traffic but her extensive singing and dancing background that helped her win her pivotal role as Chicago‘s murdering hoofer Velma Kelly. She wowed audiences and critics alike with her musical skills and earned herself an Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her efforts. Up next, Zeta-Jones will be reprising her Zorro role in Legend of Zorro but she’ll be back on that stage soon enough. It’s in her blood.
Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane
Sure, they worked together (sort of) on the animated smash hit The Lion King, with Broderick voicing Simba while Lane cracking wise as Timon, the meerkat. But it wasn’t until these guys brought to life Mel Brooks’ hilarious The Producers as a Broadway musical that the magic really happened.
On Broderick The boyishly affable actor was first stage-trained in New York and established himself as a theater actor before scoring big-screen success in films such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Freshman and later, Election. Broderick continued to alternate between the screen and the stage, squeezing in appearances on Broadway but it wasn’t until the part of Leo Bloom came along in 2001 that Broderick finally achieved major Broadway success. As Max Bialystock’s frenetic sidekick who helps him concoct the worst Broadway show ever only to see it become a giant success, Broderick became a singing sensation, earning him a Tony nomination. He is now reprising his role for the feature film adaptation.
On Lane: The always hilarious Lane has been a mainstay on the stage. Skipping college to pursue acting professionally, he made his debut in Jerz (1976) and knocked around the New York theater scene for a few years before trying his luck in Los Angeles. Returning to New York, Lane had his share of singing roles on Broadway, including success as Nathan Detroit in a 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls. Lane also made a name for himself in films such as The Birdcage and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! as well as a short-lived TV series Encore! Encore!. But then came The Producers. Lane won critical kudos and added another Tony Award to his resume as the con man/wannabe theatrical impresario Max Biayalstock. He’ll be joining his comrade-in-arms in the movie version as well.
OK, well, maybe these two haven’t starred in a proper musical together. But we’ll always remember their poignant scene in Pulp Fiction in which they dance a very funky twist together.
On Travolta: The smooth actor first gained fame as Vinnie Barbarino in the popular high school sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. But he quickly graduated from TV to hustle his way to stardom in his signature film Saturday Night Fever. Then he starred in the ever popular movie musical, Grease, which cemented his notoriety as a dancer and singer. Travolta seemed to have a string of flops after that, including the lame Fever sequel Staying Alive. But Quentin Tarantino had faith in him, casting him as the doomed but oh-so-cool henchman Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction. Although Travolta‘s most recent venture, Be Cool was widely panned, it did team him up once again with his dance partner Thurman.
On Thurman: Model. Actor. Dancer. Singer? While Thurman may be more known for her kick-ass role as the Bride in the Kill Bill volumes, she doesn’t really have an extensive or even existent musical-theater career. She does have the notable dance with John Travolta in Pulp Fiction as well as the second go-around in Be Cool, which proves that the chemistry between she and Travolta is not only acting. But that’s all about to change. Thurman has replaced Nicole Kidman in the upcoming movie version of the Broadway musical,
