Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson has pipes. Yet another stage-to-screen adaptation utilized most of it's original Broadway cast when the movie of Rent came barreling down the tracks. Rosario Dawson replaced a pregnant Daphne Rubin-Vega in the pivotal La Bohemesque role of Mimi. All I can say is Rosario's howl is almost as raw as Daphne's as she yodels to Jonathan Larson's "Out Tonight." Or should I say "Aaaaooooooouuuuuut tonight"???



Uma Thurman

The movie version of the hit Broadway musical version of the 1968 Mel Brooks movie The Producers got a major zing when they got Uma Thurman to play go-go dancing secretary Ulla. Uma gave Ulla legs with no end that kick & split on cue. Work. Her belt in "When You Got It, Flaunt It" is more like yelling on key, so there's an element of raw here.

Nicole Kidman

Just caught Moulin Rouge! again on TV last night and, of course, it still holds up. As the mythical archetype Satine, Nicole Kidman was nominated for an Oscar for her singing, dancing, dying performance. Under Baz Luhrmann's wildly opulent direction, Nicole achieved A-List Hollywood status that has lasted a decade. Here, I'm using the Tony Phillips remix of "One Day I'll Fly Away" which utilizes Nicole's original vocal track from the film.

Penelope Cruze

From the movie Nine I really wanted to use Nicole Kidman's "Unusual Way." It's a great example of how an actress utilizes her craft and knowhow.

This is not "Unusual Way."

Penelope Cruze pulls off no small task giving rigorous personality to the role of Carla for the celluloid treatment of the Maury Yeston musical. Thoroughly funny and tragic at the same time, Ms. Cruze's Carla is on edge throughout. And for her big number "A Call From The Vatican" Penelope turns it out, replicating Anita Morris's original contortionist movements and poses. She earned every bit of her Oscar nomination.