Among theatre professionals and theatregoers, Ms. Verdon's name was a byword for verve, sass and vivacity; "a gem of light-hearted but consecrated show business," as Harold Clurman put it. She was widely recognized as a rare, true triple-threat, equally adept at dancing, singing and acting. Her voice had a rough-hewn, grainy quality, but fans found her interpretations of some of musical theatre's most fetching songs ("Whatever Lola Wants," "If My Friends Could See Me Now," "Where Am I Going," "Roxie," "Nowadays") to be true originals, full of feeling.