I don't know if it's my favorite, but the female performance that affected me the most was Patti Lupone in Gypsy. My favorite is probably Sherie Rene Scott in Everyday Rapture.
My favorite male performance is Cheyenne Jackson in All Shook Up because he was just SO fun in that role. I am not saying it's the greatest male performance I have ever seen on stage--but definitely my favorite.
I realize that all the above are from recent years, but I really just started attending Broadway shows on a regular basis about 8 years ago. I wish I could write Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl, or Pearl Bailey in Hello Dolly--but alas, I cannot.
I've been a Broadway groupie since I was 8 when my parents took me to the original HAIR (hats off to progressive parents who nurtured my love of theatre). Here are a few of my absolute faves:
Harvey Firestein - Torch Song Trilogy Hugh Jackman - The Boy from Oz Derek Jacobi - Cyrano de Bergerac and Much Ado (RSC did these in repertory in 1984, and alternated nights). He was phenomenal in both. Ian McKellan - Amadeus Maggie Smith - Lettice & Lovage Amy Morton - August, Osage County
Tough one. I can't pick a single favorite because I loved them all for very different reasons.
Patti LuPone - Master Class Audra McDonald - Marie Christine Jane Adams - An Inspector Calls Marla Schaffel - Jane Eyre Janet McTeer - A Doll's House Nancy Opel - Urinetown
Douglas Sills - Scarlet Pimpernel Brian Stokes Mitchell - Ragtime Robert Morse - Tru Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon Owen Teale - A Doll's House James Naughton - City of Angels
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
It has to be Kelli O'Hara in South Pacific, I bet she'll get a lot of votes. Yes, it's the only production of the show I've seen (except the movie) but she's made me a lifelong fan.
Also 'In The Heights' is coming to my town (Hershey PA) and I’m trying to win tickets for me and my Mom.
It's an online contest, just click this link below and it counts as a vote for me! It'll also tell you all about the show. Thanks!
Mister Matt - Fabulous picks! Two of my biggest theatrical regrets are missing Jane Adams in An Inspector Calls and Janet McTeer in A Doll's House. Especially the latter. It's great to see Jane Adams' name mentioned, though, she doesn't get enough credit IMO...