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Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

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#1

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

Aside from Carol Channing in Hello Dolly , and Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard , have any other leading actors who debuted their characters in the original run, ever revived their characters on Broadway? If so, who would hold the record for longest span? I would guess Channing for debuting Dolly in 1964, and reviving the character in 1994?
#3

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

It's probably Yul Brynner, who played the King of Siam for the first time on Broadway in 1951 and for the last time in 1985. 34 years apart, 4 more than Channing's first and last outing as Dolly

Updated On: 7/16/20 at 11:08 PM

#4

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

Yul Brynner returned to Broadway in The King and I twice, first in 1977 and then again in 1985.

Rex Harrison was in the short-lived revival of My Fair Lady in 1981.

Ethel Merman starred in a revival of Annie Get Your Gun in 1966.

#5

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

Also, Alvin Ing played the Shogun's Mother both in the original Broadway production of Pacific Overtures (1976) and the revival (2004). But that's the only role he played in both, since in the original production he also played the Observer, the Merchant and the American Admiral, while in the revival he was the Old Man, in addition to singing Chrysanthemum Tea. Not a leading role, but a pretty memorable one.

Updated On: 7/16/20 at 11:16 PM

#8

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

The 80’s weren’t as woke as people like to pretend. Minstrel shows were still popular in the 90’s, to add some perspective here.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
#11

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "
Wow the fact they still let Yul Brenner play the King again in the 80s....cringey. "

Well, considering this was before Miss Saigon with Johnathan Price...

#13

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

qolbinau said: "Not a record but didn’t Lansbury revive Mame?"

Yes she did, at the now Gershwin. I was at the first preview, which was mayhem with Mame and Lansbury devotees. Alas, there were not enough of them.

Also, Zero Mostel revived Fiddler at the Winter Garden, for a limited engagement of (I think) 20 weeks. Since that could not have returned its investment, I assume that it was part of a national tour. I remember that the top price was $20, which I seem to recall was about 30% more than anything else at the time.

#15

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

Richard Kiley returned to Man of La Mancha several times after the original Broadway production.

Not really a starring role, nor did she originate it, but Lonette McKee would appear as Julie LaVerne in both revivals of Show Boat that occurred in the late 20th century. It seems to follow a pattern as a great many actors from the original production subsequently appeared in a revival several years later, including Paul Robeson and Helen Morgan.

Does Ann Reinking count? She was a replacement in the original run of Chicago and would go to star in the opening night cast for the revival.

#16

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

toottoot said: "Richard Kiley returned to Man of La Mancha several times after the original Broadway production.


Joan Diener also replaced Sheena Easton as Aldonza over the course of the early '90s revival.

#17

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

Hal Holbrook did his "Mark Twain Tonight" 3 times on Broadway.

While Maureen Stapleton didn't originate the part of Amanda in "The Glass Menagerie" she did revivals in 1965 and in 1976.

Updated On: 7/17/20 at 04:20 PM

#18

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

Seeing Yul B as The King of Siam in the 80's, was one of the most memorable theatre experiences I've ever had. It was not cringey at all. Not at all.

He was a legend.

Updated On: 7/17/20 at 05:46 PM

#19

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

Ron Moody was the original Fagin in "Oliver!" when it premiered in London in 1960. He played Fagin again in the short-lived Broadway revival of 1984 (with Patti LuPone).

John Cullum recreated his Tony-winning lead in "Shenandoah" on Broadway in 1989.

Richard Burton was Arthur in the original 1960 Broadway "Camelot." He played the role again 20 years later, at the New York State Theatre, which probably doesn't qualify as Broadway. Likewise, Hershel Bernardi was the third Tevye in the original "Fiddler," and headed up his own revival at the New York State Theater in '81.

Updated On: 7/17/20 at 06:29 PM

#21

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

nealb1 said: "Seeing Yul B as The King of Siam in the 80's, was oneof the most memorable theatre experiences I've ever had. It was not cringey at all. Not at all.

He was a legend.
"

wasn’t it a little odd that a non-asian played the king of Siam?


"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
#22

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

gypsy101 said: "nealb1 said: "Seeing Yul B as The King of Siam in the 80's, was oneof the most memorable theatre experiences I've ever had. It was not cringey at all. Not at all.

He was a legend.
"

wasn’t it a little odd that a non-asian played the king of Siam?
"

Not in 1951 or among the other non-Asian principals in the cast. Only a few of the children in the cast had Asian heritage.

#23

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

nealb1 said: "Seeing Yul B as The King of Siam in the 80's, was oneof the most memorable theatre experiences I've ever had. It was not cringey at all. Not at all.

He was a legend.
"

Also, the King has no age frame in the libretto. He can be 30 or 70. And Yul certainly had the appeal in the 80s, as I recall he looked great.

#25

Actors who revived their starring roles on Broadway?

toottoot: "Not really a starring role, nor did she originate it, but Lonette McKee would appear as Julie LaVerne in both revivals of Show Boat that occurred in the late 20th century. It seems to follow a pattern as a great many actors from the original production subsequently appeared in a revival several years later, including Paul Robeson and Helen Morgan."

Paul Robeson was not in the original Broadway production of Show Boat. That was Jules Bledsoe as Joe.

Elfuhbuh:"Minstrel shows were still popular in the 90’s, to add some perspective here."

You're going to have to prove that.

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