American Idol Contestants that should make it to Broadway

In response to anti-Latoya London and American Idol contestant comments on another thread, I decided to start this thread. Which people from the past season of the show do you think should head to broadway. You don't have to cast them, but you can. After looking at all the contestants, this is my list:

Tamayra Gray needs to come to Broadway.
Christina Christian - season 1 (Ain't No Sunshine girl)
Kimberley Locke - season 2
Kimberly Caldwell
Ricky Smith
Vanessa Olivarez (Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray for sure.. she just has that personality)
Amy Adams (phenomenal in Joseph Tour, should definitley come to broadway. She has great stage presence)
Jennifer Hudson - no explaination needed, she got kicked off way too early
Latoya
Jessica Sierra - she could make a good Julia in Wedding Singer
Nadia Turner
Ace Young
Katherine McPhee
Melissa McGhee

I'm basing my choices on vocal performances, and overall charisma. I think both are important and equally contribute to a good performer. I see many people on stage that lack the charisma and stage presence that these people can exude merely on TV. Seeing them on TV lessens all of that; I can only imagine what it would be like to see them on stage.

As for Melissa McGhee. She may have screwed up that performance, but her semi-final performances were good. She has a great voice, and there something about her that makes her very memorable in my mind.

From your list, only Jennifer Hudson and Katharine McPhee deserve to get on Broadway. You can see Hudson in the Actor's Fund concert of Whorehouse in a few weeks.

I agree. It is a singing competition not an acting and dancing competition.

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"Vanessa Olivarez (Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray for sure.. she just has that personality)"

I think you are talking physical type, not personality. Tracy is a very specific physical type, and Olivarez fits into it. Nice try at justification, though.

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I actually think that the American Idols have done well in stage productions. It seems like they can help shows and can perform well.

Is this everyone?

Diana DeGarmo- West Side Story, Brooklyn, Hairspray
Jennifer Hudson- Actors' Fund Concert's, Dream Girls Movie
Constantine Morulis- Rent, The Wedding Singer
Tamyra Gray- Bombay Dreams
Frenchie Davis- Rent
Amy Adams- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Vanessa Olivarez-Hairspray
Josh Strickland-Tarzan (I don't remember him from American Idol.)
Katie Webber-Wicked

Updated On: 10/8/06 at 08:02 PM

"It is a singing competition not an acting and dancing competition."

Just because they are entered in a singing competition doesn't mean they can't act or dance. Last time I checked, people can have more than one talent. By starting this thread I was convinced many of these people could be good on broadway. You may disagree, but I have my feelings. This thread is based on opinion. And you're comment may be a fact, but it doesn't mean that they CAN'T dance or act...

I think Carrie Underwood could be a good Amber in Hairspray. However, she probably wants to focus on her triple-platinum CD Career and tour, etc. Rather than not even being a "star" in a show. If she was offered star position in a Broadway show.....it could be a possibility maybe. However, I am not sure if she can act/dance. But singing-wise I think she could perform a good Amber VonTussel.

I also wonder how Diana DeGarmo would do as Elphaba in Wicked.

Remember they have to sing 8 times a week
not once on TV
I wanna see
Clay as Edna.

Whatever happened to the Broadway Idol contestants - did Jaclyn ever have her show at Ars Nova?

There was a guy back in the third season named Jon Peter Lewis. I'm not sure how well he acts (though, I know he did some acting when he was younger, but I'm not sure whether it was professional or not) but he had a nice voice and was very entertaining.

my opinion on american idol stars coming to broadway, USUALLY a BAD idea!!! unless they actually have a musical theatre background, chances are they shouldnt be on broadway. sure, SOME, but very few could still do great, but then theres people like bo bice, who im sorry, but would NOT be good on broadway. im just not a huge fan of the idea.

i will say though that i was pleasantly surprised with constantine, but hes had a musical theatre backgroud so that helped.

Lisa Tucker was a young Nala in the early LA run of The Lion King. She might have been a talented child but her performances on American Idol demonstrated that she grew out of that. Vocally she is a bust. I wouldn't walk to the end of my porch to see her in anything.