I would love to have a career similar to Sierra Boggess'. She was in Les Miserables, Little Mermaid, Phantom of the Opera, etc. What a dream resume.
Hugh Jackman! He's done it all.
I always admire the career progression of someone like Donna Murphy: Starting in the chorus/as an understudy, then replacing a principal, then getting a big break and successful jobs, and then moving on to some TV/film while still staying active in theater.
I'm not an actor/dancer (anymore), but as a Director and Choreographer I would love to take the same path as David Cromer and Kathleen Marshall.
I love working on new works, but I am always drawn to the 20th Century Post-Modern classics and Golden Age musicals. They are both masters in those styles (Respectively).
*edited because of Auto Correct and a little 420*
Updated On: 5/3/13 at 10:00 PM
A personal track I dream of emulating is the Mike Nichols/Joe Mantello-style career; possessing a fluidity between acting and directing (or, if I ever gather the nerve, the Sam Shepard/Eric Bogosian/Tracy Letts wing and dabbling in playwriting... though I'll never harness a tenth the talent any of them have). Nichols also is equally versed in stage and screen, and equally respected in each. What are role models for if not to aspire to the greatest heights?
Leading Actor Joined: 11/21/10
Hugh Jackman's notoriety in film and stage and Kristin Chenoweth's diverse musical theatre resume.
Lea Michelle, cause she is so well-liked by her co-workers.
I've always thought of Norbert Leo Butz's career in this way. He gets a lot of work, and is taken seriously as an actor and a singer. He's well-known and respected in the broadway community, but he's not like a "celebrity" which I like because I would never want the pressure of being a mega-star. Also, his talent has made it possible for him to age out of the stereotypical "young, handsome male lead" roles and still have a respectable, steady career.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
I'm going to see Hugh Jackman for me..
and if were to choose an opposite gender... Lea Salonga... she's just an amazing Filipino talent... always looked up to her in that regard
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/12
Norbert Leo Butz, Raul Esparza, and Christian Borle for being able to flip back and forth between musical and straight play. Also Santino Fontana. He's done some awesome shows. I don't know if he was good in any of them, but he's gotten some great roles.
Updated On: 5/4/13 at 04:34 AM
A very tough choice between Meryl Streep and Pee-Wee Herman.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
Harvey Fierstein
Swing Joined: 3/5/13
Alice Ripley. She can sing but she continuous pushes the boundaries and has proven what a strong actress she really is. She gives fearless performances and makes strong choices always. And, she seems like such a genuine, nice person.
Two big names that could not be more different, but had a very similar career arc: Martin Short or Darren Criss.
Young, quirky entertainer forgoes the "slave in the chorus" route to form a small company of like-minded quirky entertainers, and breaks out independently as a result. Gains respect throughout the years as an auteur of slightly oddball theatrical entertainment as writer and performer, and has the freedom to choose what comes next as opposed to just working through whatever comes up.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/5/11
Sutton Foster. i would love to start as a dancer in the ensemble and work my way to do original roles on broadway.
Jeff Stryker
Surprised no one mentioned John Lithgow. A pro's pro, and well liked and respected.
Lithgow is incredibly respected with a wide and varied career.
I think it's interesting what people's choices reveal about them: a fair number of people want to do things the traditional way and live the gypsy life, others want to be the consummate professional or the big star. A single art form, with so many varied lifestyles and goals.
Chorus Member Joined: 4/26/12
Lithgow would-be my choice, too. He took theater success into movies, then back to theater, then to huge TV success, back to theater, with movies continuing. He is well known enough to be on producers' short list for Bway shows, and well enough off from syndication, no doubt, to choose work as he pleases. Equally at hoe with comedic and dramatic roles, too,
Would Patrick Wilson be another actor with a solid career in several mediums, too?
Obviously, there are bigger stars than both, but guys like the above could lead fairly normal lives, too.
Updated On: 5/4/13 at 11:31 PM
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