Best Belters on Broadway (Post Golden Age)

[crc03772]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:49pm

Ok, before I get reamed a new one, I did a search on this and couldn't find a thread.

So, in your opinion who do you think are the best Belter's from the late 60's to today? (Post Golden Age is always subjective, but I always say this period started with rock musicals, Hair, JCS, etc etc)

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:08pm

Hmmmm. Hard question, given that so many roles these days call for a mix and not a pure belt.

But, even though it's going to be controversial, I am going to say (off the top of my head):

1. Jennifer Holliday
2. Patti LuPone
3. Betty Buckley
4. Sutton Foster
5. Andrea McArdle
6. Kay Cole
7. Karen Morrow
8. Randy Graff
9. Heather Headley
10. Idina Menzel

Get those barbs ready!!!

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:17pm

omg I forgot Laurie Beechman. LOL

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:28pm

I would add Stephanie J. Block to the list. Her voice is simply incredible. And Nancy Opel if for nothing other than her unforgettable performance in Urinetown.

[crc03772]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:31pm

I see you lean towards the women belters...again a controversial subject, but yes, men can too belt! :)

Anywho my short list (in no particular order):
1. Idina Menzel
2. Sherie Rene-Scott
3. Patti Lupone
4. Adam Pascal
5. Michael Ball
6. Raul Esparza
7. Andrea Burns
8. Sutton Foster
9. Jennifer Holliday
10. Linda Eder

[JRybka]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:32pm

Jennifer is up there...
And she only did one show on Broadway but Linda Eder has an amazing Belt.


I also enjoy Julia Murney.... Her CD is one of the highlights of my life. I really enjoy it.

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:41pm

I would add Orfeh's name to the mix.

[ChecksintheMayo]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:50pm

Marin Mazzie
Carolee Carmello
Heather Headley
Alice Ripley
Emily Skinner
Rachel York
Megan Mullally

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:56pm

Debbie (Shapiro) Gravitte!!

and...
Donna Murphy
Tonya Pinkins
Beth Fowler
Barbara Walsh
Mary Bond Davis
Lillias White

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 2:44pm

Patti LuPone
Raul Esparza
Bernadette Peters
Sutton Foster
Stephanie J. Block

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:09pm

Kate Shindle.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:57pm

Julie Reiber
Stephanie J. Block
Lea Salonga
Kate Shindle
Orfeh
Shoshana Bean
Eden Espinosa
Just about everyone in Wicked...LOL.

[dlass727]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:03pm

It's a complete crime that no one has Mary Testa on their list!

MARY TESTA!

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:19pm

I agree with most of these!

The most thrilling, amazing flexible belt for me is: Alice Ripley. The woman is amazing. Gonna mention Miss Emily Skinner too. And the tow of them together...forget it... the best there is.

But i mean you can't have the list without:
Patti Lupone
Linda Eder
Jennifer Holliday
and probably Sutton too.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:36pm

As for men:

Marc Kudisch
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Brent Barrett
Jeff McCarthy
Steven Pasquale
Updated On: 11/19/08 at 04:36 PM

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:39pm

I think Norbert Leo Butz and Gavin Creel have powerhouse voices as well.

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:48pm

I'd like to remove Idina Menzel and add Farah Alvin.

[spiritx33]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 5:28pm

Um, hello?

HEIDI BLICKENSTAFF.

[BroadwayBelle2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 7:03pm

Good choices!

[andrewcomp]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 7:07pm

Leslie Kritzer

[Taryn]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 7:43pm

Dude.

ELLEN. GREENE.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 7:48pm

Patti Lupone
Karen Olivo
Heidi Blickenstaff
Bernadette Peters
Sutton Foster
Jennifer Holiday
Eden Espinosa
Tracie Thoms
Idina Menzel
Fredi Walker
Adam Pascal
Mandy Gonzalez

[philly03]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 8:10pm

All the Lucy's & understudies:
Linda Eder
Emily Skinner
Leah Hocking
Luba Mason
Coleen Sexton
Kate Shindle

And: Ripley, Toro, Ruffelle, & Andreas!

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 8:20pm

ah, i forgot about Eden Espinosa...

And if we're doing men, the ultimate is Douglas Sills. Listen to the Scarlet Pimpernel OBCR and try to tell me he's not astonishing. SO good.

[explorer]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 8:27pm

Michele Lee
Linda Eder