Best Performer to Ever Grace Broadway

[Dancinblonde19]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 9:47am

The title pretty much says it all. Who do you think is the best performer to ever grace a Broadway stage?

[AngusN]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:03am

For me it is Bernadette Peters. I love her passion, dedication and commitment to the stage. She can sing, act and dance exceptionally well!
She has proved the enormity of her talent by tackling some of the most difficult roles and succeeding.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:09am

Nathan Lane, Bernadette Peters and Jerry Orbach

Updated On: 10/14/06 at 10:09 AM

[thibodeaux]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:21am

Julie. Andrews.

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:34am

I definitely agree with Julie Andrews and Jerry Orbach and would like to add Mary Martin. For some reason today, none of the performers really seem to have the same sort of star power to me. I'm not really sure what it is. There are many fine performers, but I just don't think they hold up to the "old timers".

[ashley0139]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:01am

My first thought was Julie Andrews. How original of me. But I don't think I would write off all the performers of today so fast. I think for sure in the future some of them will be considered legends, we just can't really see it now.

Updated On: 10/14/06 at 11:01 AM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:05am

bug, I disagree. Patti LuPone has as much starpower onstage as anyone.

And I know that musical theater rules this board, but we mustn't overlook Julie Harris.

[anotherhundredpeople]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:14am

And we musn't overlook the great Ethel Merman. She is dated now, but she was a powerhouse. Not an actress, a total diva, but she could pack them in. Two years of Gypsy and that's a fact. = )

[djb]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:27am

Well...

If we're going for dramatic, I'd say Julie Harris or Laurette Taylor (just for giving what's possibly the greatest dramatic performance to grace the Broadway stage.)

Musical... I have no idea, but I'd say Patti.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:29am

Patti LuPone has as much starpower onstage as anyone

I agree that Patti LuPone is a star of today that will definitely have the staying power. Hopefully some of the younger ones will be able to, too.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:29am

I have to add Patti LuPone as well. How could I have forgotten her?!

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:36am

Yes, I'm sorry...I do agree with Patti Lupone. I suppose I was including her with the "old timers". I suppose I was thinking of the younger/modern generation in my comment. While I admire Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie, Howard McGillin, Kelli O'Hara, Brian D'Arcy James, etc...I just don't see them in quite the same light. Maybe because Broadway stars of yesteryear also became "popular" stars of their day. Maybe it is history looking back on their careers...I'm not sure...but even when I watch old clips of those "old timers" performances they stand out more to me than even the live performances of today. I just love the old cips of Jerry Orbach!

[rosekwbp]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 11:48am

Bernadette Peters. She's amazing weather she's acting, singing or dancing.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:04pm

Ethel Merman for sheer power (and willpower).
Gwen Verdon for talent and charm.
Larry Kert (the most under-rated, under-used male star).

[LostLeander]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:08pm

McDonald.

Versatile, genuine, vocally flawless, and a great human being.
On her way to legendary status.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:23pm

As my avitar would indicate, Ray Bolger's amazing (according to contemporary reviews) in "On Your Toes" where the New York audiences finally saw him in a leading role and saw his full dancing ability. I'd also posit Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly - especially Kelly in "Pal Joey"- although I suspect they both did better work in the movies.

But just imagine how fantastic it must have been to pay 2.20 and see any one of them singing and dancing LIVE right in front of you.

It's great to sing well, but amazing to both sing and dance....

[sofiestar93]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:37pm

In the past, I would have to say Carol Lawrence. Today...definitely Aaron Lazar.

[kjklo]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:42pm

There's no such thing as "the best." Maybe "your personal favorite" would be more accurate.
Updated On: 10/21/06 at 12:42 PM

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 1:14pm

The ones I've seen, here are my personal choices:
- Julie Andrews, because she's a legend.
- Lea Salonga, because of her beauty and perfect pitch and crystal clear voice.
- Carol Burnett, because of her comedic talent.

Updated On: 10/14/06 at 01:14 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 1:33pm

well, duh!! the great Angela Lansbury.

no contest.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 1:39pm

Gwen Verdon
Liza Minnelli
Rita Moreno
Ethel Merman
Mary Martin
Laurette Taylor
Kim Stanley
Marlo Brando
Angela Lansbury
Chita Rivera
Julie Andrews
Meryl Streep
Lily Tomlin
Judie Dench
Maggie Smith
Bernadette Peters
Donna Murphy
Ian McKellan
Dustin Hoffman
Christine Ebersole
Updated On: 10/14/06 at 01:39 PM

[Horton]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 1:59pm

OmG ToTaLlY EyE-DEe-NaA MenTZelle, she Is JuSt So AmAzInG, I HeArD ThAt ShE CaN BeLt To A hIgH K, aNd She Is AmAzInG!!@

[Julian2]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 2:04pm

George M. Cohan

[Hank]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 3:27pm

SUTTON FOSTER

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 3:35pm

Some possibilities include Eleonora Duse, Edwin Booth, Sarah Bernhardt, Laurette Taylor, Kim Stanley, Ellen Terry, James Cagney, Laurence Olivier, Ethel Waters, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Bill Robinson, Alfred Lunt, Gertrude Lawrence, Fred Astaire, Paul Robeson, Fanny Brice, Shirley Booth, Edith Evans, John Barrymore, and George M. Cohan.