Broadway legends still alive — Page 2

The Other One said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Hugh Jackman and Mark Rylance. People see shows because of them and their performances are talked about long after their shows have closed.

Um, Hugh Jackman has only done 1 show: THE BOY FROM OZ. His other Broadway appearances were his one-man variety shows. He’s never done another play after THE BOY FROM OZ."

He didn't do A STEADY RAIN? He isn't already, or at least likely to be,breaking box-office records for THE MUSIC MAN? He didn't sell out the run of his variety show? I'm not a big fan of his, but I would definitely call him a Broadway legend. If he were to be unable to perform, the show would not go on with his understudy, the performance would be rescheduled and the tickets would be exchanged. There are very few people you could ever have said that about, a handful at most, and that is why they are thought of as legends."

Thank you "The Other One".  Can't believe there are some who don't think Hugh Jackman is a legend.  He's done both Broadway and the West End.  Sold-out audiences from his recent world concert tour.  People buying "The Music Man" tickets months in advance of the opening.  Movie after movie.  Yeah, Hugh Jackman qualifies as a legend.

For me, "legend" denotes major longevity, so I would still class Jackman as a star rather than a legend.

Andrea McArdle

Updated On: 1/11/20 at 03:47 PM

Jarethan said: "I dont think Beth's names recognized by the average theatergoer. This board does not represent the typical theatergoer.

"

I think this is a good point. To me, one key definition of a legend is if they are known widely, and beyond their primary area of expertise. Even people who may have never been to the theater and have zero interest in it likely recognize names like Carol Channing, Chita Rivera, et al. But what do I know. Based on some of the names in this thread I'm thinking I have no understanding of what makes a legend! LOL  

#BWWclassics

How can yall forget Cicely Tyson?

Jarethan is right that the term "legend" is overused, and certainly some  of the suggestions made on this thread bear him out.  Loretta Swit?  Carol Lawrence?  Some performers give what are termed "legendary performances," e.e, Joey Gray in "Cabaret," perhaps Andrea McArdle in "Annie."But does giving a legendary performance make a legend?  I think a true legend builds a reputation over time and in multiple roles.  That's why actors like Mary Martin, Ethel Merman,  Walter Huston, and Jason Robards are considered legends.  Audra McDonald is on  her way to becoming a legend, but she's still too here and now to be one (legends require a certain retrospective view).  Before one is a legend one is a star, as a previous poster described Hugh Jackman  Even at that, Loretta Swit (one role, taking over for Ellen Burstyn in "Same Time Next Year," hardly qualifies.

SweetLips22 said: "There is a big difference between the minds of the general public and the theatre lovers.

As shown here, all theatre lovers, there are a wide variety of performers who fit the star and legend category.

As a BWW member, we progress through the ranks by our number of posts until we reach legend. Performers can be ranked the same way.

Tourist theatregoers wouldn't have the foggiest---could say Ms Merman[dead-I know] but alive, I would suspect Ms Lapone [maybe].

I think after death you can become a Legend.

"

Interesting thought.  So who would you personally suggest as a must see perform. To have those privileged “merman experience” memories. 

CapnHook said: "So...people that are very old? Like...James Earl Jones? Frank Langella? Ian McKellen? Joel Grey? Ben Vereen? Patrick Stewart? George Hearn? John Cullum? Donna McKecknie? Priscilla Lopez? Bette Midler? Barbra Streisand? Liza Minnelli? Chita Rivera?"

 

I totally agree with this list of names, especially James Earl Jones, Frank Langella, George Hearn, John Cullum, Joel Grey, Donna McKechnie, and Priscilla Lopez. You can also add Cicely Tyson and Andre DeShields, and Penny Fuller.

 

viagalactica6 said: "CapnHook said: "So...people that are very old? Like...James Earl Jones? Frank Langella? Ian McKellen? Joel Grey? Ben Vereen? Patrick Stewart? George Hearn? John Cullum? Donna McKecknie? Priscilla Lopez? Bette Midler? Barbra Streisand? Liza Minnelli? Chita Rivera?"



I totally agree with this list of names, especially James Earl Jones, Frank Langella, George Hearn, John Cullum, Joel Grey, Donna McKechnie, and Priscilla Lopez. You can also add Cicely Tyson and Andre DeShields, and Penny Fuller.

Penny Fuller...is she your cousin.  Penny Fuller was (is?) a talented actress who gave a number of solid performances; what has she ever done to suggest she is a theatre legend?  Supporting performers and replacements would not meet any definition that I can think of.  I am not sure that I think of George Hearn   or Len Cariou as legends, although I might agree that Cariou may have given a legendary performance as Sweeney Tood and Hearn as Albin.  

 

SweetLips22 said: "Jarethan--your two words 'legendary performance' is a world apart from being, A Legend. Someone can give a singular, memorable performance that will go down in theatrical history and is remembered for just that.

It would take a whole lot of those sort of performances to collectively turn them into A Legend.

To answer Theatrefanboy1---Angela Lansbury in Gypsy[London]"

Glad someone agrees with me, Sweet Lips.  I do not think HJ is yet a Broadway legend...he may become one, since he is only 50.  But I do think he gave a legendary performance in The Boy From Oz, an otherwise really mediocre show raised to a whole other level due to his talent, risk taking, charisma, etc.  I also think that Barbara Harris gave one of the most legendary musical comedy performances in The Apple Tree, but I don't consider her a Broadway legend.  Jennifer Holliday gave a legendary performance in Dreamgirls, but she is certainly not a Broadway legend.  Barbara Streisand gave a legendary performance in Funny Girl, which I was lucky enough to see, but I will never consider her a theatre legend.  A entertainment industry legend of legends, yes; a recording legend, yes. a theatre legend, based on 2 shows, (unless I am forgetting one), no.

When I think of Broadway legends, I think of people I never even saw in some cases, e.g., Katherine Cornell, Bert Lahr, Fanny Brice, Laurette Taylor, as well as people I did see, e.g., Lansbury, Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, James Earl Jones, Christopher Plummer, Colleen Dewhurst, Zoe Caldwell...not Penny Fuller or Laura Osnes or Jeremy Jordan, Beth Leavel, all talented people but hardly worthy of the term legend.  I suspect that they would be embarrassed if some super-fan referred to them as legendary Broadway performers.

My other pet peeve is people who are long overdue for a Tony...people on this board have stated that for acclaimed people about top make their Broadway debut, based on their success in the movies, in London, or whatever.  Kelli O'Hara was long overdue for a Tony, as is Danny Burstein.  There are not a lot of them.