Broadway Star Joined: 9/3/14
Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Kelli O' Hara, Matthew Morrison & Shirley MacLaine started their careers in the ensemble.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/03
Chorus of 2000 JCS included Christian Borle, Shayna Steele, Merle Dandridge, Max Von Essen, Lisa Brescia, and Eric Millegan.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/20/15
Ericka Hunter of Miss Saigon (and American Psycho & Broadway Bares).
Updated On: 9/7/17 at 04:30 PM
wish i were here2 said: "Catherine Ricafort"
Did anyone else see her on The Sing Off on NBC a while back? The name of her group escapes me right now, but I remember I liked them a lot. I follow her a little bit b/c of that, and it's nice to hear her name keep popping up!
I view this more as "known in the community." In viewing it that way, the first name that comes to mind is Aaron Albano. He's gone on to replace some bigger names, but I can't think of many other ensemble members who are employed as consistently as him. Jess LeProtto, Shannon Lewis, and Jennifer Foote are also always working.
Well if we are just bringing people who are well-known in the community, I think it's essential to mention Bradley Dean. A frequenter of Broadway ensembles, and almost always an understudy for leads or supporting roles. It's really incredible how many great roles he's covered over the years. I didn't even realize until just now (looking at his IBDB) that he's currently covering the dad in Dear Even Hansen! He's played a fair number of leads in regional and off-Broadway productions (I was first exposed to him as El Gallo in The Fantasticks back in 2011), but for some reason the only principal role he's ever played full-time on Broadway is Carl-Magnus, and that was as a replacement.
It's a shame because he's really talented. He has an incredible voice and a very distinctive stage-presence. It's possible that he's just content being one of Broadway's go-to middle-aged male understudies. He's certainly made a consistent career out of it.
Ensemble members of today seem to be able to get more attention because of two factors: first, the end of the "dancing chorus" practice of anonymous monolithic choruses, and the rise of social media, with an ensemble member more often than not chosen to be the social media face/voice of a production.
darquegk said: "Ensemble members of today seem to be able to get more attention because of two factors: first, the end of the "dancing chorus" practice of anonymous monolithic choruses, and the rise of social media, with an ensemble member more often than not chosen to be the social media face/voice of a production."
I think that's accurate. I would add that social media has also resulted in the rise of "fandom" culture, where every cast member, regardless of their role, is is put on a pedestal by the show's super-fans.
Although I'm not certain just how many B'way shows he's been in, how about Nick Adams?
Funny; I haven't heard anything about him for some time.
I met him in person once, and he was charming, BTW.
Although I'm not certain just how many B'way shows he's been in, how about Nick Adams?
Funny; I haven't heard anything about him for some time.
I met him in person once, and he was charming, BTW.
Stand-by Joined: 5/17/17
Valentina3, you know I love you, but...Lol
Eddie Korbich was never nominated for a Tony. He should've been for his Toby in Sweeney Todd, however.
He was nominated for a Drama Desk for The Drowsy Chaperone.
She's not super famous, but sort of known in the Broadway community? Celia Mei Rubin. I actually thought she was a part of the main cast before I heard she was in the ensemble. Many of the principals in GC are in the ensemble for most of the show (Gelsey and Nicholas come to mind) anyway, but I thought Celia was an actual character.
Always fun to see Linda Mugleston, Jennifer Smith, and Charlie Sutton in ensembles. They are "famous" to me, names I remember when I look through the Playbill. All have received the Gypsy Robe.
And maybe slightly off-topic, but I see Charlie Williams in countless award show ensembles, from the Kennedy Center to Tonys to Oscars. And whenever Rob Ashford is the choreographer, Charlie will be in the ensemble. He's been Rob's assistant many times, including for FROZEN on its way to Broadway. Though, I think Charlie with his stocky frame is gorgeous, so not surprising my eye always finds him if only seeing him in snipets on screen. :)
CorkySt.Clair said: "wish i were here2 said: "Catherine Ricafort"
Did anyone else see her on The Sing Off on NBC a while back? The name of her group escapes me right now, but I remember I liked them a lot. I follow her a little bit b/c of that, and it's nice to hear her name keep popping up!"
The SoCal VoCals. Donald Webber, James Snyder, Bryce Ryness and a bunch of others who have been on Broadway and film came from that group.
Speed said: "Chorus of 2000 JCS included Christian Borle, Shayna Steele, Merle Dandridge, Max Von Essen, Lisa Brescia, and Eric Millegan."
You forgot Deidre Goodwin
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/03
Yep. Her too. Very very talented chorus. Has any other chorus created that many stars?
Updated On: 9/10/17 at 03:42 PMChorus Member Joined: 9/8/17
Does this count? Charlie Stemp was Monkey #3 in Wicked and will be making Broadway debut in Hello Dolly in Jan
Speed said: "Yep. Her too. Very very talented chorus. Has any other chorus created that many stars?"
damn. I feel awful forgetting big rod. Rodney Hicks
SherrieByTheSea said: "Does this count? Charlie Stemp was Monkey #3 in Wicked and will be making Broadway debut in Hello Dolly in Jan"
Speed said: "Chorus of 2000 JCS included Christian Borle, Shayna Steele, Merle Dandridge, Max Von Essen, Lisa Brescia, and Eric Millegan."
Ok now hold on - that's is an entirely different conversation. The OP was asking if there are any actors who make their career performing in the ensemble who have done so enough that they've become well known within the community. You're just naming well-known principal actors who started in the ensemble, which is not a rare thing at all. Tons of well known stage actors have started off in the ensemble - we could go on naming examples of that until the new year.
Chorus Member Joined: 9/8/17
That's why I asked if it counted...
JBroadway said: "SherrieByTheSea said: "Does this count? Charlie Stemp was Monkey #3 in Wicked and will be making Broadway debut in Hello Dolly in Jan"
Speed said: "Chorus of 2000 JCS included Christian Borle, Shayna Steele, Merle Dandridge, Max Von Essen, Lisa Brescia, and Eric Millegan."
Ok now hold on - that'sis an entirely different conversation. The OP wasasking if there are any actors who make their career performing in the ensemble who have done so enough that they've become well known within the community. You're just naming well-known principal actors who started in the ensemble, which is not a rare thing at all. Tons of well known stage actors have started off in the ensemble - we could go on naming examples of that until the new year."
I was just responding to the post saying a lot of talent came out of the 2000 superstar revival.
A lot of talented people came out of there.
Other Ensemble stars - Mary Ann Lamb, Robyn Hurder -she's amazing.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/03
Can you name another show with that many famous ensemble members, JBroadway? Also, Rodney wasn't in the chorus. He was Peter. David St Louis was in that chorus though.
Updated On: 9/10/17 at 08:00 PMVideos