Favorite Diva Performance On Broadway Today???

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:12pm

-Jenn Gambatese
-Merle Dendridge
-Patti Lupone
-Beth Leavel
-Sutton Foster
-LaChanze
-Felicia Fields
-Elisabeth Mendes
-Amy Spanger
-Laura Benanti
-Tracee Beazer
-Felicia Finley
If i forgot about anyone, let me know.

My favorite is:

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:21pm

Victoria Clark in PIAZZA is the top ome right now IMO

[luvliza89]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:26pm

Agreed 100% Margo.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:27pm

Patti in "Sweeney."

I've been four times and have been blown away along with finding new touches and improvements in her tour de force performance each time.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:31pm

I somehow regret not seeing Judy Kaye last week.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:31pm

I agree with Margo. Victoria Clark's performance is stunningly as good as (or better than) Olivia de Haviland's performance in the Light in the Piazza movie.

But of the performers you mention, I think Patti, Beth Leavel and Felicia Fields really have the larger-than-life quality that "diva" (in its pre-MTV/VH1 meaning) implies. The others, though talented, still have a way to go.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:34pm

I am also in the Victoria Clark boat.

Patti LuPone and Beth Leavel are close runners-up.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:38pm

I forgot to include Patti Cohenour.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:46pm

Victoria Clark does give an incredible performance...excited to see her final on Sunday!

I would also vote for LaChanze and Felicia Fields, as I thought they both gave excellent performances in The Color Purple.

Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:57pm

Can you imagine Ethel Merman's reaction if she were to be referred to as a diva? I can hear her spouting the "F" word as she turns over in her grave

The start of the use of the word diva in recent years coincides exactly with the absence of excitement and presence generated by Broadway performers of yesteryear. Think Merman, Martin, Lawrence, Verdon, etc. None of them were ever referred to as divas.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 12:02am

Muscle-

My love for Patti's performance aside, I, too, would have loved to have seen Judy Kaye tackle the role. I imagine she was phenomenal.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 12:04am

Maybe in 30 years, people will say the same thing about the actresses now performing on Broadway. People tend to idealize the past.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 12:10am

So true.

Posted: 6/27/06 at 12:10am

Idealize today's performers 30 years from now? Give me a break :)

[DG]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 1:54am

I think Victoria's performance is the best thing on Broadway right now. BUT, I don't think it's the best Diva performance, because I don't think Victoria is a Diva.

That would belong to Ms. Lupone - just ask her.