Favourite Male Musical Stars and Why (From Any Decade)

[~*Triple Star On Broadway*~]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 1:24pm

Fred Astaire - Need I really say anymore? I mean really, Its Fred Astaire.

Nobert Leo Butz - I havent stopped listening to The Last 5 Years since I bought it (almost a year ago) and its because of him. He has a really passionate voice, and there may be people that dont think he fits the part in Wicked, but I think he does a good job in that as well.

Hugh Jackman - Simply because every show he puts on, he gives it 110% and even though Im not fond of BFO, I think he does an amazing job in it and I ADORED him in Oklahoma!

Adam Pascal - his voice gives me shivers, I think hes absolutely terrific.

[StraightToHeaven]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 1:34pm

I'll play!

I'll go with Norbert Leo Butz here. I admit Wicked is the only show I have seen him live in. I thought he fit Fiyero so well. He reminded me of all the boys I go to school with who are exactly like Fiyero. It seems I am a minority here though. I love the other recordings I have of him, too. He is amazing on the Last 5 Years cast recording.

There are quite afew actors who I have never seen perform live because I can't get into NYC so much to see them perform but I love their voices and I imagine if I have seen them I would be listing them up there with Norbert Leo Butz (Gavin Creel, Adam Pascal, Raul Esparza,etc) and I can't really go back in decades... Updated On: 5/12/04 at 01:34 PM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 2:19pm

Gene Kelly, for obvious reasons.

[A19Ben]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 2:23pm

Hugh Jackman - because he is just so good from as soon as he walks on stage and gives a 110% every time and he has a lovely rich tone to his voice!

Adam Pascal and Tony Vincent because these two guys have the best ROCK voices in musical theatre they make me go WOW when ever i hear them!


Ben x x x

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 2:25pm

Well the last few performances Nathan Lane has given in "Forum" and "The Producers" have really been wonderful, each a throwback to those grand old days of Braodway when musical theater stars were STARS..so I'd have to say him, but there have been many that I find inspiring on many levels.

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 2:34pm

Gene Kelly-I could watch him for hours and hours

Brian Stokes Mitchell-Do I even need a reason?

and, Brent Barrett-cuz he's awesome!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 2:38pm

Michael Cerveris and James Barbour are both awesome in Assassins.
I love Howard Keel's looks and voice (not a bad actor, either) - him in tights in Kiss Me Kate got me going for many years...LOL!

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 2:39pm

Raul Esparza....because of THAT VOICE, THAT INTENSITY & THE PASSION.....and to add to it, a fine dramatic actor as well....

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 2:51pm

Jerry Orbach...he will always be El Gallo to me :)

Not Broadway, but I love Frank Sinatra's musicals. Love Pal Joey.

Gavin Creel...perfect.

Adam Pascal...very different

[Roddick19]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 3:14pm

In no particular order:
Gene Kelly - duh
John Tartaglia - sweetest guy alive and so talented. I just wanna be his best friend
Raul Esparza - I melt at the sound of his voice. And I think it's incredible how versitale he can make it -- he went from being Riff Raff to being Jonathan Larson to being the guy in Taboo (I never saw Taboo so I don't know what his name was in the show)
Adam Pascal - RENT is my favorite show in musical theatre history. Adam just has this sexy raspiness that makes me wanna have sex to his voice.
John Raitt - Classic at its best

[Elphie]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 3:25pm

Raul Esperaza
Gene Kelly
Frank Sinatra
Jarrod Emick

First that come to mind. Oh and Hunter Foster.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 3:37pm

Alfred Drake-saw him in "Gigi" real star power.
Raul Esparza-Seen him 5 different things and he has an outstanding range.
Richard Keily-great actor and voice.
Jerry Orbach-supprised no one has mentioned him-terrific talent.

I am editing my message to add a grevious deletion from my list.
Robert Preston-My God, anyone listens to how he did any role can one imagine the part played any other way. He seemed to get all of the right points of any role right the first time.'

Shame on me for leaving this one off.

Updated On: 5/13/04 at 03:37 PM

[HeartinNYC]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 3:49pm

John Cullum - melodic, wonderful voice in "Shenandoah", stirring portrayal in "1776", and so many others
Nathan Lane - all the best of the "old-style" musical actors with his own contemporary sharp wit thrown in
Rex Harrison - could there BE a better Henry Higgins (how did Chandler Bing get in here?!)

[secret-soul]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 4:36pm

redhotinnyc2- i totally agree w/ you on Cerveris and Barbour...OMG they're AMAZING in assassins.
I would also care to add Adam Pascal, Jerry Orbach, Gavin Creel, Terry Mann, Michael Ball, Alan Cumming, Sir Rex Harrison, Mandy Patinkin, Jeff Keller and Brian Stokes Mitchell

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 4:39pm

Brent Carver
Anthony Crivello
Nathan Lane
John Cullum
Brian Stokes Mitchel

I don't feel like typing all the reasons why but rest assured, there are reasons.

[~*Triple Star On Broadway*~]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 5:25pm

I love Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick as well. I think both are extremely talented and comical. I enjoy Gavin Creel as well those...yeesh what a voice!

[CJR]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 5:38pm

Brent Barrett
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Terrence Mann
John Dossett
Hugh Panaro
Norm Lewis

[Blackangel]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 5:46pm

Steve Barton - a great actor and singer
Steve Balsamo - he has a great voice
Máté Kamarás - I like his interpretation of a role
Steven Seale & Brian Carmack - also good players

[CJR]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 5:50pm

OMG Brian Carmack! I haven't heard that name in ages... and I think the last time I saw him was 2 years ago at Chicago's anniversary show.

He's insanely freaking talented. Love him.

[Blackangel]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 5:51pm

Now he plays in Vienna and I love his deep voice.

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 5:53pm

Brian D'Arcy James. If for "At The Fountain" alone, Brian D'Arcy James.

[little_sally]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 5:55pm

Hunter Foster
Raul Esparza
Michael Cerveris
Adam Pascal

...I just really like them. I don't have real reasons.

I also love Ben Vereen. Must I say more?

[CJR]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 6:02pm

Awwwe Brian's in Vienna now? What exactly is he in? I'd love to see him come replace one of the obviously bored boys in the broadway Chicago company He was at the anniversary show with my friend Tracy... I met him in 2000 when he was playing Fred on the tour with Tracy and Roxane.

[Blackangel]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 6:05pm

He plays in Vienna in the new musical of Dave Stewart called "Barbarella". Brian is cover of the robot role. I think that he is the assistant of the choreograph.
It is funny. I never though, that someone know his name hear.

[CJR]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 6:14pm

Oh definitely. I can't forget him -- he's a sweetie, and talented up the wazoo!