Legends in the making?

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:01am

So of course there are those Broadway stars that'll always have a place in the theatre hall of fame - Ethel, Liza, ect. But who do you think of today's actors will be remember thirty or fifty years from now?

My bets are on Sutton Foster - though she's young, hers is a true Cinderella story and she'll clearly have a long enough career to merit any place on any walk of fame. Yours?

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:15am

Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, Bebe Neuwirth, Karen Ziemba (if she finally gets the great role she hasn't gotten), Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, and possibly Charlotte D'Ambosse.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:27am

I think Bernadette and Lupone are already legends

[alterego]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:35am

LuPone and Peters from those previously mentioned. And for all the wrong reasons Donna Murphy and Melanie Griffiths.

[Attendthetale331]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:46am

Victoria Clark
Michael Ceveris

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:49am

Donna Murphy will be remembered for being one of the most brilliant performers on Broadway. Her performance as Fosca has been recognized as one of the most powerful and breath-taking of the 90s. Just because she had a personal issue during Wonderful Town doesn't mean that she's going to go down in infamy. She might have missed some performances but when she was on, she again gave one of the most amazing performances in a musical comedy, it was fascinating to see her do things with the role of Ruth that people never thought she could do. She also did the same with Anna in The King and I, and she has proved that every time she's on Broadway, she gives the best performance she can. Her voice is impeccable, her ability to transform herself is hardly matched by any actors of her generation, and even Mr.Sondheim has expressed that Murphy is one of the best actresses he's ever worked with. So she will become a legend because of all the right reasons.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 1:26am

I definitely agree about Sutton Foster, Audra McDonald (she's already pretty close to legendary status), Victoria Clark, Michael Cerveris and Donna Murphy.

I'd like to add Manoel Felciano, even though, technically, he's just getting started. Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but he is exceedingly talented, and I predict great things in his future. In a perfect world, he'd achieve legendary status when he stars in the revival of "The Hidden Sky". I know at least 3 of you know what I'm talking about. Right?

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 1:56am

When was the Hidden Sky ever on Broadyway? At any rate I think people are throwing around the term legend to easily. I think Audra's close, but she's a little young to be called a legend. I honestly think she'llbreak the record for the performer with the most Tonys. She's already tied with Gwen, Angela and 1 other performer I can't think of with 4 wins.

Legends have incredible high profile staying power. While Manuel(sp) is a hot thing right now and very talented, I don't think he'll be a legend. He may be known but I'm not sure he'll get to Ethel Merman Bernedette Peters status. The problem with this is that the theatre's not really making legends anymore. It's VERY hard to be where Audra or Patti or Bernedette are. Times, they are a changin'. Updated On: 2/16/06 at 01:56 AM

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 1:57am

I think, possibly:
Idina Menzel
LaChanze
Raul Esparza
Orfeh
Stephanie J. Block
Kristen Chenowith
Vanessa Williams
Liz MacCartney
Jane Krakowski
Patrick Wilson
One day the "Lunt-Fontanne" will be renamed the "Lane-Broderick"
Adam Pascal
One day Rosie O'Donnell will not only have a Theatre named for her but will be looked up to as a "Helen Hayes" type Actress
Norbert Leo Butz will be bigger than Larry Olivier
Sara Gettlefinger
...soo many more!

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 2:11am

Hidden Sky was never on Broadway. A revival doesn't necessarily apply to the Broadway stage, does it? If so, then I guess I used the term incorrectly.

Also, Jazzysuite82 , the thread is called legends in the making. You're free to disagree, but we're talking hypothetical here. It's virtually impossible to know for sure who will become a legend or not, but it's fun to speculate. Audra's young NOW, but that doesn't mean she won't become a legend in the future! That's sort of the point of this thread, isn't it?

and ps, it's spelled Manoel. :p

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 2:12am

Michael Arden (he will be, he really will)
Hunter and Sutton (they should rename a theater the "Foster"- that would be heaven)
Norbert Leo Butz
Audra
Alice Ripley- she needs to make a comeback, someone write a Broadway vehicle for this woman!

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 2:14am

"they should rename a theater the "Foster"- that would be heaven"

Ooh, I agree! lol

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 2:40am

You know there are performers that do great things with less than great roles and then there are those great times when great performers and great roles unite. I think Audra McDonald is still waiting for her great role (in terms of recognition and other things).

[SirLiir]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 3:34am

I'd say Norbert but he has repeatedly said he wants to be an actor first, singer second. So who knows what direction he goes. Hopefully he stays and continues to shoot higher and higher.

[jasobres]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 7:24am

Kristin Chenoweth, Kristin Chenoweth, Kristin Chenoweth. Oh, and did I mention Kristin Chenoweth?

[meagan9848]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 7:41am

Kristin Chenoweth found a bigger paycheck, I don't see her coming back for a while.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 8:02am

I say Victoria Clark, Mylinda Hull, Sutton Foster, Kristin Chenoweth (who I think is a somewhat legend already), and, of course, SARA RAMIREZ!

[alterego]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 8:06am

Once again only LuPone, Peters and maybe Audra Mc Donald in years to come might be considered "Legends". All of the others, while good performers are yet to prove longevity and that larger than life star status that warrant the term "Legend".

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 10:40am

I agree with many of the obvious ones stated -- LuPone, Peters, etc, etc.

Of the younger actors mentioned, even though maybe the standards are a little different now, I think Raul could hit those heights. Maybe a lot of it depends on career choices, but he has the talent.

Someone said Adam Pascal. I love him, but... no.

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:25am

I'm pretty sure Lupone and Peters are there.

Audra is certainly going to be one, but is not one quite yet.

I'm conflicted of what I consider Lane and Broderick.

On my time will tell list:
Idina Menzel
Victoria Clark
Kristin Chenoweth
Michael Cerveris
Michael Ball
Sutton Foster

Those that I listed there will only be legends if they get some sort of legendary break, or continue at the pace that they're on for quite some time. Several tony's wouldn't hurt either.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:22pm

harvey fierstein
cherry jones

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:36pm

La Chanze
Victoria Clark
Idina Menzel
Sutton Foster
Michael Cerveris
Kristin Chenoweth

I think she's already there, or ALMOST there - Maria Friedman.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:36pm

La Chanze
Victoria Clark
Idina Menzel
Sutton Foster
Michael Cerveris
Kristin Chenoweth

I think she's already there, or ALMOST there - Maria Friedman.

[jasobres]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:37pm

Mitchel David Federan (Young Peter in The Boy from Oz.)

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:48pm

"I'm conflicted of what I consider Lane and Broderick. "

I'd say yes on Lane, and a definite no on Broderick.

But who knows? Time will tell.