Most Recognizable Name in Broadway- Page 3

[DG]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 11:54am

For those who question Ms. Close's connection to Broadway (and please especially note the four Tony noms, including three wins):
Glenn Close ibdb listing.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 12:30pm

This is really a tricky question...

Is it the most recognizable name (with today's folks) that's been associated with Broadway (ever)?...

...Or the most recognizable person (with today's folks) that is KNOWN PRIMARILY as a Broadway name?

I think you'll find different answers for both:

If it's Choice #1 - I would say Bob Hope, Marlon Brando, Glenn Close, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman, Angela Lansbury, Paul Newman, Madonna, and maybe a few legendary composers like Gershwin, Berlin & Porter, etc.

If it's Choice #2 - I would say Ethel Merman, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Bernadette Peters, even Neil Simon, and a few others...

And jasobres --- There's an old saying about stardom that's pretty true (although budgets have changed a lot on TV since this first was batted about)...

Movies make you rich...

TV makes you famous... (more people watched three episodes of the Cosby Show when it was "hot prime time" than all the people worldwide who saw E.T. in its initial release)

Theatre gives you clout.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 3:00pm

From the results, it seems "most recognizable all-time Broadway performers" (composers, creative teams etc are apparently not being considered. If they were, I'd bet you'd hear ALW, Rodgers & Hammerstein sure as shootin'.)

If this is the case...they're pretty much right on the mark. Especially if those polled are mid to older, non frequent or recent theater patrons.

Beleive it or not, when asked to name a male all time Broadway performer, more often than not you hear..."the phantom of the Opera, Michael Crawford, I think is his name" or ..."that guy that was in Les Mis with the white hair (Colm Wilkinson)".

The reason may be because POTO and Le Miz are the first two shows people name as "most popular".

Try asking a rare theater goer over 30 and see what you come up with.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 3:07pm

I think this article targeted non theater goers. Now for those who named composers, you have to think of those in the south or midwest who have never heard or seen a broadway show. I highly doubt they would recognize the name Stephen Sondheim, possibly ALW. Now, if you asked those people who Ethel Merman or Bernadette Peters were, I'd say they would recognize Bernadette due to the movies she's been in. I'd say the most recognizable names are those who have been in movies: Bernadette, Liza, Julie Andrews ect....

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 3:17pm

PB ENT.: You are soooo right.....at the high school I went to..alot of males knew of Michael Crawford and Colm Wilkinson....

at Scholars Bowl was when I use to kill the theatre questions I would surprise people by what I knew of other males on Broadway...and they wouldn't even have to finish the sentence.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 3:18pm

I vote for Nathan---that's how I got turned on to theater! Not to put down any of the others, of course!

[PurdyBacall]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 3:22pm

this begs the question Recognizable to whom?

Someone who knows and loves theatre ? or someone who thinks Hilary Duff, Lindsey Lohan or Spears Feederline actually have musical talent?

If it is the former then creative forces would suggest...

Hal Prince...(20 Tony Awards, count them 20!, Sodheim, Neil Simon among others

Star power...all depends on the moment.
Streisand..without question. But B'way regulars...

Ms. Bacall, Ms Landsbury, Ms Peters, Mr Fierstein, Mr Jackman, Ms. Strich, Mr Robards and of course The Merman herself.