Must see Broadway stars

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 12/10/21 at 11:31pm

A young (and new to theatre ) late teen asked me what was my list of top ten Broadway stars that I would say they’d have to see in Broadway shows while they are still performing.  I’m curious what people are suggesting. 
 

She was talking about “icons of theatre”. Like how she wished she could have seen carol channing or Ethel merman. it took me by surprise but the ten I gave were:

 

Bernadette Peters

Patti Lupone

Nathan Lane

Kristin Chenoweth 

Idina Menzel 

Heather Headley 

Lea Salonga

Jonathan Groff

Patrick Page

Norm Lewis

 

and then I added if Chita Rivera or Julie Andrews were ever to perform those would also be ones I would add

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 12/10/21 at 11:34pm

Audra McDonald, easily 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/10/21 at 11:41pm

Sutton Foster

Kelli O'Hara

Laura Benanti

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/10/21 at 11:52pm

Tell them to hurry because true old school Broadway talent is not really being generated or fostered anymore. 
 

Id say Audra, Sutton, Laura, Kristin and Kelli are among the last of the “names.” I don’t think performers want to be associated with Broadway or make it a primary identity any longer. 
 

Also with people like Beanie being cast in major parts it’s clear that true triple threats aren’t even valued as much anymore. Why bother to train when casting has gotten so abysmal lately. 
 

Also many people who devoted their life to live theatre including many reliable chorus and ensemble members learned how little their sacrifices were valued when they were cast aside without any consideration. Many left for good and moved. 
 

It will be interesting to see what emerges on Broadway post pandemic. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 12/10/21 at 11:56pm

I'm always going to see Laurie Metcalf and Raúl Esparza whenever they appear in a show.

[sweaterbox]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 12:13am

All good picks -

Feel like the Drama Desk distinguished performance award winners are a good place to start if you wanted to direct a student to a starting point…

https://dramaleague.org/awards-history/

+ Andre De Shields, Cynthia Erivo, + ones you won’t likely see like Streisand or Julie Andrews…

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 1:07am

I agree with all those mentioned.

An alternate list (of more than 10):

Nathan Lane

Andrew Rannells

Glenda Jackson

Michael Cerveris

Judy Kuhn

Bryan Cranston 

Mary Louise Parker

Cherry Jones

Megan Hilty 

Rachel Bay Jones

Rebecca Naomi Jones

Nikki M. James

James Monroe Iglehart

 

 

[adotburr]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 7:44am

My list is very short:

Jonathan Groff

Lea Salonga

Patti LuPone 

I’ve only seen Lea Salonga. Should be seeing Patti soon. And somehow always miss Jonathan Groff in everything he does in NYC. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 7:53am

7 posts and nobody’s mentioned Stokes?! 

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 8:04am

I’m also shocked at the inclusion of Groff. He’s had barely half the career of most of the legends on this list and is mostly recognizable to many because of his extended recurring stint on “Glee” (and also “Looking&rdquo

[adotburr]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 8:20am

quizking101 said: "I’m also shocked at the inclusion of Groff. He’s had barely half the career of most of the legends on this list and is mostly recognizable to many because of his extended recurring stint on “Glee” (and also “Looking&rdquo"

Speaking for myself and only myself, he’s from the same area of PA that I’m in so it’s more of a supporting a local guy reason. Loved Glee but that’s not the reason why I want to see him. 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 9:37am

While Groff doesn’t have lots of shows or projects on his résumé, what’s there is fascinatingly varied and interesting. He really doesn’t allow himself to stay boxed into one type of personality. That’s enough to make me a fan.

[JGPR2]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 9:52am

I understand Hugh Jackman has only been in one Broadway show before he appears soon in "The Music Man" but can anybody disagree he is not a "must see" Broadway performer?

 

** Update to my original post - I only remembered Jackman from "The Boy From Oz" on Broadway and others have corrected me later in this thread, thanks to those for the information.

Updated On: 12/12/21 at 09:52 AM

[Wick3]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 10:01am

Hugh Jackman also starred in the play River several years ago and had his back on Broadway show at the Broadhurst for a few months back 10 years ago.

I was still in high school at the time so not sure of details but I think producers wanted him to star in Oklahoma! revival back in early 2000s but equity forbade it and instead Patrick Wilson starred in it.

Jackman is an entertainer and I agree he’s a must see.

Updated On: 12/11/21 at 10:01 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 10:17am

Hugh Jackman now has more Broadway credits than Julie Andrews does. 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 11:01am

I don't disagree with a lot of these, but is everyone just forgetting about non-musical actors? Frank Langella, Laurie Metcalf, John Lithgow, James Earl Jones, Glenn Close, Jefferson Mays, Viola Davis just to name a few (obviously some of those have done musicals as well).

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 11:01am

I don't disagree with a lot of these, but is everyone just forgetting about non-musical actors? Frank Langella, Laurie Metcalf, John Lithgow, James Earl Jones, Glenn Close, Jefferson Mays, Viola Davis just to name a few (obviously some of those have done musicals as well).

[willep]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 12:49pm

Mark Rylance would easily be on the list for me.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 12:57pm

Betty Buckley

[Damiensta]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 1:07pm

Angela Lansbury disrespect.

but currently active I would say Lupone , Audra McDonald, Laurie Metcalfe, Hugh Jackman 

[MadisonGuy]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 1:49pm

What about Neil Patrick Harris or Jeff Daniels?

[MadisonGuy]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 1:53pm

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Lin Manuel Miranda. I would add Chris Jackson to the list as well. 

[SingOutLouise3]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 3:56pm

Top ten, this feels impossible (no particular order, not necessarily considered icons): 

Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Chita Rivera, Kelli O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Alan Cumming, Mandy Patinkin, Cynthia Erivo, Judith Light, Sutton Foster. 

 

Beyond the parameters of ten (always honored to see them on stage, not all icons, but I would highly recommend): 

Patti LuPone, Chita Rivera, Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Mandy Patinkin, Lea Salonga, Alan Cumming, Judith Light, Laurie Metcalf, Sutton Foster, Laura Benanti, Glenn Close, Judy Kuhn, Mary-Louise Parker, Raul Esparza, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, Bebe Neuwirth, Megan Hilty Neil Patrick Harris, Joel Grey, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Andre deSheilds, Joshua Henry, Jonathan Groff, Jane Houdyshell, Mark Rylance, Kevin Klein, Cynthia Erivo, Stephanie J. Block, Lindsay Mendez, Shoshana Bean, Jessie Mueller, Annaleigh Ashford, Lauren Patten, Stephen  Pasquale, Phillipa Soo, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Patina Miller, Leslie Odom Jr., Christopher Jackson, Adrienne Warren, Jennifer Simard, Sherie Renee Scott,  Heather Headley, Ruthie Ann Miles, Celia Keenan Bolger, Gavin Creel, Priscilla Lopez, Liza Minnelli, Beth Malone, Liz Callaway, Danny Burstein, Rob McClure, Mykal Kilgore, Bonnie Milligan, Ashley Parks, Josh Gad, Andrew Rannels, Ben Platt, Patti Murin, Cassie Levy, Jessica Vosk, Alex Newell, Jenn Colella, Grace McLean, Ruben Santiago Hudson, Brooks Ashmanskas, Beth Leavel, Brandon Victor Dixon, Rachel Bay Jones, Christian Borle, The Bengsons, Carmen Cusack, Tony Yazbeck, Mary Testa, and and and… 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 4:19pm

Loretta Swit

[pmensky]

Posted: 12/11/21 at 4:51pm

Liza’s list is the best HERE