Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

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Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:17pm

Hi Everyone. I'm looking for Broadway performers (not including kids) that were the star in Broadway shows. I know Barbra Streisand led Funny Girl at the age of 21. I believe Stephanie Mills was only 18 when she led the cast of The Wiz.

How amazing is that? to lead a broadway musical in your early twenties or even just at 18 years of age. Barbra and Stephanie must of had nerves of steel.

Who else? (I'm not looking for Annies)

Updated On: 7/11/15 at 11:17 PM

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:18pm

Daisy Eagan. Arguably, Ben Platt.

(* must have)

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:20pm

What shows were they in?

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:21pm

Laura Benanti in The Sound of Music at age 19.

I know Jennifer Damiano was quite young when Next to Normal opened on Broadway. She was only 17 or 18 or so, I believe.

I'm sure there are many others too.

Updated On: 7/11/15 at 11:21 PM

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:27pm

"What shows were they in?"

http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/news/articles/2013-05-20/201305211369095792294.html

http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/mormon/youngest.html

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:28pm

That's right! I remember being so surprised to hear Damiano was only 17 when she started Next to Normal. She looked like she was in her late twenties early thirties onstage, she has such a mature look. technically I'm only looking for people that starred in the lead roles, but thanks!

And Yes Laura is one of them also! A senior in Highschool playing one of the most iconic roles for the stage. Wow. Benanti sure is something.

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:31pm

Julie Andrews was just 20 or 21 when she starred in My Fair Lady, I believe.

Also, while I know they didn't originate the role by any means, both of the actresses playing Christine in Phantom on Broadway right now are in the 21/22 age range. (Julia Udine and Kaley Ann Voorhees.) Pretty impressive, I'd say, considering they usually have older women playing the part.

"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire

Updated On: 7/11/15 at 11:31 PM

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:33pm

Liza Minnelli , age 19, not only was the lead in "Flora the Red Menace" but won the TONY lead actress in a musical.

"when I’m on stage I see the abyss and have to overcome it by telling myself it’s only a play." - Helen Mirren

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:38pm

Jennifer Damiano joined the cast of Spring Awakening at the age of 15

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#10

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:40pm

Julie was only 21 in My Fair Lady?! Are you sure? That's incredible! I didnt realize. She looks so mature onstage in videos of MFL. Wow.

In regards to Liza, That doesn't surprise me. I'm convinced Liza Minelli is from another planet. Her entire soul could not be man made. She is from another world where people breathe grace and eat titanium star power . She is a legend in every way and could not be compared to a regular human.

#11

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:42pm

Wow I didn't know about phantom. That IS very impressive! Congrats to those girls!

#12

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:45pm

Before Liza Minelli starred in Flora the Red Menance, she starred in Carnival at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Not Broadway, but she was just a girl and was quite amazing.

ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.

#13

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:48pm

"Wow I didn't know about phantom. That IS very impressive! Congrats to those girls!"

Yep! In fact, here's an article about Kaley Ann Voorhees from last September when she took over the alternate position in the show! (Before Julia Udine joined the cast as the lead Christine.)

"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire

#14

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:55pm

I'm guessing Liza played Lily in Carnival. I could totally see her playing that.

#15

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:57pm

Alfonso Ribero was 11 or 12 when he starred in The Tap Dance Kid in 1983. The show was a hit, running over 600 performances, and had a national tour. When he left the show, he was replaced by his younger understudy, Savion Glover.

Julie Andrews was a child star in London, appearing in Music Hall and pantomimes, as well as radio and TV, before she made her 1954 Broadway debut in The Boy Friend at age 19.

#16

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 12:01am

Yep! In fact, here's an article about Kaley Ann Voorhees from last September when she took over the alternate position in the show! (Before Julia Udine joined the cast as the lead Christine.)

Thanks for taking the time to find that article. It's very cool!

#17

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 12:02am

Julie Andrews was a child star in London, appearing in Music Hall and pantomimes, as well as radio and TV, before she made her 1954 Broadway debut in The Boy Friend at age 19.

I really should investigate The Boyfriend. I would love to see clips of what really propelled Julie into fame before My Fair Lady! Off to youtube I go!

#18

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 12:27am

Jennifer Holliday, 21, DREAM GIRLS

#19

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 2:22am

Jill O'Hara was just 21 years old when she starred as Fran Kubelik in PROMISES, PROMISES.

She was 20 when she co-starred with Joel Grey in GEORGE M! and she was 19 when she originated the role of "Sheila" in the original 1967 Off-Broadway production of HAIR at the Public Theater.

#20

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 3:05am

There have been some other young Christines in Phantom. One who stands out is Samantha Hill, who started as the alternate and quickly went on to be the main Christine. I don't know her exact age, but she looked VERY young when I saw her as Christine in November 2012. When she left the show, she went to Toronto to star in the new Les Miz tour, although I don't remember whether she was Fantine or Cosette. The other young woman that I thought was fantastic in the role of Christine is Mary Michael Patterson. She, too, seemed very young.

Audrey

Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.

#21

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 3:52am

Samantha Hill played Cosette in the recent Toronto Les Mis production - she sounded fantastic.

#22

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 6:36am

Did no one watch Spring Awakening ? American Idiot ? Rent?

Because Tony Vincent , John gallagher jr adam pascal, lea michelle, johnathon groff were all very young . as were most of the casts.

Also what about Karen Olvio

Updated On: 7/12/15 at 06:36 AM

#23

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 8:37am

Liza Minnelli starred in a revival of BEST FOOT FORWARD off-Broadway before FLORA and while she was still a teenager.

#24

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 9:22am

I believe Laura Osnes and Max Crumm were both 21 when they won that GREASE reality show and opened the revival on Broadway.

#25

Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.

Posted: 7/12/15 at 10:45am

Thanks Everyone! This is all very cool to hear. Also, Wasn't Idina Menzel in her mid twenties when she did Wicked?

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