Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.
Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.
#1Performers 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
#2Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.
Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:18pm
Daisy Eagan. Arguably, Ben Platt.
(* must have)
#3Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.
Posted: 7/11/15 at 11:20pm
What shows were they in?
#4Performers 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#5Performers 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
#6Performers 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.
#7Performers 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.
#8Performers 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.
#9Performers 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
#10Performers 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.
#11Performers 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!
ARTc3
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/13
#12Performers 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.
#13Performers 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.)
#14Performers 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.
#15Performers 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.
#16Performers 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!
#17Performers 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!
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#18Performers that were the star of Broadway shows at young ages.
Posted: 7/12/15 at 12:27am
Jennifer Holliday, 21, DREAM GIRLS
#19Performers 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.
#20Performers 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
#21Performers 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.
Stevie72
Stand-by Joined: 1/19/14
#22Performers 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
#23Performers 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.
#24Performers 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.
#25Performers 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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