Show with Most Broadway Debuts

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 10:19pm

I don't know the answer, but was curious what Broadway show featured the most actor debuts in a Broadway theatre.  We've considered Bring it On, Merrily We Roll Along, some show with kids like Matilda or 13 or School of Rock.  But, I haven't looked up any information. Just putting the question out there

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 10:36pm

Percentage-wise or the highest number?  I know the recent West Side Story revival has a lot of debuts.  And from what I can tell, The Lightning Thief might win percentage-wise - I think the only actor who had been on Broadway was Chris McCarrell.

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 11:20pm

I was thinking largest number - but percentage is a good question, too!

[msmp]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 5:39am

MollyJeanneMusic said: "Percentage-wise or the highest number? I know the recent West Side Story revival hasa lot of debuts. And from what I can tell, The Lightning Thief might win percentage-wise - I think the only actor who had been on Broadway was Chris McCarrell."

You would be correct, including the understudy team.

[Swiss Miss]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 7:28am

Sarafina! might win in both categories.

[jdrye222]

Posted: 4/14/20 at 7:49am

SCOTTSBORO BOYS was many many Broadway debuts (which is astonishing when you consider the quality of nearly everyone in it).   

[George in DC]

Posted: 4/14/20 at 7:56pm

I would guess "Nicholas Nickleby". The entire RSC cast came from London, which was huge, 40 people or so and almost all of them were making their Broadway debut.

[saxpower]

Posted: 4/14/20 at 11:18pm

A musical called "Metro" played the Minskoff very briefly in 1992.  It originated in Poland and brought the Polish Cast with it (though it was performed in English).  As this was JUST after the Iron Curtain fell, I'm sure none of the Poles had been on B'way before.  The only Americans in the cast were two alternates.  I looked at the Playbill on Playbill Vault and counting just the cast photos (other than the two alternates), it had 43 cast members from Poland, all but certainly making B'way debuts.  It has to be one of the higher ones on lists of number of debuts in one show.  

   The show was apparently a HUGE hit in Poland- I remember it being advertised and thought it might be interesting.  Its basically about subway performers who also choose to live in the subway tunnels.  Reviews were not good (I never saw it). It lasted 24 previews and 13 performances-though it was nominated for a Tony for best score.  

[Tag]

Posted: 4/14/20 at 11:25pm

Maybe one of the Riverdance or Forever Tango type shows.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 4/14/20 at 11:36pm

Foreign imports are most likely the ones, like 1964 Rugantino with its all Italian cast for the first (and last) time on Broadway.