Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

#1

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 2:32pm

And I'm sure the one thing we can all agree on is that Cheno is far too high on the list. Just kidding. Nobody here agrees on anything.

Their list, for reference:
25. Carol Burnett
24. Tonya Pinkins
23. Idina Menzel
22. Christine Ebersole
21. Dorothy Loudon
20. Sutton Foster
19. Donna Murphy
18. Gertrude Lawrence
17. Pearl Bailey
16. Betty Buckley
15. Elaine Stritch
14. Kristin Chenoweth
13. Barbra Streisand
12. Carol Channing
11. Audra McDonald
10. Barbara Cook
9. Chita Rivera
8. Mary Martin
7. Julie Andrews
6. Liza Minnelli
5. Bernadette Peters
4. Gwen Verdon
3. Angela Lansbury
2. Patti LuPone
1. Ethel Merman

What's your ranking?
Broadway’s all-time greatest divas

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 02:32 PM

#2

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 2:37pm

Wow, I LOVE the top 5, and pretty much agree with it.

#3

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 2:37pm

I would've ranked Mary Martin higher than Julie Andrews, personally. (But that might just mean switching them, which isn't really a big deal.)

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When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

#4

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 2:40pm

I do think Chenoweth above Stritch is a bit ridiculous.

#5

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 2:44pm

As usual, I wish somebody would lay out some ground rules.

Great though she may have been, it's hard for me take seriously a woman (Streisand) who had one hit show placed next to women like Merman, Martin, Verdon, Cook and Lawrence, who basically spent their entire careers on stage.

#6

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 2:48pm

I would've liked to have seen Carol Burnett in the top 20, and not number 25.

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"I'm the swell swab on the poop deck."

#7

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:00pm

Helen Gallagher should be on this list. Chita, Cook, and Martin should be above Minnelli and Andrews. Cheno should be much lower, as should Streisand. I would place Lansbury above LuPone. Not sure Tonya Pinkins belongs on this list.

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"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#8

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:03pm

I would place Lansbury above LuPone

Absolutely.

Not sure Tonya Pinkins belongs on this list.

More deserving to be on it than Eyedina.

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#9

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:09pm

You're right. I'd drop Pinkins and Menzel, and add Helen Gallagher and Donna McKechnie.

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"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#10

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:11pm

No McKechnie is kind of a surprise.

#11

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:11pm

25. Idina Menzel
24. Laura Benanti
23. Donna McKechnie
22. Tonya Pinkins
21. Carol Burnett
20. Pearl Bailey
19. Sutton Foster
18. Gertrude Lawrence
17. Christine Ebersole
16. Donna Murphy
15. Betty Buckley
14. Kristin Chenoweth
13. Audra McDonald
12. Liza Minnelli
11. Carol Channing
10. Julie Andrews
9. Barbara Cooke
8. Elaine Stritch
7. Mary Martin
6. Chita Rivera
5. Gwen Verdon
4. Patti LuPone
3. Bernadette Peters
2. Ethel Merman
1. Angela Lansbury

My ranking. I never saw Ethel live so that might be why she is 2.

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 03:11 PM

#12

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:16pm

I guess I missed the ground rules- I love Lansbury but she basically had two hits (three if you count Night Music). Merman had hit after hit after hit- she basically MADE a show a hit by virtue of her presence.

#13

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:19pm

You certainly can't deny Ethel Merman number 1. I'd definitely have moved Mary Martin up on the list. And would say Lansbury should be above LuPone.

#14

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:23pm

I guess my problem with lists like this is that, even though I love them, I never put Christine Ebersole, Donna Murphy and Audra McDonald in the same category as Patti LuPone and Ethel Merman. So I have no idea where they belong on a list like this.

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When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

#15

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:23pm

"Diva" apparently just means "female Broadway star," right?

It's a good list. I guess one big question is to what extent the number of great roles matters (i.e., should "just" originating Fanny Brice get you on the list?).

I was kind of surprised Verdon placed so high, but I think that's more about my preference for singers over dancers.

#16

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:23pm

If you solely use the diva "stereotype" - then I think it makes sense for LuPone to be above Lansbury.

#17

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:25pm

Reggie, I thought Verdon could have been higher. Martin was the one real shocker, but Verdon really did amazing work.

#18

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:28pm

Verdon is often considered Broadway's first female triple threat. Before her voice declined, she was actually quite a lovely singer, which can be heard on her solo album. She absolutely deserves a top 5 spot, especially given that she created Lola, Charity, Roxie and other roles.

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 03:28 PM

#19

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:35pm

The writers are probably trying to make the list a little more relevant by placing so many 'current' Broadway divas so high on the list, but obviously from a pure historical perspective there is no denying that in terms of actually creating iconic Broadway roles, the top Broadway divas are definitely Merman and Martin.

If I'd created the list I would have listed:

1. Merman
2. Martin
3. Verdon
4. Lansbury

#20

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:45pm

No respect intended toward Verdon. I just tend to associate the term "diva" with truly great vocalists, given that it originated in the opera world.

Of course, you can define "truly great vocalist" however you like.

Michael Bennett, I think you're right re making the list not just a historical one.

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 03:45 PM

#21

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:59pm

Will someone tell me...WHERE IS DOLORES GRAY?!?

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#22

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 4:32pm

Real slow day at TONY.

#23

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 4:44pm

I agree with Time Out.

#24

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 6:24pm

If Judy Garland would of been healthy and lived as long as Liza Mae, she would be on that list after she had done Mame, Hello Dolly and Gypsy......oh well I can dream...

#25

Time Out NY Plays Rank The Divas

Posted: 1/25/12 at 6:48pm

I love Lansbury but she basically had two hits (three if you count Night Music).

I count at least three personal triumphs (whether or not they recouped their investments): MAME, GYPSY and SWEENEY TODD. And then there are additional Tony Awards for DEAR WORLD and BLITHE SPIRIT, as well as guest starring turns in shows such as THE KING AND I and NIGHT MUSIC.

She doesn't have the track record of a Merman or Martin, but she came along later when there were fewer new vehicles each year.

I wouldn't put her ahead of Merman, but she belongs in the top 5, I think.