Top 10 Living Theatrical Legends — Page 2

Sorry, jasonf, but if you have to ask if "that's their names, right?" then they don't belong on a Living Legends list. Yes, Hair is a mounumental creation, and they should be thanked a lot for it, but they have never had another show since, mostly, I believe, because they don't consider theatre their forte.

And, yes, I'm sorry I forgot about Julie Andrews and Arthur Larents. Please add them to my list.

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I know that's their names - I meant did I spell them right. I'm guessing people don't know how to spell Bernadette, but we're not arguing her.

Hair is as much a landmark as Oklahoma was, and I don't think we'd be debating Rodgers or Hammerstein if they were still with us.

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I agree, Streisand is in the top 10!!!!

jasonf, you have composeres on your list, but the fact that you don't include Cy Coleman (More long-running than Hamlisch and MacDermott COMBINED) and Jerry Herman (Three Broadway shows that ran over 1,000 performances) puzzles me.

Here's somebody that always forgotton about in these legendary performers list: George S. Irving. The man acted in over THIRTY Broadway shows from the original OKLAHOMA in the 40s to ME AND MY GIRL in 1986.

Barbra Streisand had two Broadway shows and one of them was a flop. I'd call her an ENTERTAINMENT legend, but not a Broadway legend. Heck Lauren Bacall was in three Broadway plays, two musicals AND several special benefit shows, plus has two Tonys, but she'll always be known more for her film work than for her Broadway work.

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Updated On: 7/12/05 at 06:13 AM

If a living theatrical legend exists, it's Alvin Epstein. You may not have ever heard of him, but he's been a part of some of the most important theatre events of the last 50 years. He performed with Marcel Marceau back in the 50s, he played The Fool in Orson Welles' production of King Lear, played Lucky in the first American production of Waiting for Godot (with Bert Lahr and E.G. Marshall). Has acted and/or directed in dozens of important productions at the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theatre-- and at AGE 81, still continues to perform: currently appearing as the servant Firs in the Atlantic Theatre Co. production of The Cherry Orchard (and acting the rest of the cast off the stage)-- if you get a chance to see this man on stage, DO IT! This is what theatrical acting IS.

Let me also add to the list of legends: Directors Peter Brook, Ariane Mnouchkine, Garciela Danielle, Julie Taymor, Richard Foreman, Robert Wilson, and Ingmar Bergman (yes, he's still alive); playwrights John Guare, David Mamet, Sam Shepard and Caryl Churchill; The entire Wooster Group; and my favorite: Actor, Director, Writer, Choreographer, Historian, and (now) tony winner, BILL IRWIN

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1. Stritch
2. Sondheim
3. Chita Rivera
4. Carol Channing
5. Ann Reinking
6. Ben Vereen
7. Young, but a legend to me: Gerard Alessandrini
8. Barbara Cook
9. Harvey Fierstein
10. Bruce Vilanch- He should be noted for making all the others famous. Now, Bruce can shine.

Updated On: 7/12/05 at 09:31 AM

Mel Brooks? For one hit?
This thread makes me so glad these people are still with us!

Angela Lansbury
Ben Vereen
Chita Rivera
Julie Harris
Liza Minelli
Bernadette Peters
Julie Andrews
Nathan Lane
Patti Lupone
George Hearn
Cullum
it seems strange, but I have to include Audra

Sondheim
Herman
Lloyd Weber
Schwartz
Kander
Bock
Harnick

Prince
Lapine
MacIntosh
Laurents
Strohman


Not all of my favorites, but their contributions cannot be denied, in my opinion.

I have a feeling we may need to include the Disney machine here soon!

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I would argue Babs in a Broadway legend. While she did run away from the stage as soon as she could, her musical career has probably done more championing post-1960 Broadway music than any one show or other entertainer. The Broadway Album in 1984 went to number one on the charts when no one was attending theater. It also dramatically improved the visibility of Sondheim to non-Bway diehards.

I can appreciate why true Broadway fans feel that Babs has turned their backs on the medium, but in truth she is perhaps the most influential and admired "Broadway" performer that is still alive.

On a side note, I'm thrilled that a number of people are giving their props to Chita. She is a true legend that deserves more recognition. It kills me that The Visit seems less and less lilely to ever make it to NYC.

LALF,
Glad you included Mamet and Yeston...

Sam Shepherd should be up there as well, I think.

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1. Audra McDonald
2. Bernadette Peters
3. Chita Rivera
4. Stephen Sondheim
5. Arthur Laurents
6. Elaine Stritch
7. Hal Prince
8. Julie Harris
9. Angela Lansbury
10. Carol Channing

There are so many more, some of which might deserve to go in the top 10 which I can't think of right now.

Julie Andrews, Julie Andrews, and Julie Andrews

in my list... Ruthie's number 1! hehe :P

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