What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they originated?- Page 2
What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they originated?
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#25
Posted: 6/18/05 at 1:52am
Yeah, ha, I say Marlène still wins.
~Steven
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#26
Posted: 6/18/05 at 1:56am
BlueWizard: I can definetely say that Adam was in the show when I saw it in May 2003...I was very upset with him!
He should have been off doing other things...
but he definetely doesn't beat Marlene :0)
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#27
Posted: 6/18/05 at 2:01amNo, Marlene wins.......
Chorus Member Joined: 4/29/04
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#28
Posted: 6/18/05 at 6:20amI'm most likely way off but I thought Michael Crawford was in Phantom for ages.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#29
Posted: 6/18/05 at 6:34amHe played the Phantom in London (a year and a half - two years) followed by the Broadway run (about a year and a half) which was followed by the L.A. run (I don't know how long he played the role there).
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/05
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#30
Posted: 6/18/05 at 7:05am
Lea has done a lot of saigon...
London-origional company
Broadway Origional Company
Manilla Origional Company
Back to close the Broadway show
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#31
Posted: 6/18/05 at 7:21amMarlene Danielle, while a trooper, doesn't win. Why? Because the question was what Broadway performer has stayed the longest in a role they originated. Marlene, as was stated in an earlier post, started out as understudy before assuming the role of Bombalurina later in the run. So she's disqualified on a technicality.
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#32
Posted: 6/18/05 at 7:56amThat may be Crawford in that case, then. He's synonimous with the Phantom... in fact, I'd say to the point of having hurt his career prospects over the years. Because, honestly, you'll find very few Broadway-savvy people who don't think of him in POTO the moment they hear the name.
Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)
"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."
Peter Gregus: "Where are my house right ladies?!"
(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#33
Posted: 6/18/05 at 8:46am
The glorious Carol Channing played the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi 5,057 times, both on Broadway and on tour. Yul Brynner played The King 5,025 times both o Broadway and on tour.
Marian Seldes starred in DEATHTRAP for the entire length of its Broadway run and never missed a performance. I don't have the figures on that, though.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#34
Posted: 6/18/05 at 8:59amDeathtrap was 1799 performances.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#35
Posted: 6/18/05 at 9:02am...and Marian Seldes didn't miss a single one!
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#36
Posted: 6/18/05 at 9:20amThe real answer is Carol Channing
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#37
Posted: 6/18/05 at 9:42am
On the Cats topic...
Marlene Danielle was an understudy on opening night, but quickly stepped into the role of Demeter thereafter. About 1 year into the run, she succeded Donna King as Bombalurina and played the role until closing night.
Laurie Beechman (may she rest in peace), was I belive, the champion Grizzabella playing the role on tour first, and then for a very long run in the 80's and returning shortly before her death for a short run that included the record-breaking performance.
Ken Prymus played Old Deuteronomy for a very long run also. He continues to play the role in regional productions.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#38
Posted: 6/18/05 at 9:46am
Fan of Cats much, Princeton? 
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#39
Posted: 6/18/05 at 10:11amWell, it was the first musical I was ever taken to. So naturally, I instantly became a theatre queen and read up on it. :) It's by no means perfect, but I still like it. When I saw it in London, Stephanie Lawrence was Grizabella. I don't believe she's with us anymore is she?
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#40
Posted: 6/18/05 at 10:12am
The Deathtrap run was 1,793 performance for Seldes according to ibdb.com.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#41
Posted: 6/18/05 at 10:16amplus 6 previews, I make that 1799.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#42
Posted: 6/18/05 at 10:32amPrinceton78: no, Stephanie Lawrence is no longer with us either.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/4/05
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#43
Posted: 6/18/05 at 11:34amThere are still people in the cast of Phantom from the original cast.
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#44
Posted: 6/18/05 at 11:47am
On the CATS Topic
I've noticed that a few members of the cast of CATS have passed away......and I never knew this. The only one I knew of who passed away was Mr. Timothy Scott. How many people have passed from this show...and what was the cause.
What did Stephanie Lawrence pass away from?
re: What Broadway Performer has stayed the longest in a lead role, they ori#45
Posted: 6/20/05 at 4:11pm
Princeton78 you are indeed correct.
Laurie Beechman holds the record for longest running female lead in Broadway history for her portrayal of Grizabella. She originated the role on the first national tour and replaced Ms. Buckley. She stayed with the show for many years and left and would return for short engagements. She also replaced Liz Callaway for 6 months to play during the record breaking performance. She passed away from her long battle with ovarian cancer on March 8, 1998 less than a year of her record breaking performance.
Videos
