What is the best Stage Performance You Have Ever Seen?

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 6:16pm

If you can nail down one actor at one night of theatre (Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional, West End, High School) that you think is close to perfect, what would it be? 

For me, it's Benjamin Magnuson as Lemml in Indecent at Victory Gardens Theatre.

Updated On: 7/22/19 at 06:16 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 6:22pm

Frank Wood - SIDE MAN

[neil30043]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 6:40pm

Lily Tomlin- "The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe"

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 6:42pm

Glenda Jackson - Three Tall Women

[ebroadwayrundown]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 6:54pm

Laurie Metcalf's 20-minute monologue in "Balm in Gilead" in 1984.

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:01pm

Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:02pm

I will cheat:

Male Musical -- Nathan Lane in The Producers

Female Musical -- Angela Lansbury in Gypsy

Male Play -- James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope

Female Play -- Colleen Dewhurst in A Moon For the Misbegotten

 

But, if I had too pick one, I would probably say Colleen Dewhurst

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:27pm

Carmen Cusack in Bright Star comes to mind.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:30pm

Glenda Jackson in Three Tall Women. She made you love someone who was on paper completely loathsome.

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:35pm

Male (Musical) - John Cameron Mitchell (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH)

Female (Musical) -Cynthia Erivo (THE COLOR PURPLE)

Male (Play) - Andrew Garfield (ANGELS IN AMERICA)

Female (Play) - Audra McDonald (LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL)

[Danielle49]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:36pm

Andrew Garfield in Angels in America

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:45pm

Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple comes to mind for power.

Katrina Lenk in The Band’s Visit comes to mind for nuance.

Renée Elise Goldsberry in Hamilton comes to mind for both. 

Updated On: 11/4/18 at 07:45 PM

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:50pm

Courtney Reed in Aladdin

[TexanAddams18]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:54pm

Emma Hunton- Wicked

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 7:55pm

Norm Lewis in Phantom of the Opera. Yes, I’m serious.

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 8:02pm

Nicolette in Waitress

Tracy Michele Arnold in A Streetcar Named Desire at American Players Theatre (in Wisconsin)

Michael Urie in Torch Song

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 8:07pm

Bwayfan292 said: "Courtney Reed in Aladdin"

Oh yeah. How could I forget about her? lol

[Theatregeek811]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 8:14pm

Kaley Ann Voorhees in Phantom of the Opera. I'm so thrilled that she's finally going to be the main Christine! 

[Skip23]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 10:29pm

Can't pick just one:

Maggie Smith - Private Lives

Elizabeth Ashley - Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Sweet Bird Of Youth

Fantasia - The Color Purple

Kevin Spacey - Moon For The Misbegotten

Nathan Lane - Lisbon Traviata

Sandy Duncan - Peter Pan

Reba McIntyre - Annie Get Your Gun

Kristine Nielsen - Betty's Summer Vacation

J Smith-Cameron - As Bees In Honey Drown
 

 

[HugoP]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 12:06am

I'll go with Erivo in THE COLOR PURPLE because I'll never, ever forget it. And her I'M HERE is the best stage moment I've ever seen.

But the one that surprised me the most was Michael C. Hall in CABARET.   

And I just have to say this:    Ben Platt in DEAR EVAN HANSEN was great as I expected;   Noah Galvin was the big surprise to me as his replacement-- one of the most under-appreciated stage performances of that year....beautiful work in a more subdued, but shattering, tone.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 12:11am

Whoever said Courtney Reed needs to seek help.

Joe Mantello in THE NORMAL HEART. Erivo in a close second, but every second of Mantello’s performance is burned into my memory.

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 12:19am

I said Courtney, and I was just being sarcastic lol, she is hands down one of the worst performances ive ever seen.

[Lks216]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 12:35am

I've only had the privilege of seeing 3 shows on Broadway, so my pick for best performances are from regional theater. Both involve Beth Leavel.

Watching Beth Leavel perform the song Hello Dolly in the rain at The Muny is an experience that I think will never be topped.

My second best performance is watching Beth Leavel as Mama Rose in Gypsy. I'm not even a big fan of  the musical, but her performance took my breath away. 

[Skip23]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 12:58am

IdinaBellFoster said: "Whoever said Courtney Reed needs to seek help.

Joe Mantello in THE NORMAL HEART. Erivo in a close second, but every second of Mantello’s performance is burned into my memory. "

 

Forgot about Mantello.  Pretty great. 

Also Michael Urie and Jonathan Hadary in Angels. 

 

 

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 11/5/18 at 1:33am

Christine Dwyer as Jenna Hunterson in Waitress 1NT.