Which musical theater star is most successful with solo albums?

[bundy5000]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 12:11am

Patti Lupone
Mandy Patinkin
Elaine Paige
Bernadette Peters
Julie Andrews

I know these are just a handful of Musical Theater stars who have released solo albums. There are many others but not to their caliber.

Updated On: 9/30/10 at 12:11 AM

[alliez92092]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 12:18am

Barbra Streisand. She may surpass everyone on that list.

[philly03]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 12:36am

Linda Eder also sold a lot of records back in the day.

Of the original 5, I really do think Elaine may be top of the list (especially since she is so popular in Europe - obviously not over here as much).

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 12:56am

How do you define successful? Most number produced? Biggest sales? One that everyone wants?

Barbara Cook

Ethel Merman Disco Album

Kristen Chenoweth (even with that stupid Taylor the Latte Boy)

Georgia Brown (Nancy in Oliver) put out four I think

I've always loved Julie Andrews Christmas albums

[jv92]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 8:48am

Barbara Cook tops 'em all.

[blacktie]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 8:52am

Commercially? Barbra Streisand and Heather Headley.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 12:31pm

Not a "Broadway" star per se, but a musical theatre star nonetheless... Anthony Warlow does have a pretty substantial collection of solo CDs.

Obviously, commercially speaking, he is not in the same league as Babs - but I'm not sure what the criteria is.

[philly03]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:02pm

I also think someone like Lauren Kennedy is interesting to note - never originated a leading role on Broadway (though plenty premieres and time in London), but manages to have a relatively successful recording career (Two highly regarded albums).

Obviously not in the league of the above, but still pretty impressive that she has such a following with really no big WOW credit to her name!

[Q]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:08pm

Barbra is pretty much in her own category with this.

But if we go with some of the others, I think you have to add Liz Callaway.

[stepandrepeat]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:13pm

As far as new stars, Orfeh's sold FAR more than most Broadway solo cds, and in terms of quality, it's just as good if not better than what's on the radio today.

[Brick]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:41pm

Barbra.

And yes, Linda Eder did very well in the 90s.

From your list, Elaine Page's albums have been big in England. And Bernadette Peter' Rogers and Hammerstein album did quite well.

Also added to the list is Audra. Audra's first couple albums did very well, by cabaret standards, and were both highly acclaimed.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:43pm

Obviously no one catch touch Streisand in terms of either quality or quantity.

But, in addition to the others mentioned, Christine Andreas and, in particular, her CD "Love Is Good". One of the most sublime recordings ever made.

[philly03]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:47pm

^ I was just about to mention Christine Andreas as well. Great recording you mentioned.

Also: Lea Salonga has been pretty popular.

I don't know how well they do, but she keeps making records - Frances Ruffelle.

[castlestreet]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:55pm

While Babs got her start on the Broadway stage, she really is in a category totally different, as she is the only one who became a bonified Pop star.

I would have to say out of everyone listed Linda Eder is the one who has had the most success with Broadway themed albums, and even some of her other albums have done well- I really liked her Movie album she released last fall.

Buckley recorded a lot of albums in 1990's, but kinda fell off when Sterling Records went under, and then she segwayed into some strange choices for albums that lost a lot of her fans I think.

[jasonf]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 2:03pm

Jay Records has put out a bunch but doesn't seem to do more than one shot deals with most artists - still, the quality of those is pretty solid -- Matt Bogart, Sean McDermott, Caroline O'Connor etc.

My favorite solo albums, though, are Patinkin's Oscar and Steve, and Jerry Hadley's FANTASTIC Standing Room Only (though he's not a Bway star...)

[philly03]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:05pm

For the record, Linda Eder is working on a brand new album to be produced (in part) by Frank Wildhorn, singing some of his new tunes I would imagine!

[Elke]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:18pm

Maybe not in the US, but Michael Ball and John Barrowman are quite popular solo artists in the UK.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:28pm

how about Sarah Brightman?

[JOak]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:32pm

Why's nobody mentioning Liza Minnelli??

[jpbran]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:48pm

Hmmm... regarding Barbra... I was envisioning this as a list of people who are STILL musical theater stars, as opposed to someone who left it behind 40+ years ago.

(that isn't meant maliciously; I just kinda think of her as a "former" musical theater star)

Posted: 9/30/10 at 5:10pm

There is also Sarah Brightman

[jasonf]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 5:21pm

Oh - forgot John Barrowman - he's fantastic. His solo albums are all great!

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 5:59pm

Joel Grey may have sold more than Mandy Patinkin. Jackie Mason sold a lot of solo albums as well - but I guess he's not "musical theatre" just a Broadway (cough) star.

Does Sting count? Because, he did star in Three Penny Opera.
For that matter, David Cassidy? Donny Osmond? Jordin Sparks? If we go back further in time, Robert Goulet? (my god, it's Robert Goulet!)

[jv92]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 6:05pm

Liza too, although Liza hasn't had as many albums as Barbara or Barbra.

[Scottsacto]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 10:36pm

Beside the aforementioned Barbra & Liza----

Phyliss Hyman
Stephanie Mills
Jennifer Holliday

All three of these ladies had mega hits in the 80's and received several industry awards.