Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?- Page 2

[jewishboy]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:50pm

I have to agree with ComaBaby01. Even currently there are legends still working on Broadway and not letting us down. Mine would probably go to Chita Rivera who is the uiltimate triple threat! And of course Patti LuPone is a given!

But, currently I'd go with Donna Murphy over Ebersole, though McDonald gives Murphy a run for her money.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:00pm

I tend to agree with Born to Reign. There are many great ladies of the stage right now who either already have or will have enduring high profile careers. Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone are clearly the current living legends, but then we also have Donna Murphy, Audra McDonald and Kristin Chenoweth who undeniably get lots of regular and deserving attention. Many others come in and out of the spotlight when they do notable work - Christine Ebersole right now, Victoria Clark during Piazza, Marin Mazzie for Ragtime and Kiss Me, Kate, etc.

Too many talented ladies, not enough shows for all of them. And that doesn't even count the likes of LaChanze, Rachel York, Kelli O'Hara, Jane Krakowski, etc.

I'm dizzy just thinking about it.

lc

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:02pm

If we are talking in general sweeps as in what current actress is best known *nationwide* for being a Broadway musical star - its Bernadette Peters.

[RockabyeHamlet]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:05pm

Donna Murphy would be my choice, fallowed by LuPone, Peters, Chenoweth, and McDonald.

Ebersole is wonderful, no doubt, but I don't think she is going to be on top for very long. This could very well be her only big hit, and one hit does not make you a leading lady. In my opinon, a leading lady is a woman who has has hit after hit, for several years to decades without a misstep and is held in high regard in the theatre community.

Updated On: 6/15/07 at 01:05 PM

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:10pm

If you added together Ebersole, LuPone and McDonald their careers still wouldn't add up to Bernadette Peters. 11 Starring roles in B'way Musicals and a career spanning 40 years.

[robbiej]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:33pm

Exactly right, Joe.

No one comes close to the history Ms. Peters has a performer. Plus, she has had crossover success like no one else. From a Hollywood Blonde in the National of GYPSY, to MACK & MABEL, SONG AND DANCE, originating two beloved roles in Sondheim musicals and a controversial reimagining of GYPSY, she's our First Lady of the American Musical Theatre.

And the fact that she attracts male fans both gay and straight is rather extraordinary.

No one comes close. No one.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:36pm

I have to say Audra.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:39pm

No one comes close. No one.

- Right! Patti LuPone is just an ant on the sidewalk compared to Peters.

right?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:41pm

Bernadette Peters is remarkable because she survived LA STRADA early on in her career.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:43pm

Two things-
Christine Ebersole may be a 'late bloomer' but she will have other roles and may very well have a fantastic career. I think you're underestimating this lady's talent. She's very gifted and I think that while GG clearly shows ALL of them to her advantage, her 'star is on the rise'.

No. 2: The original question was 'current'. I still say currently she's reigning-none of the other ladies mentioned, minus Murphy and McDonald, are on B'way right now.

[Weez]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:46pm

If 'Gypsy' were on right now, then Patti, no question. But if we're going for ladies currently on Broadway, then Donna Murphy.

We're pretty much just going to be throwing the same five names at each other, aren't we? LuPone, Peters, McDonald, Murphy, and Ebersole. I'd say we could make them fight it out, but I'm fairly sure Patti would win any sort of hand-to-hand combat so it might not be fair. :3

[robbiej]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:47pm

An ant on the sidewalk? No. She's terrific. But Peters' history is MUCH longer and her star power is way beyond Lupone's.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:53pm

bwaygal, I don't believe "Current" refers to "five minutes".

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:54pm

She's been known before this, too.
I daresay she'll continue to be, as well.
'Nuff said.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:57pm

As of this moment, it would be Peters or Lupone. It could be Audra very soon, but it will probably be Sutton Foster before you know it.

[artscallion]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:58pm

"We're pretty much just going to be throwing the same five names at each other, aren't we? LuPone, Peters, McDonald, Murphy, and Ebersole."

For how many pages, you think?

Though I have my personal favorites among the five (and might even add one or two), I say we are lucky enough to have a whole....er...what would you call a bunch of queens? A gaggle? A flock? Anyway...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 1:59pm

"it will probably be Sutton Foster before you know it."

Really. Really?

[folkyboy]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:00pm

Sutton Foster?! what crack are you smoking?

[Weez]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:04pm

I think a court would be a suitable name for a collective of queens.

Either that or a gay bar. Depends on the queens. :3

[DezBryner]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:10pm

LOL!! Weez, you're hilarious!

I vote Lupone just because she seems to keep working. Peters is undeniably amazing, but it's been what, 3 years??
She's allowed to take a break, but the current queen....Patti.
Updated On: 6/15/07 at 02:10 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:13pm

But wasn't it something like 18 years between Broadway musicals for Patti (Anything Goes '88, Sweeney Todd '06)?

And Sutton Foster? She's a great talent...but more the new Mary Tyler Moore than the First Lady, dontcha think?

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:18pm

Patti just seems to have made a grand impression with her bravado personality. Yes she can dominate a stage and her brazen attitude seems to be just as legendary as her, but I daresay that makes her 1st Lady.

I'd say Audra is current: she's on Broadway right now, has FOUR Tonys, does concerts all year round, and is just very well respected.

Updated On: 6/15/07 at 02:18 PM

[The_Jackal2]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:21pm

I agree that Sutton Foster could be the next leading lady...She's really talented and keeps doing a fabulous job in lead roles. I think if she continues to work and continues doing a great job, she could be next.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:22pm

Currently it is Audra McDonald. C is for Company said all I wanted to say about her.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:26pm

I think Sutton Foster is following a career path that will lead her to that group of ladies. By that I mean that she is originating roles. For better or worse, she is creating roles to which others will be compared, while many other actresses are recreating roles and lending themselves to comparison to their predecessors. In a few years, I think she will have a sizeable body of original work.