Who is the greatest performer to have ever graced the broadway stage? — Page 2

Categorically? The list probably includes Sutton Foster, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Mary Martin, Audra McDonald, Ethel Merman, and Bernadette Peters.

Some of my personal favorites? Heather Headley, Laura Linney, Donna Murphy, and Mary-Louise Parker.

It's strange how hard it is to think of greatest all-time male performers aside from Nathan Lane. Why is this?

For me, Alfred Drake. Tremendous and appealing stage presence, beautiful (unamplified) voice, and the acting chops to go from Curly in OKLAHOMA, Fred in KISS ME, KATE and Hajj in KISMET to Claudius in Burton's HAMLET. Honorable mentions to Len Cariou and Raul Esparza. Strange that I am choosing musical theater people and not "serious" theater types.

On the distaff side, "Serious" theater types: Laurie Metcalf, Deanna Dunegan and Amy Morton. There are wonderfully talented women in musical theater but I have to say that their acting (for me) is sometimes a little disappointing. Honorable mention, though: Marin Mazzie.

And I have seen all of the actors I mention, just to make that clear.

Updated On: 12/18/17 at 02:02 PM

I wonder how many people in this thread have "nominated" choices that they have never seen. Although this subject seems silly to me, to suggest someone you have never seen perform is preposterous.

HogansHero said: "I wonder how many people in this thread have "nominated" choices that they have never seen. Although this subject seems silly to me, to suggest someone you have never seen perform is preposterous."

HogansHero said: "I wonder how many people in this thread have "nominated" choices that they have never seen. Although this subject seems silly to me, to suggest someone you have never seen perform is preposterous."

Yes and No

I limited my choices to people I've seen (except noting Jolson and Robeson from before my time). But then. I;m an old guy,and I've had 60 years of Broadway under my belt.

I think it's fair to offer names you never got to see, because you know them from recordings, or their accumulated fame and awards. If you "follow" Broadway -- you probably have at least heard Ethel Merman and Mary Martin and Alfred Drake (I hope so -- they were extraordinary).

To "play this game" and say -- you've seen three shows, so it's going to be Platt and Mueller with honorable mention to SpongeBob -- would make this exercise very silly.

Mike66 said: "HogansHero said: "I wonder how many people in this thread have "nominated" choices that they have never seen. Although this subject seems silly to me, to suggest someone you have never seen perform is preposterous."

I think it's fair to offer names you never got to see, because you know them from recordings, or their accumulated fame and awards.

Well, I don't think you can judge a theatre performer based on a recording, and I think it undermines the essence of the theatre to do so. And I certainly don't think an opinion is valid based on hearsay. I agree with you, of course, that opining based on a small sample size is silly. I just think all of us have a limited sample size. It's not like the movies where we can all watch all of the performances and reach an intelligent conclusion.

Call_me_jorge said: "I know he’s only had one major role, but I think Ben Platt is up there.
I’d honestly say Marin Mazzie when it comes to musicals and Laurie Metcalf for plays."

This is one of the more ridiculous responses. This is your answer to 'Who is the greatest performer to have ever graced the broadway stage?'. I can only assume you started to attend the theatre about a year ago.

I apologize for being so snarky, but Marin Mazzie? Laurie Metcalfe, based on a couple of appearances? Ben Platt, based on ...one???

The lack of Kelli O'Hara is killing me

"I wonder how many people in this thread have "nominated" choices that they have never seen. Although this subject seems silly to me, to suggest someone you have never seen perform is preposterous."

I don't agree with you about this at all. The question doesn't ask who your personal favorite Broadway performer is. It asks "who is the greatest performer to have ever graced the broadway stage?" Carrying on as though nothing that occurred on Broadway before your birth is of value to its history is narrow minded in the extreme and downright narcissistic.

If you truly love the theater, you research the history of the plays and musicals you audition for, you've heard the performers you admire pay tribute to the legends who've inspired them (have you ever heard Chita Rivera talk about Gwen Verdon?), you learn who originated the roles that someone else is starring in revivals of today, you listen to cast albums, you pay attention to filmed documents of their performances (if only there had been more, but Mary Martin, Ethel Merman and Lee J. Cobb are among those you can find). Granted, this is not the same thing as having been there, but Broadway's legacy is informative and inspiring. Why on earth would you want to ignore it?

Ben Platt??? Cynthia Erivo??? The greatest performer to have ever graced the broadway stage??? On the basis of one performance each??? Granted, these are each legendary performances, but give these performers time, and acknowledge what other people have accomplished over time. Broadway history is bigger than them, and it's certainly bigger than you or me.

Updated On: 12/18/17 at 07:11 AM