Top 10 Most Iconic Broadway Performances of All Time
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
C. D.
GREAT CHOICES! Have been fortunate to see four of them. Bernadette Peters is the quintessential Sondheim interpreter of her generation. Saw Into the Woods and A Liittle Night Music.
Was lucky enough to see Patti Lupone as Reno Sweeny. Such a HUGE presence from so tiny a woman. But your choice of Jennifer Holliday is inspired. That first act of Dreamgirls clicked on all cylinders. Every number was a standout. Every performer was brilliant. You knew you were watching something for the ages. You felt so bad for Effie. And when she closes the act with And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going it was so rousing. And gut wrenching. And exhilarating. All at the same time. The crowd ERUPTED! No other way to put it. You're on your feet, crying and thrilled at the same time. A powerhouse performance that made ne tear up again, just seeing your clip. Thanks for that
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GREAT CHOICES! Have been fortunate to see four of them. Bernadette Peters is the quintessential Sondheim interpreter of her generation. Saw Into the Woods and A Liittle Night Music.
Was lucky enough to see Patti Lupone as Reno Sweeny. Such a HUGE presence from so tiny a woman. But your choice of Jennifer Holliday is inspired. That first act of Dreamgirls clicked on all cylinders. Every number was a standout. Every performer was brilliant. You knew you were watching something for the ages. You felt so bad for Effie. And when she closes the act with And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going it was so rousing. And gut wrenching. And exhilarating. All at the same time. The crowd ERUPTED! No other way to put it. You're on your feet, crying and thrilled at the same time. A powerhouse performance that made ne tear up again, just seeing your clip. Thanks for that
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Dee
You say your list is most iconic in all of Broadway history, but in fact the ten folks only go back to the 60s with Zero in Fiddler and Babs in Funny GIrl. What about Ethel Merman in either Gypsy or Annie Get your Gun or Anything Goes or Girl Crazy? Mary Martin in South Pacific or Peter Pan? Other posibilities are Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady or Camelot or Victor/Victoria. Or from the 60s and 70s: John Cullum in On a Clear Day or Shenandoah or On the 20th Century? This is not the only list of bests that claims to be of all time, but are really from the last several decades only. :-(
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You say your list is most iconic in all of Broadway history, but in fact the ten folks only go back to the 60s with Zero in Fiddler and Babs in Funny GIrl. What about Ethel Merman in either Gypsy or Annie Get your Gun or Anything Goes or Girl Crazy? Mary Martin in South Pacific or Peter Pan? Other posibilities are Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady or Camelot or Victor/Victoria. Or from the 60s and 70s: John Cullum in On a Clear Day or Shenandoah or On the 20th Century? This is not the only list of bests that claims to be of all time, but are really from the last several decades only. :-(
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Kimberly
Jennifer Holiday held the audience captive with her performance in Dream Girls. Broadway is not for singers with lightweight vocals - you have to be able to project, hold a note and keep harmony and rhythm. Jennifer blew the doors off the theater, and she made you believe she was heartbroken and crushed by betrayal. There are very few artists with her talent. She deserves that number one spot.
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Jennifer Holiday held the audience captive with her performance in Dream Girls. Broadway is not for singers with lightweight vocals - you have to be able to project, hold a note and keep harmony and rhythm. Jennifer blew the doors off the theater, and she made you believe she was heartbroken and crushed by betrayal. There are very few artists with her talent. She deserves that number one spot.
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Ravenelvenlady
This video needs a do over. I agree for the most part with the list, but the omission of ETHEL MERMAN especially is unforgivable. Her presence practically MADE Broadway musicals, especially in Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy. This woefully incomplete video reveals the maker's inadequately informed bias and wilfull ignorance of the Broadway musical.
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This video needs a do over. I agree for the most part with the list, but the omission of ETHEL MERMAN especially is unforgivable. Her presence practically MADE Broadway musicals, especially in Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy. This woefully incomplete video reveals the maker's inadequately informed bias and wilfull ignorance of the Broadway musical.
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dleamy830
It's a shame this list didn't include any true triple threats & dancers even tho many of these folks are excellent movers. And to put Gwen Verdon in merely an honorable mention category? Sad. What about Donna McKechnie as Cassie-she did it ALL, and in one scene. The kids from Billy Elliott? I know it's hard to whittle down to only 10. but cmon.
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It's a shame this list didn't include any true triple threats & dancers even tho many of these folks are excellent movers. And to put Gwen Verdon in merely an honorable mention category? Sad. What about Donna McKechnie as Cassie-she did it ALL, and in one scene. The kids from Billy Elliott? I know it's hard to whittle down to only 10. but cmon.
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Daniel
Why not call it the Top 10 since 1975? Otherwise, its ridiculous to leave off great Broadway musical stars like Mary Martin in South Pacific, Ethel Merman in Gypsy, Alfred Drake in Oklahoma, and Helen Morgan in Showboat. Lets not pretend this list is something it is not. Limited to 1975 to the present day, its not a bad list.
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Why not call it the Top 10 since 1975? Otherwise, its ridiculous to leave off great Broadway musical stars like Mary Martin in South Pacific, Ethel Merman in Gypsy, Alfred Drake in Oklahoma, and Helen Morgan in Showboat. Lets not pretend this list is something it is not. Limited to 1975 to the present day, its not a bad list.
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Diana
For me the honorary performances should be before the winner. Jennifer Holiday was excellent but not the number one.
Where are Ethel Merman Barbara Cook Alfred Drake John Raitt Richard Kiley Joel Grey Hugh Jackman Colin Wilkinson Yul Brynner Liza Minnelli land other better performances in your list
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For me the honorary performances should be before the winner. Jennifer Holiday was excellent but not the number one.
Where are Ethel Merman Barbara Cook Alfred Drake John Raitt Richard Kiley Joel Grey Hugh Jackman Colin Wilkinson Yul Brynner Liza Minnelli land other better performances in your list
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Jose
You do realize that, except for Lin-Manuel, you only picked women here (forgetting all about Ethel Merman, by the way, shame on you. How about Colm Wilkinson in Les Mis, or Michael Crawford in Phantom? Bad, bad, bad incomplete list. You should call this FEMALE iconic roles, and make another one for men.
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You do realize that, except for Lin-Manuel, you only picked women here (forgetting all about Ethel Merman, by the way, shame on you. How about Colm Wilkinson in Les Mis, or Michael Crawford in Phantom? Bad, bad, bad incomplete list. You should call this FEMALE iconic roles, and make another one for men.
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Nick
Seriously? This is your list? With Screamgirls at #1? Where's Ethel Merman? Pearl Bailey? Lena Horne? Eartha Kitt? Instead of Telling You I'm Not Going she should have just gone instead of screaming for five full minutes. That was painful to have to sit through. I thought she needed medical attention.
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Seriously? This is your list? With Screamgirls at #1? Where's Ethel Merman? Pearl Bailey? Lena Horne? Eartha Kitt? Instead of Telling You I'm Not Going she should have just gone instead of screaming for five full minutes. That was painful to have to sit through. I thought she needed medical attention.
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Holland
I feel like it should be a crime that Michael Crawford in Phantom isnt anywhere on this list. I heard a snippet of his Music of the Night on a (I think it was a PBS special about Phantom) when I was 4 and couldnt get his voice out of my head.
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I feel like it should be a crime that Michael Crawford in Phantom isnt anywhere on this list. I heard a snippet of his Music of the Night on a (I think it was a PBS special about Phantom) when I was 4 and couldnt get his voice out of my head.
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Olvia
I was blown away by Lin-Manuel Mirandas performance as Alexander Hamilton. Having a founder member doing rap is a genius creative idea.
Ever since that musical, I love his work in Disneys Moana, Encanto and Sony Animations Vivo on Netflix
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I was blown away by Lin-Manuel Mirandas performance as Alexander Hamilton. Having a founder member doing rap is a genius creative idea.
Ever since that musical, I love his work in Disneys Moana, Encanto and Sony Animations Vivo on Netflix
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neotheboxer
May be more effective to not number them just show the performances that you think foot the bill to be in the top X of thr category. Suggested because of course the viewers will have their own opinion on the order they should fall in
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May be more effective to not number them just show the performances that you think foot the bill to be in the top X of thr category. Suggested because of course the viewers will have their own opinion on the order they should fall in
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Joseph
You do such an amazing job with there wonderful clips. Theater Queens will be devastated you did not include The Merm Ethel Merman, a real gay icon. And I agree Michael Crawford needs to be mentioned for being the perfect Phantom.
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You do such an amazing job with there wonderful clips. Theater Queens will be devastated you did not include The Merm Ethel Merman, a real gay icon. And I agree Michael Crawford needs to be mentioned for being the perfect Phantom.
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Geraldine
Well, I saw two of these on stage. Thanks for bringing up great memories. But I would add two others that I also saw: Alfred Drake in Kismet and Tammy Grimes in The Unsinkable Molly Brown - ABSOLUTELY UNFORGETTABLE!
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Well, I saw two of these on stage. Thanks for bringing up great memories. But I would add two others that I also saw: Alfred Drake in Kismet and Tammy Grimes in The Unsinkable Molly Brown - ABSOLUTELY UNFORGETTABLE!
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Taylor
Not gonna lie, I am slightly offended that Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford are not on this list! Their performances as Christine Daae and The Phantom were PHENOMENAL! Nobody can compare to their sound. At all.
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Not gonna lie, I am slightly offended that Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford are not on this list! Their performances as Christine Daae and The Phantom were PHENOMENAL! Nobody can compare to their sound. At all.
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Gungnir
so overrated. like hollywood. huge budget and pc lack of originality. starkids and other independent, real, low budget productions are always better. nothing better than to tumble the establishment.
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so overrated. like hollywood. huge budget and pc lack of originality. starkids and other independent, real, low budget productions are always better. nothing better than to tumble the establishment.
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11cabadger
So annoying that you're saying of ALL TIME but this list doesn't seem to acknowledge Broadway Theater prior to the 60s. Even then true iconic stars (male and female) are given short shrift.
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So annoying that you're saying of ALL TIME but this list doesn't seem to acknowledge Broadway Theater prior to the 60s. Even then true iconic stars (male and female) are given short shrift.
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R.
So much I don't agree with. No way Adina Menzel is better than Bernadette Peters. Also Lin Manuel Miranda is a great song writer, but his voice in Hamilton is very hard to listen to. So whiny.
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So much I don't agree with. No way Adina Menzel is better than Bernadette Peters. Also Lin Manuel Miranda is a great song writer, but his voice in Hamilton is very hard to listen to. So whiny.
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J.
Startling omissions: Alfred Drake in Kiss Me Kate, Robert Preston in The Music Man, Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady, Carol Channing in Hello Dolly, and--drum rolllllll--Ethel Merman in Gypsy.
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Startling omissions: Alfred Drake in Kiss Me Kate, Robert Preston in The Music Man, Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady, Carol Channing in Hello Dolly, and--drum rolllllll--Ethel Merman in Gypsy.
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Emily
Bernadette Peters had a great voice and she is my favorite actress and i'm big fan of her she played a Witch from Into the woods 1991 and i love you Chuck Wagner aka Prince Charming
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Bernadette Peters had a great voice and she is my favorite actress and i'm big fan of her she played a Witch from Into the woods 1991 and i love you Chuck Wagner aka Prince Charming
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Nan
Alfred Drake, in not one, but in THREE great musicals: Oklahoma, Kiss Me, Kate, and Kismet. His second Tony was for being the greatest singing actor on Broadway. And rightfully so!
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Alfred Drake, in not one, but in THREE great musicals: Oklahoma, Kiss Me, Kate, and Kismet. His second Tony was for being the greatest singing actor on Broadway. And rightfully so!
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Rogue
Jennifer Holiday is amazing. Only Jennifer Hudson could ever cover her. Amazing talents the two of them. I cant believe Holiday was only 21 I didnt know that. Amazing.
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Jennifer Holiday is amazing. Only Jennifer Hudson could ever cover her. Amazing talents the two of them. I cant believe Holiday was only 21 I didnt know that. Amazing.
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nickynoo70
Maybe you could do a West End version as well. Some amazing, iconic and memorable versions actually started in West End, London before Broadway.
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Maybe you could do a West End version as well. Some amazing, iconic and memorable versions actually started in West End, London before Broadway.
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Lianne
I would like to give a little shout out to Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba. If you already fell in love with Idina, you will find Willemijn amazing!
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I would like to give a little shout out to Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba. If you already fell in love with Idina, you will find Willemijn amazing!
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KATINAS
Seeing all these comments about performances missing just solidifies how amazing and talented the performers are in Broadway.
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Seeing all these comments about performances missing just solidifies how amazing and talented the performers are in Broadway.
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jrye5
Streisand literally stopped the show with her rendition of People. The audience kept applauding until she did an encore.
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Streisand literally stopped the show with her rendition of People. The audience kept applauding until she did an encore.
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jrye5
I prefer Patti Lupone to Cartwright in Sweeney Todd, particularly in The Worst Pies in London. Her timing was better.
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I prefer Patti Lupone to Cartwright in Sweeney Todd, particularly in The Worst Pies in London. Her timing was better.
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Sierra
No one will understand the excitement I felt when I saw Marvin Gaye and Jennifer Holliday together holding awards.
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No one will understand the excitement I felt when I saw Marvin Gaye and Jennifer Holliday together holding awards.
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Coach
Based on what criteria do you make your lists? And how do you end up putting Barbra Streisand only at number nine?
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Based on what criteria do you make your lists? And how do you end up putting Barbra Streisand only at number nine?
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Fares
Patti Lupone is just horrible. pitchy, slurring, indulgent, grating. and what's worse she is a very unkind, bully.
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Patti Lupone is just horrible. pitchy, slurring, indulgent, grating. and what's worse she is a very unkind, bully.
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