Top 20 Greatest Broadway Singers of All Time
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
Abby
Many of these listed - show far too much emphasis on TECHNIQUE and too little appreciation for pure raw HEART, for me, because of his open hearted singing/acting, Raul Esparza's Bobby in Company revival is far closer to #1 than #19, way ahead of the obnoxious vibrato and deadening yell of Merman! actor/dancer, NOT singers- Joel Grey, Mandy Potemkin, or Jordan.
Jennifer Holiday deserves more than #15, rather #5. Common, Carol Channing- great personality of course, but no triple threat? Borrel, Buckley, Menzel, - no, loud isn't enough. Sutton Foster- not moving, Julie Andrews was only great in The Sound of Music, #7-Solanga ok, sweet, #6- Angela L. not memorable, #6 Chita Rivera - West Sid Story yes, but I lOVED her film replacement, Rita Moreno with far more to offer.
Not mentioned are these favorites needing to be honored- Alfred Drake in Kismet, Richard Kiley in Man of La Mancha, and Gwen Verdon in Damn Yankees. Film versions done by Broadway classics by Liza Manelli- Cabaret, Gordon McCrae- Carousel, and Rosalind Russel-Gypsy far outdid some of the Broadway originals.
For my taste Lapone-maybe #5, not #3 and Bernadette Peters- yes #4. NOT#19 Raul- deserves #3, #11 Kristen Chenoweth- THE BEST Cunegonde that does or ever could exist! - ALONE deserves #2, (though I saw her in Promises, Promises- badly cast, unfortunately. Mary Martin- performs rings around them all as a triple threat equal to all the others. THE ONLY ONE I AGREED WITH WAS #1 AUDRA MCDONALD! - truly a vocal/acting genius, bar none!
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Many of these listed - show far too much emphasis on TECHNIQUE and too little appreciation for pure raw HEART, for me, because of his open hearted singing/acting, Raul Esparza's Bobby in Company revival is far closer to #1 than #19, way ahead of the obnoxious vibrato and deadening yell of Merman! actor/dancer, NOT singers- Joel Grey, Mandy Potemkin, or Jordan.
Jennifer Holiday deserves more than #15, rather #5. Common, Carol Channing- great personality of course, but no triple threat? Borrel, Buckley, Menzel, - no, loud isn't enough. Sutton Foster- not moving, Julie Andrews was only great in The Sound of Music, #7-Solanga ok, sweet, #6- Angela L. not memorable, #6 Chita Rivera - West Sid Story yes, but I lOVED her film replacement, Rita Moreno with far more to offer.
Not mentioned are these favorites needing to be honored- Alfred Drake in Kismet, Richard Kiley in Man of La Mancha, and Gwen Verdon in Damn Yankees. Film versions done by Broadway classics by Liza Manelli- Cabaret, Gordon McCrae- Carousel, and Rosalind Russel-Gypsy far outdid some of the Broadway originals.
For my taste Lapone-maybe #5, not #3 and Bernadette Peters- yes #4. NOT#19 Raul- deserves #3, #11 Kristen Chenoweth- THE BEST Cunegonde that does or ever could exist! - ALONE deserves #2, (though I saw her in Promises, Promises- badly cast, unfortunately. Mary Martin- performs rings around them all as a triple threat equal to all the others. THE ONLY ONE I AGREED WITH WAS #1 AUDRA MCDONALD! - truly a vocal/acting genius, bar none!
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Steven
From HuffPost contributor Richard Perez-Feria in an interview with Donna Summer. Donna Summer said this: Richard, I don't think anyone will ever quite understand the overwhelming talent, the breath control, the power, the genius that makes Barbra, Barbra. People can call her a legend or a superstar and all of that, but it somehow falls way short. What Barbra Streisand represents is simply the very best we have ever seen. Ever. To leave Barbra Streisand off this list is a strange oversight. Is it personal preference or do you actually have knowledge as a vocalist and musician?
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From HuffPost contributor Richard Perez-Feria in an interview with Donna Summer. Donna Summer said this: Richard, I don't think anyone will ever quite understand the overwhelming talent, the breath control, the power, the genius that makes Barbra, Barbra. People can call her a legend or a superstar and all of that, but it somehow falls way short. What Barbra Streisand represents is simply the very best we have ever seen. Ever. To leave Barbra Streisand off this list is a strange oversight. Is it personal preference or do you actually have knowledge as a vocalist and musician?
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RangerRicksGal
Sarah Brightman! Michael Crawford! Shall I continue. I was born with music and stage in my blood, but I know the difference between raw art/talent and someone who is furthering their screen career by jumping on stage. No offense to the ones who started here (I. e. Michael C. Hall, but COME ONE, you even showed Nathan Lane in your opening clip, but no love to him? Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum? Zero Mostel. Fiddler.
I tried, every one.
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Sarah Brightman! Michael Crawford! Shall I continue. I was born with music and stage in my blood, but I know the difference between raw art/talent and someone who is furthering their screen career by jumping on stage. No offense to the ones who started here (I. e. Michael C. Hall, but COME ONE, you even showed Nathan Lane in your opening clip, but no love to him? Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum? Zero Mostel. Fiddler.
I tried, every one.
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Aerin
I will assume you identified Norm Lewis as the first Black Phantom on Broadway because you, of course, recognized that Robert Guillaume was the first Black Phantom ever. But to leave off Brian Stokes Mitchell (especially given his performance with #1 Audra) seems short-sighted indeed. Also - Lea Salonga, powerhouse in her own right, was both the singing voice for Disney's Mulan as well as Disney's Jasmine!
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I will assume you identified Norm Lewis as the first Black Phantom on Broadway because you, of course, recognized that Robert Guillaume was the first Black Phantom ever. But to leave off Brian Stokes Mitchell (especially given his performance with #1 Audra) seems short-sighted indeed. Also - Lea Salonga, powerhouse in her own right, was both the singing voice for Disney's Mulan as well as Disney's Jasmine!
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kkstar
I love Jeremy Jordan! He also did the voice of Varian a science kid in the Tangled series. He did an AMAZING job! I also love Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. I actually met Idina Menzel at one of her concerts. She was super sweet and amazing. She signed a poster I made her two years before from another one of her concerts. And of course I love Lea Salonga. All of these performers are amazing!
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I love Jeremy Jordan! He also did the voice of Varian a science kid in the Tangled series. He did an AMAZING job! I also love Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. I actually met Idina Menzel at one of her concerts. She was super sweet and amazing. She signed a poster I made her two years before from another one of her concerts. And of course I love Lea Salonga. All of these performers are amazing!
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Nancy
Years ago I was privileged to see the incredible Miss Pearl Bailey play the lead in Hello Dolly at the Dallas Summer Musicals and she was marvelous! The cast was both white and black but Pearl Bailey was a stand-out. and after the end of the musical, she came out on stage for a fantastic Q & A that lasted for over an hour. It was amazing because you surely dont get to see that very often.
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Years ago I was privileged to see the incredible Miss Pearl Bailey play the lead in Hello Dolly at the Dallas Summer Musicals and she was marvelous! The cast was both white and black but Pearl Bailey was a stand-out. and after the end of the musical, she came out on stage for a fantastic Q & A that lasted for over an hour. It was amazing because you surely dont get to see that very often.
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Joshua
it was also sort of julie andrews own fault that her voice got damaged. she could have healed with rest, but she kept going from doctor to doctor to find someone who would do the surgery on her. eventually someone said yes, but everyone else said no because of how dangerous the surgery can be to the voice. and she did it anyones. love her tho shes a queen
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it was also sort of julie andrews own fault that her voice got damaged. she could have healed with rest, but she kept going from doctor to doctor to find someone who would do the surgery on her. eventually someone said yes, but everyone else said no because of how dangerous the surgery can be to the voice. and she did it anyones. love her tho shes a queen
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DigitalMale
Y'all. Mandy Patinkin and Carol Channing should be swapped. Mandy's performance in Sunday In the Park on its OWN is an absolute master class, let alone his other performances. Carol - memorable? Absolutely, her voice is INSTANTLY recognizable. One of the 'greatest'? Not so much.
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Y'all. Mandy Patinkin and Carol Channing should be swapped. Mandy's performance in Sunday In the Park on its OWN is an absolute master class, let alone his other performances. Carol - memorable? Absolutely, her voice is INSTANTLY recognizable. One of the 'greatest'? Not so much.
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BryhenBea
If you're doing the best B'way singers, where's Streisand? Shirley Jones (Rogers & Hammerstein muse? Michael Crawford? Great performers, as many of these are, over singers, then where is Elaine Stritch? And though I love Chita, where then is Gwen?
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If you're doing the best B'way singers, where's Streisand? Shirley Jones (Rogers & Hammerstein muse? Michael Crawford? Great performers, as many of these are, over singers, then where is Elaine Stritch? And though I love Chita, where then is Gwen?
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Jessica
Ramin Karimloo going undrafted is a sin. I have seen him in NYC twice this year, and with no formal training, I love his voice. I got to meet him after the show, and hes so humble. He also sang til I hear you sing from LND and I straight up sobbed
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Ramin Karimloo going undrafted is a sin. I have seen him in NYC twice this year, and with no formal training, I love his voice. I got to meet him after the show, and hes so humble. He also sang til I hear you sing from LND and I straight up sobbed
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Arlene
After getting to the last two, I was hoping two of my favorites were going to be the last two. One was. And that was Audra McDonald. - and as regarded as #1. So bravo to that, However, one was missed. What happened to Kelli O'Hara?
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After getting to the last two, I was hoping two of my favorites were going to be the last two. One was. And that was Audra McDonald. - and as regarded as #1. So bravo to that, However, one was missed. What happened to Kelli O'Hara?
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Rachel
No Liza Minnelli is kind of shocking to be honest, no Barbra? Donna Murphy, Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball? Brian Stokes Mitchell? Marin Mazzie? Also Mandy Patinkin should have been WAY higher on the list - however Audra is the best
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No Liza Minnelli is kind of shocking to be honest, no Barbra? Donna Murphy, Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball? Brian Stokes Mitchell? Marin Mazzie? Also Mandy Patinkin should have been WAY higher on the list - however Audra is the best
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Summer
Hm. It seems the person/people making this list is/are partial towards female singers because there were a lot of amazing male singers left out. Though there were other female singers that should have been on here too.
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Hm. It seems the person/people making this list is/are partial towards female singers because there were a lot of amazing male singers left out. Though there were other female singers that should have been on here too.
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Wilson
My first Broadway show was My Fair Lady when I was 9 and I still remember how beautiful Andrew's singing was. I have seen most of these singers on Broadway or London or on tour in Chicago. Thanks for the memories.
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My first Broadway show was My Fair Lady when I was 9 and I still remember how beautiful Andrew's singing was. I have seen most of these singers on Broadway or London or on tour in Chicago. Thanks for the memories.
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Bruce
A few hits and plenty of misses. I may be in the minority, but Chenoweth sounds like someone torturing a mouse, Menzel like fingernails on a blackboard, and that little girl voice of Peters make my skin crawl.
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A few hits and plenty of misses. I may be in the minority, but Chenoweth sounds like someone torturing a mouse, Menzel like fingernails on a blackboard, and that little girl voice of Peters make my skin crawl.
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Robin
Julie Andrews sang for King George VI, and the queen mum when she was only 13 years old. She sang a short solo at the beginning of God Save the King, before being joined by a huge choir. What an honor!
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Julie Andrews sang for King George VI, and the queen mum when she was only 13 years old. She sang a short solo at the beginning of God Save the King, before being joined by a huge choir. What an honor!
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Red
There should have been male and female lists. Twice the spots for recognition of greatness and two times the honorable mentions. Plus, dissimilar vocal ranges wouldn't be competing against each other.
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There should have been male and female lists. Twice the spots for recognition of greatness and two times the honorable mentions. Plus, dissimilar vocal ranges wouldn't be competing against each other.
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Joan
I wish you had shown some of Audra doing Billie Holliday. Her ability to modify her big beautiful voice to mimic Billies smaller expressive jazz vocals was really a testament to her vocal mastery.
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I wish you had shown some of Audra doing Billie Holliday. Her ability to modify her big beautiful voice to mimic Billies smaller expressive jazz vocals was really a testament to her vocal mastery.
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Luke
ok but where was barbra? are you joking? like are we serious? like are we ok? hows your home life ms mojo? because surely youve been heavily traumatised to have forgotten about the queen mother.
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ok but where was barbra? are you joking? like are we serious? like are we ok? hows your home life ms mojo? because surely youve been heavily traumatised to have forgotten about the queen mother.
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B'Way
Gwen Verdon? Shocked she's not even mentioned. She's shown dancing/singing with Chita Rivera in Chicago. She originated the role of Roxy, and many, many others. She was Bob Fosses' muse.
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Gwen Verdon? Shocked she's not even mentioned. She's shown dancing/singing with Chita Rivera in Chicago. She originated the role of Roxy, and many, many others. She was Bob Fosses' muse.
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Anne
Glad to see Betty Buckley on the list. Saw her on Broadway with the original cast and she brought down the house! I cannot think of Cats without her voice. no one has matched it IMO
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Glad to see Betty Buckley on the list. Saw her on Broadway with the original cast and she brought down the house! I cannot think of Cats without her voice. no one has matched it IMO
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Kevin
No Heather Headley, Norbert Leo Butz, Jonathan Groff there many better singers not even mentioned.
As already mentioned, this list had more iconic performers than best singers.
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No Heather Headley, Norbert Leo Butz, Jonathan Groff there many better singers not even mentioned.
As already mentioned, this list had more iconic performers than best singers.
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aurelia
Came here to make sure Audra would be at #1 -- which of course she was! But I'm disappointed to see neither Ramin Karimloo nor Brian Stokes Mitchell meriting a mention.
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Came here to make sure Audra would be at #1 -- which of course she was! But I'm disappointed to see neither Ramin Karimloo nor Brian Stokes Mitchell meriting a mention.
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Mars
Adam pascal? Barbara Streisand? Jesse L. Martin? Colm wilkonsin? Jessica vosk? None of these singers on this list at all year hugh jackman gets a shout out?
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Adam pascal? Barbara Streisand? Jesse L. Martin? Colm wilkonsin? Jessica vosk? None of these singers on this list at all year hugh jackman gets a shout out?
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Bev
They are all brilliant. Have always loved Julie Andrews and Angela Langsbury. Had the pleasure of seeing both Cats and the Chorus Line in the early 1990s.
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They are all brilliant. Have always loved Julie Andrews and Angela Langsbury. Had the pleasure of seeing both Cats and the Chorus Line in the early 1990s.
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yotam
How the fuch ramin, Sierra, michael crawford and colom wilkenson are not in this list i mean the dissrespect to non Americans on this list is insane
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How the fuch ramin, Sierra, michael crawford and colom wilkenson are not in this list i mean the dissrespect to non Americans on this list is insane
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fanjoy
Julie Andrews should be higher on the list, but all hail queen Audra! spot on with her placing on this list, she's from a different planet!
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Julie Andrews should be higher on the list, but all hail queen Audra! spot on with her placing on this list, she's from a different planet!
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Paul
Great list but Mary Martin belongs in the top 10, not Honorable mention, and the complete absence of Brian Stokes-Mitchell is unforgivable
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Great list but Mary Martin belongs in the top 10, not Honorable mention, and the complete absence of Brian Stokes-Mitchell is unforgivable
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Wendy
Are you sure the last person is in the right slot. I agree with others who state you may be confusing acting with singing. NothingButLove
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Are you sure the last person is in the right slot. I agree with others who state you may be confusing acting with singing. NothingButLove
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Shari
How could you possibly omit BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL! He should've been on your list! and not even an honorable mention? That's offensive.
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How could you possibly omit BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL! He should've been on your list! and not even an honorable mention? That's offensive.
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