And when I say She, I mean, the actress that is the reason this show even opened on Broadway in the first place.
Not too long after the critics drooled all over Nina Arianda's performance in last year's Born Yesterday, a revival of David Ives' Venus In Fur was slated for The Great White Way this fall. With similar praise showered upon Ms. Arianda and the production, the limited run soon turned into an extension, that include an expensive move to another theater.
Now that's a performance that's gotta be worth seeing, right?
Well, one of you is going to see it for free!
Here's how you can win two tickets to see Nina in Venus in Fur this February:
Give me an example of a performance that was so good you'd produce the show again just to see it. And it doesn't have to even make sense. If the answer is "Robert Goulet in Camelot", then ok. Just tell me something that inspired you so much, you'd want everyone you know to see it.
I'll go first.
Raul Esparza in Tick, Tick, Boom.
Your turn!
(Got a comment? I love 'em, so comment below! Email subscribers, click here, then scroll down, to say what's on your mind!)
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Norbert Leo Butz in The Last Five Years
Mark Rylance in Boeing-Boeing. The insanity of his performance was like nothing I’ve ever seen.
Amy Morton in August: Osage County. The end of Act 2– I was floored.
Audra in ‘Marie Christine’. I was gobsmacked.
Anna Gasteyer in Wicked. Of the four Elphabas I’ve seen, she’s the only one who found certain jokes.
Sara Ramirez in Spamalot. Yes she won the Tony but she also blew me away. I heard audience members saying, out loud, “Who IS this girl?!”
Michael Ball in Aspects of Love. I really and truly love this show. I know it flopped but, his voice is amazing. I’d want Ann Crumb, too!
Helen Hunt in Our Town
I wasnt watching a play I was people live infront of me.
Christine Ebersole & Mary Louise Wilson in Grey Gardens. That show was so palpable, & their performances blew my mind.
Also, Mark Rylance in La Bete. Incredible.
Roger Bart in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”
Kathleen Turner and Bill Irwin, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” – riveting, beginning to end!
Roger Bart in Fully Committed.
Neil Patrick Harris in Assasins
Joel Grey in Cabaret
Jason Tam in A CHORUS LINE. Tore my heart out…
Raul Esparza in Harold Pinter’s “The Homecoming.”
OH. MY. GOD. He was sexy and dangerous….and WHY ISN’T HE STRAIGHT?
Maria Dizzia in Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice
Having just seen-how to suceed-my mind is blocked of individual performers – but I would see it again & again just for the closing number & I would love to be around when that choreograper was creating- he had some killer numberss in CRY Baby too.
Individuals – there are so many-it’s very hard to pick out that one moment in time.
My mother was a department store buyer in the 1970s and often got comp tickets to shows. One trip she got tickets for a new show titled simply “A Chorus Line.” A bare stage, rehersal clothes, and an ensemble of actors/dancers telling (often their own) true stories. Nothing I have seen since has come close to its impact, and if there’s ever a People of A Chorus Line, sign me up.
EVERYONE! In Other Desert Cities including the playwright & director!!! No words.
Reba McEntire in Annie Get Your Gun
Lily Tomlin in Search For Signs of Intelligent Life In The Universe… still crazy after all these years!
Sutton Foster in Little Women
Douglas Hodge in La Cage aux Folles
David Wilson Barnes in “Becky Shaw”. The entire cast was tight, but I have never seen an actor more willing to jump in the front seat and drive a play straight through. He was brilliant!
Jill Paice in Chess in DC. Still want that production to go somewhere…
Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher Jr in Spring Awakening
The Seafarer. I had no idea what I was getting into when I saw it, and I was mesmerized. It was like going to church. Every friend I recommended it to kept telling me “that was one of the best show’s I’ve seen in a while.” The ensemble was so strong, and I could learn from those actors again and again every night.
Jan Maxwell in Lend Me A Tenor-she had a small part, but I’d see it again 10 times to witness her comic brilliance
“Altar Boyz”. I absolutely loved everything about the show. I want to see the show again and I’d like my friends to have the chance to see it for the first time.
Julia Murney in The Wild Party
This may sound crazy, but I saw The Mambo Kings in it’s “pre-Broadway” tryout in San Francisco, and Christiane Noll’s performance in that is one I’ve been aching to see again. She wasn’t even really a lead, but she was AMAZING, and had this 11-oclock-y torch number that brought down the house.
Heather Headley in Aida
Joe Mantello in The Normal Heart! Saw it twice and would see it a million times!
Not Broadway. . . but Michael Arden in Pippin
TJ Lamando in A Funny Thing Happened…
Fiona Shaw in Medea. She was so freaking elecrifying.
Randal Keith in Les Mis!!
Billie Joe Armstrong in American Idiot. I was simply expecting a glorified Green Day concert, but was shocked by the theatricality of the show. In particular it was astounding at just how raw Armstrong’s vocals and dancing was. Watching him and scene partner John Gallagher Jr. come together during the “Death of St. Jimmy” to show how Johnny and Jimmy were one and the same was remarkable showmanship.
Audra McDonald in Ragtime!
I know its on broadway right now–but Stockard Channing’s performance in Other Desert Citirs is enough to make me produce the play (which I find a little flawed elsewhere) again and again!!!! She’s unbelievable.
James Naughton in City of Angels
Easy. This one’s from off-off-off-offfffff Broadway: Geoffrey Rush and Cate Blanchett in Company B Belvoir St’s (Sydney, Australia) production of Hamlet directed by Neil Armfield in 1995!! Also starred David Wenham and Richard Roxburgh. Hooked me on theatre for good. Breathtaking!
The entire cast of the Broadway production of “Angels in America.”
Ben Vereen in “Pippin”.
Vanessa Redgrave in ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’. At the end of the play there was total silence punctuated by collective sobbing throughout the theater, quickly followed by a thunderous standing ovation.
Honorable mention to Kathleen Turner in the little-seen play ‘Heat’; Jefferson Mays in ‘I Am My Own Wife’; Joe Mantello in ‘The Normal Heart’
Diana Rigg in Medea
Heather Headley in AIDA. Many followed in her footsteps, but none have managed to match her level of performance.
I’m in London so couldn’t see the show but had to comment anyway,
Bertie Carvel in “Parade” at the Donmar Warehouse
Mark Rylance in La Bette. Joanna Lumley also gave a memorable performance, but his opening monologue was amazing.
Derek Jacobi in “Cyrano de Bergerac”
Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens
Shirley MacClain in “The Pajama Game.” She was the understudy for Carol Haney, who broke her ankle, so the then unknown MacClain performed the role.
Kristen Chenoweth in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. She was like a lighting bolt of greatness…
Idina, Kristin and the entire Original Broadway Company of Wicked! I saw the show and couldn’t control the tears streaming down my face afterwards. I knew I had to see these people perform this show again, but I was a youngen and didn’t know that people left shows, so I found out Kristin and others were leaving in June or July, didn’t make it back for them, but I ended up seeing Idina’s last full performance on Broadway (the night before she fell through the trap). It was beyond amazing once again… and subsequently I’ve been to see the show 15 additional times!
Other than that, Alice Ripley in Next to Normal… again, endless tears!
And recently, the ENTIRE company of Godspell – already made 3 return visits!
Angela Lansbury in “Sweeney Todd”, Meryl Streep in “Mother Courage and her children”, or the greatest theatrical experience of my life…Jon Vickers in “Peter Grimes”. Sadly, he’s too old to perform this ever again. I’ve seen “Peter Grimes” (my favorite opera)several times since then with other tenors, and sadly, no one has come close to the beautiful intensity and terrifying acting that Vickers brought to it.
Jim Dale in BARNUM
Nathan Lane in The Producers. There is no bigger Broadway attraction then Nathan and as the producer I would be guaranteed $30 million in advance sales!
Passing Strange!!!!! I saw it opening and closing weekend. I would sit in every seat in the theater, be backstage, be running crew. I’d do anything for that show. So freakin’ good.
Zero Mostel in Fiddler on the Roof. That was the first B’way show I ever saw–as a child then, I was absolutely transported by the incredible story and the memorable score. Zero was a powerhouse performer who held the audience in his grip until the last curtain call…there were at least three as I recall. That was the first time I ever participated in a standing ovation–I clapped until my hands hurt!
There are so many shows and performances I would love to produce just to see again, but I loved Patti LuPone in Gypsy! I can still remember the feelings of excitement and exhilaration I had when seeing it.
Raul Julia in The Threepenny Opera. No better Mack the Knife have I ever seen–inventive British accent and all!
Fiona Shaw in Medea
Cherry Jones in DOUBT. That play and that performance inspired me to abandon LA and move to NY for the theater.
When I was a kid it was Frank Langella in “Dracula” and, more recently, Kerry Butler in “Xanadu” and Thomas Sadoski in “reasons to be pretty.”
SO hard to pick just one! But anything with Chita Rivera… West Side Story or more recently Kiss of the Spiderwoman.
Also, I’d have to say Bebe Neuwirth in Chicago….what a performer!
Roger Bart in “The Producers”
Arena Stage’s Oklahoma because it brought life back into the old classic!
Victor Garber. John Wilkes Booth. Assassins.
Tonya Pinkins in Caroline, or Change. Just beyond brilliant.
Bernadette Peters in Annie Get Your Gun. Just wonderful!
Glenn Close in The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard. Wow oh wow.
Hey THAT play is overdue to be revived!
Hugh Dancy in “Venus in Fur.” He’s just as electrifying!
Peter Frechette in EASTERN STANDARD, long before TAKE ME OUT Richard Greenberg wrote a great play with completely believe able characters. More recently the 2 Patrick,s in NEXT FALL
Angela Lansbury in Sweeney Todd
Cherry Jones in Doubt
Zoe Caldwell in Medea
Zoe Caldwell in Master Class
Alice Ripley & Emily Skinner in Side Show
James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope
Antonio Banderas in Nine
Alan Cumming in Cabaret
Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz
Elizabeth Ashley in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
I could name more, but I think that’s enough.
Pamela Reed as Arlie and Arlene in Marsha Norman’s off=Broadway debut,Getting Out.
And Sutton Foster in my first Broadway musical in twenty years, Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Raul Esparza in Company.
Diane Wiest as Desdemona was the most mesmerizing part of Othello– even with cast mates James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer
Rachel York in Victor Victoria
I agree with Ken on Raul Esparza, just not on the show.
My choice is Taboo
Betty Buckley in Carrie.
Years ago I saw the great Randell Duk Kim as Richard III at A.C.T. in San Francisco. Not only the best Richard I’ve ever seen–the best Shakes role performed I’ve ever seen.
Musicals? Bring back Guy Marshall and Robert Cuccioli for Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris
Dee Hoty in ANYTHING! Been a long time. I’d watch her read a dinner menu, and pay extra if she would sing the dessert selection….
Could we produce Passion and Anyone Can Whistle in rep with Donna Murphy as Fosca and Cora, respectively? I listen to both of them all the time and can’t believe it’s the same person. I’d say that Donna Murphy is the Meryl Streep of Broadway, but that wouldn’t be giving Donna enough credit- actresses like Donna are reason enough to produce a show.
The entire cast of David Cromer’s OUR TOWN at Barrow Street. The production was so moving, so imaginative, and so beautifully heartfelt for a show that has been produced thousands of times. No movie stars, no fancy special effects, just a truly amazing ensemble.
Mark Rylance in Jerusalem. Again and again and again.
Hugh Panaro, Phantom of the Opera.
I never thought a Phantom could replace the amazingness of Michael Crawford in my mind, but got damn close to it! XD
Robert Cuccioli in Jekyll and Hyde. The transformation can possibly be the “moment” that hooked me on to everything theatre…
Bea Arthur in Applause. I wasn’t born when she did it, but the soundtrack is amazing and the actress incredible. I would love to go back in time and witness it!
If only I had the power to produce CHESS with David Carroll once again. What a magnetic performer; what a voice; what a wonderful match for Judy Kuhn. What a loss when he died so young…
Colman Domingo in “A Boy and His Soul”. I’ve always been a huge critic of solo shows, but he opened my mind to them. I was captivated from the moment he dropped the first record. I thought someone else was going to re-produce it after The Vineyard, but I guess I’ll have to wait until I have the backing.
Brian Dennehy, my first Broadway experience was DEATH OF A SALESMAN and I’ve yet to see anything that compares to bit. I sobbed through the curtain call, and continued weeping after the audience had all filed out. Just a knockout!
Daniel Radcliffe in Equis
Julie White in “The Little Dog Laughed.” Inspiring!
Mark Rylance in just about everything he’s done. But especially Boeing Boeing – although that cast was a pretty stellar ensemble piece. And I have to second the persone who said Frank Langella in Dracula, I would have really liked to have seen that performance.
Meryl Streep in TRELAWNEY OF THE WELLS at Lincoln Center. She wasn’t playing the leading role but you could not take your eyes off her whenever she appeared onstage! If you have never seen Meryl onstage, you really don’t realize just how incredible a talent she is.
Ellen Barkin in “The Normal Heart”
Raul Esparza in TABOO!
Hugh Jackman in THE BOY FROM Oz. Breathtaking from start to finish, what a dynamo. It should have been included in SHOW BUSINESS: THE ROAD TO BROADWAY if only to capture for posterity at least some background or bits of that once-in-a-lifetime performance.
I would say Colin Donnell in Encores’ “Merrily We Roll Along” which is running at the moment, but only for a woefully short time. Wish everyone could have their introduction to this show with him as Frank! (And Lin-Manuel Miranda, too!)
Went into the show knowing little about it, only that if Colin Donnell was in it then it had to be worth seeing. And he / it didn’t disappoint!
Ben Vereen in “Pippin” – Exactly as they sang in the show – It was magic!!
Christine Ebersole in ‘Grey Gardens.’ An experience I will never forget. The honesty and pain that she brought to that outlandish character still haunts me to this day. The true definition of a tour de force!
Audra McDonald in “Ragtime”
Kate Blumberg in The Syringa Tree.
Nina in VENUS IN FUR. She’s giving the performance of our generation!
James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope.
I saw it in 1969. I was 13. I went backstage and asked him to sign my program. I still have it.
Dean Jones in Company. So very few of us got to see it, but we fell in love with that performance on vinyl.
The entire original cast of
March of the Falsettos
I have never again had the spontaneous urge to give a standing ovation. That night the entire audience did in one immediate gesture of thanks for an incredible evening of theater
Nothing has moved me so much and do unexpectedly
Chicago with the OBC!
Angela Lansbury in Mame
Performance I was fortunate to see: Daphne Rubin-Vega in RENT. Although I respect some others I’ve seen as Mimi, there was a quality about her that indisputably defined the role.
Performer I am sad to have missed: Laurie Beechman. In most anything, but I’d ecstatically “settle” for Annie, Joseph…Dreamcoat, or Les Miserables. Even CATS would let me die happy.
Amy Morton in “August: Osage County”
When I was in my 20s, I saw some great play revivals on Broadway and here are a couple of performances that have stayed with me ever since:
Robert Ryan as Walter Burns in “The Front Page”
Henry Fonda as the Stage Manager in Our Town
Since these actors have permanently left the stage, I’d have to be The Great Producer to present them again.
Among the ladies who are still with us?
Donna McKechnie in A Chorus Line
The whole cast in Passing Strange. The show that made me want to be a producer in the first place!
Jeremy Irons in THE REAL THING.
Hamish Linklater in SCHOOL FOR LIES.
Elaine Stritch in A Delicate Balance.
I agree with a bunch of these, but as a very young boy,
I fell for Bernadette Peters in Song & Dance
(I wonder if it was part of the reason I moved to england
4 a time..? to finish my training and start my performance
career as well as get involved with a few british ladies)!?!
Matt Smith in That Face. (Fantastic play, produced originally on the west end, short run on Broadway.)
or
Kyle Dean Massey in Next To Normal.
SO. GOOD.
Maybe Baby It’s You!
Jim Dale in/as BARNUM
Stephen Mangan in The Norman Conquests… All three plays of course!
Most inspired performance: Vanessa Redgrave in Orpheus Descending.
Wished I’d seen: Linzie Hately in Carrie
Jefferson Mays in I Am My Own Wife–he blew us away!
OR
Douglas Hodge as Albin in La Cage–ditto!
Spiro Malas, Sophie Hayden,Scott Maara and Liz Larsen in City Opera’s two-piano revival of The Most Happy Fella. I sat in the theater for an hour afterwards desparate not to let go of the show.
Patti LuPone in Gypsy
Phylicia Rashad in August: Osage County! Or Laura Benanti & Patti LuPone in Gypsy.
Sutton Foster in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Alan Cumming in Cabaret!!
*drools*
It was a looooonnggggg time ago, but I remember seeing Beryl Reid in THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE back in the late 60s. She was hilarious as a butch lesbian playing a sweet little old lady on a soap opera, and as her life and career fell apart when she was written out of the soap, she managed to be both hilarious and heart-breaking at the same time. Unfortunately, Ms. Reid is gone now, but her unique and unusual performance was absolutely unforgettable.
Angela Lansbury in Sweeney Todd. Chilling, heartfelt performance. I believe her performance also triggered the Emmy-winning live filming of the show.
Either Joel Grey in Cabaret or Malcom Getts in Parade
Michael Jeter in GRAND HOTEL.
Neil Patrick Harris in Assassins. His transformation from the Ballader to Oswald still gives me shivers when I think of it.
Patti Lupone in Sweeney Todd, she was sinister, sarcastic, serious and sensational as well as played the tuba for the orchestra….She is divine. (Actually if I’m being really honest its Patti Lupone in anything I’ve seen her in, Noises Off, Evita, Les Mis in London, Anything Goes, MasterClass and Gypsy)
Mary Zimmerman’s Candide was the most stunning piece of theater I’ve seen in years. She transformed a beautiful musical with clunky book into an thrilling meditation on life. I wept. Twice. And not a tear down my face, a full-throated, can’t-see-the-show-because-of-the-tears kind of weeping. I texted all my theater friends immediately to see if THEY knew of a way we could bring it to NYC. I’m still crossing my fingers for Lincoln Center to put it in the Vivian-Beaumont when War Horse finally winds down.
Nine with Antonio Banderas and Chita Rivera
Light in the Piazza is a show that really struck me with its beauty in the music, the story, and the physical production. I would produce it again if I could
lindsay duncan and alan rickman in private lives
Ben Vereen in Pippin…amazing! (enough said)
or
Sean Hayes in Promisses, Promisses….perfect comedic timing and had a great connection with his character and Kristen Chenoweth
and I’m sorry one more…Levi Kries in Million Dollar Quartet….made the show! he was funny, has a phenomenal voice, i really thought he was Jerry Lee, and he didnt play the piano…the piano played him
The company of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee reminded me of why I love working in this business.
Norbert Leo Butz in “The Last Five Years”– he gives a master class in how to act a song.
Oh my God, Frank Langella as, and in, DRACULA!
Swoosie Kurtz in “Fifth Of July” …… She made me love Broadway !
Robert Preston in The Music Man. He gave one of the most unique and singular performances of the time, and is always remembered today for his timing and diverse acting!
Mark Rylance in…anything!
example
Ken Davenport – Opinions from a Broadway Producer: The Sunday Giveaway: 2 Tickets to Venus In Fur
Raul Esparza in Company. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think about his performance. (Sondheim pun intended. I’m seeing Merrily tonight!)
Lea Salonga in Miss Saigon
Bernadette Peters in Gypsy! Her Rose is the best. Sorry, other girls.
Janet Dacal in In The Heights. She completely blew me away!!!
Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman
My first instinct is to say Colleen Dewhurst in Moon for the Misbegotten, but since that isn’t even theoretically possible, I’ll say Victoria Clark in Light in the Piazza.
Laurie Metcalfe in “Balm in Gilead.” Have you ever heard a 28-minute monologue and didn’t want it to finish? Have you ever laughed and cried at the same exact instant? I saw it twice–I wish I’d seen it forty times.
I didn’t intend to see that show, but a friend visiting from out of town dragged me to see it and I’m still glad she did. I’m old enough to remember seeing Peter Allen on The Tonight Show when I was allowed to stay up and watch it–and never cared for him. Jackman was better at being Peter Allen than Peter Allen ever was.
Judith Light in WIT
Rosemary Harris in Streetcar!
for a smaller role, Annie to hear Laurie Beechman in the song NYC
Or perhaps instead I should go Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Again Beechman as the narrator
Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd found layers in the role that no one else I’ve seen as Sweeney has even approached. His performance displayed the kind of imaginative identification with the character that you don’t see very often, coming up with truly unexpected and rich responses again and again. I say responses rather than choices because when an actor is that deeply invested in a character, it’s not a matter of conscious choices. The subconscious takes over and makes unexpected things happen. That was a performance which exemplified that kind of acting and I’d love to see it again. If I could, I’d produce it.
Kevin Kline in “The Pirates of Penzance.” If talent could be bottled…
Rondi Reed in August: Osage County. It was the perfect combination of stellar acting, comedic timing, understanding of great material, and sharing the stage. A huge performance and ahse also shared the spotlight with her scene partners. It looked effortless.
Ethel Merman in Gypsy.
Or anything for that matter…
Glenn Close in The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard.
Alice Ripley in Next to Normal
Not feasible, but Daisy Eagan and Rebecca Luker in The Secret Garden.
More feasible, Heather Headley in Aida
I would also love to see many of the productions mentioned above, whether for the first time or as a nostalgia refresher.
Thomas Sadoski in “reasons to be pretty” (Amazing, incredible- and indelible!)
Frank Langella in “Dracula”
Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher, Jr. in “Spring Awakening”
Richard Thomas in “Fifth of July”
Jennifer Ehle in “The Real Thing”
Mark Rylance in “Jerusalem”
Telly Leung in “Godspell”
Sutton Foster in, well, anything.
Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens and Phylicia Rashad in A Raisin in the Sun…Norbet Leo Butz in almost anything and Raul Esparza when he sings for his supper…
- MJD
This is such a great question, Ken. Thanks for entertaining us with these quizzes. I was happy to see so many of my favorites mentioned already. Apparently I have many theater soul-mates in cyberspace….(Len Cariou in Sweeney todd, Patti Lupone in Gypsy)
My other favorite performances, so many, “too numerous to mention”:
Maggie Smith in Tom Stoppard’s “Night and Day”
Hugh Jackman in “The Boy from Oz” (saw it 7 times; a great show with many great performances, topped only by his)
Richard Burton in “Camelot” (That sonorous voice! “I am the King! OTHERS must learn patience!”
Jackie Hoffman in “Hairspray!”
Lena Horne in her solo show on Bway “The Lady & Her Music” – mesmerizing charisma and timeless class & sex appeal
The leading lady in “Sister Act” (Patina Miller, I think her name is)- outstanding and superb
Mandy Patinkin in “Sunday in the Park with George” and his Bway solo show
Craig Bierko and Rebecca Luker in the revival of “The Music Man’ directed by Susan Stroman…magic!
and more recently, Hamish Linklater in “Seminar”
Sutton Foster in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Basically the reason I moved to NY.
Gwen Verdon in Garden of Eden or Damn Yankees- just to experience the legend on stage.
or Natasha Richardson in Cabaret because she was born to play that part!
and if had to be done today– Carolee Carmello in Parade, sorry Bernadette that Tony was hers!
Can’t just pick one (like many who have posted). So in no particular order…Douglas Sills in The Scarlet Pimpernel & Little Shop of Horrors…Betty Buckley & Howard McGillin in The Mystery of Edwin Drood…Rebecca Luker & Howard McGillin in The Secret Garden…Hugh Jackman in Boy From Oz…& of course the show I broke my previous attendence records with, all cast members in Altar Boyz.
Marin Mazzie in “Next to Normal”…enough said…I cried for 2 and a half hours straight, and so did everyone around me.
Laura Benanti in “Gypsy.” She utterly blew my mind, and for the first time I truly understood what critics mean when they call someone a “revelation” in a role. I’d seen “Gypsy” before, but I’d never seen Louise played the way Benanti played her. So much life and such a huge gamut of emotions on display. I’d see her do it again in a heartbeat.
Runner-up: Patti LuPone in “Gypsy.” Hearing her sing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” in her recent Broadway concert was enough to make me want to cast her in the upcoming revival despite being a *tad* too old
Nina Arianda in Born Yesterday.
Alice Ripley in next to normal
Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl”
Her voice is a musical instrument and no one is even a close second.
The best performace by a female Broadway star that I have seen in the last 50 years!
Even though she was playing the part of Fanny Brice when she sand “I’m The Greatest Star” it is Barbra who really is the greatest star.