They're the best and brightest singers on Broadway. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most celebrated musical theater vocalists.
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00:00I can't believe that I'm on stage surrounded by divas.
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most celebrated musical
00:10theater vocalists.
00:12For this list, we'll be limiting candidates to performers known primarily for their stage
00:16work or who continued to work on the stage even after they became famous.
00:20Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade?
00:26Number 30, Donna Murphy.
00:28After cutting her teeth as an understudy on some legendary shows, Donna Murphy went on
00:32to win two Tonys.
00:34On the clear understanding that this kind of thing can happen, shall we dance, shall
00:40we dance, shall we dance?
00:42From Anna Leonowens in The King and I to Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly, she's played some of
00:47the greatest roles ever seen on Broadway.
00:49Some of her best work was with composer Stephen Sondheim.
00:52It gives me purpose, gives me voice to say to the world, this is why I live.
01:07Her rich tone and delicate phrasing made characters like the lovelorn Fosca feel achingly real.
01:12Donna Murphy hasn't just played some of the greatest roles on stage, her gorgeous instrument
01:17has also been immortalized on a Disney soundtrack as the voice of the nefarious Mother Gothel
01:21in Tangled.
01:22Skip the drama, stay with Mama, Mother knows best.
01:32Number 29, Dorothy Loudon.
01:34Though she's unfairly oft forgotten by modern day musical fans, the original Miss Hannigan
01:39had one of the brassiest voices on Broadway.
01:41From Annie to Sweeney Todd, Dorothy Loudon could be counted on to fill the theater with
01:55her lively personality and powerhouse performance.
01:58Loudon could be deliciously hammy and bawdy when the situation called for it, but her
02:03voice was one of a kind.
02:14Her secret weapon was a vibrato like a jackhammer.
02:17She could use it to profound comic effect, but could also instill emotion and vulnerability
02:22when it came to ballads that required more earnestness.
02:34Number 28, Richard Kiley.
02:36The original star of Man of La Mancha epitomized the classic Broadway baritone.
02:50A two-time Tony winner, Richard Kiley was noted for his versatility in the kinds of
02:55roles he could pull off, but it's his resounding voice that gave him gravitas and credibility
03:00as an all-time leading man.
03:11Not only is he responsible for theater's Don Quixote, but he was also the first to commit
03:15the popular showtune The Impossible Dream to recording, a song he would reprise many
03:20times over the rest of his career.
03:22Kiley's voice was so sought after, in fact, that Steven Spielberg cast him as the narrator
03:26of the tour ride featured in Jurassic Park.
03:42Number 27, Pearl Bailey.
03:45Talk about distinctive range.
03:47Pearl Bailey's voice could go from velvety smooth to a guttural growl in the same phrase.
04:03Making her Broadway debut in 1946 in St. Louis Woman, Bailey had a projection that was as
04:09big, broad, and iconic as her sense of humor.
04:12For decades, she juggled a career on the stage, screen, and on television.
04:36One of her biggest accomplishments was tackling the role of Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly in the
04:40first Broadway revival.
04:43A shameless showboat and a born entertainer, Bailey had an infectious energy to match her
04:47incredible voice.
04:54Number 26, John Wright.
04:57Perhaps best known for originating the controversial but classic role of Billy Bigelow in Carousel,
05:01John Wright had a career that spanned several decades and shows.
05:05Acting to Wright is like taking a journey to the past.
05:21Behind his composed exterior, he was a force of nature on stage.
05:25Clear as a bell, sonorous as a horn, and teeming with romance and feeling, his voice is unlike
05:31anything seen on today's Broadway stage.
05:33He also had the stage presence and looks to match.
05:43Wright passed his talent for music along to his daughter and frequent duet partner, renowned
05:48singer-songwriter Bonnie Wright.
05:59Number 25, Alfred Drake.
06:08If Rodgers and Hammerstein shaped the Broadway musical as we know it, then Alfred Drake did
06:12his part in helping shape the leading man.
06:14Debuting the role of Curly McLean in Oklahoma, it's Drake's lilting that introduced the score's
06:19legendary opening number, Oh What a Beautiful Morning.
06:30Appearing in plays such as Kismet, Kiss Me Kate, and The King and I, Drake's prolific
06:34career and popularity was only helped along by the various telecasts he appeared on.
06:39Broadcasts of TV musicals made him a bona fide star in people's living rooms as well
06:44as on the stage.
06:52Number 24, Barbara Cooke.
06:54As one of the premier sopranos of the Broadway stage in the 1950s and 60s, Barbara Cooke's
06:59soaring vocals made her a star.
07:09She won a Tony for her role of Marion Peru in The Music Man, and lent her talents to
07:13the scores of Candide and She Loves Me, among a plethora of others.
07:17Although personal setbacks made roles sparse in the latter part of her career, Cooke re-emerged
07:21as a cabaret and concert singer.
07:32With her special operatic abilities and the kind of control that never failed to wow,
07:36her interpretations of songs by the stage's greatest composers introduced her to legions
07:41of new fans.
07:52Number 23, Brian Stokes Mitchell.
08:01Rocketing to stardom after his performance in the 1998 production of Ragtime, Brian Stokes
08:06Mitchell and his resonant baritone have been indispensable ever since.
08:11Mitchell's voice and overall bearing as a performer straddles the line between the traditional
08:15leading man and modern theater sensibilities.
08:17It makes him a natural choice to head revivals of classic shows like Man of La Mancha or
08:22Kiss Me Kate, which won him a Tony in 2000.
08:35Time and again, his buttery tones let him hold an audience in the palm of his hand.
08:39And in this moment, we were all Reba McEntire.
08:59Number 22, Mary Martin.
09:01This longtime favorite of Rodgers and Hammerstein was known for her sizable vocal range.
09:12Despite being one of the biggest Broadway stars of her time, Mary Martin's roles were
09:16often played by other stars when they came to Hollywood.
09:19However, many audiences got to know her through her television appearances, including the
09:23beloved 1960 television broadcast of Peter Pan.
09:40She was a star in her own right and time, and became a Kennedy Center honoree in 1989.
09:46From her crystal clear high notes to her richer, deeper tones, Mary Martin was a sight to behold.
09:51Or, should we say, a sound to hear.
10:05Number 21, Liza Minnelli.
10:16She may have been the daughter of two Hollywood legends, but Liza Minnelli carved out her
10:20own sound and her own star persona on the stage.
10:23For such a small frame, she has an incredibly powerful voice, which only grew as she matured
10:28into a seasoned performer.
10:36Her first Tony came from her Broadway debut in Flora the Red Menace, and if that doesn't
10:41prove her mastery of the arts, we don't know what will.
10:44The show's composers, Kander and Ebb, who also wrote Cabaret and Chicago, would become
10:48her most frequent collaborators and write numerous songs specifically to fit her voice.
11:09Number 20, Norm Lewis.
11:11This notable performer has been cast in some of musical theater's most beloved roles.
11:16Since his Broadway debut in 1993, Lewis has wowed audiences as Curtis Taylor Jr. in Dream
11:22Girls, Billy Flynn in Chicago, and Javert in Les Miserables.
11:44Plus he was the first African-American actor to play the titular role in Broadway's longest-running
11:49show The Phantom of the Opera.
11:58His voice is slightly deeper, warm, and clear, perfectly suited for intense male characters.
12:05With incredible control and placement, Lewis' vocal talent is majorly enhanced by his pristine
12:11technique.
12:23Number 19, Raúl Esparza.
12:25The Law & Order Special Victims Unit actor made his first impression in the entertainment
12:29industry singing onstage.
12:44In 2000, he drew eyes as Riff Raff in the Rocky Horror Show Broadway revival, and later
12:49starred in the 2006 revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company.
12:53He was also cast in the original off-Broadway run of Jonathan Larson's Tick Tick Boom.
13:09His distinctive voice has tons of personality, which is great for live theater.
13:14Esparza may have broadened his resume with gigs in film and television, but we'll always
13:19think of him as a musical guy first.
13:37Number 18, Joel Grey.
13:40After 70-plus years of work, this charismatic actor has undoubtedly left his impression
13:45on modern musical theater.
13:57His most memorable performance is, without a doubt, as the master of ceremonies in the
14:02Broadway production of Cabaret and its film adaptation.
14:17But he's also a show-stealer in supporting roles like Moonface Martin in Anything Goes
14:22and Amos Hart in Chicago.
14:25Expressive and charming, Grey infuses each of his vocal performances with character.
14:30His singing voice is light and bright, perfect for solos and group numbers.
14:35When the singer takes to the stage, you can tell how dedicated he is to his craft.
14:49Number 17, Mandy Patinkin.
14:52For his first appearance on Broadway, Patinkin appeared in the play Trelawney of the Wells
14:56alongside Meryl Streep and John Lithgow.
14:59Soon after, he was cast in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita with Patti LuPone.
15:11Having brushed shoulders with so much talent on stage, it's no surprise that he's got
15:15incredible acting and singing skills of his own.
15:28In fact, he won a Tony for his performance in Evita and was nominated for two others.
15:33The singer's recognizable voice is rich and gruff, with a prominent vibrato.
15:38His high notes are powerful and fill whatever space he's singing in.
15:42A true force on the stage, if we've ever seen one.
15:57Number 16, Jeremy Jordan.
16:00It's no wonder Jordan is one of Broadway's favorite leading men from the 21st century.
16:04His voice is youthful, heroic, and clear, with a four-octave range.
16:27It's perfect for scrappy male protagonists like Jack Kelly from Newsies and Clyde Barrow
16:32from Bonnie and Clyde.
16:47The native Texan claimed his spot as one of musical theater's greatest singers from not
16:52only the stage but also the screens, big and small.
16:55He was cast in the musical show Smash and stars opposite Anna Kendrick in the film adaptation
17:00of The Last Five Years.
17:14Number 15, Jennifer Holliday.
17:17This star has one of the most powerful voices to ever grace a Broadway stage, let alone
17:21our ears.
17:37Soulful and strong, her talent is unmatched.
17:41Holliday's performance as Effie Melody White in the original run of Dreamgirls is alone
17:46enough to qualify her for our list.
18:02Her solo at the 1982 Tony's is one of the most iconic moments in Broadway history.
18:08That being said, we shouldn't forget her appearances in various stagings of the musical Chicago
18:13and The Color Purple.
18:28She's also a successful recording artist, having produced both R&B and gospel music
18:34tracks.
18:35Number 14, Carol Channing.
18:38This memorable actor and singer is a staple of 20th century musical theater.
18:57She starred as Lorelei Lee and Dolly Gallagher Levi in the original Broadway runs of Gentlemen
19:02Prefer Blondes and Hello Dolly, respectively.
19:18Besides her big eyes and blonde bob, the icon's distinctive singing voice set her apart from
19:23other leading ladies in showbiz.
19:25It's raspy, nasal, and full of character, making it perfect for comedic performances.
19:32Stylistically, Channing often embedded her singing with humor.
19:46After decades of success, in 1995, she was awarded the Tony for Lifetime Achievement.
19:53Number 13, Christian Borle.
19:55Since the beginning of the new millennium, Borle has made regular appearances on the
19:59Broadway stage.
20:12His credits include The Bard in Something Rotten and Marvin in the 2016 Falsettos revival.
20:18Likewise, his performance as the original Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde the Musical
20:23holds a special place in our hearts.
20:31With a warm, rich tone that sits at a higher range, Borle's register is well-suited for
20:36a variety of characters.
20:38He shows technique with his ability to infuse the personality of whatever character he's
20:43playing into his performance.
20:45Whether cast as someone sweet, conceited, or just plain evil, this singer always sounds
20:51incredible.
21:03Number 12, Betty Buckley.
21:05This actress has appeared in celebrated works of film, television, and theater.
21:14However, despite her work on both the big and small screens, she's still often referred
21:25to as the voice of Broadway.
21:41One of her most notable early roles is Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, for which she
21:46won a Tony.
21:47She's since become associated with the role's power ballad Memory, which showcases her vocal
21:52talent and skill.
22:08Her voice ranges from being bright and clear in some instances to deep and powerful in
22:13others.
22:14Other musical credits include Dolly in Hello Dolly and Mama Rose in Gypsy, twice.
22:20Number 11, Kristen Chenoweth.
22:22With a bachelor's degree in musical theater and a master's in opera performance, Chenoweth
22:27is quite literally a master of her craft.
22:38She had the option of also attending Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts on a full ride, but
22:43turned down the scholarship to accept her first professional role.
22:56She's best known for originating the role of Sally Brown in the 1999 revival of You're
23:01a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Glinda in Wicked.
23:14The characters she plays always come through her performances effortlessly.
23:18And do we even have to mention how incredible her vocal control is?
23:23While her success in theater opened doors for her in film and television, she regularly
23:28returns to her Broadway roots.
23:42Number 10, Idina Menzel.
23:44Some have deemed her the queen of Broadway, and it's not hard to see why.
24:04This powerhouse singer originated two of the most well-known female roles in contemporary
24:09musical theater.
24:18Menzel made a name for herself first as the diva performance artist Maureen in Rent, and
24:22then as the misunderstood Witch of the West Elphaba in Wicked.
24:26Her bright and powerful voice suits independent and aspirational female characters.
24:39Plus, her range is expansive, and she's a total pro at belting.
24:44It's no wonder she was picked up by Disney to play Elsa in the beloved animated film
24:48franchise Frozen.
24:54Number 9, Sutton Foster.
24:57This darling of contemporary musical theater is a triple threat, skilled in acting, dancing,
25:03and of course, singing.
25:16Her voice is full and bright, perfect for a number of Broadway's most iconic leading
25:20roles.
25:21Her technique is solid, and she always looks like she's having fun on stage.
25:37Foster has a timeless quality to her sound, which makes her especially well-suited for
25:42shows with historical settings.
25:44She won a Tony for her performance as the titular character in Thoroughly Modern Millie,
25:49and another as Reno Sweeney from Anything Goes.
25:52How the performer manages her breath support after a minutes-long dance break, we will
25:56never understand.
26:12Number 8, Julie Andrews.
26:14Many of us first heard Andrews' voice as children watching Mary Poppins or The Sound
26:19of Music.
26:27We've since come to respect her for her work on the stage as well as the screen.
26:32She started on the West End as a child, and quickly found her way to Broadway.
26:36In 1956, she appeared as Eliza Doolittle in the original run of My Fair Lady.
26:49When she was younger, the soprano had a clear and regal sound,
26:53which she demonstrated with impeccable technique.
27:13Sadly an ill-performed surgery in 1997 permanently damaged her vocal cords.
27:19Still a singer at heart, the actress has given occasional vocal performances in the
27:23years since.
27:28It may not be the same, but we still appreciate her new tone.
27:33Number 7, Lea Salonga.
27:36This musical theater star has a singing voice fit for a Disney princess.
27:56The Filipina actress landed a gig on the West End when she was just 18 years old as the
28:01original Kim in Miss Saigon.
28:15She won a Tony when she reprised the role on Broadway, making her the first Asian actress
28:20to do so.
28:21Not to mention she's appeared as both Eponine and Fantine in Broadway productions of Les
28:25Misérables.
28:33Salonga's voice is beautifully bright and clear, and she has impeccable technique.
28:39Her placement is precise, and she demonstrates good control of her vibrato.
28:50As the singing voice of both Princess Jasmine and Mulan, we've enjoyed listening to her
29:01for basically our entire lives.
29:04Number 6, Angela Lansbury.
29:07By the time she made it to Broadway, Lansbury was already an award-winning actress from
29:11the golden age of cinema.
29:13Just like in Hollywood, she quickly found success in musical theater, playing the titular
29:18character in Name and Rose in Gypsy, among other acclaimed parts.
29:31Her voice was totally her own, and remarkably so.
29:35Since it was especially distinct, it always felt so real to the roles she played, many
29:39of which were rather comedic, or, at the very least, tongue-in-cheek.
29:51Whether it was the devious Mrs. Lovett or the maternal Mrs. Potts, Lansbury defined
29:56some of Broadway's, and Hollywood's, most beloved characters.
30:10Number 5, Chita Rivera.
30:12This passionate performer claimed her place as a Broadway icon by originating more than
30:17one beloved role on stage.
30:19Early in her career, she made waves as Anita in West Side Story and Velma Kelly in Chicago.
30:26She went on to win a Tony for her performance as Anna in The Rink, as well as one for Kiss
30:41of the Spider Woman, and a Lifetime Achievement Award to boot.
31:03This was a woman who knew confidence was key.
31:06Combining music, comedy, and spectacle, Rivera was a master entertainer.
31:11The fullness and wonderfully distinct quality to her voice only made her irreplaceable,
31:15and we couldn't imagine musical theater without the impact of her show-stopping vocals
31:19and dance moves.
31:36Number 4, Bernadette Peters.
31:39This vocalist has understandably been deemed the foremost interpreter of composer Stephen
31:43Sondheim.
31:44She's appeared in many of his shows on Broadway, including Sunday in the Park with George,
32:01and A Little Night Music.
32:12Her voice sits at a mid-range, making it perfect for belting out passionate verses.
32:17She's also capable of producing beautiful high notes, making her an overall well-rounded
32:23artist.
32:24Plus, her voice has a prominent vibrato and forward placement, which distinguishes her
32:28from other mezzos.
32:30With well-trained technique, Peters' vocal performances are some of Broadway's best.
32:45Number 3, F.O.
32:46Merman.
32:47Considered by some as the undisputed first lady of the musical comedy stage, this vocalist
32:52was a significant member of Broadway history.
33:05With notable vocal talent and technical skill, she was certainly well-deserving of the title.
33:19From Anything Goes to Hello Dolly, Merman had appeared in many of musical theater's
33:24most iconic shows, even originating the lead role of Rose in Sondheim's Gypsy.
33:45Her powerful mid-range voice was capable of blowing crowds away.
33:49Otherwise, her enunciation and placement were precise.
34:05The performer's voice was practically built for belting, a gift very few have.
34:10When it comes to Broadway legends, she was an original.
34:22Number 2, Patti LuPone.
34:24This classic Broadway belter obtained her status as a musical theater icon by appearing
34:29in many popular roles.
34:31She first drew attention as the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita.
34:45Having gone on to play Nancy in Oliver, Fantine in Les Mis, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, and
34:51Mama Rose in Gypsy, her bio is totally stacked.
34:56LuPone demonstrates practiced technique in a confident style with her mid-range singing
35:00voice.
35:02She projects outward and manages to completely fill whatever space she's in.
35:14Her warm and focused tone is full of personality, which she tailors to suit whatever character
35:19she's performing as.
35:31Truly, no one's voice compares to LuPone's.
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35:53Number 1, Audra McDonald
35:56Although she's celebrated for her work on the stage and the screen, McDonald's legacy
36:00on Broadway is unparalleled.
36:11She's the recipient of six Tonys, which is more than any other performer in the award
36:16show's history, and she's also the only person to have won in all four categories.
36:29McDonald earned her accolades as Carrie in Carousel, Sarah in Ragtime, and Bess in Porgy
36:35and Bess, among others.
36:46Her voice is rich, with an incredible feat of dimensionality and effortless precision.
36:52Although her range is broad, she has a distinctly soprano tone that can honestly only be described
36:58as angelic.
37:09One thing's for sure, when this icon starts to sing, we always stop to listen.
37:15Who has your favorite voice on Broadway?
37:19comments.
37:20Do you agree with our picks?
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