What is the best Stage Performance You Have Ever Seen?

[Alex Kulak2]

If you can nail down one actor at one night of theatre (Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional, West End, High School) that you think is close to perfect, what would it be? 

For me, it's Benjamin Magnuson as Lemml in Indecent at Victory Gardens Theatre.

[Jordan Catalano]

Frank Wood - SIDE MAN

[neil30043]

Lily Tomlin- "The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe"

[ChildofEarth]

Glenda Jackson - Three Tall Women

[ebroadwayrundown]

Laurie Metcalf's 20-minute monologue in "Balm in Gilead" in 1984.

[BwayinVan]

Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple

[Jarethan]

I will cheat:

Male Musical -- Nathan Lane in The Producers

Female Musical -- Angela Lansbury in Gypsy

Male Play -- James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope

Female Play -- Colleen Dewhurst in A Moon For the Misbegotten

 

But, if I had too pick one, I would probably say Colleen Dewhurst

[BroadwayRox3588]

Carmen Cusack in Bright Star comes to mind.

[poisonivy2]

Glenda Jackson in Three Tall Women. She made you love someone who was on paper completely loathsome.

[quizking101]

Male (Musical) - John Cameron Mitchell (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH)

Female (Musical) -Cynthia Erivo (THE COLOR PURPLE)

Male (Play) - Andrew Garfield (ANGELS IN AMERICA)

Female (Play) - Audra McDonald (LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL)

[Danielle49]

Andrew Garfield in Angels in America

[BroadwayConcierge]

Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple comes to mind for power.

Katrina Lenk in The Band’s Visit comes to mind for nuance.

Renée Elise Goldsberry in Hamilton comes to mind for both. 

[Bwayfan292]

Courtney Reed in Aladdin

[TexanAddams18]

Emma Hunton- Wicked

[Elfuhbuh]

Norm Lewis in Phantom of the Opera. Yes, I’m serious.

[InTheBathroom1]

Nicolette in Waitress

Tracy Michele Arnold in A Streetcar Named Desire at American Players Theatre (in Wisconsin)

Michael Urie in Torch Song

[Jordan Catalano]

Bwayfan292 said: "Courtney Reed in Aladdin"

Oh yeah. How could I forget about her? lol

[Theatregeek811]

Kaley Ann Voorhees in Phantom of the Opera. I'm so thrilled that she's finally going to be the main Christine! 

[Skip23]

Can't pick just one:

Maggie Smith - Private Lives

Elizabeth Ashley - Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Sweet Bird Of Youth

Fantasia - The Color Purple

Kevin Spacey - Moon For The Misbegotten

Nathan Lane - Lisbon Traviata

Sandy Duncan - Peter Pan

Reba McIntyre - Annie Get Your Gun

Kristine Nielsen - Betty's Summer Vacation

J Smith-Cameron - As Bees In Honey Drown
 

 

[HugoP]

I'll go with Erivo in THE COLOR PURPLE because I'll never, ever forget it. And her I'M HERE is the best stage moment I've ever seen.

But the one that surprised me the most was Michael C. Hall in CABARET.   

And I just have to say this:    Ben Platt in DEAR EVAN HANSEN was great as I expected;   Noah Galvin was the big surprise to me as his replacement-- one of the most under-appreciated stage performances of that year....beautiful work in a more subdued, but shattering, tone.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Whoever said Courtney Reed needs to seek help.

Joe Mantello in THE NORMAL HEART. Erivo in a close second, but every second of Mantello’s performance is burned into my memory.

[Bwayfan292]

I said Courtney, and I was just being sarcastic lol, she is hands down one of the worst performances ive ever seen.

[Lks216]

I've only had the privilege of seeing 3 shows on Broadway, so my pick for best performances are from regional theater. Both involve Beth Leavel.

Watching Beth Leavel perform the song Hello Dolly in the rain at The Muny is an experience that I think will never be topped.

My second best performance is watching Beth Leavel as Mama Rose in Gypsy. I'm not even a big fan of  the musical, but her performance took my breath away. 

[Skip23]

IdinaBellFoster said: "Whoever said Courtney Reed needs to seek help.

Joe Mantello in THE NORMAL HEART. Erivo in a close second, but every second of Mantello’s performance is burned into my memory. "

 

Forgot about Mantello.  Pretty great. 

Also Michael Urie and Jonathan Hadary in Angels. 

 

 

[mailhandler777]

Christine Dwyer as Jenna Hunterson in Waitress 1NT.