The Next Broadway Divas?

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:17am

As a male teenager growing up completely obsessed with musical theatre, I have developed a great affinity for the many Broadway Divas: Patti, Bernadette, Betty, Liza, Ethel, Christine to name a few. All of these women were elevated to Diva status based mostly on the decisions of gay men

Now with the fangirl generation growing up, I am left wondering: who are the next Broadway Divas? Is this era of YouTube, MTV and reality casting shows creating too many "stars" that there will no longer be a select few iconic Divas of Broadway?? Or will the gay man's influence prevail and create a new generation of Diva??

Any thoughts??
Updated On: 11/26/08 at 08:17 AM

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:23am

Sutton Foster :)

hopefully Autumn Hurlbert

[StockardFan]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:32am

I guess it depends on your definition of diva. I met Sutton before she was ever on Broadway, and she was very down to earth and almost tom-boyish. She didn't come across as a diva at all, unless she's changed?

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:35am

well the technical definition is "a famous female opera singer"
so, it doesn't mean she can't be a diva AND down to earth
because she seems so nice and i'm sure she is, but she is also very famous in the broadway world, and getting more known every day

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:37am

I didn't really mean diva as a short-tempered, tantrum-throwing bitch (akin to Carlotta in Phantom). I meant more like Broadway Icon elevated to status by gay men.
Does that make sense??

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:37am

my first double post Updated On: 11/26/08 at 08:37 AM

[StockardFan]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:38am

Yeah, I know what you mean.

It's just that the term "diva" has sort of evolved into a bad thing, away from the technical definition.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:52am

Sutton Foster
Idina Menzel
Kristin Chenoweth
Stephanie J. Block
Kate Shindle
Laura Bell Bundy

And I don't think it just relies on gay guys, I think "diva" can be defined by us straight male Broadway fans as well. :)

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:58am

oh lord..howcome you guys FORGET her???



Before all these young kids! (Bundy, Block, Shindle) SHE is a Diva!

J*

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:00am

I now feel bad for not including the amazing talent that is Christine Ebersole on the original list.

Shall change it straight away

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:01am

If Sara Ramirez returns to Broadway, she has the potential to achieve diva status in several years.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:03am

Christine Ebersole is the REIGNING DIVA on Broadway right now! From Grey Gardens, Applause and the coming BLITHE SPIRIT! No doubt about that! before all these young girls! CHRISTINE EBERSOLE!!!!!

Not to be mean, but some of your choices~ I am referring to some of the girls...THEY HAVE TOP PROVE THEMSELVES FIRST!!!

For me a DIVA has that STAR QUALITY! When she stands on the stage- she owns it!
and you dont see anything EXCEPT her! ~that's Christine Ebersole!

She stars or originate a role and it leaves an impact when you see her~people will remember her for GENERATIONS to come!Not just someone who has a leading role in a Broadway show! That's a leading actress. There's a difference between that an a DIVA!




Updated On: 11/26/08 at 09:03 AM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:10am

*Throws on Blonde Wig*

Me darling

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:13am

I actually know a few girls who I think could be the next best thing on Broadway.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:24am

Of all the list- Sutton Foster is most likely the next DIVA of all those young actress.
Though I think we might get confused between a very talented performer and a diva. I think Sutton is more of a talented performer. I still need to see that 'diva factor" in her. Remember a diva is a diva 24/7!

I saw Kristin Chenoweth in THE APPLE TREE ~and i think if she do more role like that..she will be the next Diva, though she is doing more TV than Broadway shows. I saw her at WICKED & CHARLIE BROWN but did not get that Diva vibe from her. I think Idina is more of a "diva" than Cheno.


Example is Liza Minnelli- i think she is 62 or 65 yrs old. but when you see her LIVE ~you'll know that she is a DIVA and you will know too why gay men (in the 70s and 80s) adore her... I think that's the DIVA FACTOR! Its hard to describe, but you know it when you see her perform onstage. I guess a closer word is you will be star struck!

J*
Updated On: 11/26/08 at 09:24 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:35am

Sutton Foster is the Mary Martin of the 21st Century. Extremely talented and popular, but will never make it to diva status.

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:39am

Totally agree Gotham.

Anyone see Steph J Block becoming an diva in years to come, or (like Sutton Foster) does she come across too down to earth?
Updated On: 11/26/08 at 09:39 AM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:42am

This is just my personal take on the meaning of what's a DIVA status on Broadway?

(as a gay man) I think there's a DIFFERENCE between you like someone and you ADORE someone.

Example: When I saw Christine Ebersole at GREY GARDENS- I just did not like her- I ADORE her... meaning from now on... everything she does - I will always LOVE IT. why? because that's how a Diva affects a gay man! If you think about it- Broadway Divas like Ethel Merman, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli always have these cult following amongst gay men and they never get sick and tired of their diva. A diva is probably is MUSE in Ancient Greece or an inspiration.

If I will nail of what makes a Diva on Broadway stage- for me-everything she does- we would love it soo much because WE SEE OURSELVES thru these Divas!

A very good example of a DIVA is Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman! I guess a DIVA wont exist without a gay man's imagination!



J*


Updated On: 11/26/08 at 09:42 AM

[sayokay]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:44am

Laura Bell Bundy!!!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:47am

Not to rain on the parade, but I do not think "divas" are being cultivated on the Broadway stage anymore. I think Audra and Cheno are the last of dying breed. I think of a Broadway diva as a name that is put over the marquee, an actress who tours the country and performs with orchestra and has a large following to sell out concert halls. Broadway producers are not looking to cultivate or grow a singer/actress anymore. They want nameless, faceless interchangable girls who do no warrant refunds when they cant perform.

Not to dismiss the talent of any performers but LBB, Sutton, Block are not marquee names-no one outside of theatre circles knows them. They are in no way legendary like a Liza, Bernadette, Patti and they will not have the opportunity because Broadway is not the launching padit once was. There is no doubt that these talented oyung women will always work but I do not think they will ever be considered divas outside a small circle of theatre afficianados.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:49am

while that is true, do you think that with the changing times, the definition changes? maybe a diva doesn't need an orchestra and tour the country as it once may have... i think as time changes, so does the defenition

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:57am

I think there will always be divas to gay men and theatre fans, but I think part of the cache of being a "diva" is that you are bigger than life, legendary, and known. I have tons of divas that are chorus girls who can sing their asses off and I go watch their cabarets, but I think the days of a Patti or Bernadette are not long for this world.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:58am

I think that a diva has to be larger than life and therefore have some stories attached to her.

Merman throwing the drunk man out among all the other stories.

LuPone - Oh the stories! Where does one begin?

Liza (compare her to Lorna, same family, different diva status)

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:59am

"diva" is that you are bigger than life, legendary, and known.

I agree with this definition.

BIGGER THAN LIFE
LEGENDARY
KNOWN

may I add.. LONGEVITY~that's why i am on the fence to add some of these young girls on the list!

J*

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:02am

So where does Angela Lansbury fall? She's been around, she's known, but I'm not sure she's bigger than life. There aren't many stories about her like with Merman or LuPone.