Top 10 Broadway Leading Men
We're back again with the results of another combined twitter and Broadwayspace.com poll. After the excitement surrounding the Top 10 Broadway Belters, we decided to extend it to the men who lead up Broadway shows and see who your favorites are. These results are completely due to your voting and your opinions, so we hope you like what you see!
With our leading men, we've added a new aspect: our favorite songs sung by each of these extremely talented gentlemen. We've added a few youtube links for the songs that aren't part of produced shows (or have been cut), so that you can take a listen. Otherwise, find them on iTunes! Enjooooy.
10. CHEYENNE JACKSON
If there is one man on Broadway who is reminiscent of a classic leading man of the past, that would be Cheyenne Jackson. He's tall, muscular, kind of dark and absolutely one of the most handsome men working on the Great White Way right now. His voice could make any girl (or guy) melt in their bobby socks. He's got a great range, both vocally and acting wise. He can be funny, he can be serious, and even my mother loves him! Seriously though, if that voice doesn't do it for you, we're not really sure what will.
Favorite Songs: Elephant Love Medley (Moulin Rouge), Old Devil Moon (Finian's Rainbow), Don't Walk Away (Xanadu)
9. CHAD KIMBALL
Chad Kimball isn't your average leading man. He's quirky and unique. The first time I saw him perform in Memphis (for which he is now a Tony nominated actor, by the way!) I was torn between wanting him to be my awesomely geeky brother and finding myself mildly attracted to him. Beyond that, we know he is one of the most convincing leading men working at the moment. If you don't believe that he really loves Memphis then you just aren't paying close enough attention.
Favorite Songs: Memphis Lives in Me (Memphis), The Music of My Soul (Memphis), Giants in the Sky (Into the Woods)
8. BRIAN D'ARCY JAMES
Most people are suckers for great accents, and Irish is just one of the many talents that leading man Brian d'Arcy James has. He's shown than he can pull out all the stops in every kind of show, all across the board. If the other men on this list thing that they're versitile, they should try dressing up in a green fat suit (pfft, Elphaba actresses think THEY have it hard)! He works his magic in plays and musicals alike and if Cheyenne Jackson is the old fashion leading man, Brian somehow manages to fall right in between the old and the new, bringing a happy medium here at number 8. Can't wait to welcome him back to the cast of Next to Normal.
Favorite Songs: You Don't Know/I Am The One (Next to Normal--Off-Broadway), Who I'd Be (Shrek)
7. NORBERT LEO BUTZ
He donned those tight white pants as the original Fiyero in the smash hit Wicked, but growing up (and out of the pants, according to him) hasn't stopped Norbert Leo Butz. We're hoping to see him next season in Catch Me If You Can, but some of his past work is some of the best, in our so humble opinion. Flash back to 2002 when Sherie Rene Scott (Currently starring in Everyday Rapture) were working off Broadway on Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, Norbert made a name for himself as one of the guys to be, singing those notoriously difficult songs. He's unique, funny and way too talented for his own good.
Favorite Songs: I Could Be in Love with Someone Like You (The Last Five Years), As Long As You're Mine (Wicked), The Next Ten Minutes (The Last Five Years)
6. LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
With a hit, Tony winning show on Broadway and a movie in the works (which is nothing to say of his side projects) Lin-Manuel Miranda brings a totally new type of talent to is list. Not only did write the show, he led the cast as the goofy, lovable bodega owner, Usnavi, in In The Heights. His genius is felt all across Broadway from his work on the revival on West Side Story to his upcoming project: Bring It On. I have yet to run across a person coming out of the Richard Rogers Theatre who didn't love what they saw. He's reworked the way the world sees the Latino community and he's given his people something to be proud of and stand up with. We're glad he's found his home here on Broadway.
Favorite songs: Finale (In The Heights), 96 Thousand (In The Heights), Hamilton Mix Tape.
5. RAUL ESPARZA
If there is one man on Broadway who fans continually complain was robbed of a Tony award, it's Raul Esparza! This man has led many a cast, repeatedly impressing fans and critics alike. From plays to musicals, he is known for putting his emotional all into a role, bringing new life to revival characters and making us fall in love with his originating roles. He's a brilliantly haunting performer who seems to do no wrong, with that stunning vibrato we just can't get enough. Get that next role, Raul, and please, for the love of everything, get yourself that Tony before the fans revolt!
Favorite songs: Being Alive (Company), Why (Tick, Tick...BOOM!), Petrified (Taboo)
4. AARON TVEIT
Aaron Tveit is without a doubt the golden boy of Broadway. He jumped from a virtual nobody to a fan (and casting agent) favorite in what felt like mere minutes. Over the course of three years he played four different roles on stage alone--three of which have become iconic roles. His baby blues and boy band face may have attracted us initially, it's his voice that keeps us coming back for more. Whether it's Next to Normal or Gossip Girl, fans are lining up to see Tveit and hear his perfect tenor voice. It's rare to find a true tenor who can belt up in the rafters and not sound like a girl. Well, look no further!
Favorite Songs: Run Away With Me (Kerrigan-Lowdermilk), I'm Alive (Next to Normal)
3. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (LMAO)
There's a serious bias against most people who have been on American Idol, for whatever reason, but what people don't bother to check is the fact that some of those talented contestants like our number three leading man, Constantine Maroulis, was working in musical theatre long before Idol. He did a stint in the tour of RENT before being on tv. Now we know him as the Tony nominated best actor for his work in the smash hit Rock of Ages. He's funny and endearing as Drew, but it's really his pipes and the "eyes" that have the fans coming back for more. He's definitely a man to watch as he heads out on tour with his show. We're eager to see what's next.
Favorite Songs: Don't Stop Believin' (Rock of Ages), Hallelujah
2. JONATHAN GROFF
After recently making the cross from the stage to both the big and small screen, Jonathan Groff is at the top of the list for younger leading men, which brings him in at number 2 on our list. His adorable baby face and dulcet tones make him a favorite amongst the ladies, but his acting chops have allowed him to defy genres. From plays to musicals, Taking Woodstock to Glee, he's proven himself a terrific performer who isn't planning to stop anytime soon. With time, and a few more years under his belt, Jonathan Groff may just bump himself up to the top spot.
Favorite Songs: Those You've Known (Spring Awakening), Hello (Glee), Now (Scott Alan)
1. GAVIN CREEL
Gavin Creel is at the top of so many Broadway fans' lists it's no surprise that we find him rounding off our top 10 leading men at number 1. Although he is currently across the pond continuing his Tony nominated role as Claude in the Aquarius tribe of Hair in London, his resume boasts of a wealth of diverse roles. From hippies in Hair to tap dancing street sweepers in Disney's Mary Poppins, cross dressers in La Cage to classic lover in Thoroughly Modern Millie--Mr. Creel always leads the pack. Off stage he is an activist and role model in the fight for Gay Rights and marriage equality with his grass roots coalition: Broadway Impact. He's a well rounded performer and a dedicated human being, what more could we want from a leading man?
Favorite songs: I Got Life (Hair), These Four Walls
source
With our leading men, we've added a new aspect: our favorite songs sung by each of these extremely talented gentlemen. We've added a few youtube links for the songs that aren't part of produced shows (or have been cut), so that you can take a listen. Otherwise, find them on iTunes! Enjooooy.
10. CHEYENNE JACKSON
If there is one man on Broadway who is reminiscent of a classic leading man of the past, that would be Cheyenne Jackson. He's tall, muscular, kind of dark and absolutely one of the most handsome men working on the Great White Way right now. His voice could make any girl (or guy) melt in their bobby socks. He's got a great range, both vocally and acting wise. He can be funny, he can be serious, and even my mother loves him! Seriously though, if that voice doesn't do it for you, we're not really sure what will.
Favorite Songs: Elephant Love Medley (Moulin Rouge), Old Devil Moon (Finian's Rainbow), Don't Walk Away (Xanadu)
9. CHAD KIMBALL
Chad Kimball isn't your average leading man. He's quirky and unique. The first time I saw him perform in Memphis (for which he is now a Tony nominated actor, by the way!) I was torn between wanting him to be my awesomely geeky brother and finding myself mildly attracted to him. Beyond that, we know he is one of the most convincing leading men working at the moment. If you don't believe that he really loves Memphis then you just aren't paying close enough attention.
Favorite Songs: Memphis Lives in Me (Memphis), The Music of My Soul (Memphis), Giants in the Sky (Into the Woods)
8. BRIAN D'ARCY JAMES
Most people are suckers for great accents, and Irish is just one of the many talents that leading man Brian d'Arcy James has. He's shown than he can pull out all the stops in every kind of show, all across the board. If the other men on this list thing that they're versitile, they should try dressing up in a green fat suit (pfft, Elphaba actresses think THEY have it hard)! He works his magic in plays and musicals alike and if Cheyenne Jackson is the old fashion leading man, Brian somehow manages to fall right in between the old and the new, bringing a happy medium here at number 8. Can't wait to welcome him back to the cast of Next to Normal.
Favorite Songs: You Don't Know/I Am The One (Next to Normal--Off-Broadway), Who I'd Be (Shrek)
7. NORBERT LEO BUTZ
He donned those tight white pants as the original Fiyero in the smash hit Wicked, but growing up (and out of the pants, according to him) hasn't stopped Norbert Leo Butz. We're hoping to see him next season in Catch Me If You Can, but some of his past work is some of the best, in our so humble opinion. Flash back to 2002 when Sherie Rene Scott (Currently starring in Everyday Rapture) were working off Broadway on Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, Norbert made a name for himself as one of the guys to be, singing those notoriously difficult songs. He's unique, funny and way too talented for his own good.
Favorite Songs: I Could Be in Love with Someone Like You (The Last Five Years), As Long As You're Mine (Wicked), The Next Ten Minutes (The Last Five Years)
6. LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
With a hit, Tony winning show on Broadway and a movie in the works (which is nothing to say of his side projects) Lin-Manuel Miranda brings a totally new type of talent to is list. Not only did write the show, he led the cast as the goofy, lovable bodega owner, Usnavi, in In The Heights. His genius is felt all across Broadway from his work on the revival on West Side Story to his upcoming project: Bring It On. I have yet to run across a person coming out of the Richard Rogers Theatre who didn't love what they saw. He's reworked the way the world sees the Latino community and he's given his people something to be proud of and stand up with. We're glad he's found his home here on Broadway.
Favorite songs: Finale (In The Heights), 96 Thousand (In The Heights), Hamilton Mix Tape.
5. RAUL ESPARZA
If there is one man on Broadway who fans continually complain was robbed of a Tony award, it's Raul Esparza! This man has led many a cast, repeatedly impressing fans and critics alike. From plays to musicals, he is known for putting his emotional all into a role, bringing new life to revival characters and making us fall in love with his originating roles. He's a brilliantly haunting performer who seems to do no wrong, with that stunning vibrato we just can't get enough. Get that next role, Raul, and please, for the love of everything, get yourself that Tony before the fans revolt!
Favorite songs: Being Alive (Company), Why (Tick, Tick...BOOM!), Petrified (Taboo)
4. AARON TVEIT
Aaron Tveit is without a doubt the golden boy of Broadway. He jumped from a virtual nobody to a fan (and casting agent) favorite in what felt like mere minutes. Over the course of three years he played four different roles on stage alone--three of which have become iconic roles. His baby blues and boy band face may have attracted us initially, it's his voice that keeps us coming back for more. Whether it's Next to Normal or Gossip Girl, fans are lining up to see Tveit and hear his perfect tenor voice. It's rare to find a true tenor who can belt up in the rafters and not sound like a girl. Well, look no further!
Favorite Songs: Run Away With Me (Kerrigan-Lowdermilk), I'm Alive (Next to Normal)
3. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (LMAO)
There's a serious bias against most people who have been on American Idol, for whatever reason, but what people don't bother to check is the fact that some of those talented contestants like our number three leading man, Constantine Maroulis, was working in musical theatre long before Idol. He did a stint in the tour of RENT before being on tv. Now we know him as the Tony nominated best actor for his work in the smash hit Rock of Ages. He's funny and endearing as Drew, but it's really his pipes and the "eyes" that have the fans coming back for more. He's definitely a man to watch as he heads out on tour with his show. We're eager to see what's next.
Favorite Songs: Don't Stop Believin' (Rock of Ages), Hallelujah
2. JONATHAN GROFF
After recently making the cross from the stage to both the big and small screen, Jonathan Groff is at the top of the list for younger leading men, which brings him in at number 2 on our list. His adorable baby face and dulcet tones make him a favorite amongst the ladies, but his acting chops have allowed him to defy genres. From plays to musicals, Taking Woodstock to Glee, he's proven himself a terrific performer who isn't planning to stop anytime soon. With time, and a few more years under his belt, Jonathan Groff may just bump himself up to the top spot.
Favorite Songs: Those You've Known (Spring Awakening), Hello (Glee), Now (Scott Alan)
1. GAVIN CREEL
Gavin Creel is at the top of so many Broadway fans' lists it's no surprise that we find him rounding off our top 10 leading men at number 1. Although he is currently across the pond continuing his Tony nominated role as Claude in the Aquarius tribe of Hair in London, his resume boasts of a wealth of diverse roles. From hippies in Hair to tap dancing street sweepers in Disney's Mary Poppins, cross dressers in La Cage to classic lover in Thoroughly Modern Millie--Mr. Creel always leads the pack. Off stage he is an activist and role model in the fight for Gay Rights and marriage equality with his grass roots coalition: Broadway Impact. He's a well rounded performer and a dedicated human being, what more could we want from a leading man?
Favorite songs: I Got Life (Hair), These Four Walls
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