Top 10 Stellar First Roles for Broadway Stars

Top 10 Broadway Stars in Their Very First Roles

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the debut performances of some of Broadway’s biggest names!

#10: Lea Michele

Long before she was part of television’s most famous show choir, Lea Michele was storming the barricades! Michele made her Broadway debut as Young Cosette in the 1995 revival run of “Les Misérables”. Afterwards, the powerhouse vocalist continued her theatrical career appearing in the first Broadway company of “Ragtime” and originated the role of Wendla Bergmann in the smash hit musical, “Spring Awakening”. Michele eventually left the bustling streets of New York for Hollywood, appearing as the musical-theatre-obsessed Rachel Berry on “Glee”. Later, she would return to her roots in the long-awaited 2022 Broadway revival of “Funny Girl”, replacing Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice.

#9: Idina Menzel

Imagine your first professional theatre credit also results in your Broadway debut! Well, that is exactly what happened to the one and only Idina Menzel. Originating the role of Maureen Johnson in the cultural phenomenon, “Rent” set Menzel up for an illustrious career in the theatre. Not only was she nominated for a Tony Award for her part, but she would also go onto reprise the role in the musical’s 2005 film adaptation. Since “Rent”, Menzel has famously starred as Elphaba in one of Broadway’s longest running musicals, “Wicked” and voiced Elsa in the Disney blockbuster “Frozen” franchise.

#8: Leslie Odom Jr.

Barely out of high school, Leslie Odom Jr.’s career was already taking off! At just 17 years old, Odom made his Broadway debut in “Rent”. He continued to work actively in the industry but it wasn’t until 2015 when he became one of Broadway’s biggest names. The musical “Hamilton”, in which he starred as former American Vice President and Founding Father Aaron Burr, launched Odom into the history books. From Off-Broadway to Broadway’s Richard Rogers Theatre, he was one of the breakout stars of the musical theatre juggernaut. His stardom continued to rise when he earned a Tony Award for the role. Nearly 10 years later, Odom continues to light up the stage as well as the screen.

#7: Renée Elise Goldsberry

Today, Broadway fans know Renée Elise Goldsberry for her Tony Award-winning role as Angelica Schuyler in “Hamilton”. But did you know her Broadway origins began a few blocks away at Disney’s New Amsterdam Theatre? Joining the cast of “The Lion King” in 2002, Goldsberry made her Broadway debut as Priderock’s Nala. From there she earned more Broadway credits in shows like “The Color Purple” and “Rent” before starting a revolution with “Hamilton”. Since then, she has appeared on screen in shows like “Girls5eva” and “She-Hulk”. In 2024, she joined a rotating cast of Broadway stars in the comedy “All In: Comedy About Love” at the Hudson Theatre.

#6: Sutton Foster

In 1996, Broadway may not have known it but one of its future icons had just made her debut. Appearing as Sandy Dumbrowski in the ‘94-’98 revival of “Grease”, Sutton Foster’s career was already picking up steam. Shortly after “Grease”, Foster booked roles in other Broadway shows like “Annie”, “Les Misérables” and “The Scarlet Pimpernel”. In 2002, everything changed when Foster was cast in her breakout role as Millie Dillmount in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, a role which earned her her first Tony. Since then she’s earned a prolific career as one of Broadway’s living legends tackling coveted roles such as Reno Sweeney, The Baker’s Wife, Mrs. Lovett and Marian Paroo.

#5: Mandy Patinkin

From artists to lords, Mandy Patinkin has built a career out of playing some of theatre’s most challenging roles. He got his professional stage debut in 1975 with Arthur Wing Pinero’s 1800s comedy, “Trelawny of the ‘Wells’”. Starring alongside Meryl Streep who was also making her Broadway debut, Patinkin went on to appear in more plays which eventually led him to musical theatre. Portraying Che in “Evita” and later George in “Sunday in the Park With George”, he has worked with some of the genre’s biggest composers such as Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

#4: Barbra Streisand

Although she has not appeared on a Broadway stage since the 1960s, Barbra Streisand’s impact on the Great White Way is immeasurable. Long before she was one of show biz’s biggest icons, she was cutting her teeth as a rising star in New York. She made her Broadway debut at only 19 years old, as Miss Marmelstein in “I Can Get It for You Wholesale”. Directed by the legendary Arthur Laurents, the musical saw Streisand receive rave reviews for her comedic performance. A short time later, she appeared in the role that would make her a star: “Funny Girl’s” Fanny Brice. Famously, she would go on to reprise the role in the film adaptation which won her an Academy Award.

#3: Patti LuPone

It’s impossible to mention Broadway and not immediately think of the one and only Patti LuPone. A force unlike any other, this Tony Award winner has graced Broadway stages for decades and it all began in 1973. Fresh out of Juilliard, LuPone made her debut in a production of Anton Chekhov’s “The Three Sisters”. Only a few years later, she landed her star-turning role in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical, “Evita” and the rest, as they say, is history. From New York to London’s West End, LuPone has gone on to play some of music theatre’s most iconic roles including Reno Sweeney, Norma Desmond, Mrs. Lovett, Rose Hovick, Fantine as well as originating countless roles.

#2: Audra McDonald

Since the early ‘90s, Audra McDonald has been a familiar face on the Broadway stage. Winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, it’s hard to remember a time when she was an up and comer. In 1992, she earned her first Broadway credit when she joined the cast of “The Secret Garden” as replacement for the part of Ayah. Fast forward to a couple of years later and McDonald became a Tony winner for her portrayal of Carrie Pipperidge in “Carousel”. From then on, her career continued to grow with her gaining praise for her roles in a myriad of shows like “Ragtime”, “Porgy and Bess”, “Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill” and currently, the 2024 revival of “Gypsy”.

#1: Lea Salonga

At only 17 years old, Lea Salonga’s life took a major turn. After an extensive audition process, Salonga was selected to star and originate the role of Kim in “Miss Saigon”. Debuting in London’s West End, the musical came to Broadway in 1991 with Salonga continuing to lead the production. Her passionate and heart wrenching portrayal of the ill-fated character earned her a Tony Award in a Lead Acting category, making her the very first Asian performer to do so. From that point on, she was cemented as a musical theatre idol, going on to perform in Broadway and international productions like “Les Misérables”, “Flower Drum Song”, “Allegiance”, “Once On This Island”, “My Fair Lady”, “Cats” and most recently, “Here Lies Love”.

Which one of these Broadway icons is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!