Top 20 Rewatchable Male Broadway Belts

#20: Sunset Boulevard, Tom Francis

Sunset Boulevard

The English actor first played the role of Joe Gillis on the West End in 2023 before transferring with the production, and its star, Nicole Scherzinger, to Broadway. Tom Francis performance of the shows title number is absolutely haunting. This song, which opens the second act, is staged in such a way that Francis actually exits the theater and is shown performing it on the streets of New York before returning to the theater. The last moments showcase his siren of a voice. Youll watch it again just to hear how he ramps up into it and then punctuates it with that growl on the end of the note.

#19: One Song Glory, Adam Pascal

Rent

If you listen to this guy belt long enough, the time just flies. See what we did there? Adam Pascals voice sounds just as ideal for the stage as it does a 90s grunge rock band. And being a rock singer was actually his plan before he found musical theater. But Jonathan Larsons rock-based musical turned him into a leading man, and his role as Roger Davis made him a part of one of Broadways most legendary shows. Pascals resonant tenor gets a workout on One Song Glory. When you listen, its kind of amazing to think somebody could do that eight times a week. His tone is so clear but you can tell theres something soulful and husky in it.

#18: Sit Down, Youre Rockin the Boat, Tituss Burgess

Guys and Dolls

In the 2009 revival of this midcentury classic, the future Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star led the company through one of Broadways most famous songs. Before he was singing about the joys of pinot noir, Tituss Burgess played Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls. He brought his powerhouse vocal talent to an incredibly spirited Sit Down, Youre Rockin the Boat. The song, while always a crowd-pleaser, is turned into a brassy, belty showpiece. Burgess wields his piercing, spine-tingling voice like a weapon, deploying it at every opportunity. Luckily, his stunning performance was captured during that years Tony ceremony.

#17: Still, Ramin Karimloo

Anastasia

Having played some of the most famous roles on Broadway, we couldnt not include this Tony-nominated Canadian actor and his glorious belt. Some of Ramin Karimloos best vocal work may be in Anastasia. Karimloo plays Gleb Vaganov in this animated film-to-stage adaptation, which sees him contending with his duty as a loyal Russian and a man in love with the forgotten Romanov. In one of his two best songs, Karimloos belt is as powerful as a horn, full of throbbing vibrato and gut-wrenching emotion. And whats more, he does all that through a half-closed mouth.

#16: Dancing Through Life, Norbert Leo Butz

Wicked

Its easy to see why so many Broadway heartthrobs of the last 20 years have played Fiyero, as the part offers a lot to an actor. His introductory song sums up his entire approach to life and school. Put zero effort or care into anything and everything. Hes the guy whos too cool for school, and he requires a performer who can dance and belt without looking like hes trying too hard. Enter Norbert Leo Butz, who tackles Dancing Through Life with ease. His vocals are smooth, despite the enormous effort it takes to dance and project some of the songs more demanding notes. Theres a reason hes the blueprint for the role.

#15: The Impossible Dream, Richard Kiley

Man of La Mancha

There might not be a more perfect male belting song from the classic Broadway era. In 1965, Richard Kiley originated the dual role of Don Quixote and Miguel de Cervantes in Man of La Mancha. As the eccentric and pathologically idealistic knight, he also introduced a new standard in The Impossible Dream. This song is a full-on belt-fest that became a Broadway standard. Encapsulating Don Quixotes entire philosophy, its punctuated by big, bold vocal moments from Kiley that came to define the way the song is sung and the role played.

#14: For Forever, Ben Platt

Dear Evan Hansen

The Tony winner has been praised up and down for his performance as an anxiety-ridden teenager whose lies inspire a movement. But Ben Platts instrument isnt the only thing thats impressive here. The songs in Dear Evan Hansen are really hard to sing. On top of the belting, theres the fluctuation of notes and the speed at which some of them have to be sung. Waving Through a Window has some powerful moments of belting and falsetto. But our pick goes to Platts approach to For Forever, the song he sings to a dead classmates family. His deft handling of the songs second half is a feat of musicality and sheer lung power.

#13: Move On, Mandy Patinkin

Sunday in the Park with George

Stephen Sondheim composed this show, a story of art and immortality told through the creation of a famous pointillist painting by Georges Seurat. Mandy Patinkin plays both the original artist and his fictional grandson, a frustrated painter living in his grandfathers shadow. The performers trademark tenor lifts the shows climactic ballad, Move On, and makes it soar. In this moment of epiphany for his character, he bursts in halfway through with some genuinely thrilling notes. Hes even more impressive given that he duetted the song with Bernadette Peters, owner of one of the stages most powerful belts.

#12: Make Them Hear You, Brian Stokes Mitchell

Ragtime

This Tony-winning baritone was the first to perform this now-classic song on a Broadway stage. With one of the strongest, most distinctive voices in musical history, listening to Brian Stokes Mitchells belt is like slipping into a warm bath. Make Them Hear You sees his character, Coalhouse Walker Jr., addressing the men hes led into a dangerous act of protest. The rousing song about the power of words over violence ends with a rousing long note that he savors until the very last drop. It washes over you. Its one of the reasons his rendition seems to be the definitive one.

#11: It All Fades Away, Steven Pasquale

The Bridges of Madison County

This underrated musical is based on the heartbreaking novel of the same name. It tells the story of a passionate affair between a married Italian immigrant and the adventurous photographer who happens upon her farm. Steven Pasquale originated the role of Robert in its 2014 Broadway production. Pasquale must sing this, his final song in the show, as an old man looking back on his life and this brief but profound romance. The entire song is an intense vocal exercise, but the most magical part doesnt even feature lyrics. His voice becomes another instrument, vocalizing through the building emotions until coming to a shattering crescendo. Pasquale put his stamp on this amazing number forever.

#10: Bring Him Home, John Owen Jones

Les Misérables

Les Misérables is a musical that offers many a chance for male singers to show off their best belts. Between Valjean, Javert, Marius, and Enjolras, its a feast for the boys. We absolutely love Philip Quasts stirring rendition of Stars, for instance. But its hard to beat John Owen-Jones at his best. Bring Him Home is one of the musicals best numbers, and Jones carries that simple, gorgeous melody with gravitas and strength. The control over his soft, beautiful falsetto is only matched by his powerful belts when the song finally reaches its emotional crescendo.

#9: One Last Time, Christopher Jackson

Hamilton

We sure hope we never have to listen to this belt for the last time. Christopher Jacksons run as George Washington in the hit musical Hamilton is a performance to contend with. Not only does he nail the hip-hop elements of his numbers, but his smooth, buttery vocals lend a comforting quality to Washington that not many could master. This soothing quality comes to a head with One Last Time, George Washingtons swan song. By the time Jackson begins his effortless runs and riffs at the end of the number, youre completely under his spell. That final belt is something to behold.

#8: My Petersburg, Derek Klena

Anastasia

Any musical theater kid worth their salt knows that a voice like Derek Klenas doesn't come around everyday. Hes more than proved he can belt with the best of them, and we had a tough time finding our favorite high note moment. We could have gone with his heartbreaking rendition of Come Back in Dogfight. But the exhilaration we feel hearing My Petersburg is too great to ignore! As Dmitry in Anastasia, Klena brought a cartoon heartthrob to life, both physically and vocally. In the final few verses of My Petersburg, the notes keep climbing higher and higher until he finally lets the last one rip and its big, folks!

#7: Ill Cover You (Reprise), Jesse L. Martin

Rent

Its time to break out the tissues. Jesse L. Martin played Collins in the original Broadway production of Rent. He then reprised his role for the 2005 movie, ensuring that we could all hear his incredible chops whenever we desire. His entire vocal performance is masterful, but theres nothing like listening to him sing Ill Cover You (Reprise). The main version of Ill Cover You is a love song between Collins and Angel. But the former sings the reprise during the latters funeral, giving it a heart-wrenching turn. Martins voice is so filled with emotion that you can hardly believe hes able to pump out those high notes as well as he does. Yet no one could do it better.

#6: El Tango de Roxanne, Aaron Tveit

Moulin Rouge!

If theres one thing Aaron Tveit is known for, its those effortless high notes. Whether its Im Alive in Next to Normal or Goodbye in Catch Me If You Can, he can straight up sing. When Tveit was cast as Christian in Moulin Rouge!, we couldnt wait to see his take on the character Ewan McGregor so expertly portrayed in the original 2001 film. We especially couldnt wait to hear him sing El Tango de Roxanne. And we were right to be excited! Tveit imbues the melody with so much rage and sorrow, his belts come out tinged with growls and snarls. Its so perfectly angsty we can barely handle it.

#5: I Believe, Andrew Rannells

The Book of Mormon

We believe this might be one of the best belts to ever grace the Broadway stage! Rannells is a beloved musical actor who has many a high note to his name. We absolutely love the vulnerability he brings to his rendition of The Games I Play from Falsettos. But theres certainly one belt you think of when you think of Andrew Rannells, and thats I Believe. His performance as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon was not only a comedic revelation, but a vocal one. When the key change hits in I Believe, its a flabbergasting moment. You cant believe pun intended that he can go higher, but somehow he does.

#4: Music of the Night, Michael Crawford

The Phantom of the Opera

Many singers have played the titular Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera over the years, and many have done it to great success. Ramin Karimloo is one of those actors. His belts in Til I Hear You Sing, a song from the original musicals sequel Love Never Dies, are something to behold. But theres one name and performance that continues to be synonymous with the name Phantom and thats Michael Crawford singing The Music of the Night. Crawford has an impeccable tone and pitch, ebbing and flowing with the music expertly and hitting the crescendo with some of the most astounding vocal power weve ever heard.

#3: Santa Fe, Jeremy Jordan

Newsies

We couldnt make this list without at least one Jeremy Jordan belt. His performance as Jamie in The Last Five Years movie is a great one his version of Moving Too Fast is particularly striking. But as we said, were sticking to Broadway, so there was really only one logical answer Santa Fe. Jordans performance as Jack Kelly, the leader of the newsboys in Newsies, is one that put him on the map. It made Santa Fe a sort of signature song of his. Jordan hits some high ones throughout the song, but in the numbers final moments, he goes for broke. Its no wonder people always want to hear him sing this.

#2: Heaven on Their Minds, Carl Anderson

Jesus Christ Superstar

We bet you didnt know Judas could sing like that! Carl Anderson was one heck of a talent, and his interpretation of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar ensured that his talent would forever be a part of Broadway history. This musical has a number of amazing, belty performances associated with it including Steve Balsamos wonderful version of Gethsemane. But nothing beats Anderson singing Heaven on Their Minds. The song basically opens the show, and involves Judas espousing his concerns about Jesus and his role as the Messiah. Anderson, of course, hits each note with the perfect amount of frustration and power.

#1: Being Alive, Raúl Esparza

Company

We know that award shows often make controversial choices and thats ok! But we dont know if well ever be able to forgive the Tonys for not awarding the big prize to Raúl Esparza for his portrayal of Bobby in the 2006 revival of Company. Esparza nails the role, but its his mesmerizing vocal performance that blows us away the most particularly his final belty moments in Being Alive. This song serves as Bobbys I Want number near the end, allowing him to finally come to terms with commitment and vocalize what he desires in a romance. Esparza is amazing throughout, but the last few notes are mind-boggling in their delivery our mouths are just as agape as his.

Did your favorite performer make the list? Tell us who we left out in the comments.