Broadway's 25 all-time greatest divas

We name the top leading ladies of musical theater.

By Adam Feldman and David Cote Tue Jan 24 2012

Historians of the Broadway musical, from the academy to the piano bar, agree on one thing: the archetypal Broadway star is a woman. Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Gwen Verdon, Carol Channing—legendary ladies such as these were the bulbs that lit the Great White Way in its golden and silver ages, and they still dominate the mythology of the genre. But there's something deeply personal about choosing one's favorites. Back in the day, show-tune aficionados argued the merits of Merman versus Martin; today, one might find similar divisions among partisans of Patti LuPone and Bernadette Peters, or Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. So we expect a few heated arguments as we offer our own ranked choices of the 25 greatest leading ladies—ever—in Broadway musicals. To your stations, fans! Let the diva wars begin!

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 2/5 (3 ratings)

  • How in the world could you leave out the fabulous, Betty Buckley? She is the voice!

    Dianne Buckley Wed Apr 10
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  • Another list slanted toward today's stars who do one hit and run off to Television. Where's Marilyn Miller, Ziegfeld's greatest star? Or Vivienne Segal who went from Operetta to Rodgers and Hart? These ladies performed for decades on Broadway. If you add it all up someone like Liza Minnelli has only been on Broadway for a year and a month in total. And Streisand disappeared after two shows.

    Bwaymike@aol.com Sun Oct 14 2012
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  • <a href="http://www.9com.info/desktop/icons/free-car-icon-library-download-i9-6900.html"> Anything.</a>

    icon design Sun Oct 7 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • Carol Burnett is on this list but not Bebe Neuwirth? You've GOT to be joking. Also, Patti LuPone is way too high up there...

    Kendall Wed Aug 8 2012
    Rated as: 1/5
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  • YES! Carol Channing and Sutton Foster made the list!

    Thomas J Sun Jul 29 2012
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  • No LEA SALONGA??????? Blasphemy!!!!

    Albert Thu Jul 26 2012
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  • How come Barbra's only number 13????? THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! Though I must agree that Patti LuPone is one of the top divas on Broadway. AND I had the blessing to meet her on NYC: two dreams coming true at once!! :)

    Rachel Fri Jul 6 2012
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  • You forgot: Heather Headly Bebe Neuwirth Linda Eder AND CMON..... NO ONE bothered to mention Marin Mazzie???

    Juliana Thu May 31 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • I agree entirely that she is the diva of divas. So why is there no Broadway theatre named after ETHEL MERMAN ? Jacobs, Schoenfeld, Friedman? Really? But no, Merman? I guess her family didn't know the right people or donate enough money to buy the naming rights.

    Paul Fri May 25 2012
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  • I agree entirely that she is the diva of divas. So why is there no Broadway theatre named after ETHEL MERMAN ? Jacobs, Schoenfeld, Friedman? Really? But no, Merman? I guess her family didn't know the right people or donate enough money to buy the naming rights.

    Paul Fri May 25 2012
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