Michael Urie in Buyer & Cellar
Truly one of the most extraordinary performances I have ever seen. I felt like he was a master class in respect for the characters, humor and heartbreak all rolled into one!
Sherie Rene Scott as Amneris in Aida
Sherie is one of the most extraordinary actresses of our time. Her intelligence as a performer shines through, and her portrayal of Amneris was unforgettable for me!
LaChanze as Celie in The Color Purple
This show changed my life, and I even named my cat Celie after I saw LaChanze in this show!
Lindsay Mendez as Elphaba in Wicked
I can’t even begin to explain how it feels to watch one of your best friends make their star turn on Broadway. It was unforgettable, and I find myself remembering her performance as Elphaba all the time.
Mark Rylance as Olivia in Twelfth Night at the Globe Theatre in London
I saw Mark in 2002, and I thought I discovered this rare species of actor! I love that the world gets to see the genius of Mark!! I had never seen a woman played as well as Mark playing Olivia.
Joseph Millson as Macbeth at the Globe Theatre in London
Again, this is one of my dearest friends and one of the most brilliant actors I have ever worked with. Anytime you can see Joseph in anything, go go go! Luckily, his performance as Macbeth is preserved on DVD for all time! He made me understand Shakespeare in a way I have never known was possible!
Beth Leavel in The Drowsy Chaperone
I have never laughed as hard as I have laughed in the theatre seeing Beth’s performance. I find her absolutely exquisite in every way.
This is one of the greatest performances of all time. I found myself laughing so hard and then the final moment when she stepped out and sang as her true self — oh my God, it will live in my soul forever!!!!
Norm Lewis as Javert in Les Miserables' 25th anniversary
OK. We all know and love Norm, but no one can rival his Javert. I cried through the whole thing, and he made that character my dream role in my next life.
Essie Davis as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire at the National Theatre in London
I saw this show while I was studying abroad in London in 2002, and it was incredible. I will never forget when Blanche was being taken away at the end of the show and Essie as Stella was literally wailing from her soul in the most truthful, heartbreaking way. It was such an honest and moving performance.
