Behold, part 2 of preparing for Wicked. Adapting a Broadway musical into a movie is not an easy task. While some adaptations were total trainwrecks, others were homeruns. Same goes with the performances. Some are so great that they might possibly rival the Broadway version, while others straight up suck. This is a list of the best movie performances of Broadway roles in my opinion. In order for a performance to be eligible the source must start of as a Broadway musical first before it enters the big screen, So you won’t be seeing anyone from Hairspray on this list. I’m also excluding a performance if the actor just so happened to be the original actor for the Broadway show, meaning Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl is also excluded.
#10: Gerard Butler as The Phantom- The Phantom Of The Opera
I watched most of Phantom Of The Opera during high school and thought the movie itself was just meh (especially after seeing the Broadway musical on a field trip). Not a fan of Butler's singing so it's probably strange to include him on this list, but his acting was fantastic. The scene where Christine kisses him was probably his best scene as you can see his villainous nature completely melt away. I felt really bad for him at that point despite the fact that he tried to force Christine to marry him at the cost of Raoul's life (which is messed up of course). Again, it was probably a bad idea to include Butler on the list. But to be honest, I needed more boys. And Butler's performance wasn't perfect, but it wasn't terrible either in any way.
#9: Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
I wish I could see Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Thankfully, I did have the honor of watching a recording of the original cast during high school and I loved it. Given how strange Depp is normally, the role of Sweeney Todd isn't really much of a stretch for him. Todd is a nutjob, albeit a tragic one for good reason. Another thing that helps with Depp's performance is his chemistry with Helena Bonham Carter, who also plays a lot of nutjobs on screen. I don't think the movie will ever top the original cast, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t come pretty darn close or hold its own. And again, with someone as loopy as Johnny Depp in the lead role, the movie pretty much had nowhere to go but up.
#8: Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean- Les Misérables
Look, I HATE Les Misérables. I hate it with a burning passion. I know this will be rather controversial, but the musical is just too depressing for me. But I still have to acknowledge that it is one of the most iconic Broadway musicals of all time (for reasons I don't understand and never will). I'm well aware that people were pretty mixed on the movie but liked certain performances, including Hugh Jackman. Considering the man is talented as HELL, I'm not surprised. He did win a Golden Globe and earned his very first (and so far only) Oscar nomination. To be honest, Anne Hathaway probably should've taken this spot as she won an Oscar for her role in this. But I have a soft spot for Hugh (cough, cough, WOLVERINE!).
#7: Jennifer Hudson as Effie White- Dreamgirls
Not the biggest fan of Hudson, sometimes she's kind of annoying (an issue I have with Cynthia Erivo). But I would be lying if I said I hate Dreamgirls. I love the musical, I love the movie and my mom and aunt participated in a community production of it. And I can't deny that she sang the HELL out of And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going. She can't top the GOAT Jennifer Holliday, but she can come real close. Her interpretation of that song is pretty much the reason she won the Oscar. Ironically, Holliday won a Tony for her performance. This doesn't automatically mean everything she sings turns to gold (cough cough CATS! cough cough), but it definitely played a factor and earned a spot on my list.
#6: Rita Moreno as Anita- West Side Story
I hope no one thought I was gonna put Ariana DeBose on this list. She's talented no doubt, hell she's part of the original cast of what is in my opinion the greatest Broadway musical of all time (Hamilton). But not only is she really annoying, but I think she lost a lot of people's respect after that horrible rap at the BAFTAs. Though that's not the reason she's not here. You've got to remember, before Ariana there was Rita. Moreno's Oscar winning performance paved the way for DeBose to win her own. There are times when I forget how talented this woman is and she is entitled to DeBose's respect as well as others. She even starred in the remake as well. Talk about a full circle moment.
#5: Meryl Streep as The Witch- Into The Woods
Look, I know some people have mixed feelings about this adaptation, but I personally love this movie and It is the very first movie to make me cry. Though Streep had nothing to do with that, she easily stole the show in this movie. Course that's not really much of a surprise considering Meryl is the GOAT when it comes to acting. She also sang the HELL out of this as well. I know she has 1000 Oscars already, but I personally thought she was robbed when she lost her Oscar to Patricia Arquette for Boyhood. But like I said, she's got 1000 Oscars already (well 3 but you get what I mean). I said this last time I talked about Meryl and I'm gonna say it again. That woman is physically incapable of doing a bad performance.
#4: Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly- Chicago
Huge fan of Chicago. Not as much as Hamilton but still awesome. Velma Kelly is probably one of the most iconic roles in Broadway history. It's basically a requirement to nail the role. And I firmly believe that Zeta-Jones did just that. She truly embodies the seductiveness, confidence and cattiness of the character. And let me tell you, this woman is catty as HELL. Renee Zellweger also held her own in the movie as Roxie to the point where she earned herself an Oscar nomination for Lead Actress. But here's the thing; there's a reason Kelly is slightly more memorable as a character. So memorable that Zeta-Jones won her Oscar. And no worries, Zellweger would go one to win 2 Oscars.
#3: John Travolta as Danny Zuko- Grease
I'm about to offend some people, I HATE Grease. I think it's overrated and I despise it with a burning passion. Grease 2 ain't my favorite either. However, John Travolta rocked it as Danny Zuko. Like Velma, it's important to nail both his personality and his confidence. Considering he already did Saturday Night Fever at this point, Travolta was already a pro at portraying someone with a larger than life personality. I also can't deny that his chemistry with Olivia Newton-John was very good, which is now bittersweet for obvious reasons (RIP). Along with personality, nailing chemistry with Sandy is also a requirement for doing this role justice. Travolta and Newton-John definitely did that in this movie.
#2: Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp- The Sound Of Music
Julie Andrews is EXTREMELY talented. I already knew that, but it really sank in when I semi-recently watched The Sound Of Music for the first time in a while. Not only did she really embody von Trapp's free spirit and compassion, but she sang every single one of those songs so fluently and perfectly. The fluidity in Andrews' voice is so pure you can't help but be moved by it. I absolutely adore Miss Andrews' voice. It's a real shame that surgery screwed it up. I know people favor her role in Mary Poppins to the point where not only Walt Disney refused to recast the role, but she even won an Oscar for it. But I think I prefer her in this just a little bit more. She was definitely destined for Mary Poppins, but she was also destined for this and I can't imagine anyone else in this role.
And like always, here are some honorable mentions............................
Michael Jackson- The Wiz 
Carol Burnett- Annie-He was ADORABLE -Woman's already a nutcase in real life
Barbra Streisand- Hello Dolly 
Dorothy Dandridge- Carmen Jones- Babs isn't completely out - Milestone
Bette Midler- Gypsy 
Chaim Topol- Fiddler On The Roof-My Parents Are Gonna See Gypsy! - Sunrise Sunset
#1: Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles- Cabaret
I will go ahead and admit that I don't remember much about Cabaret. But I sure as Hell remember this; Liza Minnelli absolutely SLAYED it as Sally. Considering her mom was already a legend, I'm not really surprised. I think what I love the most about her performance is the confidence she displays. Velma Kelly also displays that personality as well, but Minnelli not only draws people's attention, but she demands your attention. I strangely have a soft spot for that type of personality. Minnelli was so awesome in the role that not only did she win an Oscar for it, but she would also go on to do it again on Broadway. She may not have originated the role, but she definitely revolutionized it and made it as iconic as it is even to this day. There was no other performance more perfect for my #1 than this one.
Google Slides is down below. Thanks for reading
Google: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TC3z0e3yrP8Klz9fXjV3UT9veMeDGHcXO-O3SePvS1Y/edit?usp=sharing
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