Top 10 Greatest Modern Broadway Singers

From Elphaba in "Wicked" to Jenna in "Waitress," Shoshana Bean has brought some of Broadway's most coveted characters to life. A former “Hairspray” musical cast member, Bean has made a name for herself thanks to her distinct powerhouse vocals. Not only is she an actress, she’s also a solo artist, having created her own original albums. Take that as a sign of how fantastic her voice is! On the Broadway side of things, she also notably starred in "Mr. Saturday Night"’s stage adaptation alongside the legendary Billy Crystal. One thing’s for sure: any day she’s on stage showing off her chops is a wonderful one.

How lucky we are to be alive during Renée Elise Goldsberry's lifetime! The "Hamilton" star first dug her teeth into Broadway with shows like "The Lion King" and “The Color Purple” And before "Rent" finished its epic run, Goldsberry actually performed as the show's final Mimi. All this success led her to reach her career-defining role as Angelica Schuyler in the musical phenomenon, "Hamilton." In the role, she showed off her jaw-dropping vocals and iconic rapping skills, winning a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. If you ask us, her voice is both a "revolution" and a "revelation"!

Andrew Rannells can do it all. Just look at how he left us in stitches in "The Book of Mormon" and made us weep in "Falsettos." The Nebraska born actor's distinct tenor vocals make him one of the industry's most exciting voices today. In addition to his work on stage, he's also helped take some of Broadway's biggest hits to the silver screen, appearing in adaptations of "The Prom" and the play "The Boys in the Band." When he isn't lighting up the stage, he can be found doing voiceover work for series like "Big Mouth" and "Central Park".

Delivering in everything from Broadway classics to more contemporary masterpieces, Jessie Mueller has one of the industry's most versatile voices. She can go from singing stuff from Golden Age shows like "Carousel" to something modern and pop-inspired from a musical like "Waitress" without skipping a beat. Not only that, she can also transform her vocals to mimic others. Take, for example, her Tony-winning performance in "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." A true chameleon, her career moves are always full of surprises. If there were an Olympic category for vocal gymnastics, she'd take home gold every time.

When Jonathan Groff made his star turning performance in 2006's "Spring Awakening," he was only 21 years old. Years later, he has become one of Broadway's most prominent names. As "Spring"’s Melchior Gabor, his incredible falsetto left a lasting impression. As King George in "Hamilton," his musical comedy skills earned him a second Tony nomination. He even took his range to the big screen in the "Frozen" franchise and shows like "Glee." In 2023, he's reprising his role in the Broadway transfer of "Merrily We Roll Along," where he'll be tackling Stephen Sondheim’s challenging music. We simply cannot wait.

Ben Platt became one of Broadway's freshest voices when he took the world by storm in "Dear Evan Hansen." In the role, he got into the messy and complicated nuances of the character by delivering vocals that were rich with emotion and depth. Years later, he has applied the same skills as Leo Frank in the revival of "Parade." Composed by Jason Robert Brown, the tricky music requires the singer to deliver a timid yet powerful performance, and Platt knocks it out of the park with his heartbreaking vibrato. We have no doubt he’ll continue to captivate audiences for years to come.

Over the past decade and change, Jeremy Jordan has quickly become one of Broadway's biggest leading men. He started his career doing regional theater in Connecticut, and made his Broadway debut as a swing in "Rock of Ages." From there, he earned iconic roles in shows like "Bonnie & Clyde" and "Newsies." His booming voice never fails to get our attention, and it feels like there’s no musical style he can’t master, from rock to classic to contemporary - and even Celine Dion covers. He has also shared his musicality on screen in shows like "Smash" and the film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five Years." A true modern star, Jordan's vocals always "seize the day!"

It feels like Sutton Foster was destined for musical theater fame from the moment she was born in 1975, because that’s how talented she is. In 1996, she made her Broadway debut in the revival of "Grease." From then on, the hits kept coming, and eventually, into the 2000s, people began taking notice. With parts in productions like "Thoroughly Modern Millie", "The Drowsy Chaperone", and “Shrek The Musical” her theatrical credits feel endless. Indeed, she has played everyone from Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes” to “The Music Man”’s Marian Paroo, cementing herself as a young Broadway legend. Plus, her gorgeous voice covers various styles and genres, and she can belt to the heavens!

Cynthia Erivo's first role on Broadway is truly iconic. The English actress performed for years in London's West End before hopping across the pond to New York. There, she made her Broadway debut in the 2015 revival of "The Color Purple." Playing the leading role of Celie, she blew the roof off the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre night after night, and snagged a Tony in the process. Although her career has been more screen than stage heavy in recent years, her talents are undeniable. Her voice is heartbreaking, powerful, and distinct, and we’ll relish any opportunity to see her use it.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Kelli O'Hara
This Soprano Transports Modern Audiences to the Golden Age of Broadway

Joshua Henry
A Powerful Voice That Can Effortlessly Master Both Classic Hits & Modern Ones

Sierra Boggess
We’ll Always Think of This Dynamic Performer Fondly

Norbert Leo Butz
A Staple of Modern Broadway, Butz Is “Always Keeping Cool”

Raúl Esparza
His Voice Reminds Us What a Gift “Being Alive” Is!

Just when it seems that Ramin Karimloo has done it all, he finds a way to outdo himself! "Les Misérables," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Chess," "Evita," and "Sunset Boulevard" are only a handful of his theater credits. The Iranian-born actor, who grew up in Canada, is an international sensation, having conquered Broadway, the West End, and everywhere in between. His powerful operatic vocals are tailor-made for characters like Jean Valjean and The Phantom. His starring turn as Nick Arnstein in the 2022 "Funny Girl" revival is just further proof he isn’t going to let anyone "rain on his parade"!