Gwen Verdon, Audra McDonald, Chita Rivera, Liza Minelli, Bernadette Peters, Leslie Uggams, Idina Menzel, Cicely Tyson, Lea Salonga… all of these women (and many more) are Broadway legends. But every legend had to start somewhere. For example, Patti LuPone made her Broadway debut as Irina, the youngest sister in 1973’s The Three Sisters and has gone on to win three Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, and two Grammy Awards, in addition to her induction to the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Here is our list of the leading ladies who are going to be the next big thing, and where you can see them on Broadway!
Lorna Courtney: & Juliet
Lorna Courtney returns to the title role on Broadway after drawing rave reviews for her performance in the Toronto production. A multidisciplinary artist and a native New Yorker from Queens, her additional Broadway credits include Dear Evan Hansen and the 2020 revival of West Side Story.
Sonya Balsara: Aladdin
Sonya Balsara is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut on a magic carpet! It was destiny after all, she played Jasmine in Aladdin Jr. at the age of 12. Theatre credits include: The Karate Kid (pre-Broadway lab), Sense and Sensibility (Theatreworks), West Side Story (international).
Linedy Genao: Bad Cinderella
Brooklyn native Linedy Genao is a true Cinderella story. From a career in banking to auditioning for the first open call of Gloria & Emilio Estefan’s On Your Feet, her life changed forever. With only high school theater experience, Linedy is proof that sometimes you don’t need a fairy godmother to make dreams come true.
Aisha Jackson: Once Upon a One More Time
You may have caught Aisha as a standby for the role of Nelly O’Brian in Paradise Square, or the standby for Anna in Frozen, which means she knows how to deliver a song that will give you goosebumps. Oh baby baby, we’re telling you you’re not going to want to miss her as Snow White in Once Upon a One More Time.
Michaela Diamond: Parade
Michaela made her Broadway debut as “Babe,” the youngest Cher, in The Cher Show. The 23-year old is back on Broadway in Parade, and already receiving rave reviews for her performance. You’ll see why she’s on our who-to-watch list after you hear her sing “You Don’t Know This Man.”
Jodie Comer: Prima Facie
Many may recognize Jodie from TV’s Killing Eve, which won her the Leading Actress Award at the BAFTA TV Awards, the Primetime Emmys, the Royal Television Society Awards and the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards. She’ll be making her Broadway debut in Prima Facie this April (which runs for 10 weeks only!)
We know you want the chance to say, “I saw her when,” so visit the show pages below and book your group tickets to see these rising stars on Broadway today!