Another favorite Jeremy Jordan belt of mine is from "Raise a Little Hell" from Bonnie and Clyde. The power combined with the rasp he puts in his voice is jaw dropping if you've never heard it. Also, thank you thank you for including Carl Anderson's "Heaven on their Minds". His is my favorite rendition of the number!
My totally bias opinion is that Newsies/Jeremy Jordan should be number 1. Could listen to that man sing ANYTHING. He's so talented and skilled. Love, love, LOVE his voice!
I can never choose which one of them I like more. It'll be Jeremy for a few months, then I'm reminded of Aaron's Goodbye performance and it's him again.
Christopher Jackson and Jeremy Jordan are two of my favorite Broadway people in the history of ever. "One Last Time" is my favorite number from Hamilton and I've seen several others perform it in various cast productions and no one can touch Christopher Jackson's performance. Those final notes give me chills and bring me to tears every time! And Jeremy Jordan is just a stunning vocalist. (I know anyone who loves him has already seen his rendition of "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" and "She Used to Be Mine" but if you haven't, go seek both out on RUclips. You are WELCOME.) He brings the painful yearning to Santa Fe that just slays. He is a GENIUS. All of that being said, Jesse L. Martin just destroys me in "RENT". I'm so grateful that even though the movie didn't really live up to the live show, I got to see him do "I'll Cover You."
I hope Broadway productions consider filming the original cast's performance before their run is over. It helps those who love Broadway but can't always fly there have a glimpse of history.
No Ramin Karimloo? Easily one of the strongest and most emotionally rousing men on Broadway. You could've had him as the Phantom. Or The Neva Flows from Anastasia, in which he is absolutely flawless.
@@amymesserschmidt2044 Big same. But him singing The Neva Flows gives me more emotions than half of Les Mis put together. He just puts every single ounce of himself into it.
Some of his belts from Les Mis 25th, as Enjolras, were just unreal. And Alfie Boe didn't make the list, either. But I suppose you can't have half the list being from Les Mis.
Colm Wilkinson. You really dropped the ball on this list. Crawford was a great Phantom. Wilkinson was an amazing Phantom. And no one, and I mean no one, does Bring Him Home like Colm does. And for make belts, Man of La Mancha or The Impossible Dream both far exceed many songs on this list. It takes more than a "high note" to be considered a "belt".
I know I am late to the party but it grinds my gear when people mistake belts for just high notes and there was definately some of that in this video. Smh.
Brian Stokes Mitchell as an "honorable mention" is a crime. It was literally one of my favorite theatre moments EVER and I've seen at least half of these men perform in these roles live, so that's saying a lot.
@Kris First of all: you're 100% right. Second of all, Ms. Mojo really sucks. I won't go so far as to say that the peopl who make these lists are idiots, but I will say that they're not the most knowledgable & they're far from being the most thoughtful. Why are they choosing concert versions of songs that were written to be performed live on stage...in character? These aren't performances of pop songs, so why is Mojo treating these songs like something one might hear on the radio or on a youtube playlist? I've lived in NYC & London for most of my life & have been lucky enough to see *a lot* of live theater first bc my parents were in the industry & then, later, because my job means I have to/I get to see a lot of shows; my point is not to brag, but to say that I see lots of Bway & West End musicals & plays. The first time I, as a child, saw (and heard) Les Miserables performed on Broadway, I cried so hard I ran out of tissues. That's not the reaction I've seen from many people at concerts or while listning to recorded versions regardless of whether or not it's the original cast performing/singing. Sorry, Mojo, but even the best actors - who give the most moving vocal performances on stage - don't bring whole audiences to tears & to their collective knees when singing the emotional climax (not "crescendo," ffs!) of a musical out of context. So why choose a concert version/anniversary performance performed by an actor who didn't originate the role as anyone's "most rewatchable" anything? This list feels like it was creatd by someone who has a laptop but who hasn't experienced much professional live theater performed by active members of Actors Equity.
THANK YOU!!! This list had Jeremy Jordan, Raul Esparza (his Being Alive is beyond perfection) AND AARON TVEIT!!!! FINALLY!!!!! I’m so happy!!! The trifecta!!! (Now I just wish Steven Pasquale had placed and not just a mention, and we needed Joshua Henry in Carousel!)
Christopher Jackson's song is such a love of mine... he makes it sound so effortless but when I am singing along in my car I can FEEL how much power it takes!
And another thing. One of my favorites is "Cheering For Me Now" (which is a deleted song from "Hamilton" and might become the opening number of the upcoming "New York, New York" stage musical), because Lin-Manuel Miranda actually belted his heart out, and the people who thought he couldn't sing said they started crying. I mean, I always believed that Lin could sing, but the way he showed off his vocals in "Cheering For Me Now" actually got me crying with happiness, especially with Lin holding the last notes at the end, and that song makes me think of him as an excellent singer.
@@jemiadelacruz4016 YES. He did something he never did before, and it lifted our smiles. I also heard from Lin that he heard that the song might be the opening number of his upcoming Broadway musical, "New York, New York," and he's even working on the show with John Kander too! The song may not fit in "Hamilton," but it perfectly fits with "New York, New York" because it sounds like a classic Broadway showtune, it talks about New York, and the musical takes place in 1946! So if the song actually does become the opening number of the show, and if I hear Colton Ryan sing it beautifully (especially the ending), I'm going to cry and die happy.
Some wonderful belts here... Personally, I'd move "Bring Him Home" much higher on the list, and I think "Gethsemane" is far and away the more powerful performance. Three that are missing for me are "This is the Moment" from Jekyll and Hyde (Anthony Warlow), "Anthem" from Chess (Josh Groban), and "Finding Neverland" from Finding Neverland (Matthew Morrison). These give massive goosebumps, and I tend to listen to them on repeat.
I agree..."Gethsemane" should have been high on this list. Even though "Heaven on Their Minds" is a song I have sung for a school project but I would never attempt to sing "Gethsemane" because of the range. Hands down, "Gethsemane" is the harder of the two songs to belt. I was fortunate enough to see Ted Neely perform it.
So many favourites get a shoutout in this.. Tveits Tango de Roxanne is just breath taking, Karimloo is SO solid in Anastasia, Patinkin so phenomenal with Lily's Eyes, omg Andrew Rannells as Whizzer LITERALLY do NOT talk to me. I was like who the HELL did we miss WHO could be number one but honest to god Raúl Esparza singing Taboo's Petrified is like seared into my brain permanently he is a powerhouse. Thanks i love everyone in this list
If I remember correctly, “I'll Cover You (Reprise)” was the last scene shot for the film, so the emotion of having fully fulfilled Jonathan Larson’s dream was hitting the entire company at that moment.
All throughout this video I was like “okay how dare you not mention Raul Esparza?” What a beautiful surprise to see he was the number 1 pick! The amount of passion this man puts into every character and every song is outstanding ❤
I feel like Rent doesn’t get as much love nowadays. Easily my fav musical and loved seeing it on this list Newsies doesn’t get enough love either thank you for including it
Rent doesn’t get love because it’s kinda rubbish. Like, even the slightest look at the morals behind the story, and it falls apart. I think the biggest issue it has is choosing the narrating spectator to be a straight, healthy and privileged man who chooses to live in the slums, because he just comes across as pretentious, as if he is taking advantage of those who cannot live anywhere else to make his magnum opus. As someone who is LGBT and who grew up homeless at times, RENT always rubbed me the wrong way, and I think that’s why it’s kinda fallen off. One Song Glory is still dope af though.
@@NoFirstNoLastName I actually do agree with your point but that’s what makes it feel real. also remember that he is supposed to be a flawed character. Just because the story comes from his perspective doesn’t mean he is the protagonist. In fact all of the characters are supposed to be flawed. Mark is based off of the creator himself who grew up in the middle class but wanted to follow his dreams which is how he ended up in a very rundown apartment surrounded by his friends struggling with finances but also with finding themselves and a few with aids. Johnathan (the creator) was a straight, healthy white man who could have lived a decent middle class life but chose to live in the slums to be with the people he cared about most and tell their stories before they were gone.
If anyone else loves Phillip Quast like I do, please look up his interview where he talks about how he sings Javert, as if every line has just come to him in the moment. I don't know why I didn't expect a thick Aussie accent from him but it was a delight to see how much he loved playing that character.
I’m SO glad John Owen Jones got some recognition on this list, he’s a west end powerhouse and doesn’t get enough credit, his version of Bring Him Home is my dad’s favourite in the world and means so much to him
I saw him perform 'Bring Him Home' in a concert at the Barbican the Christmas before last. Les Mis turns me into a weeping mess anyway, but he only sung two notes and I was just gone. Just beautiful. I think I spent most of the interval trying to pull myself together again!
When I first hear the final note in Santa Fe, I literally repeat it like 10 times, because I was soo shock and in love with it. Jeremy Jordan is a Pro.
Adam Pascal One Song Glory is one song that I have played over and over again and cried over...again and again! Anything that Mandy Patinkin sings is amazing ! And Raul Esparza's Being Alive most definitely is #1 !!
Solid choices......I would add "She Was There" Douglas Sills of the Scarlett Pimpernel. That performance is every bit what some of these choices were....but maybe not such an acclaimed musical. And one of my favorite male duets....Lily's Eyes makes time stop a bit.....Mandy Patinkin and Robert Westenberg....it's perfection!
Scarlet Pimpernel is my all time favorite show! Douglas Sills makes MAGIC with his voice. I was in a production of Secret Garden and I always bawled when Lily's Eyes came along!
Being Alive is one is the most overdone, often badly sung Sondheim songs. But Raul Esparza really makes you feel the words and completely nails it. His version should be what all other singers aspire to
Missing: Colm Wilkinson in Pity the Child; Cheyenne Jackson in.... anything; the original Franki Valli in Jersey Boys; Ramin Karimloo EVERY. DAY over Michael Crawford; Leo Norbert Butz in Wicked or Dirty Rotten; Leslie Odom Jr in Wait for It or Room Where it Happens; Matthew Morrison in Il Mondo Era Vuoto.
This was a great list I've always loved Jeremy Jordan's "Santa Fe", Ben Platt's "For Forever" and Jesse L. Martin's "I'll Cover You Reprise"..... ....That being said, I do have one that would've been nice to see on this list: -"Endless Night" from The Lion King, sung by Jason Raize
Carl Anderson was probably my very first true Broadway obsession as a kid. It was the first musical I got to see with a Broadway cast performing thanks to the movie. Such a one of a kind voice that just hits your soul.
I thought this list was supposed to be Broadway performances/recordings. Anderson wasn't recorded as Judas in Superstar on stage (only in the movie: Murray Head is Judas in the stage). Yes, there is a difference. I'm glad you got something out of the Superstar movie. Personally, I find it unwatchable (love the music, though I prefer the original concept album of Superstar & both the West End & Broadway original cast recordings - and all of the the revival cast recordings - to the movie soundtrack... though I find the "Live" televised concert versions are uneven (in the American concert version John Legend is a snooze as Jesus... and Tim Minchin's performance as Judas in the British concert version kicks Brandon Victor Dixon's ass in the American "Live" concert version.
@@sparklemotion101ni3 Bless your heart... I did not make the video so why are you complaining to me while attempting to be a dick about something I enjoy. You say "I'm glad you got__" but then keep going knowing FULL well you are yucking in someone else's yum. Furthermore, you're wrong about your facts. Anderson absolutely was one of the actors who played Judas on stage. Not only did he play him on stage, he was the pre-Broadway Judas and the understudy and then alternate on Broadway. He was Judas before the production ever even had a dream of making it to Broadway. Were they recorded? I have no idea, I don't care, and it doesn't matter because very few stage productions were even recorded back then. And you might notice something about everything I just said there. I did it without shitting on anyone you like, because.... and I know this will probably be a shock to you so you might want to sit down... You can support all of them. You don't have to tear down performers who poured their whole lives into being this freaking amazing.
@@missingaria2503 Bless your heart... since your eyes & whatever you've got between your ears are not working so well. I wrote that Anderson's Broadway performance - as an understudy/replacement, since that's all he did in Superstar on stage - was not recorded. That's confusing to you for some reason despite being both (A) a straightforward statement and (B) undeniably true. It's sweet that you enjoyed that movie: there's no accounting for taste.
Another song I love: Giants In The Sky from Into The Woods. And of course Wait For It from Hamilton by Leslie Odom Jr.!Also, I LOVE the voice of Jeremy Jordan. He did an amazing job in The Last Five years. Highly underrated musical!
I don't know if you would necessarily consider all of them belts but I would shout out Brian d'Arcy James in "Who I'd Be" from Shrek the Musical, Christian Borle in "What would I do?" from Falsettos, and Philip Casnoff in "Pity the Child" from Chess.
I saw Christopher Jackson sing “One Last Time,” and I got chills and started crying! He was crying by the end of the song and my family was crying too! It was miraculous!!! 😊
Cheering For Me Now (a cut Hamilton song that Lin-Manuel Miranda added as a Hamildrop) he absolutely nails it! Christopher Jackson in One Last Time from Hamilton
Me: oh awesome, a Broadway vid, this will be fun! Me during One Last Time: oh no Me during I'll Cover You Reprise: oh noooooo Me during Heaven On Their Minds: *reduced to a puddle of tears*
Wow. Y'all really couldn't find a better clip/audio for our man, the legend, Brian Stokes Mitchell? For shame... but at least you included him, I guess
Going to suggest ‘Lily’s Eyes’ from Secret Garden. You get 2 men belting it out at the same time! Completed agree with #1. Was thinking it should be there before we got to it 😊
Sorry, but there is only one musically overwhelming Jean Valjean, and that’s Alfie Boe. Colm Wilkinson is/was a great actor, but his strained voice and forced vibrato are not necessarily pleasant to hear.
So many notes! First what does msmojo have against Colm Wilkinson? Second Gethsamane is a much better choice then Heaven on their minds. Third Adam pascals last note on Pity the Child is phenomenal and would’ve been nice to see that or something from Chess be included, Those are two of my fav songs! Lastly songs from this list should’ve been cut and songs like The impossible dream and This is the moment or If I can’t Love Her. All these songs bring a tear to my eye.
So many to mention, but anyone doing "lost in the wilderness" from "children of eden" or "falcon in the dive" from "scarlet pimpernel" are two that deserve some love. Not on stage, but Roger Bart's "I can go the distance (reprise)" from the movie "hercules" is one of the most epic belts of all time.
This list is amazing. One of the best I have seen on Ms Mojo. I wish this had been a longer list though! I can think of so many men who should have been included somewhere!
Putting Raul Esparza at the number one spot is what saved this list. Giving an "honorable mention" to Adam Pascal and Brian Stokes Mitchell, instead of giving them the numbers two and three spot, is just blasphemous.
I really feel like this should have been a top 20 List. There are just too many great options that didn't get mentioned. James Barbour in Dracula or Jane Eyre had a ton of options. Alfie Boe singing pretty much anything was also a great pick. But ultimately, I am shocked that This is he Moment from Jekyll and Hyde was not on this list. That is easily one of the beltiest things I have ever performed.
He still does voice stuff and some great shows. I adoooore him so much, I'll watch everything and anything he is in ❤️ loved him on the New Normal and Falsettos is my comfort and pain musical
I didn't know Jesse L. Martin could sing until "I'll Cover You," and both times he sings it are beautiful. "Blaze of Glory" definitely deserved the honorable mention as well.
One of my favourite belts that you didn't include is in the song "At the Fountain" from the musical adaptation of "The Sweet Smell of Success", originally sung by Brian D'Arcy James. It's so good!
I'm delighted Raúl Esparza is number one on this list, its a spellbinding performance from him!! But no Ramin Karimloo? What were you thinking?!! I saw him on his last night as JVJ in Les Mis and OMG he is outstanding!! Definitely deserves a place on this list-he is the definition of a belter!
@@danski2260 absolutely!! I remember watching the 25th anniversary concert of Les Mis at the cinema and the minute Ramin came on sitting up straighter and being like 'well hellooo and who are you'!! Ive been obsessed ever since 🤣
So nice to see my faves JOJ and Aaron Tveit here! Such a shame Norbert Leo Butz is missing. Also, Hadley Fraser (I know he is mostly West End, but I had to mention him). Edit: also, you missed the incredible Matthew James Thomas... A powerhouse
Thanks for including JOJ, he’s massively underrated/appreciated, I wish we had at least one concert recording with him in rather than two of Alfie Boe (casting no aspersions on him but do we need two of the same guy doing the same show? No!)
Came here to say the exact same thing, JOJ is a west end treasure and he gets lost behind people like Alfie Boe when, personally, I think his voice trumps Boes any day emotionally and range
I 100000% agree with Raúl Esparza and your opinion about him being cheated out of his Tony. Ipartly agree with #10... I'm not sure if you saw Alfie Boe. I'm serious, he's INCREDIBLE. But #9 is SPOT. FREAKING. ON. Christopher Jackson is spectacular. And as a Rent-head, #7 is just *chef's kiss* perfect. Jesse L. Martin is incomparable. #3... Jeremy. Freaking. Jordan. 😍😍😍 And thank you for including Adam Pascal in the Honorable Mentions...I LOVE Pascal as Roger.
Indeed he does. He was nominated twice for the Tony award for lead actor in a musical (Wild Party and Sunday in the Park With George) and won the Tony for featured actor in a musical for his performance in the original cast of Evita. He has an incredible voice!
That surprises you?! His success STARTED on Broadway. He won a Tony for Evita and was nominated again for Sunday in the Park with George and The Wild Party.
One of my favorite belts will always be George Salazar’s “Michael in the Bathroom” also Tight-Knit Family (Reprise) from Falsettos has such a good dissonant chord MM i love it so much Anyways to the point of my comment remember that supertenors aren’t the only way to flex as a guy! I love a good belt as any broadway guy does but im not too good at pulling them off, so im here to give weird-range guys love too Bassy Roles like Hades from Hadestown and Ciaphas from JCS are just as (if not more) impressive than the belters Not to mention my most impressive range, the highest of falsettos, like Orpheus (again from Hadestown) I get the video is about belts but broadway guys always remember you always sound your best when singing within your range :)
Aka me dying of newfound love over a bunch of men I hardly know* for almost twenty minutes straight *except Jeremy Jordan, I am COMPLETELY 100% IN LOVE WITH HIM
Thank you for giving love to Esparza. He is often forgotten by the sands of time (TikTok needs to acknowledge my man) but any Broadway fan worth their salt would know he is one of the best, and deserved that Tony. And on a personal note, he has been an inspiration to me, as an aspiring performer and as someone who discovered they were bisexual in my teens (early 2000s). I felt seen through him when he would perform and when he came out, it was a big deal for me.
My personal favorite is Christian Borle singing, “Little miss woods comma Elle” or… well anything Christian Borle or Aaron Tveit. Edit: Two more favs are El Tango de Roxanne (Aaron Tveit) and the “Oh my, oh my god” from the finale of Legally Blonde (Christian Borle)
Thank you for finally including Jeremy Jordan. The guy is a powerhouse!
Agreed!!
I loved him in Smash!!! He’s been on my Radar since then! ❤
@@danielleharvill6431 same!
I completely but I think it should have been his belt in Raise a little Hell from Bonnie and Clyde
The second I heard the ending of Santa Fe, I was hooked. He is a dang powerhouse and the emotion is always there
Another favorite Jeremy Jordan belt of mine is from "Raise a Little Hell" from Bonnie and Clyde. The power combined with the rasp he puts in his voice is jaw dropping if you've never heard it.
Also, thank you thank you for including Carl Anderson's "Heaven on their Minds". His is my favorite rendition of the number!
Jeremy is unbelievable!
THE PURE PASSION AND EMOTION HE PUTS INTO THAT SONG AND ALSO EVERY SONG JEREMY JORDAN IS A SINGING GOD
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My totally bias opinion is that Newsies/Jeremy Jordan should be number 1. Could listen to that man sing ANYTHING. He's so talented and skilled. Love, love, LOVE his voice!
Totally agree!
Jeremy Jordan & Aaron Tveit’s belts….what a godsend to this earth! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
I can never choose which one of them I like more. It'll be Jeremy for a few months, then I'm reminded of Aaron's Goodbye performance and it's him again.
Why do you feel compelled to make a choice?
I straight up cried watching Aaron sing El Tango De Roxanne when I got to see it live
Christopher Jackson and Jeremy Jordan are two of my favorite Broadway people in the history of ever. "One Last Time" is my favorite number from Hamilton and I've seen several others perform it in various cast productions and no one can touch Christopher Jackson's performance. Those final notes give me chills and bring me to tears every time! And Jeremy Jordan is just a stunning vocalist. (I know anyone who loves him has already seen his rendition of "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" and "She Used to Be Mine" but if you haven't, go seek both out on RUclips. You are WELCOME.) He brings the painful yearning to Santa Fe that just slays. He is a GENIUS.
All of that being said, Jesse L. Martin just destroys me in "RENT". I'm so grateful that even though the movie didn't really live up to the live show, I got to see him do "I'll Cover You."
Absolutely!!
The way I would give anything to watch Jeremy Jordan perform live especially Santa Fe
Mine too!. Christopher Jackson is a legend!.
I do try to sing along during One Last Time, even though I suck at singing.
Jeremy Jordan singing Raise A Little Hell in Bonnie & Clyde always gives me CHILLS
Jesse L. Martin melts my soul when he sings.
The minute I saw "I'll Cover You: Reprise" I was like "nope nope nope crying now"
A treasure
I hope Broadway productions consider filming the original cast's performance before their run is over. It helps those who love Broadway but can't always fly there have a glimpse of history.
Such a great idea! Bravo.
No Ramin Karimloo? Easily one of the strongest and most emotionally rousing men on Broadway. You could've had him as the Phantom. Or The Neva Flows from Anastasia, in which he is absolutely flawless.
Literally, they only mentioned him, but he’s not on the actual list 😒
Seriously! His Bring Him Home is the best version. It brings me to a puddle of tears every time
@@amymesserschmidt2044 Big same. But him singing The Neva Flows gives me more emotions than half of Les Mis put together. He just puts every single ounce of himself into it.
Some of his belts from Les Mis 25th, as Enjolras, were just unreal. And Alfie Boe didn't make the list, either. But I suppose you can't have half the list being from Les Mis.
"Til I Hear You Sing" from LOVE NEVER DIES. He is a master!!
Terrence Mann singing If I Can’t Love Her from Beauty And The Beast always gives me chills.
Arguably Jeremy Jordan's best belt is the final note in Raise a Little Hell from Bonnie & Clyde- if you put headphones on and turn it up it just RINGS
Great to see Esparza's performance hasn't been forgotten and still is on the top on the lists
One of my favorite belts comes from Christian Borle at the end of Chip on My Shoulder from Legally Blonde. Kind of sad it didn't make this list.
Very happy to see Raúl Esparza on the list! He's so talented!
I couldn't go see the Revival of "Company" ... Because of Mr. Esparza.
He ruined me for every other Bobby.
Agreed. Raul is insanely talented.
@@mary-ellenbucko4322 Oh, preach.
Omg i fuckin love Raul
I first saw this guy in Hannibal and holy shit he can SING?! HOLY CRAP! that's a crime he never got a Tony tho wtf that BELT
Thank you for including Derek Klena!!! I love him and his voice so much!
Colm Wilkinson. You really dropped the ball on this list. Crawford was a great Phantom. Wilkinson was an amazing Phantom. And no one, and I mean no one, does Bring Him Home like Colm does. And for make belts, Man of La Mancha or The Impossible Dream both far exceed many songs on this list. It takes more than a "high note" to be considered a "belt".
This... I came to say this.
They literally had him in the opening shot from Les Mis too.
What were they thinking?
Colm wasn't a Broadway Phantom. He was the Canadian cast. Tho they could have had him for Les Mis.
I know I am late to the party but it grinds my gear when people mistake belts for just high notes and there was definately some of that in this video. Smh.
Thumbs up for including Christopher Jackson, incredible performance
I second that💗
I get chills every time I hear him!. I agreed with Ben Platt’s For Forever getting on the honorable mentions list!.
Brian Stokes Mitchell as an "honorable mention" is a crime. It was literally one of my favorite theatre moments EVER and I've seen at least half of these men perform in these roles live, so that's saying a lot.
agreed. i was convinced it would be #1
Anything of him in Ragtime has stuck with me ever since i heard the original soundtrack back in 1997.
@Kris First of all: you're 100% right. Second of all, Ms. Mojo really sucks.
I won't go so far as to say that the peopl who make these lists are idiots, but I will say that they're not the most knowledgable & they're far from being the most thoughtful.
Why are they choosing concert versions of songs that were written to be performed live on stage...in character? These aren't performances of pop songs, so why is Mojo treating these songs like something one might hear on the radio or on a youtube playlist?
I've lived in NYC & London for most of my life & have been lucky enough to see *a lot* of live theater first bc my parents were in the industry & then, later, because my job means I have to/I get to see a lot of shows; my point is not to brag, but to say that I see lots of Bway & West End musicals & plays.
The first time I, as a child, saw (and heard) Les Miserables performed on Broadway, I cried so hard I ran out of tissues. That's not the reaction I've seen from many people at concerts or while listning to recorded versions regardless of whether or not it's the original cast performing/singing.
Sorry, Mojo, but even the best actors - who give the most moving vocal performances on stage - don't bring whole audiences to tears & to their collective knees when singing the emotional climax (not "crescendo," ffs!) of a musical out of context.
So why choose a concert version/anniversary performance performed by an actor who didn't originate the role as anyone's "most rewatchable" anything?
This list feels like it was creatd by someone who has a laptop but who hasn't experienced much professional live theater performed by active members of Actors Equity.
He should have won the Tony for Man of LaMancha. I almost broke my tv when he lost to the garbage disposal singing.
TOTALLY agree!!! Make Them Hear You is a masterpiece!
I LOVE Jessie L. Martin in Rent! His voice is INCREDIBLE!
I'm so happy you had Michael Crawford! Years later and he is still my favorite Phantom of the Opera!
MsMojo praising Raul Esparza and calling out the Tonys. Just yes.
THANK YOU!!! This list had Jeremy Jordan, Raul Esparza (his Being Alive is beyond perfection) AND AARON TVEIT!!!! FINALLY!!!!! I’m so happy!!! The trifecta!!! (Now I just wish Steven Pasquale had placed and not just a mention, and we needed Joshua Henry in Carousel!)
Yes yes yes!
Christopher Jackson's song is such a love of mine... he makes it sound so effortless but when I am singing along in my car I can FEEL how much power it takes!
Me too!. I absolutely suck at singing, but I do it anyway.
There literally could not be a better top pick. Raúl Esparza in that role is just *chef's kiss* so good
And another thing. One of my favorites is "Cheering For Me Now" (which is a deleted song from "Hamilton" and might become the opening number of the upcoming "New York, New York" stage musical), because Lin-Manuel Miranda actually belted his heart out, and the people who thought he couldn't sing said they started crying. I mean, I always believed that Lin could sing, but the way he showed off his vocals in "Cheering For Me Now" actually got me crying with happiness, especially with Lin holding the last notes at the end, and that song makes me think of him as an excellent singer.
I searched it and I cannot believe Lin Manuel Miranda belt, a single tear fell from my eye when I hear it for the first time
@@jemiadelacruz4016 YES. He did something he never did before, and it lifted our smiles.
I also heard from Lin that he heard that the song might be the opening number of his upcoming Broadway musical, "New York, New York," and he's even working on the show with John Kander too!
The song may not fit in "Hamilton," but it perfectly fits with "New York, New York" because it sounds like a classic Broadway showtune, it talks about New York, and the musical takes place in 1946!
So if the song actually does become the opening number of the show, and if I hear Colton Ryan sing it beautifully (especially the ending), I'm going to cry and die happy.
NEVER underestimate Lin-Manuel Miranda!.
@@elainestegeman7204NEVER DO THAT
Some wonderful belts here... Personally, I'd move "Bring Him Home" much higher on the list, and I think "Gethsemane" is far and away the more powerful performance. Three that are missing for me are "This is the Moment" from Jekyll and Hyde (Anthony Warlow), "Anthem" from Chess (Josh Groban), and "Finding Neverland" from Finding Neverland (Matthew Morrison). These give massive goosebumps, and I tend to listen to them on repeat.
I totally agree with you on "Bring him home" and anything from JCS.
Totally agree on Anthony Warlow in Jekyll and Hyde !
I was surprised This is the moment didn't get at least an honourable mention
I agree..."Gethsemane" should have been high on this list. Even though "Heaven on Their Minds" is a song I have sung for a school project but I would never attempt to sing "Gethsemane" because of the range. Hands down, "Gethsemane" is the harder of the two songs to belt. I was fortunate enough to see Ted Neely perform it.
So many favourites get a shoutout in this.. Tveits Tango de Roxanne is just breath taking, Karimloo is SO solid in Anastasia, Patinkin so phenomenal with Lily's Eyes, omg Andrew Rannells as Whizzer LITERALLY do NOT talk to me. I was like who the HELL did we miss WHO could be number one but honest to god Raúl Esparza singing Taboo's Petrified is like seared into my brain permanently he is a powerhouse. Thanks i love everyone in this list
I came here thinking I was going to hear singing but I was wrong, all I heard was pretty much a woman talking.
If I remember correctly, “I'll Cover You (Reprise)” was the last scene shot for the film, so the emotion of having fully fulfilled Jonathan Larson’s dream was hitting the entire company at that moment.
All throughout this video I was like “okay how dare you not mention Raul Esparza?” What a beautiful surprise to see he was the number 1 pick! The amount of passion this man puts into every character and every song is outstanding ❤
I feel like Rent doesn’t get as much love nowadays. Easily my fav musical and loved seeing it on this list
Newsies doesn’t get enough love either thank you for including it
Rent doesn’t get love because it’s kinda rubbish. Like, even the slightest look at the morals behind the story, and it falls apart.
I think the biggest issue it has is choosing the narrating spectator to be a straight, healthy and privileged man who chooses to live in the slums, because he just comes across as pretentious, as if he is taking advantage of those who cannot live anywhere else to make his magnum opus.
As someone who is LGBT and who grew up homeless at times, RENT always rubbed me the wrong way, and I think that’s why it’s kinda fallen off.
One Song Glory is still dope af though.
@@NoFirstNoLastName I actually do agree with your point but that’s what makes it feel real. also remember that he is supposed to be a flawed character. Just because the story comes from his perspective doesn’t mean he is the protagonist. In fact all of the characters are supposed to be flawed. Mark is based off of the creator himself who grew up in the middle class but wanted to follow his dreams which is how he ended up in a very rundown apartment surrounded by his friends struggling with finances but also with finding themselves and a few with aids. Johnathan (the creator) was a straight, healthy white man who could have lived a decent middle class life but chose to live in the slums to be with the people he cared about most and tell their stories before they were gone.
If anyone else loves Phillip Quast like I do, please look up his interview where he talks about how he sings Javert, as if every line has just come to him in the moment. I don't know why I didn't expect a thick Aussie accent from him but it was a delight to see how much he loved playing that character.
I saw Philip Quast sing Javert here in Sydney many years ago. Best Javert ever.
Michael in the Bathroom - George Salazar in Be More Chill should definitely be in there. Unbelievably freaking good!
YES!!!!!!!!!.
Raul Esparza brings me such joy and love. Thank you for including his performance of Bobby. He makes me happy even when I'm not.
I’m SO glad John Owen Jones got some recognition on this list, he’s a west end powerhouse and doesn’t get enough credit, his version of Bring Him Home is my dad’s favourite in the world and means so much to him
I saw him perform 'Bring Him Home' in a concert at the Barbican the Christmas before last. Les Mis turns me into a weeping mess anyway, but he only sung two notes and I was just gone. Just beautiful. I think I spent most of the interval trying to pull myself together again!
When I first hear the final note in Santa Fe, I literally repeat it like 10 times, because I was soo shock and in love with it. Jeremy Jordan is a Pro.
Adam Pascal One Song Glory is one song that I have played over and over again and cried over...again and again! Anything that Mandy Patinkin sings is amazing ! And Raul Esparza's Being Alive most definitely is #1 !!
A deserving spot for Raul Esparza. He does not only belt with power but full of emotions makes you quiver.
Solid choices......I would add "She Was There" Douglas Sills of the Scarlett Pimpernel. That performance is every bit what some of these choices were....but maybe not such an acclaimed musical. And one of my favorite male duets....Lily's Eyes makes time stop a bit.....Mandy Patinkin and Robert Westenberg....it's perfection!
Scarlet Pimpernel is my all time favorite show! Douglas Sills makes MAGIC with his voice. I was in a production of Secret Garden and I always bawled when Lily's Eyes came along!
I still remember Douglas Sills' performance from that show 20 years ago!. He was so good.
Being Alive is one is the most overdone, often badly sung Sondheim songs. But Raul Esparza really makes you feel the words and completely nails it. His version should be what all other singers aspire to
Missing: Colm Wilkinson in Pity the Child; Cheyenne Jackson in.... anything; the original Franki Valli in Jersey Boys; Ramin Karimloo EVERY. DAY over Michael Crawford; Leo Norbert Butz in Wicked or Dirty Rotten; Leslie Odom Jr in Wait for It or Room Where it Happens; Matthew Morrison in Il Mondo Era Vuoto.
Dear Theodosia is beautifully done too!.
So agree. Ramin over Michael Crawford hands down!! Till I Hear You Sing is the best ALW song in my opinion.
no man of la mancha??? the impossible dream is like the OG male-belting song!!!!
When I saw the title I was hoping that One last time high note was going to be on here. Christopher Jackson's vocals are unmatched.
This was a great list I've always loved Jeremy Jordan's "Santa Fe", Ben Platt's "For Forever" and Jesse L. Martin's "I'll Cover You Reprise".....
....That being said, I do have one that would've been nice to see on this list:
-"Endless Night" from The Lion King, sung by Jason Raize
YES!!!!! Raul Esparza’s “Being Alive” is so over-the-top amazing!!!
Carl Anderson was probably my very first true Broadway obsession as a kid. It was the first musical I got to see with a Broadway cast performing thanks to the movie. Such a one of a kind voice that just hits your soul.
I thought this list was supposed to be Broadway performances/recordings. Anderson wasn't recorded as Judas in Superstar on stage (only in the movie: Murray Head is Judas in the stage). Yes, there is a difference. I'm glad you got something out of the Superstar movie. Personally, I find it unwatchable (love the music, though I prefer the original concept album of Superstar & both the West End & Broadway original cast recordings - and all of the the revival cast recordings - to the movie soundtrack... though I find the "Live" televised concert versions are uneven (in the American concert version John Legend is a snooze as Jesus... and Tim Minchin's performance as Judas in the British concert version kicks Brandon Victor Dixon's ass in the American "Live" concert version.
@@sparklemotion101ni3 Bless your heart... I did not make the video so why are you complaining to me while attempting to be a dick about something I enjoy. You say "I'm glad you got__" but then keep going knowing FULL well you are yucking in someone else's yum.
Furthermore, you're wrong about your facts. Anderson absolutely was one of the actors who played Judas on stage. Not only did he play him on stage, he was the pre-Broadway Judas and the understudy and then alternate on Broadway. He was Judas before the production ever even had a dream of making it to Broadway. Were they recorded? I have no idea, I don't care, and it doesn't matter because very few stage productions were even recorded back then.
And you might notice something about everything I just said there. I did it without shitting on anyone you like, because.... and I know this will probably be a shock to you so you might want to sit down... You can support all of them. You don't have to tear down performers who poured their whole lives into being this freaking amazing.
@@missingaria2503 Bless your heart... since your eyes & whatever you've got between your ears are not working so well.
I wrote that Anderson's Broadway performance - as an understudy/replacement, since that's all he did in Superstar on stage - was not recorded. That's confusing to you for some reason despite being both (A) a straightforward statement and (B) undeniably true. It's sweet that you enjoyed that movie: there's no accounting for taste.
Another song I love: Giants In The Sky from Into The Woods. And of course Wait For It from Hamilton by Leslie Odom Jr.!Also, I LOVE the voice of Jeremy Jordan. He did an amazing job in The Last Five years. Highly underrated musical!
Hi
The Last Five years was soooo good
@@christurtle5416 hi
I don't know if you would necessarily consider all of them belts but I would shout out Brian d'Arcy James in "Who I'd Be" from Shrek the Musical, Christian Borle in "What would I do?" from Falsettos, and Philip Casnoff in "Pity the Child" from Chess.
I am so obsessed with Brian d'Arcy James. Oomph.
I saw Christopher Jackson sing “One Last Time,” and I got chills and started crying! He was crying by the end of the song and my family was crying too! It was miraculous!!! 😊
Cheering For Me Now (a cut Hamilton song that Lin-Manuel Miranda added as a Hamildrop) he absolutely nails it!
Christopher Jackson in One Last Time from Hamilton
Me: oh awesome, a Broadway vid, this will be fun!
Me during One Last Time: oh no
Me during I'll Cover You Reprise: oh noooooo
Me during Heaven On Their Minds: *reduced to a puddle of tears*
"Waving Through A Window" from Dear Evan Hansen, Ben Platt's final belt in it is just chef's kiss
Yes!!!. Have you heard “In Case You Don’t Live Forever”?.
This list feels incomplete without “The Impossible Dream”!
bro when Jeremy Jordan sings She Used to be Mine from Waitress, now that's a belt.
So true, it’s great
Wow. Y'all really couldn't find a better clip/audio for our man, the legend, Brian Stokes Mitchell? For shame... but at least you included him, I guess
Going to suggest ‘Lily’s Eyes’ from Secret Garden. You get 2 men belting it out at the same time! Completed agree with #1. Was thinking it should be there before we got to it 😊
I miss Anthem from Chess and waving trough a window in this list, but for the rest is this a good list
"No one can play ValJean like John Owen-Jones"
Colm Wilkinson- *exists*
EXACTLY!
I thought she was joking when she said his name as they are both at the microphone and Colm steps away. Talk about getting it wrong.
Sorry, but there is only one musically overwhelming Jean Valjean, and that’s Alfie Boe.
Colm Wilkinson is/was a great actor, but his strained voice and forced vibrato are not necessarily pleasant to hear.
Finally El Tango De Roxanne / Aaron Tveit are higher than an honorable mention!
The opt up of El Tango de Roxanne is my Vecna song
So many notes! First what does msmojo have against Colm Wilkinson? Second Gethsamane is a much better choice then Heaven on their minds. Third Adam pascals last note on Pity the Child is phenomenal and would’ve been nice to see that or something from Chess be included, Those are two of my fav songs! Lastly songs from this list should’ve been cut and songs like The impossible dream and This is the moment or If I can’t Love Her. All these songs bring a tear to my eye.
Colm Wilkinson ALL DAY!!
218: I’m always swooned in The Music Of The Night. Not only that he has an amazing voice but it sounds beautiful
So many to mention, but anyone doing "lost in the wilderness" from "children of eden" or "falcon in the dive" from "scarlet pimpernel" are two that deserve some love. Not on stage, but Roger Bart's "I can go the distance (reprise)" from the movie "hercules" is one of the most epic belts of all time.
i saw jeremy jordan sing lost in the wilderness at the kennedy center and let me tell you that was a religious experience
This list is amazing. One of the best I have seen on Ms Mojo. I wish this had been a longer list though! I can think of so many men who should have been included somewhere!
Putting Raul Esparza at the number one spot is what saved this list. Giving an "honorable mention" to Adam Pascal and Brian Stokes Mitchell, instead of giving them the numbers two and three spot, is just blasphemous.
I can't believe Brian in particular was left off!
One I think that should have been in there is Adam Pascal’s “Pitty the Child” from Chess.
💯
That song - and his version in particular - **haunts** me. SO amazing!!
Absolutely.
Agreed!
He was good, but Raúl was so much better! Either way, neither were on Broadway, unfortunately.
I really feel like this should have been a top 20 List. There are just too many great options that didn't get mentioned. James Barbour in Dracula or Jane Eyre had a ton of options. Alfie Boe singing pretty much anything was also a great pick. But ultimately, I am shocked that This is he Moment from Jekyll and Hyde was not on this list. That is easily one of the beltiest things I have ever performed.
Wait you’ve sang this is the moment before?? If so that is so cool!!
Andrew Rannells a former 4kids voice actor, now a famous Broadway star.
Did not know that. Thanks for the fact.
I think that the most impressive thing about Rannells' performance is how he successfully balanced the comedic and naive elements of the song.
He still is :) Ever seen 'Big Mouth' on Netflix? :)
He still does voice stuff and some great shows. I adoooore him so much, I'll watch everything and anything he is in ❤️ loved him on the New Normal and Falsettos is my comfort and pain musical
Raul Esparza existing is a gift.
i see jeremy jordan, i click, i watch, i scream in excitement, i die happy
norm lewis, "you should be loved" from side show. the note at the very end, just beautiful
Norm from so many things!
Ben Platt should be in the top 10. His performance in Evan Hanson was outstanding.
Have you heard “In Case You Don’t Live Forever”?.
I didn't know Jesse L. Martin could sing until "I'll Cover You," and both times he sings it are beautiful. "Blaze of Glory" definitely deserved the honorable mention as well.
One of my favourite belts that you didn't include is in the song "At the Fountain" from the musical adaptation of "The Sweet Smell of Success", originally sung by Brian D'Arcy James. It's so good!
Where was "Why God, Why?" from Miss. Saigon?
Yes! Simon Bowman’s voice is emotional perfection!
No Man of La Mancha or Impossible Dream?
As always, extraordinary selections Ms. Mojo. I have always been perplexed why Empty Chairs at Empty Tables always remains overshadowed in Les Miz.
I'm delighted Raúl Esparza is number one on this list, its a spellbinding performance from him!!
But no Ramin Karimloo? What were you thinking?!! I saw him on his last night as JVJ in Les Mis and OMG he is outstanding!!
Definitely deserves a place on this list-he is the definition of a belter!
Ramin has such a masterful voice. He is #1 in anything he is singing in.
@@danski2260 I agree 99.9%
I don’t think anyone will sing Being Alive like Raul, though I would like to hear Ramin try.
I literally rewind the “AAAANYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Part in Anastasia all the time.
@@danski2260 absolutely!! I remember watching the 25th anniversary concert of Les Mis at the cinema and the minute Ramin came on sitting up straighter and being like 'well hellooo and who are you'!! Ive been obsessed ever since 🤣
@@NoFirstNoLastName oh yes please!!!
So nice to see my faves JOJ and Aaron Tveit here! Such a shame Norbert Leo Butz is missing. Also, Hadley Fraser (I know he is mostly West End, but I had to mention him).
Edit: also, you missed the incredible Matthew James Thomas... A powerhouse
Hadley’s voice always feels so magical ❤️
Yes, Hadley.
Yes! thank you for including One Last Time, such a beautiful song 💕
Yes! Christopher Jackson's performance hooked me on Hamilton especially One Last Time.
Me too I fell in love with Christopher's voice with this song🥰
Aaron Tveit is my absolute favorite.
Thanks for including JOJ, he’s massively underrated/appreciated, I wish we had at least one concert recording with him in rather than two of Alfie Boe (casting no aspersions on him but do we need two of the same guy doing the same show? No!)
Came here to say the exact same thing, JOJ is a west end treasure and he gets lost behind people like Alfie Boe when, personally, I think his voice trumps Boes any day emotionally and range
I 100000% agree with Raúl Esparza and your opinion about him being cheated out of his Tony.
Ipartly agree with #10... I'm not sure if you saw Alfie Boe. I'm serious, he's INCREDIBLE.
But #9 is SPOT. FREAKING. ON. Christopher Jackson is spectacular.
And as a Rent-head, #7 is just *chef's kiss* perfect. Jesse L. Martin is incomparable.
#3... Jeremy. Freaking. Jordan. 😍😍😍
And thank you for including Adam Pascal in the Honorable Mentions...I LOVE Pascal as Roger.
@Ms.Mojo always such a pleasure too see a former kid from a "Broadway bound" company I performed with "Derek Klena" in a promo video. So proud.
PHILLIP Quast belting “reprieved” in Javerts Suicide was more worthy of that honorable mention. I get chills EVERYTIME
It’s that last note in “bring him home”. I could sit through “les miz” back to back to back to back just to hear that last nigh note😊
Definitely agree with you on Raul Esparza in "Company". I also agree he was deprived of a Tony he should have won!
He’s the Susan Lucci of the Tonys. 😢
Wait. Mandy Patinkin? Indigo Montoya - Jason Gideon has a Broadway background? That surprise me
Indeed he does. He was nominated twice for the Tony award for lead actor in a musical (Wild Party and Sunday in the Park With George) and won the Tony for featured actor in a musical for his performance in the original cast of Evita. He has an incredible voice!
Oh, my God! I hope that you are joking.
That surprises you?! His success STARTED on Broadway.
He won a Tony for Evita and was nominated again for Sunday in the Park with George and The Wild Party.
And the movie Yentl.
@@carr0760 He didn't win for "Sunday in the Park with George?"
One of my favorite belts will always be George Salazar’s “Michael in the Bathroom”
also Tight-Knit Family (Reprise) from Falsettos has such a good dissonant chord MM i love it so much
Anyways to the point of my comment remember that supertenors aren’t the only way to flex as a guy! I love a good belt as any broadway guy does but im not too good at pulling them off, so im here to give weird-range guys love too
Bassy Roles like Hades from Hadestown and Ciaphas from JCS are just as (if not more) impressive than the belters
Not to mention my most impressive range, the highest of falsettos, like Orpheus (again from Hadestown)
I get the video is about belts but broadway guys always remember you always sound your best when singing within your range :)
Michael in the Bathroom is my favorite song!.
Finally, Raul Esparza getting the recognition he deserves!
Thank god Aaron Tveit is here!
John Cullum's last note in Meditation from Shenandoah--magnificent. Phantom should have been much higher up on the list.
Just 10?! 😯 I can think of at least 30
Aka me dying of newfound love over a bunch of men I hardly know* for almost twenty minutes straight
*except Jeremy Jordan, I am COMPLETELY 100% IN LOVE WITH HIM
219: I honestly didn’t see Newsies but I love Jeremy Jordan in Joyful Noise and the Tangled series. I love the songs he sings as Varian
Thank you for giving love to Esparza. He is often forgotten by the sands of time (TikTok needs to acknowledge my man) but any Broadway fan worth their salt would know he is one of the best, and deserved that Tony.
And on a personal note, he has been an inspiration to me, as an aspiring performer and as someone who discovered they were bisexual in my teens (early 2000s). I felt seen through him when he would perform and when he came out, it was a big deal for me.
Steve Pasquale deserves more than an honourable mention.
My personal favorite is Christian Borle singing, “Little miss woods comma Elle” or… well anything Christian Borle or Aaron Tveit.
Edit: Two more favs are El Tango de Roxanne (Aaron Tveit) and the “Oh my, oh my god” from the finale of Legally Blonde (Christian Borle)
Raúl is simply perfect. Glad to see him on the list!
“I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” is so incredibly heartbreaking 😢❤