Playbill Staff Favorites: 10 Memorial Broadway Performing Debuts of 2024

There is nothing more exciting than being exposed to new talent. And it is especially exciting if that talent is wrapped in a Broadway debut. This year there was no shortage of extraordinary artists who reached a milestone of the career by appearing on Broadway. From debut so important that they received a Tony award, to Splashy celebrities, to underrated appearances that deserve more love, to an excellent juicy -Lord’s Playbill’s 10 most memorable Broadway debut of 2024.

Cole includes Oh, Mary!

To say Cole Escola had quite the year is the underestimation of the century. I have been a fan of them since they made YouTube videos as Bernadette Peters in the Mid-Aughts, and I spent most of my fandom to get a well-made look when I brought it up. Then Oh, Mary! Happened, and Escola became a big star overnight. I couldn’t be more excited. Escola’s comedy, both as a writer and artist, is the kind that can’t be super stream, and it’s not necessarily even a bad thing. But there is something about the level of genius happening in Oh, Mary! It made Escola hit with the masses, and it’s just a wonderful thing to see. For any new fans, I recommend on my way to Youtube and look at their entire accountbut especially ‘Our Home Out West’, ‘Voortrek scene’, ‘Serial Killer documentary, take a horrible turn’ and ‘MA commercial’ – you are welcome! .Logan Culwell-BlockManagement of news editor

Shaina pumpkins in Enough

It is the rare artist who can make their Broadway debut as a composer, writer and actor. It is the rare artist who receives two Tony awards for it. Shaina Taub is indeed that rare artist, and She made history as the first woman to win a Tony award for both the best book of a musical and the best score All alone. But if you, just like me, have followed Taub’s career since her days composing songs for the Shakespeare in the Park Musical versions As you like it and Twelfth nightwould you know that Taub was a composer and exporter to watch for a long time – to create songs that are humble in classical musical theater mode and filled with cordial character. But Enough Has truly shown an artist at the full power, where Taub composed an exciting protest songs, memorable character numbers and a love duet that can take his place between the big comedy songs for musical theater. She did it all while she acted Nightly as the show of the show, Alice Paul, who produces a serious and exciting performance. May we all have a quarter of the energy and productivity of Shaina Taub! .Deep tran, editor -in -chief

Brent comer in The outsiders

Of all the testosterone-fueled newcomers in the Jacobs Theater The outsidersBrent Comer surprised me the most. While the roles of Ponyboy (Brody Grant) and Johnny Cade (Sky Lakota-Lynch) are unmistakably the protagonists of the piece (and are rightly nominated), Comer’s Darry is shockingly affected. At the end of his rope, and possibly at the end of the line, Comer shows the tension of Darry to balance his grief and responsibility for his younger siblings, while weaving fine shades of whom Darry could have been, even if it was not for his gloomy reality. If he smiles, you may feel the echo of the high school football star who has set aside his future to save his brothers, and sacrifice his own happiness to keep his family whole. Previously a laborer in the national tour of Put themComer is one of the least established members of the company, but when Tony Time arrived, it was his lack of nomination that stabbed the most. His ‘throw in the towel’, a lament against circumstances that he can no longer bypass is a highlight, and of the entire cast I suspect that he will be the most difficult to replace if he ever leaves the Broadway production. Darry may prefer to stick to the sidelines, but as played by Comer, he deserves the spotlight. .Margaret Hallstaff writer

Jonathan Bennett in Spamalot

If there was an unexpected pleasure this season, it was Jonathan Bennett’s Broadway debut as Sir Robin in the Broadway revival of Spamalot. We have known him for years of his charming TV hosts, who are called ‘Gay King of Christmas’ of his work as a leading man in Hallmark Christmas films, and (of course) the Aaron Samuels of the original Average girls movie. But from the moment he steps on stage, Bennett has proven that he is not just a TV and film personality – he is a talented artist with a great comic timing. But what made Bennett’s debut memorable was the infectious joy he radiated during his actions. It is well documented on his social things that Bennett has always been a theater child. He (like so many of us) dreamed of making his Broadway debut and to see that it came true … Well, it made the little heart’s little heart grow three sizes. You can see that he does not take the opportunity for granted and that the energy was tangible. His sense of play was contagious, and it was impossible not to smile when he was on stage. Bennett’s Broadway debut is not just a career milestone; It was a theater child’s dream that came to life and could testify that is something I will never forget about this year. .Jeffrey Vizcaíno, director of social media

Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho in Cabaret

We can’t talk about one without talking about the other. Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho made their joint Broadway debut with a huge splash. I am a fan of Adam Lambert since his American idol days. It was a joy to see how he grows in his career, especially to see him on tour a few years ago. As a person who saw the bootleg videos of him Evil On tour many times I long for him to finally go to Broadway. Boy, it was a brilliant entrance to the 360 ​​stage at the Kit Kat Club!

I first discovered Auli’i Cravalho when she burst into the public eye Moana. As a native person, I loved seeing Cravalho’s beautiful representations of her Pacific Islander culture on the screen. Once she was in the starring roll Average girls Last year I knew Broadway couldn’t be far. It was so exciting to see a woman of color that I have admired for so long to adopt the classic role of Sally Bowles. .Meredith Ammons, Coordinator on Social Media

Lara McDonnell in The hills of California

It is not easy to walk in the shadow of the Olivier Awards winner Laura Donnelly, but McDonnell, who played the young Joan in The hills of California The adult version of Donnelly was more than the task. Just 20 years old, McDonnell’s presence under her cavalcade of sisters immediately stood out and led the suit by typical teenage offenses with the kind of knowing wink that only a true ‘cool girl’ can own. However, where McDonnell really blew me away, her acting was around the sister’s audition for an American music promoter. While the cool and confident persona fell away into the face of her mother’s bending morality, McDonnell revealed a childlike confusion that, married to her confidence in her mother, was devastating. If McDonnell was not the unspoken measure of what had happened to her behind closed doors, Donnelly would have had an uphill battle to climb. But due to McDonnell’s vibrant-thie tragic performance, Donnelly had a long runway. I definitely hope we see McDonnell again on this side of the dam soon; Since Donnelly is Butterworth’s muse, we will be happy to see that an upcoming playwright binds themselves to McDonnell’s artistry. .Margaret Hall, staff writer

Nichelle Lewis in The wizard

Dorothy in The wizard Has a long history of a star-role role, a tradition that began with the very first actor who took the role, a then-Tenaged Stephanie Mills. And so it is only appropriate that it is for the most recent Toiz Revival, we got another newcomer as Dorothy in Nichelle Lewis, who first came among the producers of the revival from a tiktok video. Seeing brand new, fresh talent completely hit it out of the park is just one of the things that things really use to experience, and Lewis brought audiences to the Marquis to tears with her ‘home’ every night. It was no surprise that the city center turned to her a few months later for their production of Ragtime. In two shows in less than a year, Lewis showed the entire theater world that she also has incredible choir and impressive chops. I think we will see much more of Lewis in the coming years, and it’s really something to look forward to. .Logan Culwell-Block, Managing News Editor

Maleah Joi Moon in Hell’s Kitchen

It is rare to earn a Tony award for a Broadway debut, much less for a show that is basically your increased debut, but Maleah Joi Moon has shown us all that she is not just a fresh face -which she does not take into account. Playing the main strong Ali, who craves to escape her overprotective mother and find her own voice – Moon not only brings classic teenage anxiety, but also a sparkling vitality. In the restless movement of her limbs to her soulful voice, you understand why this young girl wants to fly freely, and it is a total joy to take the journey with you. With her Broadway debut, Moongs made a giant mark in the theater industry, and at just 22 years old! I will be excited to see where she is going next – whether film, television or recorded music, the sky will be the limit for this extraordinary young artist. .Deep tran, editor -in -chief

Ariana Madix in Chicago

Ariana Madix’s Broadway debut in Chicago wasn’t just a debut; It was a full circle cataresis that included all the haters like a giant middle finger scandoval. The buzz was electric in the Ambassador Theater. You can say the audience was not justify Your average Broadway crowd. It was a cocktail of Bravo-Holics; curious tourists; And she, they and gays who were also burned by a toxic narcissist. Madix as Roxie Hart was a decisive decision that felt fickle and poetic, and the crowd ate it. From ‘Funny Honey’ to the ‘Honey Hot Rag’, Madix Charisma, Charm and Unmistakable Talent brought to her portrayal of Roxie Hart. Madix, a music k theater graduate before her Vanderpump fame, had a magnetic stage presence and her dance (through her time on Dancing with the Stars) added a authenticity to her scenes. Fans and newcomers couldn’t help but root her (and clearly impressed her vocal abilities) as she brought a new performance to the long -standing musical. Madix’s debut was not just a moment for Broadway (although she did break box office plates); It was a celebration of her resilience, talent and the ability to shine bright in a new chapter of her life and career. .Jeffrey Vizcaíno, director of social media

Helen J Shen in Maybe happy ending

I first noticed Helen J Shen when she plays a supporting role in the rock muscle The lonely pair In the MCC Theater of Off-Broadway. Although Lauren Patten was the most important role, Shen stood out as keyboard player JJ with music to express her roiling teen emotions – I remember seeing Shen and thinking, “I should have seen her in something before!” Actually, The lonely pair was just the second professional show Shen ever did Teeth Off-broadway. But this is their actions if the robot Claire in Maybe happy ending It is truly revelatory. Not only where they can show the width of their vocal talent singing, Aronson’s classic and jazz-toned score, but they can promote Claire with a simultaneous feeling of wonder and fatigue. This is a surprisingly adult performance, because on the outside, Claire looks like a young woman experiencing a world of new emotions; But at the same time, she is wise and aware of her approaching deaths. It is on a difficult balance to strike and Shen makes it look effortless. Costar Darren Criss told me this past summerin no uncertain terms: ‘She will kick so much fucking ass.’ He was right. So go to the Bako Theater to see a new star in Bloom. .Deep tran, editor -in -chief

Bonus pick: Hwaboon in Maybe happy ending

So it is rarely a performance rooted in sincere friendship. Hwaboon, the flowering juicy star of the new musical Maybe happy endingis propagated out of love for Helperbot Oliver. In Olivier’s aging, Hwaboon is a constant companion, a listening partner and recipient of Oliver’s care. Hwaboon enjoys the rays of Oliver and Claire’s newly-standing love and acts as a branch at home, and carries so much support and love without saying a single word. When I was gone Maybe happy endingI feel decided to push the flowers of LOVES LOST LOST and greet my plants with song. I can only hope that the Tony Awards Administration Committee is pink shot if he decides the qualification of Hwaboon for such an excellent performance in this new musical. .Dylan -parent, editorial assistant