Best Broadway Actresses of All Time

Another well-known actress, Kristin originated the role of Galinda in Wicked and played Sally Brown in the revival of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. A coloratora, but also a phenomenal belter, she has a very distinctive voice with a huge sound. Pretty funny, but also a good serious actress.

Idina originated two major roles on Broadway, playing the role of Maureen in RENT and Elphaba in Wicked. Major mezzo-soprano belt with serious power, with a lot of personality. For those of you who watch ABC's Private Practice, she is married to Taye Diggs, who plays Sam (and also originated the role of Benny in RENT with Menzel), and they now have a baby boy!

OK, few people don't know who Carol Burnett is. She originated the role of Winifred in Once Upon a Mattress (1960), and while her voice may not be up with the others on this list, few disagree that Burnett is pretty much one of the funniest!

Played Galinda on Broadway with Stephanie Block, but originated the role of Margot in Legally Blonde: The Musical. Another coloratora, he notes are incredible. She's also a great character actress - HYSTERICAL. Right now she's doing something with Cirque de Soleil.

She may not have gone on Broadway with it until much later, but she was the original original Elphaba in the workshops. She originated the role of Grania in The Pirate Queen. A fabulous technical singer, she has amazing low note power, but can let her voice fly into the higher notes as well. An excellent actress, she puts a lot of emotion and yet humor into her performances.