When the stage lights rise and the curtains part, some of the world’s biggest music stars have proven they’re just as electric under the proscenium arch as they are on the mic. From pop icons to rock legends and R&B royalty, these artists lended their voices to radio hits, and took heir talents to Broadway, bringing depth, drama, and jaw-dropping vocal runs to some of theatre’s most iconic roles. Here are 20 musicians who went from stadiums to stages and made Broadway their own.
1. David Bowie – The Elephant Man
In 1980, the Thin White Duke stunned audiences in The Elephant Man, playing the title role without prosthetics. His haunting physicality and magnetic presence proved his talent extended far beyond the recording studio. Bowie received rave reviews and solidified his theatrical prowess.
2. Brandy – Chicago
Brandy brought serious heat to the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago. Her run was so well received that she returned multiple times. A blend of charisma, killer vocals, and pure showbiz sparkle made her a Broadway favorite.
3. Cyndi Lauper – Kinky Boots (Composer)
While Lauper didn’t star on stage, she composed the Tony-winning score for Kinky Boots. She became the first solo woman to win Best Score at the Tonys. Her pop instincts translated flawlessly to feel-good musical theatre.
4. Josh Groban – The Great Comet and Sweeney Todd
Groban wowed critics in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 with his emotional depth and signature baritone. He returned in 2023 as a chilling and tragic Sweeney Todd, earning a Tony nomination for the role.
5. Jordin Sparks – Waitress
The American Idol winner brought charm and powerhouse vocals to Waitress as Jenna. Her performance captured vulnerability and strength in equal measure. Sparks’ turn proved she’s a triple threat.
6. Sara Bareilles – Waitress
Not only did she compose the entire Waitress score, but she also stepped into the role of Jenna on Broadway. Her performance was heartfelt and disarming, bringing her songs full circle from the piano to the stage.
7. Nick Jonas – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
After starting in the Jonas Brothers, Nick Jonas stepped into a leading man role on Broadway. As J. Pierrepont Finch, he brought youthful swagger and vocal chops to the corporate-climbing musical.
8. Fantasia Barrino – The Color Purple and After Midnight
Fantasia’s raw power was tailor-made for Broadway. Her turn as Celie in The Color Purple was lauded for its emotional weight, while After Midnight showcased her jazz chops in a Cotton Club-era revue.
9. Usher – Chicago
Usher took on the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago, bringing smooth vocals and commanding stage presence. It was a seamless crossover that felt both theatrical and effortlessly cool.
10. Meat Loaf – Hair
Before Bat Out of Hell fame, Meat Loaf was part of the original Broadway cast of Hair. His powerful vocals and theatrical delivery made him a natural fit for the rock musical movement of the ’60s and ’70s.
11. Jennifer Holliday – Dreamgirls
Holliday originated the role of Effie White in Dreamgirls, delivering one of Broadway’s most legendary performances. Her rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is etched in musical history forever.
12. Ricky Martin – Evita
Martin played Che in a revival of Evita, winning over critics with his passionate, engaging performance. His turn on Broadway was a career milestone and introduced him to a new generation of theatre lovers.
13. Deborah Cox – Aida and The Bodyguard
Cox has appeared in multiple stage productions, including a lauded run in Aida. Her voice is perfectly suited for the soaring ballads of musical theatre, and she also led the U.S. tour of The Bodyguard.
14. Tony Bennett – Tony Bennett at the Latin Quarter
While not a traditional musical, Bennett’s early career included extended live performances at Broadway-adjacent cabaret venues. His stagecraft and storytelling laid the foundation for many theatrical crossovers to come.
15. Billie Joe Armstrong – American Idiot
The Green Day frontman surprised fans when he joined the Broadway cast of American Idiot, the musical adaptation of his band’s album. His gritty, lived-in performance as St. Jimmy added punk authenticity to the production.
16. Reba McEntire – Annie Get Your Gun
Reba brought Southern charm and star power to the role of Annie Oakley. Her turn in Annie Get Your Gun was widely praised, even earning praise from hardened Broadway critics.
17. Sting – The Last Ship
Sting not only wrote the score for The Last Ship, a musical inspired by his hometown, but also stepped into the lead role. His lyrical storytelling translated beautifully to stage, blending folk, rock, and tradition.
18. Michelle Williams – Chicago and Once on This Island
The Destiny’s Child alum has graced the stage multiple times, earning rave reviews as Roxie Hart. Her theatre resume proves she’s more than just a pop star—she’s a stage standout.
19. Elton John – The Lion King and Billy Elliot (Composer)
Sir Elton didn’t act on stage, but his compositions for The Lion King and Billy Elliot revolutionized modern musical theatre. His ability to fuse pop with dramatic arcs changed the game for jukebox and original scores alike.
20. Boy George – Taboo (Composer and Star)
The Culture Club icon created and starred in Taboo, a musical based on London’s ’80s club scene. While it had a short Broadway run, it has since achieved cult status and showcased Boy George’s theatrical flair.
From iconic vocalists to chart-topping pop stars, these musicians didn’t just try Broadway—they embraced it. Their transitions proved that music and storytelling know no genre boundaries, and the magic of live theatre has a way of drawing out new creative dimensions. Whether they were belting ballads, playing leads, or writing the very notes that danced through the theatre, these artists left their mark on the Great White Way—proving that every stage, in the end, is just another kind of concert.