Content creator (and retired theater kid) Megan here! We’ll be running Musical Theater trivia theme nights all throughout August, so I am here to talk about some celebrities who graced a Broadway stage early in their careers.

If you’d like to see this in a video version, click here to watch on our TikTok page, or scroll down to the end of this post!

You may remember earlier this year we told you that Academy Award “Best Supporting Actress” nominee Stephanie Hsu had Broadway success before making it big in Hollywood. She originated the roles of Christine in “Be More Chill” and Karen in “The SpongeBob Musical.”

By now, we all know that Anna Kendrick has musical chops, after starring in movies like “Pitch Perfect,” “Trolls,” and “Into the Woods.” But did you know that she began her acting career at age 13, starring as Dinah Lord in the Broadway musical “High Society”? She was even nominated for a Tony Award for this role!

Speaking of characters named Dinah, an 18-year-old Jane Krakowski originated the role of Dinah the Dining Car in the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s roller skating-heavy show “Starlight Express.”

Gaten Matarazzo and Gabriella Pizzolo, who star as the adorably nerdy Dustin and Suzie in “Stranger Things,” both began their careers on Broadway. Gaten is currently appearing in the revival of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” and his other credits include “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Les Misérables.” Gabriella made her Broadway debut starring as Matilda Wormwood in “Matilda the Musical,” and also appeared as Small Alison in Alison Bechdel’s musical memoir “Fun Home.”

Coincidentally, one of the young actors who originated the role of Matilda Wormwood once the production transferred from the West End to Broadway is Milly Shapiro, who is best recognized as Charlie in A24’s horror drama “Hereditary.”

Now one of the most iconic voices and distinguished actors of all time, James Earl Jones was once a 20-something who found success in Broadway plays. He won his first Tony Award (for “Best Actor in a Play”) in 1969 for his starring role in “The Great White Hope.”

And last up on my list, years before she became a certified Movie Star™ and the most recent EGOT winner, Viola Davis was a 28-year-old Juilliard graduate starring in the August Wilson play “Seven Guitars,” which earned her a Tony nomination for “Best Featured Actress in a Play.” Here she is winning her first Tony in 2001.
The list goes on and on and on and on (and on). To show off your Broadway trivia chops, head to Musical Theater theme nights at select locations all month long!