Because it’s much more cost-efficient to pay for Netflix than to see seven Broadway shows a week, the average college theatre enthusiast (such as myself) tends to stay away from Broadway.com so they don’t mourn at the fact that they’ll never be able to afford a single show ticket. Any true Broadway lover has contemplating spending their rent money on a plane ticket and a seat in the Gershwin Theatre for an evening performance of Wicked — trust me, we’ve all been there. But, Broadway isn’t as far away as it seems. There are currently 12 film and TV stars that are slaying the game on ‘The Great White Way’ but are still readily available to you on cable and on Netflix!
1. Alex Newell
Currently: On Broadway in Once on This Island as the goddess Asaka
Most known for: The TV show Glee as Unique Adam
2. Jim Parsons
Currently: On Broadway in The Boys in the Band as Michael
Most known for: The TV show The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper
3. Lea Salonga
Currently: On Broadway in Once on This Island as the goddess Erzulie
Most known for: The singing voices of Jasmine from Aladdin and Mulan from Mulan
4. Idina Menzel
Currently: On Off-Broadway in Skintight as Jodi
Most known for: The TV show Glee as Shelby Corcoran and the movie Frozen as Elsa
5. Wayne Brady
Currently: On Broadway in Kinky Boots as Lola
Most known for: The TV shows Whose Line is it Anyway? and How I Met Your Mother as James Stinson
6. Laura Dreyfuss
Currently: On Broadway in Dear Evan Hansen as Zoe Murphy
Most known for: The TV show Glee as Madison McCarthy
7. Andrew Garfield
Currently: On Broadway in Angels in America as Prior Walter
Most known for: The movie The Amazing Spiderman as Peter Parker
8. Nathan Lane
Currently: On Broadway in Angels in America as Roy Cohn
Most known for: The movie The Lion King as Timon
9. Denzel Washington
Currently: On Broadway in The Iceman Cometh as Hickey
Most known for: Well… basically everything; but to name a couple, the movies Fences as Troy Maxson and The Magnificent Seven as Sam Chilsom
10. Laurie Metcalf
Currently: On Broadway in Three Tall Women as B
Most known for: The movies Toy Story as Mrs. Davis (Andy’s mom) and Ladybird as Marion McPherson
11. Chris Evans
Currently: On Broadway in Lobby Hero as Bill
Most known for: The movies Captain America: The First Avenger as Captain America and The Fantastic Four as Human Torch
12. Michael Cera
Currently: On Broadway in Lobby Hero as Jeff
Most known for: The TV show Arrested Development as George Michael Bluth and the movie Scott Pilgrim VS the World as Scott Pilgrim
There are so many talented people in film, TV and on Broadway — this list could have gone on forever. A coaxing reminder: who needs to spend $250 when you have all of these amazing actors on your television at home? But, if you’re anything like me and are dying to see a show or two (or all of them) on Broadway, take out and save $10 or so from every paycheck you get from work. Eventually, you’ll have saved enough money to see your dream show — featuring your favorite film and TV actors — on the live stage!