Ten Broadway Actors You Should Know

Players who are making their mark on the Great White Way.

Audra McDonald - While stars of films and television get most of the shine, some of the biggest talent in America is on Broadway, which will be honored at this year's Tony Awards on June 8. Here's our rundown of ten Broadway actors you should know. Audra McDonald is a five-time Tony winner and might make history if she nabs another this year for her epic performance as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Although you may have seen her in Private Practice, McDonald prefers the stage over Hollywood.  One of the most heralded actors on Broadway, if Audra is attached to a show, it's automatically a must-see.    (Photo: WENN)

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Audra McDonald - While stars of films and television get most of the shine, some of the biggest talent in America is on Broadway, which will be honored at this year's Tony Awards on June 8. Here's our rundown of ten Broadway actors you should know. Audra McDonald is a five-time Tony winner and might make history if she nabs another this year for her epic performance as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Although you may have seen her in Private Practice, McDonald prefers the stage over Hollywood.  One of the most heralded actors on Broadway, if Audra is attached to a show, it's automatically a must-see.    (Photo: WENN)

Norm Lewis - A Broadway mainstay, Norm Lewis previously appeared in Les Miserables, Chicago and Tommy. After his Tony award nominated performance as Porgy in Porgy and Bess, Lewis is officially ready for his primetime close up. The actor is now a recurring cast member on the political drama Scandal as Senator Edison Davis. (Photo: Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

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Norm Lewis - Norm Lewis made Broadway history this year when it was announced he would be the first Black actor to play the title role in Phantom of the Opera. Prior to this breakthrough, Lewis has lent his powerful baritone to leading roles in Les Miserables, Chicago andThe Little Mermaid. He also played the lead opposite Audra McDonald in 2012's Porgy and Bess.  (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Nikki James - Nikki got an early start on her Broadway career. She made her Broadway debut before even graduating from NYU in the 2001 musical The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Ten years later, in 2011, James won a Tony Award for her role as African villager Nabulungi in the raunchy musical hit The Book of Mormon. Currently, James can be seen as the French gamine Éponine in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables.(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Lucille Lortel Awards)

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Nikki James - Nikki got an early start on her Broadway career. She made her Broadway debut before even graduating from NYU in the 2001 musical The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Ten years later, in 2011, James won a Tony Award for her role as African villager Nabulungi in the raunchy musical hit The Book of Mormon. Currently, James can be seen as the French gamine Éponine in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables.(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Lucille Lortel Awards)

De'Adre Aziza - The beautiful De'Adre Aziza is a Tony nominee and known for her incredible performances in Passing Strange and this year's A Night With Janis Joplin — where she made the unforgettable Nina Simone come to life on stage.  Aziza also scored roles in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna and Red Hook Summer.  You can catch her this summer in the Off-Broadway production of the musical Piece of My Heart.   (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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De'Adre Aziza - The beautiful De'Adre Aziza is a Tony nominee and known for her incredible performances in Passing Strange and this year's A Night With Janis Joplin — where she made the unforgettable Nina Simone come to life on stage.  Aziza also scored roles in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna and Red Hook Summer.  You can catch her this summer in the Off-Broadway production of the musical Piece of My Heart.   (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Patina Miller - Patina Miller was discovered in the chorus of the Pasadena premiere of Sister Act and went on to become a Tony winner for her leading role in Pippin. The talented star has also appeared in workshops of American Idiot andThe Book of Mormon, TV's All My Children, and the Public Theater's 2008 production of Hair. (Photo: Mike Pont/Getty Images)

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Patina Miller - Patina Miller was discovered in the chorus of the Pasadena premiere of Sister Act and went on to become a Tony winner for her leading role in Pippin. The talented star has also appeared in workshops of American Idiot andThe Book of Mormon, TV's All My Children, and the Public Theater's 2008 production of Hair. (Photo: Mike Pont/Getty Images)

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Eric Lenox Abrams - Bryan Cranston may be the star of All the Way, a Tony-nominated play about President Lyndon B. Johnson, but the most memorable actor of the evening goes to Eric Lenox Abrams.  In his Broadway debut, he plays Bob Moses and David Dennis and delivers a powerful speech telling his people to stand up against racial discrimination.  Abrams definitely has a long career ahead of him on the Great White Way.(Photo: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

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Eric Lenox Abrams - Bryan Cranston may be the star of All the Way, a Tony-nominated play about President Lyndon B. Johnson, but the most memorable actor of the evening goes to Eric Lenox Abrams.  In his Broadway debut, he plays Bob Moses and David Dennis and delivers a powerful speech telling his people to stand up against racial discrimination.  Abrams definitely has a long career ahead of him on the Great White Way.(Photo: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

Adriane Lenox - Adriane Lenox is the rare Broadway star who also has a busy career in Hollywood. She won a Tony Award for Doubt and has appeared on Broadway in dozens of shows, including Dreamgirls, Ain't Misbehavin', Chicago, and Kiss Me, Kate. This year, she appeared in the star-packed After Midnight, which she earned a Tony nomination. Her screen credits include Lee Daniel's The Butler, The Blind Side, 30 Rock and Black Snake Moan.  (Photo: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

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Adriane Lenox - Adriane Lenox is the rare Broadway star who also has a busy career in Hollywood. She won a Tony Award for Doubt and has appeared on Broadway in dozens of shows, including Dreamgirls, Ain't Misbehavin', Chicago, and Kiss Me, Kate. This year, she appeared in the star-packed After Midnight, which she earned a Tony nomination. Her screen credits include Lee Daniel's The Butler, The Blind Side, 30 Rock and Black Snake Moan.  (Photo: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

Billy Porter - Before Porter took home a Tony for playing Lola in Kinky Boots, the Pittsburgh native starred in Miss Saigon, Grease, Five Guys Named Moe and Smokey Joe’s Café. He then took a 13 year hiatus from the Great White Way to study screenwriting and directing before coming back to conquer. (Photo: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

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Billy Porter - Before Porter took home a Tony for playing Lola in Kinky Boots, the Pittsburgh native starred in Miss Saigon, Grease, Five Guys Named Moe and Smokey Joe’s Café. He then took a 13 year hiatus from the Great White Way to study screenwriting and directing before coming back to conquer. (Photo: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

Joshua Henry - Joshua Henry made his Broadway debut in the Tony-winning production In the Heights. After playing Favorite Son in American Idiot, he earned his own Tony nod for his performance in The Scottsboro Boys. He also starred with Broadway icons Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis Porgy and Bess before landing his second Tony nomination for this year's Violet.(Photo: Robert Pitts /Landov)

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Joshua Henry - Joshua Henry made his Broadway debut in the Tony-winning production In the Heights. After playing Favorite Son in American Idiot, he earned his own Tony nod for his performance in The Scottsboro Boys. He also starred with Broadway icons Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis Porgy and Bess before landing his second Tony nomination for this year's Violet.(Photo: Robert Pitts /Landov)

Alton Fitzgerald White - Alton Fitzgerald White is Broadway royalty with his debut on the Great White Way playing John in Miss Saigon. He also captivated audiences in the Broadway adaptation of The Color Purple starring as Mister. But White's biggest claim to fame is playing the iconic role of Mufasa in The Lion King since 2002. With his big voice and dynamic stage presence, White can be seen in eight shows week.  (Photo: WENN)

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Alton Fitzgerald White - Alton Fitzgerald White is Broadway royalty with his debut on the Great White Way playing John in Miss Saigon. He also captivated audiences in the Broadway adaptation of The Color Purple starring as Mister. But White's biggest claim to fame is playing the iconic role of Mufasa in The Lion King since 2002. With his big voice and dynamic stage presence, White can be seen in eight shows week.  (Photo: WENN)