15 stars and experts celebrate belting voices in musical theater
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 4
15 stars and experts celebrate belting voices in musical theater
4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 4
The group includes Lea Michele, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert and Christine Ebersole, each naming a performer and a Broadway or Broadway-adjacent song to showcase the style.
The piece argues belting’s power lies in its dramatic climb from soft singing to intense high notes, while noting some performers and listeners dislike the label or sound.
It traces the style’s largely American roots from Ethel Waters and Sophie Tucker to Ethel Merman, Idina Menzel and male belters, while acknowledging Black singers’ influence on the form.
As belting reaches higher notes, are Broadway's 'biggest voices' pushing the limits of vocal health for art?
Which songs did stars like Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert name as the ultimate Broadway belting anthems?