Leslie Uggams, an acclaimed actress and singer with a career spanning over six decades, is probably best known for her performance in the historic television mini-series, Roots, as well as for her more recent appearances in the musical drama television series, Empire, and Amazon’s post-apocalyptic drama series, Fallout.

On the big screen, she’s leapt back into pop culture consciousness in Deadpool, having also appeared in the sequel to that tongue-in-cheek comic book delight, with a return appearance slated for the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine. However, Uggams has also left an indelible mark on the musical theatre scene, where her captivating presence, warmth and versatility have given us some thrilling performances over the years. In celebration of her 81st birthday today, 25 May, we’re ranking the six Broadway musicals in which Uggams has starred.

Honourable Mentions

While some great shows are not a part of her Broadway resume, Uggams has also delivered remarkable performances on stages beyond the Main Stem. Her roles in Stormy Weather, Gypsy, Pipe Dream and Jelly’s Last Jam further demonstrate her sheer talent. Additionally, her famed performance of “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” where she was compelled to improvise the song’s lyrics during a live telecast due to a prompter mishap, reflects the unique joy she brings to her performances.

6. Her First Roman

Her First Roman places last on our list, representing an intriguing but ultimately less successful entry in Uggams’s Broadway career. This musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s play Caesar and Cleopatra paired Uggams with Richard Kiley in a story that mixed romance and political intrigue. Indeed, enough political intrigue was contrived to allow Cleopatra to accompany Julius Caesar when he left Egypt at the end of the show. So much for Mark Antony. Uggams played Cleopatra, bringing her signature effervescence and vocal strength to the role in songs like the catchy “Many Young Men From Now.” Despite valiant performances from the two leads, Her First Roman struggled with Ervin Drake’s uneven writing and a lacklustre score, leading to a short run – despite a lot of show doctoring on the road, including the addition of three numbers by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. One thing Uggams’s portrayal of the iconic Egyptian queen was able to reinforce was her ability to tackle diverse and challenging roles. While Her First Roman gave musical theatre history little else than one of its greatest flops, it certainly provided a reminder of just how multifaceted a performer Uggams could be even in the face of material that must have prompted audiences to ask – in the words of one of the songs from the show – “What Are We Doing in Egypt?”

5. Blues in the Night

Blues in the Night may be one of the least celebrated of Uggams’ Broadway outings, but it still gave her a chance to showcase her immense talent, notably in ”Lover Man.’ the moving torch song most associated with Billie Holiday. This revue-style musical comprised a series of similar blues and jazz songs, highlighting the highs and lows of love as three women negotiate their respective relationships with – what else? – a “Dirty No-Gooder” if ever there was one. The show’s lack of a cohesive plot and character development places are two big factors that see it placed it at the bottom of this list. While it was nominated as Best Musical at the Tony Awards, it lost to Cats – ironically another musical that is often (some would say unfairly) criticised for its plot and character development. Frank Rich probably summed up the show’s key issue in his review for The New York Times: on paper, the idea works, but it doesn’t make the leap from the page to a fully realised night of musical theatre brilliance. Whatever it is that makes a great revue like Ain’t Misbehavin’ work – well that’s what Blues in the Night just doesn’t seem to have.

4. Jerry’s Girls

When it comes to Jerry Herman”s musicals, both those that hit and those that miss, there is one thing they all have in common: great songs. Jerry’s Girls, the second revue to appear on this list, celebrates Herman’s greatest tunes (and the women that in many cases have sung them) and started modestly as an act at Onstage in 1981 before being transformed into a full-scale production that toured and finally landed on Broadway in 1985. Uggams shone in this revue alongside two other Broadway legends, Dorothy Loudon and Chita Rivera, delivering memorable renditions of songs like “I Won’t Send Roses” from Mack and Mabel and “It Only Takes a Moment” from Hello, Dolly! alongside some lesser-known gems like “Shalom” from Milk and Honey. While there is no cast recording of the Broadway version of the show, thankfully Jay Records produced an album of the touring version, in which Uggams appeared alongside Carol Channing and Andrea McArdle, so posterity can enjoy the best songs she delivered in the show, “If He Walked into My Life,” the only rendition that rivals Angela Lansbury’s original version, and “I Am What I Am,” in which her charisma and vocal prowess are undeniable. What could have been better than Uggams in Jerry’s Girls? Well, how about Uggams in a Hello, Dolly! or Mame? It’s true that she appeared in both of those shows for Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars and Boca Raton’s The Wick Theatre respectively – but how great would it have been to see her headline those shows on Broadway too?

3. Thoroughly Modern Millie

In Thoroughly Modern Millie, Uggams played Muzzy Van Hossmere, a glamorous and wise character who helps guide the protagonist, Millie, through the challenges of 1920s New York City. The role was originated by Sheryl Lee Ralph on Broadway and gave Uggams, who replaced Ralph in the show’s second year, a chance to showcase her elegance and charm in numbers like “Only in New York” and “Long as I’m Here with You.” The musical’s lively score, engaging plot, and vibrant characters made it a standout production in its debut season on Broadway, and although Jeanine Tesori and Dick Scanlan’s songs for Muzzy weren’t among the greatest hits of the show score, their sophistication and warmth almost make them better than flashier songs like “Forget About the Boy” and “Gimme Gimme.”

2. Hallelujah, Baby!

Jule Styne, Adolph Green, Betty Comden and Arthur Laurents’s Hallelujah, Baby! (a musical we’ve taken a look at in our old Forgotten Musicals Friday column) was a groundbreaking musical in its time, addressing the struggles and triumphs of African American people in the 20th century. Uggams starred as Georgina, a young woman who wants much more than the life she has been born into. She works towards her dream of stage stardom through the Great Depression and World War II and by the time the 1950s arrive, so has she. Georgina becomes a popular singer in an exclusive nightclub and just as it seems her dreams have come true, an old love interest, Clem, who has become a civil rights activist, challenges the worth of her personal triumph in the context of the wider struggle for justice and equality for African American people. As Georgina, Uggams delivered a Tony Award-winning performance that captured the resilience and spirit of the character. The show’s ambitious scope and powerful message were well received in its original and only outing on Broadway and Uggams’s ability to navigate the emotional and historical complexities of the role made her a bona fide Broadway star.

1. Anything Goes

Topping our list is Anything Goes, a timeless classic where Uggams took on the role of Reno Sweeney in a 1980s revival. The story – in case you don’t know it – is a bit like A Midsummer Night’s Dream on a boat. Billy Crocker is in love with Hope Harcourt, an heiress who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, and Reno is in love with Billy. After a series of madcap encounters, Billy marries Hope and Evelyn, Reno. Replacing Patti LuPone might be a daunting challenge for any Broadway star, but Uggams was up to it. Her portrayal of the brassy nightclub singer was commanding and charismatic, perfectly balancing humour and heart. With a score by Cole Porter, including iconic numbers like “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and the title song, Uggams’s performance was a tour de force. Her impeccable timing, powerful vocals, and magnetic stage presence make this fabulous production one of the crowning jewels of her Broadway career. If only we had a cast recording of Uggams in the show as a memento of her star turn.

Final Thoughts

Uggams’ contributions to Broadway are a testament to her extraordinary talent and enduring legacy. Each of these musicals, from the jazzy Blues in the Night to the long-lasting charm of Anything Goes, highlights different facets of her abilities as a performer. As we celebrate her birthday, we honour not only the roles she’s played, but also the indomitable spirit she brings to the stage every time the curtain rises. Brava, diva ultima!