And the Oscar Should Go To... Raul Esparza, Adam Pascal and More Broadway Stars Name Their Oscar Picks

Broadway's own big awards show may not be until June, but that doesn't mean stars of the Great White Way won't be tuning into the Academy Awards on February 26 to see who takes home his or her very own little gold man. Broadway.com checked in with a slew of stage faves to find out which films and performances they think deserve to win an Oscar. Take a look below!

Raúl Esparza (Leap of Faith):
"I hope A Separation from Iran wins for Best Screenplay and Foreign Film. It's one of the finest films I've seen all year. I liked its moral complication, and how a film that dealt with issues of Islamic class and religious identity felt as familiar and enthralling as Kramer vs. Kramer or any American legal drama of the last 30 years."

Reeve Carney (Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark):
"I'm rooting for Max Von Sydow in the Best Supporting Actor category for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Stillness and silence are things often overlooked, especially in the current age. But the true power and charisma of an artist exists equally in that space, and often, more clearly. I'm excited about The Artist's nomination for Best Picture for the same reasons."

Hunter Parrish (Godspell):
“I feel like Moneyball is the little engine that could. I only wish Bennett Miller was nominated for Best Director! Great filmmaking all around.”

Adam Pascal (Memphis):
“I’m hoping Hugo wins Best Picture. I saw it with my kids and absolutely loved it!”

Michael Urie (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying):
“I’m gunning for my old pal and Juilliard classmate Jessica Chastain to win Best Supporting Actress for The Help! She's had a helluva year, in each movie she was more stunning and heartbreaking than the last. That’s easily my favorite category, and the most worthy with Octavia Spencer (my brilliant buddy from Ugly Betty) and Melissa McCarthy giving hope to all the comic actors…but I want Jessica to win!”

Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert):
"I would love to see Melissa McCarthy win Best Supporting Actress for Bridesmaids. She's one of the most brilliant comic actresses of her generation and her hosting of Saturday Night Live last October was a high point of the television year.”

Jackie Burns (Wicked):
“Well, I know I'm going against the popular opinion, but I think Gary Oldman should win Best Actor for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy! Not to discredit George Clooney's work, I just think Gary Oldman is one of the most brilliant actors we have and it's time he gets recognized for his huge career of amazing work!"

Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies):
"I'm rooting for Christopher Plummer for his performance in Beginners, one of my favorite indie flicks of the year. I was enamored by the ingenious film making and creative story telling. To be honest, my vote for performance of the year actually goes to his dog, but Plummer's heartbreaking performance was a close second."

Jerry O’Connell (Seminar):
“Melissa McCarthy for Bridesmaids! Love her!”

Cristin Milioti (Once):
"I'm rooting for Melissa McCarthy because she's incredibly, hilariously talented and it's so rare that Oscars are given to comedic performances.”

Will Swenson (Priscilla Queen of the Desert):
“Rooting for Viola Davis for The Help because she's one of us theater people…and she deserves to win. Also would love to see The Artist win for Best Picture. I have no words to describe how great that movie is."

Rebecca Faulkenberry (Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark):
"I'm a movie junkie, so I definitely have my opinions on this! For Best Picture I can narrow it to three: Midnight in Paris satisfied all of my literary and movie desires, it was magical and imaginative, and who doesn't want to spend an hour or two in Paris? Hugo was just a beautiful movie, so creative and stylized - and I'm sure it helped that I saw it in the Ziegfeld theatre, which has a pretty amazing atmosphere. And last but not least, there are some unbelievable acting performances in The Help, and movies that can equally satisfy humor and poignant moments are good by me."

Paul Nolan (Jesus Christ Superstar):
“My vote is for Brad Pitt for Moneyball. I think he is an underrated artist because of his looks. I respect that he could have made his beauty his career, but didn't. He is the real deal: raw, sexy, funny, unpredictable, masculine, and not afraid to make fun of himself (okay, I'll just say it: I want to be that cool some day). I think Mr. Pitt deserves recognition for his untouchable talent.”

Adam Chanler-Berat (Peter and the Starcatcher):
“I'm a fan of both The Descendants and The Artist. I hope one of those takes home the big trophy. And although I'm not sure she's in line to win, I loved Jessica Chastain’s performance in The Help. My primary wish for Oscar evening is that it matches the level of drama and excitement captured in this year's Grammy Awards, but I'm pretty sure that's not in the realm of possibilities.”

Stacy Keach (Other Desert Cities):
“I'm rooting for George Clooney in The Descendants. His characterization was, I felt, fully realized, deeply sensitive and moving. I would also credit his director, Alexander Payne, for the quality of his performance."

Steve Kazee (Once):
"George Clooney for The Descendants because a Kentucky boy has to cheer for another Kentucky boy. It's an unwritten law of the land in the Bluegrass state. Oh and by the way, Clooney is amazing!"

Nick Adams (Priscilla Queen of the Desert):
“I'm always rooting for Meryl Streep. She is a master class in acting and it's no different with her performance in The Iron Lady. As for Best Picture, I'm hoping The Help takes it home. It was an exceptional story with inspiring performances."

Josh Young (Jesus Christ Superstar):
“I enjoyed Midnight in Paris the most out of the films I caught this year. When you're playing Judas eight times a week a little levity and clever escapism are very welcome. It was just so smart and served as a great conversation piece for weeks to come. Best Actor must go to The Artist’s Jean Dujardin. The guy didn't need words and I was on the edge of my seat for the entire film. My pick for Best Actress is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s Rooney Mara. She's going to be doing great work for years to come."

Celia Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher):
“Team Melissa McCarthy all the way!”

Patrick Page (Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark):
"I am rooting for Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady. She should always win everything. What she does isn't acting, it's magic. Our own [Eleonora] Duse. Also Beginners' Christopher Plummer, he's a North American actor who has given us a lifetime of extraordinary performances on stage and on screen."

These stars have had their say, now it's your turn. Which Oscar-nominated actor would you like to see make his/her Broadway debut? Vote in our weekend poll by clicking here!