Star of the Year '05: Why You Love Him
Thousands of you came out and voted for Norbert Leo Butz as the Broadway.com Star of the Year for 2005. On the ballot, we asked you to specify why you thought Norbert was worthy of the title. A sampling of your answers follows.
Deirdre of Colleyville, Texas
"I saw DRS three times and loved it more each time. NLB was really over the top, in the best possible way. The energy he expends during his performance fills the theater."
Matt of Roanoke, Virginia
"Norbert puts so much life and comedy into all of his roles."
Logan of Glencoe, Minnesota
"He's my role model + he's one of the nicest people on Broadway + he's an amazing performer = Star of the Year"
Esther of Flushing, New York
"Because his performance in November was as good as it was during previews. No star-tripping phoning it in for him."
Caitlin of Maplewood, New Jersey
"Because he is a star who has done a lot of great work and did it well but he really got the recognition he deserves for his 'role of a lifetime.'"
Leah of New Castle, Pennsylvania
"Norbert has amazing comic timing and he is also, I might add, incredibly sexy in some kind of weird way!"
Anne of Peru, Maine
"Norbert has surprised all of us this year with his ability to shed his formerly droll frat boy-esque stage personas by playing the hilarious Freddie Benson. He has finally become a full-fledged Broadway star, and he certainly deserves it!"
Rafael of Mexico City, Mexico
"Porque me gusto mucho como eras su interpretacion en Wicked y creo es un muy buen actor."
Katie of East Sandwich, Massachusetts
"I saw him in DRS and Wicked. He is an amazing actor who brings such life to his performances. His energy fuels the audience and the other actors. I love him!!"
Erik of Weston, Connecticut
"Because he's SICK!"
Dorothy of Rock Island, Illinois
"Because he freakin' rocks!! I absolutely love Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and also Wicked and The Last Five Years. I met him in Times Square and he stopped for me and took a picture, which was so nice. He's officially my favorite Broadway actor ever!"
Lindsay of Grand Island, Nebraska
"He uses every ounce of himself in that role. We were in the front row and hurt afterwards from laughing so 
hard at his comic genius."
Meredith of New York, New York
"He made me laugh so hard that my cheeks hurt for the hour following the show. For real!"
Aislinn of New York, New York
"What's not to love about Norbert? He's got star power and potential, and should be lighting up Broadway stages for a long, long time to come!"
Alix of Calabasa, California
"What is there not to love about Norbie? He should be the Musical Star of the Century! Plus, he's really cute!"
Haley of Huntsville, Texas
"Wham bam, thank you ma'am! Norbert Leo Butz is on fire!"
Karen of Forest Hills, New York
"He is hilarious, extremely talented, good-looking and has enough charisma to fill a small country. A true star!"
Justin of Los Angeles, California
"Norbert is an infectious star to watch. I never wanted to take my eyes off him both when I saw the show in San Diego and when I saw it in New York. A brilliant, unparalleled comedic performance."
Traci of Rochester, New York
"Anyone who can flop around on the ground like a fish with a piece of Beef Jerky for that long deserves recognition."
Cody of Fresno, California
"Because of his expansive and varied catalog of work, from Cabaret to Dirty Rotten, and the many roles he has originated. Plus, he is a down-to-earth all-around great guy!"
Lisa of University City, Missouri
"Norbert has shown tremendous talent since he first showed up on the Broadway scene And he's from my town!"
Stacy of Astoria, New York
"Because he has been paying his dues and working so hard for this moment, and it keeps my dream alive!"
Buddy of Ann Arbor, Michigan
"I chose Mr. Butz because he's dynamic, handsome, sexy and, most of all, supremely talented. I could listen to him sing The Last Five Years for hours and hours."
Ed of Trenton, New Jersey
"For receiving one of the most vociferous ovations after singing his first number that I have ever experienced in over 50 years of theatergoing. Let us hope and pray that he will come back in another show as the absolute star."
Maria of New York, New York
Fiona of New York, New York
Shelby of Bountiful, Utah
Jared of New York, New York
George of Brooklyn, New York
Christine of Barrington, Illinois
Harris of New York, New York
Jared of St. Petersburg, Florida
Jennifer of Los Angeles, California
Mackenzie of St. Louis, Missouri
Laura of Plainview, New York
Jim of Bayville, New York
Felicia of Scottsdale, Arizona
Rachel of New York, New York
Kelly of San Diego, California
Elise of New York, New York
Kate of Maumee, Ohio
Steve of Greensboro, North Carolina
Raphael of New York, New York
Randy of Las Vegas, Nevada
"I am a huge Broadway fanatic, but after seeing Butz on stage in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels this past summer, theater has never been the same. His comedic acting, his powerhouse voice and his lovable character truly stole the show!"
"The depth of his name as a performer… Singer, dramatic actor, dancer or comedian, he nails it every time!"
Kathryn of Arlington, Texas
"He is a top-notch singer, fearless performer and all-around wonderful person. How do you beat that?"
"Norbert is the Star of the Year because I cannot imagine this role being played by anyone other than him. It's the rare case of a role and performer melding together so perfectly that it seems the actor was born to play the part."
"His star has been rising for years, but he took a Steve Martin role that even Ken Mandelbaum thought couldn't be topped and used it to steal the show from the likes of John Lithgow! That's a star turn if I've ever seen one."
"It's the best physical performance of the year. How does he do it eight times a week?!"
"Mr. Butz is magnificence personified. Never before have I seen an actor play such a grotesque, funny and inappropriate role and then get praise for it. You are one in a million, Norbert!"
"Norbert Leo Butz is so funny and has so much charisma that you have to fall in love with him! He will charm the hell out of you and his smile will melt your heart."
"It's thrilling to watch an actor take over a role and a stage and own it completely."
Harvey of New York, New York
"After seeing him perform 'Great Big Stuff' who could not think of him as Star of the Year? One or two others came close, but his was the cigar-winning turn."
"I didn't know he had it in him. In a world of Broadway that is constantly being bombarded with movie stars and music stars, he had the wit and talent to get a part as someone only known in theater and take it to the next level."
"I saw Norbert in Dirty Rotten Scoundels a few weeks after the show opened. He was so magnetic and just exuded confidence on the stage. I also got to meet him after the show and he was so nice and gracious. A true gentleman. Congrats Norbert!"
"1 His niece goes to my school and 2 I was lucky enough to see him in this show live and he absolutely blew me away with his talent and energy."
"Norbert Leo Butz gave one of the most committed, hysterical and entertaining performances I have seen from any actor in years!"
Kelsey of Austin, Texas
"I think he is absolutely amazing. He is a very talented actor and he has this amazing voice that makes me want to scream every time I hear it. He is just so very talented!"
"His portrayal was a no holds barred, reach for the stars, going way out on a limb with a net star turn. He is so free with his body and completely released his inhibitions making this show, in my opinion, impossible to do without him!"
"He is amazing. He has the best voice on earth. He is a genuinely nice guy and I love him. I want to have his babies!"
"I find him absolutely mesmerizing to watch. He sucks you in the moment he walks onstage and he has the presence and talent to amazing you with every note."
"1 How could you NOT vote for him? 2 His name is Norbert."
"Charismatic, fantastic, hysterical and so cute :"
"Is there nothing he can't do? He is chameleon and seems to be able to shine in any role."
"He held nothing back. Not since Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz 
have I seen a performer have so much fun onstage. A breakthrough performance that will be remembered for decades!"
"He's completely magnetic. When he's onstage, you can't take your eyes off him. From the days as Gordon or Squeegee Man in the ensemble of Rent to The Last Five Years and his absurd role in Wicked to this, he's a tour de force!"
"C'mon… Did you SEE Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?!"