3. Brooks Ashmanskas, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me

Brooks Ashmanskas has stolen every scene he was ever in. From replacement turns in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and The Producers (he played Roger Bart’s role of Carmen Ghia when Bart played Matthew Broderick’s role of Leo Bloom) to original cast forays in the revivals of Little Me, Gypsy, Present Laughter and The Ritz, Ashmanskas has proven indispensable for any show looking to raise the comedy stakes. So solid are his comedy chops that he was chosen to the share the stage with no less than legend Martin Short in his special Broadway presentation, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. It was a wise choice — Short’s hilarious hysteria seems almost sane next to Ashmanskas’ Mad-Hatter daring. Indeed, Ashmanskas commits so fully to his performances, there’s an intrinsic bravery to his work, like he’s up on the trapeze with no net to catch him. That steals more than a scene; that steals the show. Look at him go!

Broadway Scene Stealers: The Men