MOST SUPERFLUOUS CHARACTERS

[paradox_error]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:40pm

My vote goes to Elaine in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.

She walks on, says a few lines, stands around, pushes Marie offstage.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:41pm

The Guard in FROZEN

[paradox_error]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:42pm

Oh and Cinderella's Father in INTO THE WOODS.

*mumble*

"The closer to the family, the closer to the wine."

*mumble*

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:43pm

The guard in 12 Angry Men.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:44pm

I must admit, I love ERRONEOUS, the purposely superfluous character in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:46pm

Definitely Erronius.

"First time around!"

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:55pm

Velma in West Side Story

"Ooglie-oo," is pretty much all she has to contribute to the show.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:57pm

I think Mister Matt wins. I didn't even know there was a Velma in WEST SIDE STORY.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 6:04pm

Madame Morrible?

Posted: 4/14/05 at 6:15pm

Boq n Nessa from Wicked


The Convicts in Man Who Came To Dinner



The little daughters of Tevye in Fiddler.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 6:17pm

Madam Morribble is actually very important to the plot of Wicked.

[musicman117]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 6:25pm

Even though Erronius seems like he doesnt do much, without him the plot wouldnt completely resolve, which you need for that "romanesque" comedy.

I agree with cinderella's father and would like to add King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar (great song, but honestly does nothing for the plot) and the barber in Man of La Mancha

I also think its funny that you could, in theory, eliminate Alfred Doolittle for My Fair Lady and the show would not be effected that greatly.

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 6:35pm

Heh, I've got a friend playing Erronius now, so I don't know if I'm allowed to say him.

Mme. Firmin in The Phantom of the Opera. Exactly one word: "Greedy." For this, they decide to make her a character (to the best of my recollection, there wasn't a Mme. Firmin in the book, so this one irritates the crap out of me).

Sphrintze, Bielke, and Shandel in Fiddler on the Roof

Ms. Crachit, and Agnes in Gypsy


Updated On: 4/14/05 at 06:35 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 7:12pm

"King Herod's Song" is actually very important to the plot...

[Jwei123]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 8:02pm

Ernie Sabella's character in "Sweet Charity"

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 8:31am

Mister Matt, at least get the line right. It's Oobilie Pooh!

[Jon]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 9:38am

Velma is Riff's girlfriend - or at least his dancing partner. The has a major function - to show that Riff isn't gay!

[broadway86]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 9:53am

Wally Webb in "Our Town".

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:07am

LOL Jon.

Actually I think both Cinderella's Father and Tevye's younger daughters are important to character development and theme.

In Into the Woods the weak and ineffective Father of Cinderella supports the whole theme of parents and children. It shows what she has gone through. If he were not in the show no one would even give it a second thought. But the fact that he is there is a great indicator of what Cinderella's life is like.

As for Fiddler. if the line of children stopped with Chava the sense of future of the family would end. With the little daughters leaving with Golda and Tevye to go to America you get the feeling that these little ones are going to challenge their Father even MORE in America and his trials to maintain "Tradition" are just beginning.

These characters do not do much on stage in the acting sense, but in the over all themes of these shows they add a tremendous amount.

Updated On: 4/15/05 at 10:07 AM

[LostLeander]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:19am

This is a HUGE superfluous character.
Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde.

Yeah, I said it.

Her purpose is to show what...?
No, her purpose is to belt high.
She has about 5 songs (or more).

"Nobody Understands Who I am", and neither did the writers. WHO CARES? Eder's hubby wanted to write a juicy part for Linda, and give thousands of teenage belters something to sing at auditions.

I just think she does nothing for the plot.

I know there will be those who disagree, but it's all IMHO.

[wildcat]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:22am

Mendel's female patient on the couch in FALSETTOLAND.

Of course a lot of these roles are played by understudies to the principals.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:37am

judy - I remember reading the script for WSS many many years ago and I could have sworn it was "Ooglie-oo" as my friends and I had a real laugh over it. But I could be wrong. Honestly, the Jets' girlfriends are nothing more than scenery to try and balance the number of women in the show. I've always found them quite funny.

[Sant]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 11:35am

Grandfather in RAGTIME.

Mme De La Grande Bouche in BEAUTY & THE BEAST

[catstagestud]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 1:22pm

I wouldn't say that Lucy does nothing for the plot of J&H. Yeah Wildhorn wrote some music for his wife; she did it well. I'd say Babbette in Beauty and the Beast in addition to Madame de la Grande Bouche.

[wildcat]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 1:26pm

Babette superfluous? But isn't the feather duster there to prove the candelabra is straight?