Sort of spun from the other "hardest part on broadway" thread, what are the most demanding roles on Broadway, whether it is vocally or emotionally? And yes, the list is a bit contemporary...but still.
Momma Rose - GYPSY Elphaba and Glinda - WICKED The Four Seasons - JERSEY BOYS Effie - DREAMGIRLS Roger - RENT Full Cast - LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
I would definately agree with Rose for Gypsy...emotionally and vocally...I don't know if I can say that about Roger, but I do find Effie to be a very demanding role. Do you think that a role is emotionally demanding based on the actor who created it, or the material, or a mix of both?
The Witch, INTO THE WOODS Sally Durant, FOLLIES Bobby, COMPANY Caroline, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE Hedwig, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Dot and George, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE Lovett and Sweeney, SWEENEY TODD Mimi Marquez, RENT Dolly Levi, HELLO, DOLLY! Rose, GYPSY Sally Bowles, CABARET Julie Jordan, Billy Bigelow, CAROUSEL Nellie and Emile, SOUTH PACIFIC Anna and the King, THE KING AND I Maria, THE SOUND OF MUSIC Cassie, A CHORUS LINE Eva and Che, EVITA Jane, JANE EYRE Jean Valjean, LES MISERABLES Emma, SONG AND DANCE Guido, Luisa, NINE
Among several other million...
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."-Charlie Manson
"I love acting. It is so much more real than life." Oscar Wilde "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." Aldous Huxley
Cassie from ACL as munkustrap mentioned is also a very demanding role if done under certain circumstances (i.e with Bennett's choreography which was created exclusively for McKechnie)
In my humble opinion most demanding either vocally, emotionaly or just to truthfuly tackle.
Frankenfurter - Rocky Horror Sarah/coalhouse - Ragtime Baker/Bakers wife and Witch - Into the woods. Dot and George - Sunday in the park... Fanny - Funny Girl Mama Rose - Gypsy Cast- Sweeney Todd.... Robert - Company Jamie/Cathy - Last 5 years Leo/Lucille - Parade Sally/M.C - cabaret Sam Byck/John wilkes Both/Assassins Aida - Aida Elphaba/Glinda - Wicked Angel/Maureen - Rent, they may be small small but demanding, if played well. Mimi (if played well) - Rent Effie - Dreamgirls Peter/Liza/Judy - The boy from Oz Burns - The wild party Evita/Che' - Evita Jesus/Judas - J.C Superstar Norma - Sunset Boulervard Valjean - Les Mis Sally - Follies Cast - Light in the Piazza Eliza - My Fair Lady Harold Hill - The Music Man (it's a huge role) Emma - Song and Dance Roxie/Velma - Chicago (if played well) Dolly - Hello Dolly yentle - Yentle Fosca - Passion and billions of other great roles!
All of these that have been mentioned are great. I have one to add! In the Sweeney revival, I'd have to say Tobias. I just looked at Manoel Felciano after he performed and he looked so physically and emotionally drained.....and that was after a matinee. I said to my friend..."Look at him...and he has to do this again in a few hours!" I have to give him credit to be able to do that week after week!
Mama Rose - Gypsy Dot/George - SITPWG Sweeney/Lovett - Sweeney Todd Don Quixote/Cervantes - Man of La Mancha Christine/Phantom - The Phantom Of The Opera Elphaba - Wicked Pippin/Leading Player - Pippin Celie - The Color Purple
Roger isn't a hard part vocally, it's just that most people who play the role have little to no technique and end up blowing out their vocal chords or something. Same with Caroline or Change, it's a tough role because it's hard not to blow out your voice doing the show. There is a lot of high heavy belting over and over again.
broadjay, I had forgotten about Fosca...that role looks like it's absolutely exhausting.
A little O/T, but munk, your avatar is fantastic. I was just watching Jesus is Magic last night.
"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you."
- Maya Angelou
I am surprised only ONE poster mentioned Phantom !!!! It was the first one my mind went to. Also, Angel & Mark (RENT), Jean Valjean (LES MIS), Kim (MISS SAIGON), Norma Desmond (SUNSET BLVD), Eva (EVITA), Mama Rose (GYPSY) and a lot more... Also everyone on Starlight Express. Having to sing and dance on ROLLER SKATES ???? Give them a break
Angel & Mark in RENT Jean Valjean in LES MIZ Kim in MISS SAIGON Elphaba & Glinda in WICKED
But IMO, The Phantom & Christine have the most demanding roles. Yes, there IS a reason she has an alternate: it's a HARD PLus they have to preform up to the standard people expect when they come to see THE show
Mama Rose in GYPSY is tough, too.
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
I would agree that the Phantom isn't an easy role, but Christine is the most demanding of that show by far. The Phantom only has around 30 minutes of stage time, while Christine is constantly out there singing her guts out.
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert