The most demanding roles in musical theatre?

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 9:53am

Having seen on another forum someone say Elphaba is the most demanding role in the musical theatre, which I can't agree with (vocally demanding yes, but not as a part overall) I just wondered what others thought were the most demanding roles (taking everything into account, singing, dancing, acting, physical aspects etc),

To start with id say

Jean Valjean
The Phantom
Kim in Miss Saigon
Eva Peron
Judas

[bob8rich]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 11:00am

I would say Glinda in Wicked more than Elphaba - needs far more vocal versatility and also great comic timing acting-wise to really pull it off.
Diana in Next To Normal is not only a hell of a big sing but also the harrowing emotional journey she has to take every night makes it definitely one of the most demanding female roles.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 12:06pm

Jekyll & Hyde (1997 Broadway). The "Confrontation" scene is one of the most demanding things I have ever seen a actor perform on stage.

[Outoftowner2]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 12:57pm

Billy Elliot

Sweeney and Lovett

Valjean Updated On: 7/7/12 at 12:57 PM

[Justin D]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 1:02pm

Ive heard many actresses say how demanding emotionally Norma Desmond's decline into madness is at the end of each performance.

and perhaps less so, but Joe in Sunset is also onstage ALOT, but usually not doing much.

[bdn223]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 2:27pm

The reason why Many consider Elphaba one of the most demanding roles is because it is up there with EVITA score wise, and unlike Christine and Evita she does 8 shows a week. Wicked is also a trap door heavy production so there is a lot of running around backstage, add to that that her costume weighs 15 pounds (yes a burlap sac can be heavy apparently I was shocked when I found this out too). It take actresses act least 45min to get into full make up.


Elphaba is not the most "challenging" role, but it is most certainly one of the most "demanding" roles. There is a difference between the two. Many consider the role of Marge in Promises Promises very challenging because one has to play a convincing drunk without being over the top, but still over the top...(meaning finding the perfect balance) but the role is also only onstage for all of 10minutes, so it is not that demanding as well. On the other hand a role like Crutchie in Newsies is not that challenging, but it is demanding having to walk with a limp and a "clubbed" foot for almost an hour and a half (he is in act two for all of 5 minutes).

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 2:36pm

Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett due to the incredible acting demands.

[mallardo]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 3:28pm

I wouldn't call the Phantom an especially demanding role. Some of his more strenuous vocals are prerecorded (for production reasons) and he's not on stage all that much.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 3:44pm

Agreed, I meant it demanding in terms of the physical and acting demands more than the singing. The make up which is limiting and at times in terms of singing and vision, hiding up in the cramped angel for so long, the sheer emotion and acting required in the final lair

[Nickhutson]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 3:47pm

Ones that spring to mind are...

Sweeney Todd
Matilda
Billy Elliot
Phantom
Judas
Balladeer in Assassins

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 3:54pm

Rose in Gypsy
Dot/Marie and George in Sunday In The Park With George
Cunégonde and Candide in Candide
Fosca in Passion

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 3:57pm

The Phantom is definitely near the top of that list IMO. Not THAT much of it is pre-recorded, relatively.

[kurt.perry41]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 8:13pm

I'd strongly disagree with the Phantom being on this list, remember Michael Crawford was not a brilliant singer. Elphaba is often considered the most challenging because there is so much high belting as with Eva in Evita.

I'd agree with Valjean, especially since I hear it badly sung so much. Christine is a cake walk.

Fosca in Passon is up there
Norma Desmond certainly has som high Belting as well.
Archibald in Secret Garden
Sweeny
The baritone lead in South Pacific

OH SWEET JESUS, Pitti-Sing from Hott Mikado. Alison Jier set an EXTREMELY high standard for the role and it requires CRAZY high belting.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 8:37pm

I'd probably say Eva Peron, Christine, The Phantom and Jean Valjean. Is Maria in the Sound of Music considered a demanding role as the Palladium production and UK tour had alternates?

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:51am

Seeing 19 shows in days. on Broadway........Gloat.

2 more to go.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 6:27am

"The baritone lead in South Pacific"

You seriously think Emile is more demanding than The Phantom? Trust me, it's not - Emile is written completely idiomatically so a classical baritone has no problem singing the score. The Phantom, however, is not. The music covers a large range and demands that the singer have both rich lower baritone qualities and also the abilities to sing top Ab's powerfully. Couple this with the physical demands of the role and you have a very demanding role indeed. Just because Michael Crawford was not a great singer it doesn't mean that the score is not demanding - Michael Crawford didn't always sing it that well. Look at interviews with the likes of John Owen-Jones to get a taste of how difficult that role is to play.

Updated On: 7/8/12 at 06:27 AM

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 7:30am

Also as previously stated demanding roles arnt just about the singing. Clap is completely right

Posted: 7/8/12 at 7:55am

Can someone tell me which part of the Phantom is pre-recorded I was very surprised by this. Thank you

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 8:55am

In London, the first half of the title song and the "notes". I'm unsure whether or not "seal my fate tonight..." is pre-recorded. The rest is live.

[tenorboyo]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 9:50am

Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl........skills, endless skills
Tevye in Fiddler.....hardly offstage, very emotionally draining.

[06s091]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 10:10am

I agree with many of those already mentioned.
Valjean
Phantom
Sweeney
Lovett
Norma
Fosca
Rose

I also think Alex in Aspects of Love is a very demanding role.

[mallardo]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:34pm

How about Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz? Talk about a marathon.

[pitfever]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 9:16pm

I'm shocked nobody has mentioned Frankie Vallie in Jersey Boys. He's pretty much singing 80% of the songs, in high register, and the second act is almost like a one man show, singing and narrating.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 11:48pm

^ Agree it is a very hard role.

Another hard role is from Les Miserables and that is Enjolras singing ABC Cafe /Red and Black / Do You Hear The People Sing, it is physically demanding because of the tempo.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 7/9/12 at 3:12am

Delores in Sister Act is quite a full on role. Never really off-stage.

Also - Billy Elliot