Biggest Nothing Roles

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Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:32pm

For blanks and giggles, I'm trying to think of these roles. The two that come to mind first are The Wizard in Wicked and Cliff in Cabaret. Sure, they're necessary, but, damn, they're boring!

You promised me poems. ~Tricky

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:35pm

Aunt Eller in Oklahoma and Nettie Fowler in Carousel. Yeah they have good songs, but their characters never see any growth.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:36pm

Gothampc.

I think that's perhaps because the shows aren't about their growth or character arc. They are supporting roles so that the main characters can have theirs...

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

I agree with you on that, Craig, to some extent. But why are all these older great performers apparently chomping at the bit to play The Wizard? And did Cliff actually ever get a song in Cabaret? I always felt bad for the actor who played Cliff because there he is on Broadway and he's doing nothing except watching other people getting to do all the fun stuff. But I suppose not everyone can do the great songs throughout an entire show.

You promised me poems. ~Tricky

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:41pm

"They are supporting roles so that the main characters can have theirs..."

But the supporting roles grow.

Carrie/Enoch go from young lovers to old married people

Will/Annie go from wild lovers to settled down married people

Nettie and Eller are like scenery. They are just there. Their characters have no arc.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:42pm

"I always felt bad for the actor who played Cliff because there he is on Broadway and he's doing nothing except watching other people getting to do all the fun stuff."

And the revival slashed what little music he did have.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:42pm

Craig,

Sadly this is true of many musicals, but what really sets a great musical apart from the rest is that almost all the leads have character arcs. Fiddler is a great example. It is not only Tevye and Golde have have to change, but all the daughters, and their husbands as well.

I played Motel and he gets a great change from a clutzy coward, to a man that takes responsibility for his family at the end of his show when he promises Tevye he will look after them.

Akiva

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:43pm

A lot of the older stars don't have the stamina do lead a musical/play 8 shows a week, so they go for a smaller role, like the Wizard, where they can be seen but don't have that much to do.

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:43pm

In the original production of Cabaret Cliff sang "Why Should I Wake Up?"

"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey

#10

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:48pm

Cliff is the observer. He's the writer (narrator per se), writing about others. I don't have a problem with that device or character or lack of singing.

I agree about characters needing arcs - but not every character has to take that on. It can easily dilute a book having too much going on. Some characters (like in films) are there for a plot device or to provide information or comic relief or whatnot. Some shows do it very successfully.

Is there really an arc with the two gangsters in Kiss Me Kate? No. Are they interesting/needed/etc - I think yes.

Perhaps it's because of the material they are given...

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

#11

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:51pm

"Is there really an arc with the two gangsters in Kiss Me Kate?"

The gangsters provide conflict. Otherwise it would be a backstage musical with divas yelling at each other.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#12

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:54pm

This is going to draw jeers I'm sure, but i think alot of the small roles in some of the musical warhorses like Oklahoma! and Carousel need a thoughtful actor and a very strong director to find meaning and depth in the script. I don't think Aunt Eller is a nothing role at all...it's up the actor and director to find the arc of the character--playwrights and composers do everything for a reason, and don't put characters in for "scenery"--that's a designer's job.

#13

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 4:15pm

Jolene Oakes in DRS!

#14

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 6:00pm

Jolene is a small, but pivotal role. She is the catalyst that brings Lawrence and Freddy together.

#15

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 8:33pm

I agree, newgirl. She also is how Freddy and Lawrence form their bond, because if it weren't for Freddy, Lawrence wouldn't have (most likely) found a way out of the marriage.

Basically, what newgirl said, just adding on to it.

#16

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 8:39pm

Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson are two of the most boring characters in all of musical theatre.

Eeeeeeyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaannnnnddddd aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiyyyyyyaaaaaammmmmmmm teeeeeeeelllllliiiiiinnngg yyyyooooooouuuuuuuwwwaaaahh...

#17

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 8:46pm

Does it have to be a musical role? Because I'm thinking of the guard in Frozen. :)

#18

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 10:07pm

If we're not talking musicals, let's say Officer Welch in Rumors.

I hold a degree in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University. It is useless. Now I'm funny for money. Oh, and I sing.

#19

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 10:07pm

Morrible in Wicked

#20

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 10:08pm

Sandy in Grease -she's supposed to be the lead but COME ON.

-Anyone want to turn anarchist with me?

"Bless you and all who know you, oh wise and penguined one." ~YouWantItWhen????

#21

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 10:09pm

Golde in Fiddler is a terribly underwritten role, when compared to Tevye. I think Hodel actually has more lines!

I must say that Andra Martin made the most of Aunt Eller in the OKLAHOMA revival - she was younger and more lively than most who've played the role, and made Eller a strong personality who's kind of the leader of the community.

You want a boring character? Father in RAGTIME. You have to really work hard to make him human - much less likeable.

#22

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 10:14pm

Doatsie Mae in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"...sings a song...but has no purpose to the rest of the story. She's just there.

#23

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/26/05 at 11:44pm

fiyero in wicked... he's the male lead yet his big transformation is so clunky and sudden it just ruins it.

and on that note boq in wicked too.

"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

#24

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 1:10am

Every character in Anything Goes except reno, billy, and hope

#25

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 1:33am

The Wizard, Morrible, Boq, Nessa, Dr Dillamond, Fiero

Basically every role in wicked outside of the two witches.

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