Biggest Nothing Roles — Page 2

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#26

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 2:40am

i was 'anybodys' in WSS, it was a tiny part, but also one of the most enjoyable characters i have ever played. At first i was dissapointed, but i would not have wanted to be anyone else in that show besides her! She shows the audience just how heartless the 'jets' can be.

"talent is wanting something hard enough to work for it" - my drama teacher :)

#27

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 9:15am

i think hope is a nothing role in anything goes. moonface and bonnie are much more entertaining to me than hope. she stinks. (i know, i know, their romance is the center, but even evelyn and reno are better together. )

and yes, sandy in grease is retarded. i'd take patty anyday.

#28

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 12:04pm

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

Craig...although I see your point...I would argue that there is some arc with the gangsters in Kate. Although they are very cartoonish and their main function IS for comedy--they do change during the show (and not just into tights!). They start off as two unintelligent toughs and end up becoming connoisseurs of the theatre and of Shakespeare (just think of their evolution during each verse of "Brush Up Your Shakespeare").

"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering." --Harold Hill from The Music Man

#29

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 12:27pm

I think The Beadle in Sweeney is a pretty thankless role. I don't know about Anthony and Johanna because it varies with the strength of the direction/actors but they can easily fall into the thankless role category.

BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"

#30

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 12:52pm

Is this thread the "Biggest Nothing Roles" as in the roles with the most stagetime that are the most meaningless or the "Biggest Nothing Roles" as in the roles that are the most expendable.

For the latter I would say Falco's girlfriend in SSOS....she even has a meaningless song! Yes...I know that it could be argued that she does serve a purpose... SPOILER Falco has her sleep with the rival columnist in return for the columnist to do some dirty work for him.

For the former...I would have to say Muriel Eubanks in DRS. Even though I adore Joanna Gleason...that role is a little overblown in the show and REALLY doesn't serve a purpose--except to set up your classical musical supporting couple..(ex. Carrie/Mr. Snow, Rolf/Liesl, Ado Annie/Will....etc).

#31

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 1:02pm

I guess it could be argued that the majority of the brothers in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are big nothing roles. Yes they are most definitely essential to the story and collectively they all have an "arc" (hate Joseph to love and accept Joseph)--but except for a few instances, does one brother really stand out from the next--and are they no more than just a glorified chorus role? Do you really know how Gad's personality and demeanor differ from Dan's? With the exception of Benjamin I think they all sort of blend together. I did the show twice and both times the brother I was cast as was age specific and NOT song specific. I was Judah once and I sang "One More Angel" (odd, huh?) and another time I played Isachaar and I sang the lead on "Those Canaan Days"....and no one knew the difference.

#32

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 1:03pm

Geez..I apologize for completely taking over this thread! :)

#33

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 2:32pm

I agree with you Enjolras about basically everything.

I feel the gangsters DO have an arch (no matter how superficial)

And the brothers are around primarily because of their place in the biblical text. In all reality the majority of them are not all that necessary.... (I'd say Benjamin is probably the only one that really needs to be there)

My contribution to the thread: General Cartwright in Guys and Dolls. Could that role be a bigger snooze?? Far and away the least favorite role I have ever played.

"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. " --Sueleen Gay

#34

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 2:42pm

Amen, lildogs... And well put.

"There are no small parts, only small actors."
---Bill Shakespeare

It ain't all on the page.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#35

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 7:00pm

Godot. Now that's a small role. Yet very important.

"WHEN is the winter of our discontent?" "NOW is the winter of our discontent!" Visit My Blog

#36

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 7:23pm

Peron's Mistress.

"Hi um I think i'll sing a song now"

#37

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:08pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall Wendy from Peter Pan doesn't really have that big of a part.

"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve

#38

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:21pm

I've seen General Cartwright bring down the house if the director features her prominently in "Sit Down....". Sure, on paper there's not much there, for her or MOST of the roles named in this thread. But a good director and a talented, smart performer can bring these "nothing" characters to vivid life without taking away from any of the showier roles in these shows.

#39

re: Biggest Nothing Roles

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:23pm

well the biggest "nothing" role of all time has to be orin in little shop.
since the same actor plays;
the prologue voice
the bum
the first customer
the radio host
orin
mr. bernstein
mrs. luce
skip snip
and the guy who buys the clippings
except for orin none of them are particularly meaty

"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

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