Biggest shoes to fill

Well, Grace Kelly (a real rich girl from Philadelphia) did a bang-up job in "High Society".

Definitely any Max Bialystock has his work cut out for him. My theory on this whole topic makes me feel so torn as to how far is creating your own character and how far is going beyond the character. What I mean by that is, some actors (great actors) just get it right the first time, and as an actor I often feel that the most important thing is that you do the character justice, whether your interpretation is similar or not. HOWEVER, you also don't want to be seen as an impersonator, and you should offer your own interpretation. All I'm saying is I think it's one of the hardest things to do to try and stay true to a character and not look just like a copy cat.

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lildogs,

I can see your point about Vivien Leigh in STREETCAR, since that's the performance most people know. When it comes to the stage, though, Jessica Tandy was brilliant.

Interestingly, I saw a regional theater production of STREETCAR a couple of years ago, and their Blanche was riveting. Too often Blanche becomes a caricature with too many histrionics, but this woman's performance was in perfect balance. Deborah Wiley was her name, I think. Her descent into madness was quietly heart wrenching.

lc

Starsinger,

I saw Wicked, I liked it, I listen to the music occasionally etc. I understand Elphaba is not an easy role vocally for most people and is definitly an appealing one for a large majority of the female persuasion.

However, I really don't think it has big shoes to fill. Sure Menzel did a fine job, but it is really a role that anyone with the chops can play. Now I will say the same thing about Valjean, The Phantom etc etc.

However, when you take on the role of some of them mentioned, not only is it exciting but daunting. For example: You are playing Jesus Christ. The show doesn't matter, not even the context, but you are Jesus Christ and this is the role of one of the most influential men in history. How do you do it? It's almost frightening.

For Hamlet. You now have to take on the greatest literary role in English history (and anyone who wants to debate that is free to put on the boxing gloves The role is so open to interpretation that I honestly believe it is impossible to play it right.

So while I absolutely respect your opinion and agree it's a great female role, I poilitely disagree in it being equal to Christ, Hamlet and Brando (three people I thought I would never compare!)