Demanding "Star" Roles

What are some demanding "star " roles in the vein of Evita or Funny Girl?

Update: I changed the title, so there is no confusion. I mean basically what darquegk said, but it doesn't necessarily have to be the "others fading in the background part"

Updated On: 8/16/15 at 05:06 PM

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Gypsy, obviously.

If/Then was certainly the first that came to mind 

Cabaret

Drood - for both Drood and Puffer

Company - for Bobby

Wicked

What's your definition of a star-vehicle? I feel like there are tons of plays and musicals with big, juicy leading roles, which invites the casting of a star. But the term "Star-vehicle" strikes me as having a slightly negative connotation, as if the show's MAIN purpose is to showcase the star. Definitely shows like If/Then, Evita, Anything Goes and The Audience come across that way. Gypsy was written specifically for Ethel, and is definitely a "star-vehicle," yet it's also one of the most well-constructed, impactful musicals ever written.

Hamlet is considered by many to be the best play and among the best roles ever written, and though many stars have played the role, calling it a star-vehicle seems highly reductive to me.

Company may have a big, meaty leading role, but it wasn't written for a star, and most of the people who have played it have not been extremely famous. Also, one doesn't get the sense from watching Company that the purpose of the show is to show off the star. 

I guess I'm rambling a bit, my main point is that "star-vehicle" strikes me as a reductive term, and though it is a very accurate description of many shows, I wonder where the line is drawn between being a star-vehicle, and being a show with 1 or 2 large, well-written roles. What do you guys think?

Updated On: 8/16/15 at 06:32 PM

Ahhh, I totally took it to mean the show NEEDED a star.  My bad.

(And yes. Millie is an enormous role)

Definitely Beautiful, If/Then and Gypsy 

The Act

The Visit

The OP is using the term "Star Vehicle" incorrectly.

The term was coined to mean exactly the way it reads- A role that was written to be a vehicle for an already bonafide star. The best examples are Merman/Gypsy and Menzel/ If Then.  The other roles you are mentioning are good roles for leading ladies. (Lupone was not a star before Evita).

Also, The Emcee in Cabaret was written as a small fill in spot to cover set changes in one.  Notice Joel Grey's position on the original title page.  Cabaret was a vehicle for the stars Lotte Lenya and Jack Gilford since it was written for them and they were already known at the time.

"The Leading Player and Berthe in Pippin"

I'm sorry but how is Berthe a star role? Have you even seen the show, she's in one scene?... Do you mean Pippin from Pippin, who's in almost every scene???