Posted: 8/16/15 at 8:10pm
"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???
Posted: 8/17/15 at 1:36am
RE: Berthe: She's not a starring role, but she is often played by a starry actress, which is what I think that poster meant. Also the acrobatics make it somewhat "demanding," as the thread title asks for. However, I agree with posters above, I don't really think she qualifies.
To what degree was Scandalous written FOR Carolee? I'm sure she was on board for a while, but I'm not sure how early in the writing process she became attached. Does anyone know? Either way, based on what I've heard, that role could definitely be considered a demanding "star" role.
Posted: 8/17/15 at 2:01am
I would argue that Elphaba is a very demanding star role, being one of the most difficult parts to sing on Broadway right now.
Hedwig is an obvious choice.
Jekyll and Hyde in...well, Jekyll & Hyde is another good example of a starring role that's demanding. Without a good actor playing the leading roles, the entire show falls apart; not even a well-sung Lucy could save it.
If we're going by roles written particularly for someone to star in, both If/Then and Phantom come to mind, with Elizabeth for Idina Menzel and Christine for Sarah Brightman, respectively.
Posted: 8/17/15 at 7:09am
The lead in hand to God would be extremely demanding since you basically play two parts and have to switch between them at the drop of a hat.
Also curious incident is very physically demanding.
Posted: 8/17/15 at 8:25am
Berthe only has acrobatics in Paulus' revival.
Posted: 8/17/15 at 10:55am
Evita, Diana, Matilda and miss trunchbull, Carole King. My last one maybe a bad example because it isn't the star, but I feel it's a very demanding role and an emotional journey. Sylvia Davies.
Posted: 8/17/15 at 10:56am
Evita, Diana, Matilda and miss trunchbull, Carole King. My last one maybe a bad example because it isn't the star, but I feel it's a very demanding role and an emotional journey. Sylvia Davies.
Posted: 8/17/15 at 11:24am
"The lead in hand to God would be extremely demanding since you basically play two parts and have to switch between them at the drop of a hat. "
"If we're going by roles written particularly for someone to star in, both If/Then and Phantom come to mind, with Elizabeth for Idina Menzel and Christine for Sarah Brightman, respectively.
"
Elizabeth of IF/THEN covers both (or all) definitions going on in this thread.
It was written around Menzel, and it's an extremely demanding role where she's on stage the entire time except for a couple songs, playing two roles where she has to "switch between them at the drop of a hat" (or glasses). One can even argue that the show needs a star to carry it, precisely because it was written around Menzel as the headliner to begin with. (Whether the show can stand on its own while on tour remains to be seen.)
Posted: 8/17/15 at 11:40am
With the exception of the single mention, but goes to show why Kristin didn't win Tony for Lily Garland. Total lack of acknowledgement of easily a far more difficult role than 90% of the ones mentioned in this topic.
Posted: 8/17/15 at 12:47pm
Jenna in Waitress. Jessie is onstage 99% of the time.
Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen.
Elle Woods in Legally Blonde
Posted: 8/17/15 at 2:47pm
Hello, Dolly! - Dolly Levi
Mame - Mame Dennis
My Fair Lady - Henry Higgins
How to Succeed - J. Pierpont Finch
The Producers - Max Bialystock
Posted: 8/17/15 at 2:58pm
King Lear.
Re: Berthe in Pippin; even in the Paulus revival, the heavy work was being done by her partner. In the normal version of the show, the role is not remotely demanding - 1 scene and song, with the option of being in the opening and the finale as an ensemble member (I don't believe the original Berthe was in either).
Posted: 8/17/15 at 7:45pm
Billy Elliot, Pippin, Jesus and Judas in Superstar.
Updated On: 8/17/15 at 07:45 PM
Posted: 8/17/15 at 8:09pm
I have to second that for Waitress. Jenna is an extremely demanding role and is onstage nearly the whole show.
