Demanding "Star" Roles — Page 2

Berthe is a featured role 

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.
 

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. 

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.

"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.)

Jenna in Waitress. Jessie is onstage 99% of the time. 

Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen. 

Elle Woods in Legally Blonde 

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).

I have to second that for Waitress. Jenna is an extremely demanding role and is onstage nearly the whole show.