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#1

Dig into your musicals knowledge to answer this question...

Posted: 9/9/11 at 12:31pm

This question is inspired by seeing "Follies."
In that show, "Broadway Baby" -- a GREAT number -- is sung by Hattie, a relatively minor character.
My question: Is this the biggest disparity between quality (showstopper-ness) of a song and significance of the character who sings it?
Yes, yes, I know all the ex-Weismann girls are important to the creators' vision for their story and this is no reflection on Jayne Houdyshell's performance. It's just that Hattie is mostly comic relief, and I don't think she even has any lines after the song, which is early in Act 1. It's a pretty small role with no impact on the main storyline (Sally, Phyllis & husbands).
What other standout numbers are sung by minor characters in other musicals?
#5

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Posted: 9/9/11 at 12:55pm

Submitted for your consideration: Berthe's number, No Time At All, from Pippin.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson
#6

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Posted: 9/9/11 at 12:57pm

"Another Suitcase in Another Hall" from Evita.
"He Plays the Violin", "Momma Look Sharp" and, arguably, "The Lees of Old Virginia" from 1776.
"To Each His Dulcinea" from Man of La Mancha.
"A Fact Can Be a Beautiful Thing" from Promises, Promises.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

Updated On: 9/9/11 at 12:57 PM

#9

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Posted: 9/9/11 at 1:05pm

Although Tessie arguably has an impact on the dramatic arc of the show, I think "Gotta Get a Gimmick" would qualify.

When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

Updated On: 9/9/11 at 01:05 PM

#15

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Posted: 9/9/11 at 2:09pm

Be Italian - Nine

Beauty School Dropout - Grease

He Plays The Violin - 1776

Bigger Isn't Better - Barnum

Guv'ment - Big River

Lost And Found - City Of Angels

Aother Suitcase In Another Hall - Evita

Merci, Bon Dieu - Goodbye Charlie

Whatever Happened To Saturday Night - Rocky Horror Show

The Grass Is Always Greener - Woman Of The Year
....but the world goes 'round

Updated On: 9/10/11 at 02:09 PM

#16

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Posted: 9/9/11 at 3:53pm

Wildcat: Your two examples are excellent, with numbers from THE GIRL WHO CAME TO SUPPER and THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT, THE SMELL OF THE CROWD--two shows that I loved, now apparently lost in the haze of yesteryear.
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
#19

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Posted: 9/9/11 at 11:17pm

Miss Marmelstein from "I Can Get It For You Wholesale." I never saw the show, but from what I understand she's a minor character - but Streisand became famous from it.

That Dirty Old Man from "Forum" - Hero's mother is fairly minor.

Isn't "Steam Heat" from Pajama Game sung by a minor character?
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#20

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Posted: 9/10/11 at 12:23am

Gladys, who sings and dances "Steam Heat" in PAJAMA GAME is the second female lead.

I read the script of WHOLESALE only recently and was surprised by how much stage time Miss Marmelstein actually has. Apart from leading three other numbers she is a constant presence in the garment factory scenes.
#21

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Posted: 9/10/11 at 10:58am

I guess Gladys is, but it never struck me as a very big role other than that song - at least musically.

I didn't know about Miss Marmlestein - like I said, I've only heard the cast album.

Another example is Nimue in Camelot - she only sings Follow Me and then is gone. In a way Mordred is similar, but he has a bigger book part.

Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#22

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Posted: 9/10/11 at 11:04am

Nimue, in Camelot, is actually an offstage voice (atleast she was in the original production). The character basically exists to get Merlin out of the play. And Wildcat is right; I saw the original Wholesale and Miss Marmelstein has only a few scenes in the first act (beginning and end) but much more in the second. She also is the lead singer in "What Are They Doing to Us Now", later in the act. But with the exception of the lead, Harry Bogin (Elliott Gould) the musical has about eight featured characters who have much the same stage time, and move in and out of the plot.
One other example: Gentleman Jimmy from Fiorello, sung by a performer, not in the rest of the show.
#24

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Posted: 9/10/11 at 8:32pm

Maybe we could agree that the issue is whether the character plays an important role in the plot.

Gladys and her key turn out to be central to resolving THE PAJAMA GAME's story. (BTW, she also has major dance turns in "Once a Year Day", "Her Is" and, IIRC, "Hernando's Hideaway".)

"Star to Be" in ANNIE and "Bonnie" (Bonnie Franklin) in APPLAUSE are not important to the plots of their shows. (BTW, a poster above says Franklin's role was called "Gypsy." IBDB lists her as "Bonnie." IIRC somebody actually calls her "Bonnie" toward the beginning of the number.)

Likewise, Pippin supposedly learns something from visiting his grandmother, but "Time to Start Living" it's basically just a specialty bit. If Pippin passed Grandma's house without stopping, the rest of the play would unfold much the same.

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