Favorite Character Transformation in a Musical?

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 3:18pm

What are some your favorite character transformations in a musical?

There is Sandy in Grease. Not really a favorite - but she transforms.

Roxie in Chicago. Great transformation. Going from a down in the dumps housewife - to sexy murderess, becoming a big celebrity, and costarring in her own vaudeville act! And if you think about Velma transforms - but not for the better! She goes from being a very popular vaudeville star - and soon she is overlooked because of Roxie - and no one cares for Velma anymore.

Maria in Sound Of Music - She's not doing such a good job with becoming a nun. She is sent to be a nanny for a family. She becomes a mother figure for the children - falls in love with Captain - becomes a wife.

There's Anna in the King and I. Goes from an English Widow - to a school teacher for The King of Siam's children. She finds a special bond with the children, the king's wife, Tuptim & Lun Tha. and most of all - we find there are feelings between her and the King.

But my favorite has got to be - Louise in Gypsy. From tomboy Louise - to the most famous stripper of all time Gypsy Rose Lee. This is the ULTIMATE transformation of a charcter, in my opinion. And if you think about it - the actress playing Louise has a huge task.
Gypsy and Roxie are my favorites.

What character transformations do you guys like?





Updated On: 7/22/05 at 03:18 PM

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 3:20pm

penny in hairspray

[sanda]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 3:21pm

not I like, but a transformation indeed

Jekyll and Hyde
Beauty and Beast

[freeadmission]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 3:22pm

Jo in Little Women. She goes from gawky, awkward tomboy to dignified young lady. I didn't even realize it until the "The Most Amazing Thing" scene. I kind of tilted my head to the side and went, "Woah." Then I thought back on the rest of the play and noticed all the little ways that Sutton slowly showed the transformation. It was brilliant. Just . . . perfection. I can hardly fathom how much thought and work she put into the role to add the little nuances that made Jo's transformation so believeable. Just . . . wow.

Updated On: 7/22/05 at 03:22 PM

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 3:47pm

Little Red and Jack from Into the Woods, as well as the Baker's Wife.

And I agree about Louise in Gypsy, but I don't think she was truly a tomboy, just shoved in that atmosphere. She had to live with half a dozen boys and dres up as one - but I dont think she would have really been one if she hadnt been in those circumstances. Her transformation is incredible - shy, awkward little teen to teh confident and glamourous Gypsy Rose Lee.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 3:57pm

Valjean

[Craig]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:06pm

When I saw Mark Hamill in The Elephant Man (ok, not a musical)

But talk about a transformation of body and spirit - and all without any makeup, etc.

Updated On: 7/22/05 at 04:06 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:09pm

The Baker - Into the Woods

He goes from cold to loving and, sadly, back to cold. But in the final moments, we see him pull together and decide to be a true man and stay to raise his son.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:10pm

Giorgio in Passion.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:25pm

Anika Noni Rose's character and Caroline in CAROLINE OR CHANGE
Louise in GYPSY
Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ
Margaret in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
Cliff in CABARET

[J.J.]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:25pm

The best transformation that comes to mind is Margaret from Piazza.

[CastAlbumFan]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:37pm

Eliza Dolittle from Cockney flower girl to elegant lady

Henry Higgins from He-Man woman hater to at least "Growing accustomed" to one's face

Elphaba from misunderstood green lady to Wicked Witch

Of course there are more...

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:40pm

The King in THE KING AND I
Billy Bigelow in CAROUSEL

[freeadmission]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:40pm

As much as I love Wicked, I don't think Elphaba had much of a transformation. She just kind of was. LOL She was never really misunderstood. People simply shunned her because of her skin. The only real transformation I can think of is from bottling up her frustration to letting it loose.

Though I could be wrong. *shrug*

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:44pm

Elphaba DOES go through a small transformation...

Idina Menzel, however, did not.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 4:44pm

The Witch in Into the Woods.

I know people see her more along the lines of Physical transformation as opposed to Character transformation, but she does develope likeable qualities throughout the show.

Elphaba, Glinda, AND Fiyero in Wicked.

Definielty Louise in Gypsy and Eliza in My Fair Lady.

Jo in Little Women.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:03pm

Jean-Michel in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

[superstarjpp]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:08pm

Definitely Penny in Hairspray

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:25pm

Sarah Brown in G & D, if getting drunk counts. Or maybe that's just the catalyst for her change.

[teh_pretty]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:27pm

I'm jumping on the Louise bandwagon, especially during the Strip. It takes a great actress to pull off the transformation of a person's entire set of values in a couple minutes. I love it.

Also, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and even though I think people will make fun of me, Gertrude in Seussical. :)

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:29pm

Aldonza

[superstarjpp]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:33pm

What character transformation does Gertrude go through? I'm not trying to be mean, I just can't remember

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:38pm

Gertrude learns to be herself and what's truly important when it comes to love, of oneself and of others.

[lamentingenvelope]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:42pm

Nellie in South Pacific!

[pab]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 5:43pm

Tobias in "Sweeney Todd".

Tobias emerges from the cellar, singing in an eerie voice. His hair has turned completely white..