Robert from "Company" because I feel like I play a (gay) version of him every day, minus the awesome musical numbers.
George from "Sunday", though I'm not even sure which George I would prefer playing (I know it's the same actor for both, just saying not sure). I think the role is such a powerful and difficult one and I absolutely adore the score. I think I'd probably do it just for the chance to sing 'Finishing the Hat'. And I truly believe "Sunday in the Park with George" says so much about art, creation, and life that being in the the show would just be this great experience.
If we're going for pure challenge though (outside of playing someone like Madame Rose) I'd probably go with
Leo Frank from "Parade". Being Jewish myself this role is kind of an important one for me. But that's not even why I'd play him. First off "Parade" is one of my absolute favorite musicals, so being a part of it in any capacity would just be fantastic. I feel Leo Frank is incredibly difficult to play because he is so constrained. The challenge of getting the audience to sympathize with someone who at times is rather unlikable, playing someone so timid and who feels he must be in complete control - what a role!
On the 'Patti Stops Vegas Show' thread, a link to Jane Fonda's blog was shared, as she had posted something about Patti. On it, Fonda said she wrote to LuPone about giving all of yourself to a role and to the audience. Patti wrote back, saying,
?How can one give any less when one has so much to give? That?s how I feel. And frankly, it?s so much easier to let it out than hold it back, don?t you think?" I think this reflects the challenge of playing someone like Leo Frank. While I'm not saying going onstage and doing 'Rose's Turn' nightly is easy work, constantly pulling back is a rather tumultuous task. Frank's reserved nature, so perfectly illustrated in 'It's Hard To Speak My Heart', is one which I would love to some day tap into.
Oh, and if I had to listen to instructions and choose ONE role to play forever it would be have to be
George. I think the whole 'getting to play two characters in one show' factor kind of pushes it over the finish line for me.
Updated On: 6/23/09 at 07:35 AM
