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Most Demanding Broadway Roles

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#1

Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 9:53pm

Sort of spun from the other "hardest part on broadway" thread, what are the most demanding roles on Broadway, whether it is vocally or emotionally? And yes, the list is a bit contemporary...but still.

Momma Rose - GYPSY
Elphaba and Glinda - WICKED
The Four Seasons - JERSEY BOYS
Effie - DREAMGIRLS
Roger - RENT
Full Cast - LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
#2

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 9:57pm

I would definately agree with Rose for Gypsy...emotionally and vocally...I don't know if I can say that about Roger, but I do find Effie to be a very demanding role. Do you think that a role is emotionally demanding based on the actor who created it, or the material, or a mix of both?
I'll be home when the morning comes.
#4

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:11pm

Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett
Guido Contini
Margaret Johnson
George and Dot Marie
Elzia Doolittle and Henry Higgins
Mame
Sweet Charity

There are plenty, but those are some that come to mind.

Updated On: 9/2/06 at 10:11 PM

#6

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:17pm

The Witch, INTO THE WOODS
Sally Durant, FOLLIES
Bobby, COMPANY
Caroline, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
Hedwig, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
Dot and George, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
Lovett and Sweeney, SWEENEY TODD
Mimi Marquez, RENT
Dolly Levi, HELLO, DOLLY!
Rose, GYPSY
Sally Bowles, CABARET
Julie Jordan, Billy Bigelow, CAROUSEL
Nellie and Emile, SOUTH PACIFIC
Anna and the King, THE KING AND I
Maria, THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Cassie, A CHORUS LINE
Eva and Che, EVITA
Jane, JANE EYRE
Jean Valjean, LES MISERABLES
Emma, SONG AND DANCE
Guido, Luisa, NINE

Among several other million...
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#7

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:21pm

Kim - Miss Saigon
"I love acting. It is so much more real than life." Oscar Wilde
"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." Aldous Huxley
#8

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:24pm

Christine - Phantom (she has an alternate for a reason)

Jean Valjean, for sure!

I would also say Tracy Turnblad. Having to stay a certain size, dance like crazy, and be onstage all that time every night ... Wow!

But, yeah, Momma Rose in Gypsy takes the cake.

#9

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:28pm

Cassie from ACL as munkustrap mentioned is also a very demanding role if done under certain circumstances (i.e with Bennett's choreography which was created exclusively for McKechnie)

Charity Hope Valentine is also very demanding.
I'll be home when the morning comes.
#10

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:34pm

Mama Rose - Gypsy
Effie - Dreamgirls
Judas - Jesus Christ Superstar
Eva Peron - Evita
Elphaba - Wicked
#12

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:48pm

In my humble opinion most demanding either vocally, emotionaly or just to truthfuly tackle.

Frankenfurter - Rocky Horror
Sarah/coalhouse - Ragtime
Baker/Bakers wife and Witch - Into the woods.
Dot and George - Sunday in the park...
Fanny - Funny Girl
Mama Rose - Gypsy
Cast- Sweeney Todd....
Robert - Company
Jamie/Cathy - Last 5 years
Leo/Lucille - Parade
Sally/M.C - cabaret
Sam Byck/John wilkes Both/Assassins
Aida - Aida
Elphaba/Glinda - Wicked
Angel/Maureen - Rent, they may be small small but demanding, if played well.
Mimi (if played well) - Rent
Effie - Dreamgirls
Peter/Liza/Judy - The boy from Oz
Burns - The wild party
Evita/Che' - Evita
Jesus/Judas - J.C Superstar
Norma - Sunset Boulervard
Valjean - Les Mis
Sally - Follies
Cast - Light in the Piazza
Eliza - My Fair Lady
Harold Hill - The Music Man (it's a huge role)
Emma - Song and Dance
Roxie/Velma - Chicago (if played well)
Dolly - Hello Dolly
yentle - Yentle
Fosca - Passion
and billions of other great roles!




#13

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:54pm

All of these that have been mentioned are great. I have one to add!
In the Sweeney revival, I'd have to say Tobias. I just looked at Manoel Felciano after he performed and he looked so physically and emotionally drained.....and that was after a matinee. I said to my friend..."Look at him...and he has to do this again in a few hours!" I have to give him credit to be able to do that week after week!
#14

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 11:27pm

emcee-cabaret
reno sweeney-anything goes
tracy/ edna-hairspray
eva/ che- evita
all 5 altar boyz
for fierce, fabulous and fun times visit eric mathew's world. http://ericmathew.blogspot.com/
#15

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/2/06 at 11:34pm

Mama Rose - Gypsy
Dot/George - SITPWG
Sweeney/Lovett - Sweeney Todd
Don Quixote/Cervantes - Man of La Mancha
Christine/Phantom - The Phantom Of The Opera
Elphaba - Wicked
Pippin/Leading Player - Pippin
Celie - The Color Purple
#16

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 1:22am

Queenie- Lippa's WP
Jekyll/Hyde- J&H
Tony and Maria- WSS
John- TT...B
Marie Christine-" "
Those are just some of the cds in front of me! :-P
#17

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 2:19am

Roger isn't a hard part vocally, it's just that most people who play the role have little to no technique and end up blowing out their vocal chords or something. Same with Caroline or Change, it's a tough role because it's hard not to blow out your voice doing the show. There is a lot of high heavy belting over and over again.
#19

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 9:42am

haha
:)

Sweeney Todd- SWEENEY TODD
Celie- THE COLOR PURPLE
Freddy Benson- DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Margaret Johnson- THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
#20

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 10:01am

broadjay, I had forgotten about Fosca...that role looks like it's absolutely exhausting.

A little O/T, but munk, your avatar is fantastic. I was just watching Jesus is Magic last night.
"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you." - Maya Angelou
#21

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 10:06am

I am surprised only ONE poster mentioned Phantom !!!! It was the first one my mind went to.
Also, Angel & Mark (RENT), Jean Valjean (LES MIS), Kim (MISS SAIGON), Norma Desmond (SUNSET BLVD), Eva (EVITA), Mama Rose (GYPSY) and a lot more...
Also everyone on Starlight Express. Having to sing and dance on ROLLER SKATES ???? Give them a break re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles
#22

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 10:10am

Angel & Mark in RENT
Jean Valjean in LES MIZ
Kim in MISS SAIGON
Elphaba & Glinda in WICKED

But IMO, The Phantom & Christine have the most demanding roles. Yes, there IS a reason she has an alternate: it's a HARD re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles PLus they have to preform up to the standard people expect when they come to see THE show re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Mama Rose in GYPSY is tough, too.
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES--- "THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS

Updated On: 9/3/06 at 10:10 AM

#23

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 10:13am

I would agree that the Phantom isn't an easy role, but Christine is the most demanding of that show by far. The Phantom only has around 30 minutes of stage time, while Christine is constantly out there singing her guts out.
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert
#24

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 10:18am

You are right, but I believe that, emotionally, the Phantom is making up for his limited presence. That last scene alone, must be excruciating !
#25

re: Most Demanding Broadway Roles

Posted: 9/3/06 at 10:26am

Eva in Evita.

Elphaba in Wicked

Aida in Aida

The Witch in Into the Woods

Avenue Q cast

Vocally---most of the Phantom Cast
"The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love." -Little Fish

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