Most Difficult roles to perform 8x's a week? — Page 2

I would put the entire cast of ACL above the Wedding Singer in terms of dancing difficulty and stamina.

During the SF tryout, they were all backstage icing their shins after the shows and in a lot of pain. Chryssie Whitehead injured her neck, Nadine Isenegger injured her ankle (I believe) and was out pretty much the entire run, and they all had shin splints.

I think the amount of dancing (and dancing while singing) takes an incredible amount of energy.

I don't think it's difficult, per se, but I think all actors (with the puppets) in Avenue Q.

I know it's really difficult on the back and shoulder to do that.

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Cunegonde
Aldonza
Eliza - all three are very rangy and all three often but not always, use matinee subs.

Mama Rose and King Lear are often spoken in the same breath as being very demanding. Hamlet is no walk in the park.

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Margret from Light in the Piazza

I'm not saying performing the role caused irreversible damage - merely that it reeked havoc on their voices while they were performing it:

Melissa Errico BURST A BLOOD VESSEL in her vocal chords doing the role of Eliza. I don't think that had much to do with the strain of her personal life.

Julie Andrews has said in many interviews that singing Eliza Doolittle for two years nearly ruined her voice and that she learned some unhealthy singing techniques "faking" to get through it.

Nancy Ringham and Christine Andreas both missed tons of performances due to vocal stress.

Nancy Ringham replaced an actress named Cheryl Kennedy at the 11th hour, after Kennedy suffered vocal damage while touring in the role.

Martine McCutchenson missed over half her performances as Eliza in London due to vocal strain.

The role is regularly referred to in theatre circles as the "Eliza Curse" - because it is so vocally demanding.

Updated On: 10/13/06 at 04:20 PM

The strain of dancing ACL isn't because the steps are so difficult, but because the dancers have to stand for long periods of time between dancing: hence the muscles get cold and are more prone to injury.

i say fosca as well. That role has gotta be tough.
Rapunzel from Into the wodds just from all the screaming.

I agree that Kim in Miss Saigon would be a difficult role to perform. She goes through so many emotions and some difficult songs. She is also onstage 80% of the time. I have seen and heard this role butchered in so many professional productions. (Although I'm not sure if this qualifies for 8x a week since there was usually an alternate)

I'd imagine Roger in Rent is difficult to pull off eight times a week. I remember seeing a particular actor who cracked his way through it.

I'd imagine Roger in Rent is difficult to pull off eight times a week. I remember seeing a particular actor who cracked his way through it.

Don't they all?

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Singing and dancing takes very specific technique and training. There are some who have that - coming to mind immediately is Karen Ziemba, who does both (flawlessly!) at the same time on the Leading Ladies DVD while performing I Wanna Be A Rockette.

It's truly exhilarating to watch.

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Updated On: 10/13/06 at 07:32 PM

Franki Valliin Jersey Boys
Peter Allen in BFO

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