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

[Dre2387]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 3:52pm

Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

[Katie2]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 3:53pm

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.

[Colle]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:02pm

I would think that Kim in "Miss Saigon" would be difficult emotionally, it is a good thing that there is an alternate.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:03pm

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.

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:04pm

Coyote in The Times They Are A Changin', I would not be suprised if Michael did not take the matinees off, he belted the crap out of all his songs, and I don't see how it is possible that he could do that 8 times a week.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:04pm

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.

[Tir Na Nog]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:06pm

Acting wise? I would say "Fosca" from "Passion" would take it's tole on your mind.

"Marie Christine" is also probably rough emotionally.

[Horton]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:14pm

Margret from Light in the Piazza

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:15pm

Lucky, NEVER GONNA DANCE

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:20pm

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

[snl89]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:28pm

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.

oooh I was actually def gonna say acl too! again, INSANE-seeming dancing, and yeah, dancing while singing is SO HARD. Not that I can sing for my life anyway or anything, but like, I try just singing along to stuff while cleaning my room and I practically start to get tired just doing THAT! lol. So yeah... I have SO much respect for people who can dance and sing like that

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 4:29pm

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.

[BNN]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 5:08pm

I remember Patti LuPone saying on the concert DVD that she doesn't know how Angela Lansbury did Mrs. Lovett 8x a week because she had so much trouble with it just in the concert.

Also, I would think Charity would be hard considering you never really get to leave the stage. Also, because I've heard Gwen Verdon would cut "Where Am I Going" from exhaustion. Yikes

[Isabella2]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 5:15pm

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

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 5:24pm

I'd pretty much say any role in Piazza.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 5:25pm

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)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 5:49pm

"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."

You can see this in her technique. She fell into the bad habit of speaking her lyrics rather than singing them.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 6:23pm

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.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 7:01pm

Max in The Producers
Jekyll/Hyde in J/H

[Over_the_Moon]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 7:10pm

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?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 7:12pm

Elphaba, Brooklyn, "po' chile Celie", "Frankie Valli", Jesus, Judas, Mary, and most likely most of the roles of the upcoming musical, "Spring Awakening." I imagine being in Rent must be a bitch for one's vocal cords.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 7:32pm

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.

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

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 7:36pm

I highly agree, Rath. Ziemba's performance in "I Wanna Be Rockette" is truly impressive to watch and she seems to be having the time of her life on stage.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 7:36pm

Franki Valliin Jersey Boys
Peter Allen in BFO

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 8:44pm

Mama Rose
Don Q and Aldonza
Elphaba and Glinda
Phantom and Christine
Margaret, Clara, and Fabrizio
Coalhouse, Mother, Tateh, and Sarah
Eliza
Curly and Laurey (especially if they do their own dancing)
Billy Bigelow
Franky Valli
Jean Valjean
Dolly