Most Prestigious/Sought After Roles

[kensei]

Posted: 7/20/12 at 11:27pm

Hi everyone,

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were concerning the most prestigious/sought after roles in theater? Phantom? Jean Valjean?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/20/12 at 11:31pm

^More like Mamma Rose and Tevye. Most people on here look down on Phantom and Les Miz and the actors in them.

Updated On: 7/20/12 at 11:31 PM

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 7/20/12 at 11:59pm

Hamlet

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 12:36am

For musicals it would have to be Mamma Rose. I can't even think of the male equivalent.

For plays you have a lot of Shakespeare's leads and I could even put Willy Loman up there.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 12:47am

^I think Tevye is the only one that comes remotely close, but I might be forgetting something.

It's definitely not Phantom. The dude is on stage for like 30 minutes tops and a lot of his stuff is pre-recorded.

[aaronb]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 7:08am

George and Martha in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 8:37am

Lady Macbeth

[ComingUpRoses2]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 9:17am

Definitely Rose. I can't think of a male equivalent either. I'm sure there's some juicy male musical roles, but not as juicy as Rose. The next revival should just be an all male cast. Give 'em a chance. LOL! Hell, as a man, I'll admit that Rose is my dream role. Rose could easily become Ross, right? Only in my dreams, I guess.

Guido in Nine has some really great material.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 9:22am

Sweeney?

[ComingUpRoses2]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 9:27am

Both Sweeney and Lovett have become highly sought after, too. Bobby from Company, perhaps?

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 12:40pm

As a male, we almost get spoiled. I'd put Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote, Tevye, Sweeney, Bobby, and a whole host of roles from 1776 as sought after musical theater roles for men. Maybe they aren't seen as the same caliber, but to me, they're the male equivalent of Madame Rose.

[bdn223]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 1:10pm

Despite Elena's performance....EVITA is definitely one of the most prestigious roles a woman can play, for black women Bess...I say in 20 years Diana from Next to Normal will be added to that list...
On the male side Don Quiote(the problem with this role is the show is well...), Sweeney Todd, Tevye.
I feel that male "play" roles are much more sought after/prestigious than musicals...Iago, Hamlet...most male Shakespeare roles, George in Whose Afriad of Virginia Woolf?, Cyrano, Eddie in A View from the Bridge, Stanley in Streetcar, Willy Loman, Theodore Hickman, Tartuffe, Troy Maxson....

For woman in plays: Lady Macbeth, Blanche Dubios, Anne Sullivan, Martha in Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Nora Helmer, and,Eliza Doolittle. I think that Violet from August Osage County will soon be added to the list.

[3bluenight]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 3:17pm

other musical male roles that begin to approach rose:
pseudolus, forum
harold hill, the music man
possibly Edna Turnblad, Hairspray

[JamesBroadwayWiner]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 5:58pm

Elphaba. She's such a great character!

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 7/21/12 at 7:00pm

Baker's wife is perhaps the greatest musical theatre role written for a female. Such a great part.

[peerrjb]

Posted: 7/22/12 at 1:48pm

Sometimes we forget, if we see a crapola production of a show, just how terrific a particular part can BE.

Having worked MD'd and/or directed "The Apple Tree" more than once (and please forget about the most recent B'way version) I've always thought that the Astonishingly-Performed-Barbara-Harris-Tony-Winning quadruple-threat role of "Eve"-"Princess Barbera"-"Ella/Passionella" is a ripsnorting helluva a part for a woman who can handle it. The sweet and honest "Eve" material, followed by the nothing-but-a-belt "Lady or Tiger" score, and then the wacked-out third act is just a remarkable bunch o'stuff...and a REALLY tough "sing" when done right. Prestige or "Sought-after"? Maybe not, I'd admit. But oh my...

And a lot of guys can't "seek" the role of "Sweeney", cuz, well, its requirements are over-the-top! But still, one of the greatest.

I'd say that "Cervantes/Quixote" is still a GEM. When given the brilliant detail that somebody like Mr. Kiley gave us, it is remarkable. "Back in the day", it WAS quite the prestige role.