The Most Thankless Roles in Musical Theatre — Page 2

The Distinctive Baritone wrote: "Cliff in Cabaret though...yeah, that is totally thankless. ... in each of the three version of the show available for licensing, he either hardly sings at all or gets either "Why Should I Wake Up?" or "Don't Go" - both completely generic and forgettable love songs."



I don't find Why Should I Wake Up? either generic or forgettable. I've always loved it, and I most certainly haven't forgotten it. And what about Perfectly Marvelous, also sung by Cliff? Those two songs are my favorites in the show.

Guys & Dolls - Arvide, Benny Southstreet

Annie Get Your Gun - Dolly Tate, Foster Wilson, Charlie Davenport

Dreamgirls - Lorell

I think Carrie in Carousel is pretty thankless. She has "When I Marry Mr. Snow" but...why do we care? Honestly? Carrie's story is so vanilla and simple compared to the complexity of Julie Jordan's. And perhaps that's the point.

Schroeder in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.

Jojo in Seussical

Sandy in Grease the original stage show.

And wow do I agree that it doesn't get anymore thankless than Cliff and Cosette.
Cliff is SO passive. He's truly like a placeholder for the audience.

Updated On: 2/10/18 at 01:58 AM

HamilHansen said: "Ellen in MISS SAIGON

Cosette in LES MIS


Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (overshadowed by Wonka and even the other children if they're good enough)"



you didn’t see ruthie henshall. It’s crap role. But damn. Amazing.

Fastrada in Pippin. I think her solo is great, but it's not nearly as fun as Berthe's No time at all nor is it emotional like Catherine's songs, so it's overshadowed by them. It's mostly for dancing, but if the whole show has great choreography throughout, it's hard to stand out. And if the leading player is played by a woman, the role is even more overshadowed. Having said that, I think it's a very fun role with some great dancing and singing in which the actress can have a blast, it' just not the role people usually remember when talking about the show.

Updated On: 2/10/18 at 09:09 AM

No one has mentioned Herbie in GYPSY... and if you've played it, you know that 80% of the role is standing there while people sing at/around you. In the last few revivals they've given him more to sing, but still...

KathyNYC2 said: "iWannaBEaSedaris said: "Earl in Waitress The Musical
When done well, the guy literally gets booed off the stage at bows."

I've never heard anyone boo at bows for Earl. They cheer when Jenna decides to leave him. But he gets regular applause at curtain call like any actor.

I'mnot sure why you think that if the actor does well, he'll be booed at curtain call. Obviouslyhe's an actor who did a good job."

Some shows that feature very broad villains (and cater to children) have actors that get booed (for fun). Scar will sometimes get booed in Lion King- there was an interview with Patrick Page some years ago who said he wore the booing like a badge of honor. I’ve heard Gaston get booed before, too, but again, it was not vicious.

No one has mentioned Herbie in GYPSY... and if you've played it, you know that 80% of the role is standing there while people sing at/around you. In the last few revivals they've given him more to sing, but still...

If the actor brings their A game to Herbie, I think he comes off as interesting and complicated and resonates. Boyd Gaines proved that.

You as an audience are like Louise and don't know what to make of Herbie for a while.

His biggest moments that you can really make land are him right before Everything's Coming up Roses and of course when he leaves. And you feel the moral compass that he was disappear when he leaves. The toxic element of Rose and her agendas throughout the show seem less disturbing cause Herbie's always there raising an eyebrow and we get to see Rose humorously justify it. When he finally walks out, there is just Rose and Louise and no one is fighting to stop what's going to happen to Louise from happening.

KathyNYC2 said: "iWannaBEaSedaris said: "Earl in Waitress The Musical
When done well, the guy literally gets booed off the stage at bows."

I've never heard anyone boo at bows for Earl. They cheer when Jenna decides to leave him. But he gets regular applause at curtain call like any actor.

I'mnot sure why you think that if the actor does well, he'll be booed at curtain call. Obviouslyhe's an actor who did a good job."



The Earl on tour gets booed nightly, he even talks about it on Twitter.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/baltimore/article/BWW-Review-WAITRESS-at-The-Hippodrome-is-Two-Parts-Love-Story-and-One-Part-Comedy-with-a-Dash-of-Heart-Sprinkled-Throughout-20180131

https://twitter.com/nicholousbailey/status/961390381790310400

Updated On: 2/12/18 at 08:38 AM

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "I think Carrie in Carousel is pretty thankless. She has "When I Marry Mr. Snow" but...why do we care? Honestly? Carrie's story is so vanilla and simple compared to the complexity of Julie Jordan's. And perhaps that's the point"

Clearly, you didn't see Audra perform this role. She ate up the stage, scenery, and any actors that were in her way with a powerhouse performance that truly works against your argument. It created some imbalances with Sally Murphy's bland Julie Jordan, but I think that was intentional.

The Mute in THE FANTASTICKS. There's just so many ways you can play "the wall" standing on a ladder.