The male equivalent of Mama Rose?- Page 3
The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#50re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 8:57amMax Bialystock had to have been a killer role. Lots of singing and outsized energy, and then to have to sing "Betrayed" so late in the show?
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#51re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 9:08amTevye was considered the male Momma Rose until Bialystock came along.
#52re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 9:40am
- Mama Rose, Gypsy
A bird cage I plan to hang,
I'll get to that someday...
A bird cage for a bird who flew away
Around the world.
- Edie, Grey Gardens
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#53re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 10:24amThere's also Huck in Big River, otherwise known as Momma Rose for young men.
ElFantasma14
Broadway Star Joined: 9/26/06
#54re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 10:29amJean Valjean sounds like a reasonable choice, since he's onstage almost the entire show and has to age from young-ish to a father-age to old man, in the confines of on evening. But he doesn't have that moment to let loose, such as Rose's Turn or Epiphany, to really put me over the edge.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#55re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 10:45amIn terms of vocal demands and stage time, what about Jersey Boys?
#56re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 11:06am
I agree with many of the excellent suggestions people have named here, and I DON'T think that women have cornered the market on all the good roles, just because they've been wringing the drama out of them lately.
That may be a personal choice (or fantasy) of you individuals, but I'm VERY happy with the musical theatre characters that are the equivalent of "climbing the summit" for men.
I also disagree strongly with those of you who've said that some of these male roles aren't that demanding. I would argue that neither is Mama Rose, if an actress chooses to "walk through it." You just haven't seen it done WELL, yet.
My list would include:
Sweeney Todd
Georges Seurat
Billy Bigelow
John Adams
Tony Esposito
The King (and I)
Tevye
Max Bialystock
Guido Contini
Sky Masterson
Bobby
Franklin Shepherd
Jean Valjean
The Phantom
Pal Joey
Albin
Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Harold Hill
Henry Higgins
Jellyroll Morton
...and others I'm forgetting.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Link Larkin Wanabe
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/04
#57re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 1:52pm
I personally consider Tevye to be the male equivalent.
Akiva
#58re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 2:07pmOh duh, Guido... he even has his own Rose's Turn at the end of the show.
joey
#59re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 2:17pmI would say Tevye and Sweeney Todd are two tour-de-force roles for men.
#60re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 6:34pmmaybe its just me but i think franknfurter from Rocky Horror could be pretty challenging... i know its not the MOST but its definitely a big character with a bizarre emotional journey and a song selection that makes it hard not to copy tim curry's flawless interpretation... this may be a stretch though... i agree with sweeney and tevye and valjean (though i loath les mis because of the most recent production)
TapTapTapioca
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/07
#61re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 6:54pmBest12Bars- I agree with every single person on your list except for Sky Masterson. I wouldn't say that his role is really that challenging. I think Nathan Detroit has more of the equivalent even though the role isn't as big.
americanboy99
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/06
#62re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 7:04pm
My top 5 would be:
Bobby in COMPANY
Don Quixote in MAN OF LA MANCHA
Jean Valijean in LES MISERABLES
Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Guido Contini in NINE
and maybe a sixth... maybe not:
The Emcee in CABARET
#63re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 8:07pm
Absolutely Hubie Cram in "Do Re Mi."
I didn't pick the name AllofMyLife for nothing....
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#65re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 11:10pmAm I a complete idiot, or is Julian in 42nd street somewhat counting? He has to kiss Peggy like, five times, and he goes from weird harsh director man to "Broadway dreams, kid. We've all had 'em." and falling in love with Peggy (atleast her innocence). Would he work at all?
ElFantasma14
Broadway Star Joined: 9/26/06
#66re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 11:12pmTrue, but he doesn't sing a note till "Lullabye of Broadway"
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#67re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/29/07 at 11:38pmThat is incredibly true. I hadn't even thought of that. :) But to give myself some credit, I'm willing to look obnoxious and say his part is pretty big in Lullaby and in his little "finale". But otherwise... not a note. Hm.. it's almost like the part was made for a non-singer.
JMVR
Featured Actor Joined: 3/26/04
#68re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/30/07 at 12:34amThe title role in Barnum
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#69re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/30/07 at 12:35amHamlet
Act4ever
Broadway Star Joined: 4/12/04
#70re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/30/07 at 11:02am
I think a lot of it has to do with the energy that's put into the role, not only the emotional journey that a character goes through. Performing in a role like Harold Hill is in no way demanding emotionally, but energetic-wise it is extreamly demanding.
Barry Dennen played Pappa Rose is a West Hollywood production of GYPSY...
americanboy99
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/06
#71re: The male equivalent of Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/30/07 at 1:00pm
(Well, someday soon Mama Rose will be played by a male.. me.. in a production of GYPSY. I can wear a wig.)
I would say that a role that is equivalent to Mama Rose should be a role that is THE only lead in the show. For Sweeney and George, they both share that position with Lovett and Dot, accordingly.
IMHO...
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