What character stands out the most in Broadway Shows?

[bundy5000]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:06pm

I do not mean any actor or actress names just in the story plot itself.

Like Sophie is in the Mamma Mia posters always in the bridal gown yet I think Donna is more of the main character.

Hairspray I think Edna Turnblad is more of the stand out character than Tracy Turnblad.

The Lady of The Lake was more of the stand out role even though King Arthur had more stage time.

Personally when I saw Mary Poppins, I thought Burt was more of the spectacle than Mary.

Curtains i am hung up on cause I loved Lt. Cioffi but his character seemed like he had very little emotion. Yes he had much stamina but still I thought Christopher the Director put in a unique role.

You do not have to agree or disagree just my opinion. Remember not the person who plays the character but the character itself.

[Patash]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:11pm

Mama Rose stands out in Gypsy. The emcee stands out in Cabaret. Is that the sort of thing you mean? Am I missing the point of this question? Aren't most of them pretty obvious?

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:13pm

Do you mean: what characters stand out as a lead role more than the actual lead?

[K8eeyore]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:14pm

Mama Rose in GYPSY
Fagin in OLIVER!

[bundy5000]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:16pm

Well it is obvious but most people might get the wrong impression. Such as Half of Tracy's face is on most of the Hairspray posters yet her mom is more of the person who dethrone Tracy.

the cartoon like image of spamalot has king Aurthur with his men and the knights of ni yet there are no lady of the lake in the advertising.

i dunno its late but i was just thinking about they do that kind of advertising.

[la_vie_boheme_et_moi]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:29pm

Bambi in CURTAINS
Ilse in SPRING AWAKENING
Madame Giry in PHANTOM

[philly03]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:32pm

Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde
Norma in Sunset Boulevard (considering that Joe's telling the story, I always see it as HE is the lead, even though Norma has to steal the show)
Eponine/Fantine in Les Mis, to an extent where most people see the two big songs of theirs as essential points to the story, despite being featured parts.

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 12:21am

Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (depending on who is playing the characters)

WHen Kendra Kassebaum is Glinda she often stands out more than the character playing Elphaba, IMO

[BroadwayBelle2]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 8:49am

The comic relief always stands out.

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:28am

In Thoroughly Modern Millie, it was Mrs. Meers (as played by Harriet Harris) who stood out. By the 2nd act, the audience was laughing just from her entering a scene.

In Noises Off, the character of Brooke can be the stand out.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:39am

The Adult Women stand out in Spring Awakening, as played by Christine Estabrook.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:40am

I definitely agree with the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:44am

Eponine in LES MIZ.

But I also agree the comic reliefe usually stands out

[Weez]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 6:38pm

Sorry to chuck Shakespeare in, but when it comes to 'Much Ado About Nothing', who gives a DAMN about Hero and Claudio when Beatrice and Benedick are on the prowl? :3 Do Hal and Falstaff count in the 'Henry IV's? I... should probably stop... before I start fangirling...

[broadwayrules]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 8:29pm

Weez, you are right! Beatrice and Benedick are much more interesting than Hero and Claudio!

[singtopher]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 8:36pm

For me, Barbra stood out the most in AUGUST.

As far as advertising goes, Young Cosette is on the poster, and yet she is hardly the lead.

Someone mentioned Brooke in NOISES OFF. While she was the standout in the recent revival, I've always seen NOISES OFF as a show where any character can be the standout. They all have wonderful moments.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:05pm

I actually would put Lady Macbeth in this category. She really doesn't have all that much stage time. However, think how often she is discussed. I've never seen RICHARD III fully staged, but when I read it, I realized that Queen Margaret gets some of the best lines in that entire play.

[Weez]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:29pm

Margaret owns that ENTIRE tetralogy! They may call it 'Henry VI', 'Henry VI', 'Henry VI', and 'Richard III', but she's really somethin'. Well, she's a crazy bitch and I didn't like her, but she's SUCH a stand-out part, and I figure you're not necessarily meant to like her, so it's all good. :3

[elphabelle07]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:53pm

Definitely Eponine in Les Mis and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd.
Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast tends to stand out as well. At leadt in my opinion.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 9:54pm

Oh! I agree with Lumiere. Both times I've seen productions of "Beauty and the Beast", I went away talking about Lumiere's performance.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 5/29/08 at 10:22pm

Igor in Young Frankenstein.
Most of the stuff I remember most and loved most from that show was Igor stuff.
"What hump?" :)

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/30/08 at 4:04am

"The comic relief always stands out."

Agree

Also, the character with clever, catchy "antics", be it verbally, or physically.

One final...the one we tend to find sympathy for (ususally an underdog or nicely selfless one).

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/30/08 at 7:14am

The show is called Blood Brothers but Mrs. Johnstone seems to stand out more than the actual brothers. She does after all get to sing what is in MY book the greatest closing number EVAH!

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 5/30/08 at 7:27am

I loved Mandy but Karen Olivo really stood out for me.

Updated On: 5/30/08 at 07:27 AM

[jagfkb]

Posted: 5/30/08 at 9:31am

I've always thought, that when the role of Martha Jefersson and Abigail Adams are played by great singers and actresses (like in the original production), those roles tend to stand out ALOT.

Also, Harriet Harris in Cry Baby AND Millie.