The most demanding roles in musical theatre?

[ClapYo'Hands]

I've always said that Enjolras is probably the most difficult role in Les Misérables because it's the most unconventionally written.

[AvenueQResident]

Elle Woods sings on nearly every song in Legally Blonde.

[songanddanceman2]

I would have to agree with Elle Woods, the girl hardly ever leaves the stage and sings on most songs in the show as well as it been quite a dance role and comic acting role.

Also Frankie in Jersey Boys.

[AnythingGoes23]

Frankie in Jersey Boys isn't too challenging. If you have that type of voice, which you'd have to play the role, it isn't that challenging for theatre. Not much movement etc...

Rose, Sweeney, Lovett, Sally in Follies is tricky, Mame, Reno, Harold from the Music Man, Valjean, Phantom, Elphaba, Norma Desmond, Eva Peron, Barnum, Charity Hope Valentine, Sally Bowles

I think any show that the musical centres on as the main driving plot that requires the character in most if not all scenes with strong story telling acting, complex score/vocal range and dance are demanding roles

[ChenoKahn]

Also Sally in Follies, Velma in Chicago, Will Rogers in Will Rogers' Follies, Guido in Nine, Lily and Oscar in On the Twentieth Century, Fanny in Funny Girl, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Porgy and Bess, Mack & Mabel and Ruth in Wonderful Town. I think Annie deserves a shout-out.

Sally is very challenging because the score is hard but the acting is very difficult. It's hard to give a performance that doesn't divide people. Going through that journey nightly is very difficult for an actor too.

[philitalia]

Don Quixote in Man Of La Mancha

[Princeton Returns]

Yeah id forgotten about Elle in Legally Blonde. A big sing but also tough to get the acting and characterisation right, its a physical and comic role.

[06s091]

I'd forgotten one: Jekyll/Hyde

[ClapYo'Hands]

I'm not sure I'd agree with Porgy and Bess...

[peggyb2]

Not in the same league as previous suggestions perhaps but Galileo in WWRY can't be an easy sing?

[ChenoKahn]

Porgy and Bess are defiantly more vocally challenging than the likes of Phantom and nothing is pre-recorded.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Yes but they're conventionally written, for proper trained singers they are no problem. Not to mention they're not as emotionally draining as the likes of Phantom.

[Bob30]

Wouldn't Bess be a more emotionally draining role than the Phantom?
I mean the poor girl gets raped, is bitched about constantly, gets high, stalked and has to leave the love of her life!

[ChenoKahn]

Yes, Bess is more emotionally demanding. Bess is far more vocally demanding than Phantom. Audra couldn't handle Bess for 8 performances a week. She was often out and now she has an alternate. Bess has been known to have 3 performers share the part. Phantom isn't even in the same league.

[ClapYo'Hands]

In which case we'll have to agree to disagree :)

[Phantom of London]

Danny Devito in the Sunshine Boys.

[theatrepaul]

I have to agree with Clap Yo'Hands. I saw Sweeney Todd again last night and Mrs Lovett really is a TOUGH character to play, there are so many facets to her character which demand so much of the actor playing the part.

Imelda Staunton like Julia McKenzie and Angela Lansbury before her really has nailed the part brilliantly, capturing the varying sides of her complex character in superb style.