To purchase the Original Cast Recording of MARRY ME A LITTLE, click on the image above.
May is a mad month. A month of random musings about various topics related to musical theatre. Today’s post is geared towards performers in musical theatre and I’d love to hear your answers to this question:
Which roles would you play again?
I would love to play the Man in Marry Me a Little, the Craig Lucas musical composed of cut Stephen Sondheim songs, again. I feel like I will feel the same way about Man 1 in Edges, the Benj Pasek and Justin Paul musical for which I am currently in rehearsal. Both are very fulfilling in different ways and I loved every minute of Marry Me a Little and am loving every second of Edges as we prepare for our opening at the start of next month.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Musical Cyberspace 
I’d totally do “Day by Day”/”Beautiful City” soloist in Godspell again in a heartbeat! I loved that show! I think with all the improv and concepts you can do with this show, it would still be fun, but new and refreshing.
Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Being the choreographer (well except when my director “surprised” me with something that she already came up with), I was able to really control the way I wanted to do “Suppertime”, but I’d like to do it with a director who actually knows what’s going on. And I really did love my little white yoga hoodie with the black spot on the back….
And that’s it! I mean let’s face it, I’ve usually gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to casting decisions. But, whatever, in the words of Grease, “This time we’re seniors and we’re gonna rule the school!” Between Zombie Prom, Almost Maine, Thespian Society Secretary, and being able to be head choreographer for chorus, I’ve got a lot of things to look forward to this year!
Two roles that I was too young for the first time around (but was cast anyways…?)
– Adelaide in Guys and Dolls: I am actually just NOW (what I figured) her minimum age (32, if she got engaged at 18 and has been engaged for 14 years). Even though she’s not a super complex role, it is fun, and if I could be in a bigger, better production of it with more dancing I would love to. My lower voice is more developed now, and I think I could sing her songs better. Just BEING older now, I think I could find more bits to bring out in her character.
– Marian in The Music Man: Everything about the role – voice, character – just FITS me. She’s been a favorite character since I first saw the movie. I loved every minute of doing the show before, and as long as it was a decent production with a good Harold and good director, I’d do it. I’ve learned so much since the first time around, I want another crack at really acting the part (since I pretty much know I was cast before because I could sing it the best).
Brigantine, I’d love to see you play Adelaide! DO IT!
I have three on my list, but for slightly different reasons:
– Father in Children of Eden probably best fits the idea you are going for. I love the music and the character and would enjoy playing him over and over again in whatever productions I could.
– Mr. Bumble in Oliver. While it’s not my favorite role, I think that I do it well and have a good grasp of the character. It’s the role I could see myself being cast in over and over again.
– Charlemagne in Pippin. I really don’t care for this show. I only did it the first time because a cute stage manager asked me to. It was not a good production, but I think that I did a pretty good job with the character, and really brought something to it. I would like to do this role just one more time, to try to wash away the taste of the first production.
Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Florence in Chess
Nancy in Oliver
Lady Macbeth in Macbeth
Mertiuel in Dangerous Liaisons
There have been a few roles I’ve already repeated as well.
Laurie in Little Women without a doubt. I feel like I did a decent job, but the part fits me like a glove and now I have so much more to give. I kind of want to play every part I’ve done again because I’m just constantly learning new stuff that I wish I could have applied when I previously did these roles. Also, in Laurie’s case, the music was a bit of a stretch for me, but now my voice has gotten stronger and my range has expanded so I could definitely handle that better.
I’d also really like to play Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors again. It’s a great part and I kind of had the time of my life doing it. There really aren’t that many roles or shows like Seymour and Little Shop. It’s just such a unique concept and story I want to keep doing it for an audience, seeing what they make of it.
Um, I wanna do Marius in Les Mis again ’cause while I loved my cast and had some great scene partners, I kind of had a bad attitude for most of the process, which is my fault, but it felt justified at the time. The show just means so much to me that I guess I just wanted the first time I get to perform it to be perfect, which wasn’t going to be the case no matter what. And I think Les Mis requires a lot more discussion and study than what was involved in the production I was in.
Slightly – Styne/Charlap/Leigh/Green/Comden’s Peter Pan
It’s been five years now and since this show is sometimes done with teenagers or young adults playing the Lost Boys, I’d love to try the role from my current perspective.
Charlie Brown – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
I have a lot in common with the old blockhead. Bringing him to life at each rehearsal and performance was a very fulfilling thing for me as an actor and individual. In addition, it would be nice to employ my improved physical acting and movement in the role. I imagine how awkwardly stock still I stood when I did the show and just cringe.
Davey Quinn – The Voice of the Prairie
This is a role I think I could do continuously for a very long period of time. While there are similarities, Davey lives in a much different time period and comes from a totally different background than me. Getting to know him was so interesting, and using my own experiences, emotions, and memories to play him was a thrill. Plus, I had the best onstage experience with a fellow cast member I’ve ever had. It helped us grow offstage as people and was a journey I’ll never forget. I’d be glad to start it all over again tomorrow. The story is so good I’d do it with almost any cast.
Self – Godspell Jr.
There’s something about a small community having fun together (and then going through pain together) that was just awesome. I’d love to have a slightly different track, perhaps sing “We Beseech Thee”, for instance. Oh, and doing my role in the full show would be sweet.
Perchik – Fiddler on the Roof Jr.
See the reasons for Slightly and Godspell. New life experience and better material are both huge draws.
For me, it’s a case of “If this show came up again, what part would be the only part I’d be happy to play?” I always get cast in my second choice of role, which is always a similar character – VERY unsatisfying! So, basically:
Oliver – Nancy
Les Mis – Fantine
Fame – Serena/Miss Sherman
Forbidden Planet – Science Officer
As a black guy who got to play Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, I found playing the role hilarious and fun. 😀 I’d do it again.