Top 10 Hardest Roles for Child Actors in Musicals
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
MarginDoodles
I played Gavroche in a production of Les Mis and I can confirm that it was a challenging role. You have to make him slightly annoying but still really likeable so the audience roots for him and feels genuine grief when he dies. At the same time, you must juggle that with the fact that he has to come across as a kid who has the emotional and mental maturity of an adult, which is where I judge a lot of actors harshly when they play him- he either comes across as too childish or too mature. Finally, you have to throw in the last tricky bit, which is that (at least in my experience) you have to fight the temptation to oversing because you must be able to clearly project (in a cockney accent) and also run around, climb barricades, jump over other obstacles, and just be a really physical character. I'm surprised he wasn't higher on the list, though top three isn't bad.
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I played Gavroche in a production of Les Mis and I can confirm that it was a challenging role. You have to make him slightly annoying but still really likeable so the audience roots for him and feels genuine grief when he dies. At the same time, you must juggle that with the fact that he has to come across as a kid who has the emotional and mental maturity of an adult, which is where I judge a lot of actors harshly when they play him- he either comes across as too childish or too mature. Finally, you have to throw in the last tricky bit, which is that (at least in my experience) you have to fight the temptation to oversing because you must be able to clearly project (in a cockney accent) and also run around, climb barricades, jump over other obstacles, and just be a really physical character. I'm surprised he wasn't higher on the list, though top three isn't bad.
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Julie
This generation calls self love allowing people to think they need to change the way they were made. You wanna change your nose? Go ahead! Wanna change your gender? Go ahead! Wanna get lip injections? Go ahead! Instead of helping them love who God created them to be. Not everyone is meant to have that small nose or small waist or whatever gender they covet. They should be affirmed in who they are. Just as God affirms them in how He meant them to be. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are beautiful and loved by God. Dont let sin blind you from that truth. Youre beautiful.
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This generation calls self love allowing people to think they need to change the way they were made. You wanna change your nose? Go ahead! Wanna change your gender? Go ahead! Wanna get lip injections? Go ahead! Instead of helping them love who God created them to be. Not everyone is meant to have that small nose or small waist or whatever gender they covet. They should be affirmed in who they are. Just as God affirms them in how He meant them to be. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are beautiful and loved by God. Dont let sin blind you from that truth. Youre beautiful.
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TheTradge
Perfect choice for number one, I remember when I first saw Billy Elliot on stage and just having my mind blown with how insanely talented those kids were, the amount of dance training they must have to go through to get that part is just mental!
Also they have four Matildas because literally every professional musical production featuring children in main roles has at least 3 or 4 young performers playing said role, for example Billy Elliot will have 4 Billys, 4 Michaels and 4 Debbies all rotating.
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Perfect choice for number one, I remember when I first saw Billy Elliot on stage and just having my mind blown with how insanely talented those kids were, the amount of dance training they must have to go through to get that part is just mental!
Also they have four Matildas because literally every professional musical production featuring children in main roles has at least 3 or 4 young performers playing said role, for example Billy Elliot will have 4 Billys, 4 Michaels and 4 Debbies all rotating.
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Northfan42
Here's my pick for the re-ordering of these choices. I considered not only the difficulty of the roles themselves, but also the level of risk to each production if the listed role/s aren't played well.
10 - Chava (ranked lowest because she's often played by a young adult rather than child)
9 - Baby June
8 - Artful Dodger
7 - Gavroche
6 - Young Simba and Nala
5 - Small Alison
4 - Annie
3 - Matilda
2 - School of Rock cast
1 - Billy Elliot
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Here's my pick for the re-ordering of these choices. I considered not only the difficulty of the roles themselves, but also the level of risk to each production if the listed role/s aren't played well.
10 - Chava (ranked lowest because she's often played by a young adult rather than child)
9 - Baby June
8 - Artful Dodger
7 - Gavroche
6 - Young Simba and Nala
5 - Small Alison
4 - Annie
3 - Matilda
2 - School of Rock cast
1 - Billy Elliot
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Princess
Matilda Wormwood is my dream role. I love the book, the musical, and the movie. I sing the songs to myself, I try Matilda's dance moves, and I love to read just like she dose. I also love Annie because I have red hair like she dose and I love her songs. I want to be on tv and Broadway when I grow up, I have a long way to go, but I know if I try I can do it, as Matilda always says, Even if your little you can do a lot.
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Matilda Wormwood is my dream role. I love the book, the musical, and the movie. I sing the songs to myself, I try Matilda's dance moves, and I love to read just like she dose. I also love Annie because I have red hair like she dose and I love her songs. I want to be on tv and Broadway when I grow up, I have a long way to go, but I know if I try I can do it, as Matilda always says, Even if your little you can do a lot.
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BEEN
I played dodger in Oliver and when I auditioned the cockney accent came almost naturally but I wasn't prepared for what was to come next when I was at the and l age of eleven and most of the kids were about eight. Me and my friend had to do most of the solos because we looked like kids but could be mature enough to act as adults (btw, I'm now thirteen and I'm still left with most of the child solos and lines)
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I played dodger in Oliver and when I auditioned the cockney accent came almost naturally but I wasn't prepared for what was to come next when I was at the and l age of eleven and most of the kids were about eight. Me and my friend had to do most of the solos because we looked like kids but could be mature enough to act as adults (btw, I'm now thirteen and I'm still left with most of the child solos and lines)
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Cassandra
I played small Alison when I was 9. I hate to admit it but I was terrible, and I regret it, it embarrassed me because my mom does theater (she played Helen) and she's amazing, compared to her, I was horrible. As well as the fact that it ruined my voice, I was too young to play the role, and my voice is much affected now by the experience (I am 12.
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I played small Alison when I was 9. I hate to admit it but I was terrible, and I regret it, it embarrassed me because my mom does theater (she played Helen) and she's amazing, compared to her, I was horrible. As well as the fact that it ruined my voice, I was too young to play the role, and my voice is much affected now by the experience (I am 12.
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Aidan
I like that Little Red Ridinghood is on the list, but I'm upset that she's only an honorable mention. Her songs are very vocally and rhythmically challenging. She should've been in the top 5. But there's another problem, where's Jack? His songs are also vocally challenging, especially Giants in the sky. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST!
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I like that Little Red Ridinghood is on the list, but I'm upset that she's only an honorable mention. Her songs are very vocally and rhythmically challenging. She should've been in the top 5. But there's another problem, where's Jack? His songs are also vocally challenging, especially Giants in the sky. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST!
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Grace
I dont know if Beetlejuice was out when this came out(pretty sure it was, and she is usually played by an older actress, Lydia Deetz should have at least been nominated. She sings super hard notes, belts, etc. Also, I feel to convey her emotions is a struggle. Ms. Mojo, you should talk about this show more.
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I dont know if Beetlejuice was out when this came out(pretty sure it was, and she is usually played by an older actress, Lydia Deetz should have at least been nominated. She sings super hard notes, belts, etc. Also, I feel to convey her emotions is a struggle. Ms. Mojo, you should talk about this show more.
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Seth
Ive done Billy in Billy Elliot. that role is so so hard. The dancing is ridiculously hard you have 4 BIG dance numbers and you have 2 HARD songs while the role is emotionally devastating especially for a young boy and hes on stage every scene except 1. Literally hes in every scene but one. Its so so hard
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Ive done Billy in Billy Elliot. that role is so so hard. The dancing is ridiculously hard you have 4 BIG dance numbers and you have 2 HARD songs while the role is emotionally devastating especially for a young boy and hes on stage every scene except 1. Literally hes in every scene but one. Its so so hard
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Rose
i know second comment but i forgot something.
Jane and Michel banks in Mary Poppins are some of the most challenging roles on broadway because they are always on stage even more than Mary and most of the musical is riding on their backs!
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i know second comment but i forgot something.
Jane and Michel banks in Mary Poppins are some of the most challenging roles on broadway because they are always on stage even more than Mary and most of the musical is riding on their backs!
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Hannah
Matilda definitely needs to be included. She has to do most songs with the same vocal range of Annie. But she( and the other kids there) have to maneuver around desks while singing really quick songs.
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Matilda definitely needs to be included. She has to do most songs with the same vocal range of Annie. But she( and the other kids there) have to maneuver around desks while singing really quick songs.
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fanjoy
On the Anastasia tour, I know theirs 2 little anyas and on broadway theirs 3. Wait you need to pretend to be a boy and dance silently and be incognito a lot, am I the only one who thinks of this?
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On the Anastasia tour, I know theirs 2 little anyas and on broadway theirs 3. Wait you need to pretend to be a boy and dance silently and be incognito a lot, am I the only one who thinks of this?
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Fiona
Ok but I actually think Jane and Michael Banks
should have at least been on the list because in the stage version they dont really have a break, theyre on stage the whole time
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Ok but I actually think Jane and Michael Banks
should have at least been on the list because in the stage version they dont really have a break, theyre on stage the whole time
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Luis
I would say Billy Elliott is as demanding a role, if not more, than many in the top category here. The boys, have to act, sing, tap, ballet aerial tricks and do acrobatics.
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I would say Billy Elliott is as demanding a role, if not more, than many in the top category here. The boys, have to act, sing, tap, ballet aerial tricks and do acrobatics.
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Ruby
You forgot about Jane and Michael Banks in Mary Poppins! They go on such an emotional transformation in the show and they also dominate the stage more than Mary herself!
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You forgot about Jane and Michael Banks in Mary Poppins! They go on such an emotional transformation in the show and they also dominate the stage more than Mary herself!
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Ashley
I love that while everyone is arguing that certain characters/ensembles should have been higher, EVERYONE is in agreement that Billy Elliot is most definitely #1
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I love that while everyone is arguing that certain characters/ensembles should have been higher, EVERYONE is in agreement that Billy Elliot is most definitely #1
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Tamia
the boy who played young mj shouldve been WAY higher on the list. he brought mj to life. when i saw him preforming i felt like i was in the 60s.
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the boy who played young mj shouldve been WAY higher on the list. he brought mj to life. when i saw him preforming i felt like i was in the 60s.
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ella
Shout out to Little Inez (Hairspray, Mary (Secret Garden, Jojo (seussical, Young Cosette (Les Mis, EVERY MEMBER OF 13 THE MUSICAL, and many more
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Shout out to Little Inez (Hairspray, Mary (Secret Garden, Jojo (seussical, Young Cosette (Les Mis, EVERY MEMBER OF 13 THE MUSICAL, and many more
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Sierra
Really good list. though I wish they did something other than broadway hits for this. Princess whatsername had some really challenging roles.
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Really good list. though I wish they did something other than broadway hits for this. Princess whatsername had some really challenging roles.
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evie
Ok Im surprised by the fact that Jason from falsettos was no where on this list (if you think Im wrong I am open to corrections)
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Ok Im surprised by the fact that Jason from falsettos was no where on this list (if you think Im wrong I am open to corrections)
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sydney
I saw school of Rock live and when they announced that all the kids were actually playing their instruments I was blown away
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I saw school of Rock live and when they announced that all the kids were actually playing their instruments I was blown away
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Georgie
annie was hard for me but a von trapp kid was harder. every step has to be perfect and the harmonies are really hard. :)
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annie was hard for me but a von trapp kid was harder. every step has to be perfect and the harmonies are really hard. :)
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Sophia
My high school is going to be putting on Matilda the musical in the spring. Ill be auditioning for the part of Matilda.
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My high school is going to be putting on Matilda the musical in the spring. Ill be auditioning for the part of Matilda.
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Scarlett
Ive had to sing as Matilda and Annie before and I can tell you that Matilda (at least for me) is harder than Annie.
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Ive had to sing as Matilda and Annie before and I can tell you that Matilda (at least for me) is harder than Annie.
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Luc
Before this starts, if matilda isnt like top 3 Im gonna flip.
Edit: Okay 5 is okay but the next 4 better be hard af
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Before this starts, if matilda isnt like top 3 Im gonna flip.
Edit: Okay 5 is okay but the next 4 better be hard af
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Feline
I had no idea that there were musicals of most of these
And wow yes Le Miserables I agree Maybe should even be 1
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I had no idea that there were musicals of most of these
And wow yes Le Miserables I agree Maybe should even be 1
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Rose
okay can we apreciate that lila crawford was little red riding hood in honerable mentions and annie she is amazing
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okay can we apreciate that lila crawford was little red riding hood in honerable mentions and annie she is amazing
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loveanddreambig
I wouldve added Tina from Ruthless in this as well. Its a tough role to get a kid to pull off well.
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I wouldve added Tina from Ruthless in this as well. Its a tough role to get a kid to pull off well.
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No
Shouldnt Jane and Michael banks be on here? think about the dances and singing and emotion they have to put in?
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Shouldnt Jane and Michael banks be on here? think about the dances and singing and emotion they have to put in?
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