Top 10 Hardest Musicals to Perform
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
Niko
Worth mentioning about Lion king, how many different African languages are spoken throughout the show. I think I saw Rafiki needs to be bilingual. So just another challenge.
Also, am I the only one who thinks le mis is just an excuse to show off vocal talent? Maybe it's just the productions I've seen, but if someone played do you hear the people sing and asked me to guess who was singing and why, I'd never say a mobile of angry townsfolk ready to revolt. More likely I'd say a college kid needed an interview song. Pretty? Yes. Emotional or beleivable? Meh.
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Worth mentioning about Lion king, how many different African languages are spoken throughout the show. I think I saw Rafiki needs to be bilingual. So just another challenge.
Also, am I the only one who thinks le mis is just an excuse to show off vocal talent? Maybe it's just the productions I've seen, but if someone played do you hear the people sing and asked me to guess who was singing and why, I'd never say a mobile of angry townsfolk ready to revolt. More likely I'd say a college kid needed an interview song. Pretty? Yes. Emotional or beleivable? Meh.
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Eric
I think Come from Away should have been an honorable mention. While it may look pretty straightforward, the entire story is told by only about a dozen actors, all of them taking on multiple roles, including changing accents, some of them having to turn on a dime. Plus, they are ALL out there on stage for the entire show, there are a lot of high energy numbers, there are a lot of emotional roller coasters to manage, and there's no intermission to take a breather! Every time I've seen this show, I've been in awe of what the cast has to do to put it on.
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I think Come from Away should have been an honorable mention. While it may look pretty straightforward, the entire story is told by only about a dozen actors, all of them taking on multiple roles, including changing accents, some of them having to turn on a dime. Plus, they are ALL out there on stage for the entire show, there are a lot of high energy numbers, there are a lot of emotional roller coasters to manage, and there's no intermission to take a breather! Every time I've seen this show, I've been in awe of what the cast has to do to put it on.
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Sura
You should have included Come From Away which tasks its performers with moving the basic wooden set furniture of tables & chairs into buses, planes (on a mobile circular platform, & school gyms, & handing off costume changes all while singing & doing complex unified movements. Oh yeah, & every performer plays multiple roles, many of which require very tricky accents! And then there's the subject matter of 9/11. And there's a scene where they do movements & singing while getting progressively drunk! And it's an awesome show!
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You should have included Come From Away which tasks its performers with moving the basic wooden set furniture of tables & chairs into buses, planes (on a mobile circular platform, & school gyms, & handing off costume changes all while singing & doing complex unified movements. Oh yeah, & every performer plays multiple roles, many of which require very tricky accents! And then there's the subject matter of 9/11. And there's a scene where they do movements & singing while getting progressively drunk! And it's an awesome show!
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Paul
RENT: The only reason it probably didn't make this list is because a great cast makes it look so easy. But I have seen enough terrible casts phone it in, that it seems like a mediocre show as a result; proving that it is a difficult show to perform. I think Hamilton could be phoned in by a cast and still look great, which means that it is an easier show to perform than you may realize. Hard shows could be challenging on one member may be the hardest, like Dear Evan Hansen or Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Evita, Etc.
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RENT: The only reason it probably didn't make this list is because a great cast makes it look so easy. But I have seen enough terrible casts phone it in, that it seems like a mediocre show as a result; proving that it is a difficult show to perform. I think Hamilton could be phoned in by a cast and still look great, which means that it is an easier show to perform than you may realize. Hard shows could be challenging on one member may be the hardest, like Dear Evan Hansen or Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Evita, Etc.
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rebecca
I would have also included bad Cinderella from Andrew Lloyd webbers Cinderella (uk west end) as the actress has to sing and get dragged round a revolving stage and any song the character Cinderella has to sing and the main ones are bad Cinderella, I know I have a heart, far to late and Cinderellas soliloquy which are all fabulous and can be hard to sing plus the soliloquy is a triple reprise of I know I have a heart far to late and bad Cinderella all in one song
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I would have also included bad Cinderella from Andrew Lloyd webbers Cinderella (uk west end) as the actress has to sing and get dragged round a revolving stage and any song the character Cinderella has to sing and the main ones are bad Cinderella, I know I have a heart, far to late and Cinderellas soliloquy which are all fabulous and can be hard to sing plus the soliloquy is a triple reprise of I know I have a heart far to late and bad Cinderella all in one song
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Bryann
Thank you for this wonderful video, Ms mojo! I think that the hardest musicals are Miss Saigon, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As a person with Down Syndrome and an actress in South Carolina, I can honestly say that yes it is a lot of work to be in a musical, but it is very rewarding. There are no limits to what you can achieve, it's so much fun, and dreams do come true!
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Thank you for this wonderful video, Ms mojo! I think that the hardest musicals are Miss Saigon, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As a person with Down Syndrome and an actress in South Carolina, I can honestly say that yes it is a lot of work to be in a musical, but it is very rewarding. There are no limits to what you can achieve, it's so much fun, and dreams do come true!
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Sp1get
Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812? With the insane long and high notes from Anatole? Pierre's deep, gruff, operatic voice? The dual role of Old Prince Bolkonsky and Andrey? The emotionally gripping ending? The set design having to incorporate the stage into the audience's seats for the immersive experience? The ensemble having to dance and play instruments non-stop? The impeccable comedic timing?
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Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812? With the insane long and high notes from Anatole? Pierre's deep, gruff, operatic voice? The dual role of Old Prince Bolkonsky and Andrey? The emotionally gripping ending? The set design having to incorporate the stage into the audience's seats for the immersive experience? The ensemble having to dance and play instruments non-stop? The impeccable comedic timing?
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Ouija
I 100% agree with your list. Some of the hardest for me personally were also Sweeney Todd and Little Orphan Annie. Since everyone knew them so well the pressure was on to nail it. Not to mention sometimes the crowds would be singing so loud that you couldn't hear yourself. Again just my opinion. I love preforming all of the musicals that I have done though. 10 out of 10
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I 100% agree with your list. Some of the hardest for me personally were also Sweeney Todd and Little Orphan Annie. Since everyone knew them so well the pressure was on to nail it. Not to mention sometimes the crowds would be singing so loud that you couldn't hear yourself. Again just my opinion. I love preforming all of the musicals that I have done though. 10 out of 10
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Sterling
I played Curly for a community theatre and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Could not have done it without my fellow actors and crew. I struggled to find a way to set myself apart from iconic performances such as Hugh Jackman in the London show. I couldn't have done it without the amazing actors, actresses, directors and crew members.
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I played Curly for a community theatre and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Could not have done it without my fellow actors and crew. I struggled to find a way to set myself apart from iconic performances such as Hugh Jackman in the London show. I couldn't have done it without the amazing actors, actresses, directors and crew members.
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Cameron
Thank god, Chorus Line was mentioned! I was worried it wouldnt be. I played Bobby and covered for Paul and Greg. Performing show was the most draining month ever. I was doing 2 shows a day sometimes.
I also performed in Newsies a while back, I was in 3RD GRADE! This was PROFESSIONAL theater. I only got in because they wanted my mom though
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Thank god, Chorus Line was mentioned! I was worried it wouldnt be. I played Bobby and covered for Paul and Greg. Performing show was the most draining month ever. I was doing 2 shows a day sometimes.
I also performed in Newsies a while back, I was in 3RD GRADE! This was PROFESSIONAL theater. I only got in because they wanted my mom though
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Stephen
Weak list. Thumbs down. Do your research. You missed Das Barbecue (5 actors play like 47 roles, La Boheme ( which had 2 casts of leads, West Side Story, Porgy & Bess, Hair, Spring Awakening, Rent, Squonk, Will Rogers Follies, Mack & Mabel, Fiddler, Groundhog Day, Contact, Marie Christine, Ragtime, Movin Out, Swing, 42nd Street, etc.
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Weak list. Thumbs down. Do your research. You missed Das Barbecue (5 actors play like 47 roles, La Boheme ( which had 2 casts of leads, West Side Story, Porgy & Bess, Hair, Spring Awakening, Rent, Squonk, Will Rogers Follies, Mack & Mabel, Fiddler, Groundhog Day, Contact, Marie Christine, Ragtime, Movin Out, Swing, 42nd Street, etc.
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Movie
I have been in my schools performance of Susical and I was Vlad
And my school also did a smaller performance called Back to the 80s and I was a character called Huey Jackson
And my theatre class created a performance and me and another guy did Make em Laugh from Singing in the Rain and made it into a duo
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I have been in my schools performance of Susical and I was Vlad
And my school also did a smaller performance called Back to the 80s and I was a character called Huey Jackson
And my theatre class created a performance and me and another guy did Make em Laugh from Singing in the Rain and made it into a duo
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Axolotl
14: 00
Small Hairspray Fact I learned from my director: On Broadway, the iconic song You Cant Stop The Beat has another nickname given by actors called You Cant Stop to Breath because with its high-energy choreography and fast-pace lyrics, finding breathing breaks is no small feat and is nearly impossible.
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14: 00
Small Hairspray Fact I learned from my director: On Broadway, the iconic song You Cant Stop The Beat has another nickname given by actors called You Cant Stop to Breath because with its high-energy choreography and fast-pace lyrics, finding breathing breaks is no small feat and is nearly impossible.
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James
Id have put (The Mystery of Edwin) Drood in as an honorable mention at least. The audience votes on a number of elements of the resolution, and the cast goes into the last few scenes not knowing who will be singing the last few songs. Many of the lyrics earlier in the show are fairly difficult and fast as well.
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Id have put (The Mystery of Edwin) Drood in as an honorable mention at least. The audience votes on a number of elements of the resolution, and the cast goes into the last few scenes not knowing who will be singing the last few songs. Many of the lyrics earlier in the show are fairly difficult and fast as well.
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Adam
I think Hunchback is a crazy hard show considering the fact that it has an ensemble as well as a choir, not to mention that you ideally create a huge cathedral-looking set, have to work with intense material, and have someone to play Quasimodo. Its a very difficult show that is amazing when done well.
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I think Hunchback is a crazy hard show considering the fact that it has an ensemble as well as a choir, not to mention that you ideally create a huge cathedral-looking set, have to work with intense material, and have someone to play Quasimodo. Its a very difficult show that is amazing when done well.
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Lonell
I think the difficulty of doing Dreamgirls is overly simplified when you reduce it to just the role of Effie. The entire show requires performers who can handle demanding, technically precise music and dramatic scenes that, if you've ever seen an amateur production, is not for the faint-hearted.
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I think the difficulty of doing Dreamgirls is overly simplified when you reduce it to just the role of Effie. The entire show requires performers who can handle demanding, technically precise music and dramatic scenes that, if you've ever seen an amateur production, is not for the faint-hearted.
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The
Legally Blonde should have been on this list. It's deceptively complex, requiring powerful leads, a killer ensemble, and the music and staging are extremely intricate and high energy. There's literally a number where the cast dances using JUMP ROPES. Overall it's a challenging piece to do well
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Legally Blonde should have been on this list. It's deceptively complex, requiring powerful leads, a killer ensemble, and the music and staging are extremely intricate and high energy. There's literally a number where the cast dances using JUMP ROPES. Overall it's a challenging piece to do well
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Jordan
A STRANGE LOOP, while relatively new, deserves a slot here since the show is 2 hours of non-stop emotionally taxing work from the lead, and an ensemble that has to play at least half a dozen characters apiece. The songs are also not easy to sing - very much in the vein of NEXT TO NORMAL
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A STRANGE LOOP, while relatively new, deserves a slot here since the show is 2 hours of non-stop emotionally taxing work from the lead, and an ensemble that has to play at least half a dozen characters apiece. The songs are also not easy to sing - very much in the vein of NEXT TO NORMAL
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LCC
Im so glad that Moulin Rouge made the list! I had the wonderful dream come true opportunity to see it on Bway and the Sonya Tayeh choreography absolutely blew me away. Best choreography Ive seen since Movin Out (which probably should have been on this list too.
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Im so glad that Moulin Rouge made the list! I had the wonderful dream come true opportunity to see it on Bway and the Sonya Tayeh choreography absolutely blew me away. Best choreography Ive seen since Movin Out (which probably should have been on this list too.
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The
Carrie is SO hard. You try all those high af belts, and then singing after being doused in blood or during heavy physical work between Margaret and Carrie, and dancing like crazy in some versions of The World According To Chris. Its hard believe me.
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Carrie is SO hard. You try all those high af belts, and then singing after being doused in blood or during heavy physical work between Margaret and Carrie, and dancing like crazy in some versions of The World According To Chris. Its hard believe me.
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TheOkapiKid
Wait wait wait, youre gonna show Hadestown in the opening but not even going to give it an honorable mention? Swinging lanterns, multiple rotating stage portions, amazing vocals & music, small cast & involved ensemble, and more.
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Wait wait wait, youre gonna show Hadestown in the opening but not even going to give it an honorable mention? Swinging lanterns, multiple rotating stage portions, amazing vocals & music, small cast & involved ensemble, and more.
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Sarah
any difficulty is any of them including SIX rent chicago cats but heathers mean girls grease you totally need determination stamina confidence to do them lion king maybe fun but the music itself to hard also wicked
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any difficulty is any of them including SIX rent chicago cats but heathers mean girls grease you totally need determination stamina confidence to do them lion king maybe fun but the music itself to hard also wicked
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Meaghan
I did many musicals including Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Honk the ugly duckling story, Once on this island, Sound of Music, Grease, Schoolhouse Rock, and The Music Man. I played the teen angle in Grease.
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I did many musicals including Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Honk the ugly duckling story, Once on this island, Sound of Music, Grease, Schoolhouse Rock, and The Music Man. I played the teen angle in Grease.
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Heather
While we're talking about the Broadway shows, I think Hugh Jackman's Valjean and Russell Crowe's Javert deserve to be mentioned here.
How about a to Broadway show and movie comparison?
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While we're talking about the Broadway shows, I think Hugh Jackman's Valjean and Russell Crowe's Javert deserve to be mentioned here.
How about a to Broadway show and movie comparison?
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Deacon
So your saying, Hamilton has the most words of any broadway musical, is 3 hours long, has the quickest rap of any musical (quicker than rap god) and they still don't win? Tapped man
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So your saying, Hamilton has the most words of any broadway musical, is 3 hours long, has the quickest rap of any musical (quicker than rap god) and they still don't win? Tapped man
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Morgan
I was so lucky to be apart of a production of The Lion King jr this summer and I got to play Nala. It was hard work but it was so worth it and I would do it 100 times if I could!
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I was so lucky to be apart of a production of The Lion King jr this summer and I got to play Nala. It was hard work but it was so worth it and I would do it 100 times if I could!
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Rahere
The point is obvious, isn't it? Just going straight to belt, and sticking there, breaks every rule in constructing a memorable gig. You need contrast, colour, light-and-dark.
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The point is obvious, isn't it? Just going straight to belt, and sticking there, breaks every rule in constructing a memorable gig. You need contrast, colour, light-and-dark.
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Aimee
I'm shocked that Bring it On is not on this list. that show is by far the hardest production physically I've been in. Try singing while throwing people and flipping you body.
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I'm shocked that Bring it On is not on this list. that show is by far the hardest production physically I've been in. Try singing while throwing people and flipping you body.
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Olvia
Shouldve mentioned School of Rock. The kids in the musical was amazing, they even sang a great song all together that every kid could relate to If Only You Would Listen
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Shouldve mentioned School of Rock. The kids in the musical was amazing, they even sang a great song all together that every kid could relate to If Only You Would Listen
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Julie
I have performed in many community shows of operettas - mostly Gilbert and Sullivan, but also Mozart; Sigmund Romberg; Richard Strauss; Victor Herbert; and Offenbach.
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I have performed in many community shows of operettas - mostly Gilbert and Sullivan, but also Mozart; Sigmund Romberg; Richard Strauss; Victor Herbert; and Offenbach.
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