strong female roles

[sequin pillow]

i am looking for a list of theatre (musicals or plays) that have strong, interesting, unique female characters, preferably WITHOUT a love interest. or, if they DO have a love interest, it isn't the main part of the story.

[Rainah]

Sister Aloysius and Sister James in Doubt - two fantastic, complicated characters that wrestle with the demands of faith, patriarchy, responsibility, and yeah, doubt. Not a love interest to be found in the entire show.

Diana from Next To Normal - mental illness, agency, identity. She sort of has a love interest, in Dan, but it's not about that, and the musical covers the dissolution of their marriage not the falling in love.

It would be remiss not to mention Elphaba and Glinda

 

[santeFEEE]

Fantine in Les Miserables, I mean the main part of her story is love but she has no specific interest.

Also Mary Ploppins (Ya know) and Mrs. Meers (Thouroughly Modern Millie)

[XWW]

I wouldn't count Mrs. Meers because, while she is independent and unique, she's completely crazy. Not exactly a feminist role model. Not to mention the racism surrounding her plot line in the musical.

I would definitely count Eva Peron in Evita. By the way, are you asking this for any specific reason? Are you tired of the way some plays/musicals are being written, or are you doing some research for some nebulous project, or something completely different than anything I've mentioned?

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

I think theatre is nothing but full of interesting, strong, and unique female characters going through some real stuff.

[Great Dame]

Well I gotta throw Elsa's name in the hat, she's my girl :) Not sure if you're counting screen to stage, but if you are she's a really good one. I also echo Elphaba, although there is a love interest there he doesn't drive the plot for her. Fantine is a really good one too; she sacrifices everything for her daughter. I also think Maureen from Rent is a good one; she knows who she is, what she likes and wants and goes for it no matter what people think. Plus she's a hoot. Angelica Schuyler from Hamilton is really strong in my opinion. Another woman who knows who she is, sacrifices a lot, and kind of sticks it to the man in a time when women were very tied to men.

[Elegance101]

I think, specifically by the OP's definition, Angelica isn't a strong female role. Even though it's a great role, her entire arc is about Alexander, even if she stands up for her sister in the end.

[taylortrensch]

Sandy Cheeks from Spongebob Squarepants takes **** from no one, including an angry mob led by Old Man Jenkins that tries to throw her out of Bikini Bottom. Also, Lilli Cooper is a strong advocate for feminism and girl power. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Uh, Angelica Schuyler is totally a strong female role... but yes, I'd say much of her role in Hamilton centers on her pseudo-romantic relationship with Alexander. Her biggest number is "Satisfied" which is all about forsaking love. So, probably not what OP is looking for.

For my answer to the question, I keep thinking about Dina in The Band's Visit. Though I guess it depends on how you think about the show, I don't see Dina's relationship with Tewfiq as love-centered or romantic. Just oriented on basic human connection. But talk about strong, interesting, and unique!

[theaterdarling]

Can't believe someone didn't beat me to this: Three Tall Women.  I think it meets all your criteria, and then some.

[Nicole 10]

Also, Celie form The Color Purple

[JennH]

I agree with pretty much all of these, but I have to counter Elsa...If you think about it, she doesn't really pass this "strong female role" test. She's a loner, yes, but she doesn't run off to assert her independence and change/challenge the world, she runs off because she's scared of her own shadow and of literally hurting others. She's decides to "be herself" but she's STILL in isolation after that, keep in mind. She's a bit of a "martyr" character which makes her less relatable than I think most realize. She's relatable but only just so. Elphaba absolutely passes this test, as she asserts her own path and does what she feels/knows is right despite everyone's opinion or view of he, and who continue to shun her constantly. This is NOT Elsa's arc, even thought everyone knows by now that Frozen is in essence, a Disneyfied Wicked. Anna passes this test more, as at least she makes her own choices regardless of circumstances, and the fact that Kristoff is still helping her out, but at least many times she challenges him also.

[sequin pillow]

XWW said: "I wouldn't count Mrs. Meers because, while she is independent and unique, she's completely crazy. Not exactly a feminist role model. Not to mention the racism surrounding her plot line in the musical.

I would definitely countEva Peron in Evita. By the way, are you asking this for any specific reason?Are you tired of the way some plays/musicals are being written, or are you doing some research for some nebulous project, or something completely different than anything I've mentioned?"

 

basically for research purposes

[Elegance101]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Uh, Angelica Schuyler is totally astrong female role... but yes, I'd say much of her role in Hamilton centers on her pseudo-romantic relationship with Alexander. Her biggest number is "Satisfied" which is all about forsaking love.So, probably not what OP is looking for."

I completely agree! I was just pointing out how the OP mentioned women whose plot doesn't revolve around men. Angelica might not pass the Bechdel test, but she's a great character and certainly complex!

On that note, I feel we sometimes confuse "strong" and "complex" when talking about female roles. It's always great to see examples of women who are strong, but what's most important is making sure women are portrayed as layered individuals, as opposed to the usual one-dimensional archetypes we see. So female characters don't necessarily have to be "strong," but just layered and interesting characters who experience more than just one thing. I hope that makes sense and I'm not coming across as sexist by any means.

[PThespian]

Mamma Rose from Gypsy
Mame Burnside
Dolly Levi
Hermoine Grainger from Cursed Child

[TheatreRocks]

Alison Bechdel

[poisonivy2]

Regina in The Little Foxes? Whether what she does is right is another matter but she certainly is a strong woman. 

Helena Rubensein and Elizabeth Arden of War Paint.