Greatest Female Character- Page 4

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 1:15pm

"I am just flustered how some can think Elphaba, Jo March, and Mille can compare to the great roles of Momma Rose, Mrs. Lovett, Evita, Mame, Sally Bowles, Velma Kelly (and so many more.)"

I admit, I'm a bit flustered by how you think other people aren't entitled to thinking those characters are some of the greats. They're entitled to think that, you know.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 1:18pm

Hmmm. I am flustered how you think I said people aren't entitled to their opinions.

Where did I say that?

But Elphaba must be one of the best roles, considering God, I mean Idina created it.
Updated On: 2/12/06 at 01:18 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 1:22pm

Essentially what you were saying is that it makes no sense that anyone can think those roles are "greater" than the ones YOU think are the greats. Where did you not say that?

[kas]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 3:58pm

- any tennessee williams woman
- halie from buried child
- the nurse in othello (i have no idea why)
- the women of dancing at lughnasa
- aida
- martha
- mrs. lovett
- beatrice from midsummers
- kate - taming of the shrew
- mary tyrone
- that woman from fences. (sorry i forgot her name)
- nora - a doll's house
- masha from 3 sisters
- the chicago women
- mimi (don't hate me about that one)

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 4:09pm

I disagree with so many posted, but I won't be rude about it.

My Opinions:

Mama Rose
The Witch (Into The Woods)
Mrs. Lovett
Effie White
Eliza Dolittle
Marian Paroo

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 4:21pm

Of course everyone's entitled to their opinions. But if someone said "Harry Potter" is a greater character than "Hamlet", you HAVE to expect a reaction!

And some of the examples that have been mentioned on this board are on par with that analogy. There are many good female characters. But there's a special place for the TRULY great. To say Elphaba is THE absolute BEST female character, seems to show a lack of knowledge of the history of musical theater. Nothing against Elphaba, but can she really be compared to Mamma Rose? Mrs Lovett? Evita, even?

To say that doesn't make me rude, but there must be place for intelligent argument, right? No one should launch verbal insults at those who are only familiar with the more contemporary pieces (Rent, Wicked, which seem to be the more targeted fan base on this board). But we're entitled to voice our frustrarion at these choices. I respect the fact that you're entitled to your opinion, but I don't have to agree.

eta: I didn't mean to imply that people who believe Elphaba is THE BEST female character are ignorant. But I just don't want to believe that anyone who saw both Gypsy and Wicked truly believes that Elphaba is the superior character. Updated On: 2/12/06 at 04:21 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 4:49pm

BroadwayChica, I do see where you're coming from, and while my opinion of some of the greats seem to be more in line with what you and ljay are saying, I think it's perfectly valid that someone may find a character like Elphaba to be greater than Mama Rose. First of all, most of our impressions of these characters come from who we saw play it, and if for some reason, that made someone find something truly great about Elphaba, so be it, right? I mean, what makes a character great anyway? It differs from person to person.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 5:01pm

I know, I know. Maybe this is the grad lit student in me talking, but I DO think there's a level of objectiveness when it comes to measuring artistic merit. That on a PERSONAL level you enjoy Elphaba more than Mamma Rose is completely understandable. But on an artistic level, one is simply superior to the other.

And, again, everyone's entitled to their opinions. But it's simply something I cannot relate to, or fully comprehend. I'm sure many people think "The Da Vinci Code" is a better book than "Mrs Dalloway". But that doesn't mean they're right.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 5:33pm

Yeah, I see exactly what you're saying now. I do agree. What I mean, though, is that Jo March and Elphaba, for example, are characers that are poorly developed in the musical adaptions of their respective novels, but in the novels, they are great characters (or at least rather intriguing). So, when a good actress comes into the musical and incorporates what is great from either novel, then the character goes up quite a few notches on that "greatness" scale.

So, this is subjective in the sense that the person playing the role has such a large impact on what we can and cannot call "great." It's difficult to discuss musical characters solely in relation to the text because we always have a performance ingrained in our minds. On paper, yes, there's little comparison to the way Elphaba is written as compared to Mama Rose. Though, that's almost getting into the "which is a better show?" realm.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 5:36pm

I'll be unique and say:

Penny (Hairspray)

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 5:52pm

I definitely agree that an actor has a deep impact on the way a character is perceived. A great actress can make a mediocre character seem amazing, while a poor actress can ruin a great character. But it's still true that there are characters whose greatness, in and of itself, cannot be denied. I've seen horrible portrayals of Mrs Lovett, but she's still a fierce, and powerful character.

[soapguy17]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 8:44pm

Sally Bowles!!!
Fanny Brice
Eva Peron
Effie White
Amneris
The Mother from Ragtime (I'm not sure if there was a given name or not,)

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 8:55pm

From musicals:
Fosca (Passion), my absolute favorite. I think.
Mama Rose (Gypsy). Cliche, but true.
Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes). I'd do her. I mean, she's cool.
The Baker's Wife (Into the Woods)
Desiree (ALNM). What?!
Cathy (The Last Five Years)
Mame (Mame)

Ah. Eva Peron, too. I can't pretend she's not amazing.

[Renthead#1]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 9:21pm

I think the best current broadway characters are:

Mrs Lovett
Bell
Roxie Hart
Velma Kelly
Tracy Turnblad
Edna Turnblad
Maureen
Celie
Rafiki
Elphaba

[One Song Glory]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 9:22pm

Mrs. Lovett is awesome.

[Shoshana's Future Ex]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 9:24pm

Elphaba Ann Thropp,hands down!

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 9:25pm

... Elphaba's middle name is Ann?

[Shoshana's Future Ex]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 9:26pm

yeah. go to gregory migurire's website!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 9:30pm

Is you lyke seirous? Rose is just lyke sum ol lady an lyke Glinda is a role moldel!