| But Eva being the star role doesn't mean Che isn't *also* the star and also the lead... many shows have 2 leads | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 01:56 am EDT 07/14/23 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 01:46 am EDT 07/14/23 | |
| In reply to: re: “MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG” EXTENDS BROADWAY RUN - WaymanWong 02:57 pm EDT 07/10/23 | |
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| Evita is a show which, to me, has two leads. No question. There's no reason to speak of it as if being Eva is a lead that Che isn't, they hold pretty equal weight and equal material amount, neither exists without the other, and both are huge and sensational roles. But is Che featured because we learn little about him, it's not his story, and he is basically a symbol not a person? So is Joseph the only lead in Joseph/Dreamcoat or is the Narrator also the lead? The Leading Player in Pippin? But lead actor is not the same as main character... but often it is 2 characters stories together. Often the two leads of a musical are the lead female and lead male characters. Like The King & I, which very clearly has 2 lead roles (not a lead and a supporting or featured). Or Sweeney Todd, which clearly has 2 leads. Or like Pajama Game. Or My Fair Lady. Music Man. West Side Story. Oliver. Jesus Christ Superstar. A Little Night Music. La Cage. Sunday in the Park. Phantom. Passion. Parade. Spring Awakening. Legally Blonde. Heathers. Carousel. Most people think of Norma as THE STAR of Sunset Blvd but doesn't it really have 2 leads? It's both their stories together. And it's not dissimilar to Evita in how those roles are built and how much material they have (except that we learn a lot more about Joe as a character than we do about Che). Norma is clearly THE star and subject, but Joe has a ton of material, it's his actual story, and nothing happens without him, AND he's the star of both plotlines. Some shows have more than 2... Into the Woods has 3 leads at least, The Baker, Baker's Wife, and The Witch. South Pacific also has what I'd call 3 leads - Nellie, Emile, and Cable. Cabaret also has 3 leads - or it should. Cliff has been stripped down SO much to make room for more Emcee and more Sally and more "Klub", but it shouldn't be that way. But I guess it debatably has 2 leads now. Does Blood Brothers have 1 lead only or 2 (the Mom and the Narrator?) or is it 4, throwing in the 2 brothers who have tons of material and have a storyline that doesn't involve the mom, but are also in hers? Does Falsettos have 1 lead only, or 3? ... does Man of La Mancha have 2 leads or just 1? Does Hairspray have 1 or 2? Does Great Comet really have 2 leads or is Pierre more of a featured role? Some, you could argue, have 4 - like Guys & Dolls. or Follies. Or does Follies have 2... Sally and Ben? The Mystery of Edwin Drood has probably 2 (The Chairman & Drood), but aren't Jasper, Puffer, and Rosa leads too? Candide has 3 clear leads, no? Or is Pangloss featured? And some have 1 lead... Gypsy, Nine, 1776, The Sound of Music, How to Succeed, Forum, Funny Girl, Mame, Hello Dolly, Dear World, Sweet Charity, Company, Les Miz, Marie Christine, Dear Evan Hansen. Some have no leads... like Dreamgirls. And A Chorus Line. And Assassins. Does The Fantasticks have any leads or are they all featured? Or is it 1 lead (El Gallo/Narrator)? And then a show like Grey Gardens has 2 lead characters but only 1 lead actress -- her role is split into 2 characters, one of which is taken over by the featured actress in act 2, and her act 2 role's younger self has a featured-level role played by the other featured actress in act 1! |
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