Musical Theatre Role Reversal

Every actor has a list of roles they would like to play if they were the opposite sex.  Nowadays, you can actually find productions full of gender bending casting, which is great.  It gives actors the chance the play parts they never dreamed about.  Here is my musical theatre role reversal dream list:

1.  Mother, Ragtime

The role of Mother in Ragtime is a dream role for any actress.  Marin Mazzie was absolutely stunning in her performance in the original company.  "Back To Before" is probably the best eleven o'clock number written in the last 30 years.  I mean, who wouldn't want to play this part!

2.  Mama Rose, Gypsy

The mother of all musical theatre roles....literally.  Every song Mama Rose sings is a classic and the score runs the spectrum of emotion.  From her opening number, "Some People" to her finale, "Rose's Turn", each moment she has on stage is a gift.  It's got to be a demanding workout to perform this 8 times a week!  I'd be up for that challenge...if I could sing haha

3.  Sheila, A Chorus Line

I love the character of Sheila!  She has great wit and sarcasm...2 of my strong suits haha  Her opening of "At The Ballet" is when ACL really hooks you.  I would love to play her!

4.  The Baker's Wife, Into The Woods

What a wonderful show and character.  If I were to play this, though, I would have a difficult time making it mine.  I would want to imitate Joanna Gleason.  She's perfection!

5.  Joanne, Company

Another fun, sarcastic and bitter role I was born to play.  "The Ladies Who Lunch" is one of the most recognized songs in the Sondheim canon.  And Joanne gets to sing one of my favorite lyrics ever in "The Little Things You Do Together" :  The concerts you enjoy together, neighbors you annoy together, children you destroy together, that keep marriage intact."  Why hasn't someone done the all male version of Company yet?

6.  Amneris, Aida

Amneris is not nearly as big a role as Aida, but she gets the best number, in my opinion.  And that's in a score that already has a lot of great music in it...won the Tony for score.  But in the hands of the right choreographer and costume designer, this would be a fantasticly fun role to play.  I'm sure somewhere a drag queen has done this one justice (I've seen some that haven't done it justice lol).

7.  Carlotta, Follies

Follies has so many outstanding roles for women that it is hard to pick just one.  But, if I did have to, it would be Carlotta.  She has so many wonderful lines and gets to sing the amazing number "I'm Still Here".  There has been a parade of incredible actresses who have played this role, from the original Yvonne De Carlo to Carol Burnett to Eartha Kitt.  It's a stunner!

8.  Miss Adelaide, Guys and Dolls

Adelaide is truly the heart of Guys and Dolls.  She is both very funny and very sympathetic.  And underneath her comedy is a longing for a different life which is a great foundation for any actor to build upon.

9.  Vera Charles, Mame

Come on, who wouldn't want to follow in Bea Arthur's footsteps?!  Enough said!

10.  Charlotte, A Little Night Music

Charlotte is sarcastic, bitter and yet very much in love with her husband.  I have this same kind of dry wit and would love to play her one day.  Maureen Moore's portrayal knocked it out of the park...quietly haha