Top 10 Hardest Musicals to Perform
#10: “Moulin Rouge!”
Based on the Baz Luhrmann movie musical of the same name, "Moulin Rouge!" has taken Broadway by storm. From the high octane choreography to the splashy pop-inspired score, the show requires every ounce of energy from its cast. For instance, a video of leading man Aaron Tveit went viral on TikTok, highlighting his jaw-dropping vocals and the demanding nature of the production. Of course, like all musicals, "Rouge!" would be nothing without its exceptional and hard-working ensemble. We get tired just watching them amazingly do their thing, so it seems nearly impossible that they find a way to perform multiple times a week. But somehow, they can-can!
#9: “Next to Normal”
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Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's Pulitzer-winning musical "Next to Normal" is one of the most challenging in Broadway's history. We follow Diana Goodman, who’s dealing with bipolar disorder. Naturally, we see the impact this has on not just herself, but her loved ones as well. The subject matter is anything but light, and requires a great deal of emotional engagement from its cast and audience. Topics such as grief, mental illness and the medical industry are explored with great care, which is no small feat. Aside from its important content, the songs are vocally strenuous, especially for anyone playing Diana. Requiring a small but mighty cast, “Normal” will always be a vital piece of the musical theater’s canon.
#8: “Miss Saigon”
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One of the longest-running Broadway shows, "Miss Saigon" impacted the New York - and West End - theater scenes in more ways than one. The OG production and revival featured the magnificent Lea Salonga and Eva Noblezada, respectively, dazzling audiences with her powerful performances as the protagonist, Kim. Inspired by Giacomo Puccini's opera, "Madame Butterfly," the story takes place amidst the Vietnam War. Kim, a mezzo-soprano part, needs a young and robust star to manage the challenging score and heavy content. It’s hard not to be mesmerized by the technical precision and emotional strength required of the lead. Despite all this, it's hard to see beyond the show's controversial past, which include important accusations of racism and sexism that require a great deal of reflection.
#7: “Dreamgirls”
In 1981, "Dreamgirls" birthed one of the most iconic theatrical performances of all time. Award-winning actress Jennifer Holliday achieved superstar status when she originated the role of Effie White during the production's original run. Audiences flocked to the Imperial Theatre night after night to witness her groundbreaking signature song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." The piece requires a Herculean effort from its performer, and Holliday knocked it out of the park every single time. Jennifer Hudson went on to fill the role in the 2006 film adaptation, which won her an Oscar. The part needs a star, and Holliday's and Hudson's show-stopping performances are unmatched, making "Dreamgirls" one of the hardest musicals to mount.
#6: “The Lion King”
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Running on Broadway since 1997, Disney's stage adaptation of "The Lion King" continues to be a smash hit even decades later. The innovative production fuses puppetry, mask work and dance to stunningly bring the Pride Lands to life. It not only requires its cast to be performers, but athletes too. Leaping, sprinting, and running all while singing demands Olympic agility that is simply awe-inspiring to watch. On top of that, the ensemble is massive, and the coordination needed to make the show run smoothly is nothing short of impressive. It's no wonder that audiences from all over the world are drawn to this masterpiece.
#5: “Wicked”
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"Wicked" has soared and thrived on Broadway since its arrival. As the prequel to the beloved "The Wizard of Oz," the show has created two of the most coveted roles in modern musical theater: Elphaba and Glinda. If you want to bring a member of this dynamic duo to life, one a soprano and the other a mezzo-soprano, you need immense vocal prowess and a great deal of technique. For instance, the Stephen Schwartz music requires Glinda to hit a High C and Elphaba to belt to the heavens. On top of that, the latter has to fly, which means performing a safe but nonetheless intimidating stunt that isn't for the faint of heart. And, like most shows, the ensemble are the unsung heroes.
#4: “Hamilton”
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Considering this musical’s been said to clock in at over 20 000 words, performing in it is no walk in the park. Lin-Manuel Miranda's rap and hip-hop inspired soundtrack needs its cast to keep up with the fast-paced rhymes and rhythms. From the intricate lyrics to complex rhyme schemes, being a “Hamilton” cast member doesn't just require talent, but superhuman breathing skills. And let's not forget that the entire show is backed by an elite company of ensemble members who do all this while dancing. This musical theater phenomenon has broken the mold time and time again, proving that it's nothing short of revolutionary.
#3: “Les Misérables”
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One of the most popular musicals of all time, "Les Misérables," has earned its prestige. The show has been performed everywhere from massive theaters across the world to local high school productions. No matter its venue, this period piece is an enormous undertaking. Giant company aside, it's primarily sung-through, leaving its cast with little time to relax their vocals. At times the songs border on operatic, which means it's probably not the best show for any amateur vocalists to tackle. And we’d be remiss not to mention how taxing it is on a purely emotional level. Even as an audience member, this loaded tearjerker can be a lot to take in.
#2: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Shows
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Yes, Andrew Lloyd Webber is a person and not a show, but he has crafted some of the most challenging scores ever composed for musical theater! Chief among them is "The Phantom of the Opera," which demands high notes, high feeling, and precision at every turn from its leads. Meanwhile, "Cats," requires its actors to move like balletic felines, which can't be easy. Then, "Evita," which helped turn Patti LuPone into a household name, is taxing vocally and demands a powerhouse performer. There's also Webber’s most daring show yet, "Starlight Express." Performing on rollerblades sounds cool, but also very dangerous. And of course, "Jesus Christ Superstar" which deals with thematically challenging content and jaw-dropping vocals of biblical proportions. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Funny Girl” The Original Is So Iconic It’s Impossible to Beat “Children of Eden” It Requires Its Cast to Put in Double the Work by Having Actors Play More Than One Role “A Chorus Line” All Cast Members Have to Be Triple Threats in Order to Make This Singular Sensation Work “Hairspray” The Amount of Energy & Stamina It Takes to Mount This Show Is Incredible “Newsies” Extra! Extra! This Show’s Difficult Choreography Is Headline Grabbing
#1: Stephen Sondheim’s Shows
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All theater fans know that the late Stephen Sondheim's music is as legendary as it is challenging. The prolific Broadway icon's cerebral work requires a strong sense of theory, technique and stamina. For example, the "Into the Woods" score is full of complex timing and rhymes. "Sweeney Todd" requires its leading man to have a vast range. “West Side Story” needs its leads to sing as high as possible. "Company" is home to one of the fastest songs in musical theater history, "Getting Married Today." "Gypsy," meanwhile, requires superhuman acting from its Mama Rose. And finally, there’s "Assassins," which is just another example of a typically hard Sondheim work. Needless to say, the list goes on and on!
