Top 20 Hardest Male Musical Roles

[@JustJake26]

I know it's a child role but Billy Elliot could easily make this list, it takes about a year to train before even getting to play the role and he almost never leaves stage. Not to mention the intense acting and insane dancing.

[@asterismos5451]

THANK YOU

[@pikasings4087]

Exactly! Or Michael from the same musical, Expressing Yourself is such a hard duet to nail

[@rorycharlesworthington]

TEA!!!

[@katedavis3233]

Shout out to my boy Tom Holland

[@swopesparklerz]

Incredibly hard part for dance, song, and emotion, and onstage the whole show. And you can't plan for how long you get to keep the role because once the treble child voice breaks, out you go!

[@nicholaskutzin8754]

I really believe Frankenfurter from Rocky Horror should be on this list. At least an honorable mention.

[@Ayden_B]

Definitely

[@Silvercentipede]

What nooo I do that role all the time in the shower or getting ready, so obviously it can't be that hard

[@Silvercentipede]

100% joking; about the second part anyway 🙄 I agree with you :)

[@sebastianm6695]

I thought it was gonna be no.1 and I waited

[@please-lookatmysearchhistory]

I fucking love frank TOO MUCH 🥰🤪👏

[@heathrawls870]

some parts that I would consider honorable mentions are: Clyde Barrow (Bonnie and Clyde) Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice) Tevye (Fiddler On the Roof) Emcee (Cabaret) Bobby Strong (Urinetown) Melchior/Moritz (Spring Awakening) Dewey Finn (School of Rock) Jamie (The Last Five Years) Andrew Jackson (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) Bat Boy (Bat Boy) Leading Player (Pippin) (played by men and women) Billy Flynn (Chicago) Archibald Craven (The Secret Garden) Jesse Tuck (Tuck Everlasting) Ren (Footloose) Curly (Oklahoma) Guy (Once) Tony (West Side Story) Robert (Bridges of Madison County) Roger (Rent) the comments told me I forgot: Frank N Furter (Rocky Horror) Henry Higgins (My Fair Lady)

[@TylerFortier1]

Heath Rawls Bobby Strong 100%, that C5 he hits is insane.

[@asterismos5451]

Yes I love Bridges of Madison County! So many great/insane vocals.

[@Colbie_Ezra]

You forgot Frank 'n' Furter from Rocky Horror Picture

[@scottyarbour2570]

Also Henry Higgins and Major General Stanley

[@lukecurnin6418]

for sure, Tevye is hard as fuck

[@meeshellbennett]

I can’t believe someone had the audacity to say that Evan Hansen is a harder role than Valjean, Javert, The Phantom, Pierre, Jekyll/Hyde, or Hedwig....

[@amandawesterlind3411]

THANK YOU.

[@AJF710]

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING MY MIND! I was like he should be on the list but like maybe barely in the top 10

[@ellyetibbets3321]

I saw DEH on broadway and it's such a demanding role when seen in person. videos can only show so much

[@lostgirlcosplay14]

I saw DEH and it's a very demanding role. Even the score is very complex like most contemporary musicals are. Evan doesn't get a true break from the show.

[@anditamayo4022]

Well , in hedwig, not only do you perform in drag which requires high heels, you need to deliver both sad and comedic parts while speaking in an accent, you stay on stage for 1 hour and 30 minutes straight, you need to keep the audiences attention to you, you have to dance quite a bit, all songs in the show have the actor of hedwig in it, and you need to act straight towards the end

[@TylerActs86]

Once again MsMojo is way off the mark. 50+ years of musicals and Evan Hansen is the hardest role ever written?! No way in hell!

[@eoincampbell1584]

To be fair, he barely ever leaves the stage and sings in almost every song, 3 of those being what I would consider to be especially difficult numbers.

[@Addiep03]

It’s cause he’s modern and popular and they want to have someone relatable to end the list even if It’s not deserving

[@giuliana5922]

its a difficult character but not number one, and even though it was written wonderfully it was (in my opinion) Ben Platt who made the role what it is now and his voice that got it a spot on this video

[@kevinr.m.richardson812]

Rarely having a break and appearing in most numbers applies to any number of roles in musical theatre.

[@Silvercentipede]

I haven't watched it but I literally spat out my drink at this 😳

[@yobanysonline]

quasimodo is criminally low on this list

[@carolearnado]

Yobany Reyes i agree

[@diegoneira9326]

AND The Original version (German) has a monstruous high C

[@beneddiected]

Seeing that one clip they include I absolutely agree

[@franceshill3939]

Take Evan Hansen off the list completely and put Quasi in the top 5

[@schmore1840]

Have not even seen it and I agree

[@avabergman9566]

I'm kinda surprised Beetlejuice didn't make it on this list. The actor has to train his voice to fit the raspy sound of the character and his comedic timing/physicality can honestly make or break the entire production.

[@eazy2lawyer851]

It’s also said that the actor should be slightly overweight and that makes it even harder to do.

[@liv_loves_theater5370]

Thank youuu somone finally said it the whole time I watched the video I was waiting for Beetlejuice but nope.

[@pineappleunicorn7729]

Actually no, that’s an acting choice by Alex Brightman, just because he does it and is the original doesn’t mean everyone who takes on the role does, none of his understudies do it. In fact it’s a very specific thing he does with his voice that like less than 1% of the world’s population is physically capable of. It’s a choice but not a requirement and besides that the role isn’t really too challenging vocally or in terms of choreo.

[@lightning_fl]

And Alex realistically only developed that talent after an injury sustained during his run in school of rock.

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

Beetlejuice is probably number 7 or 8, just out of the top 5. I saw Beetlejuice on Broadway in 2022 and let me tell you: Will Blum was out of breath by the end of act 1 from doing the Betelgeuse voice

[@joegreenslade7577]

Missed mentions: - Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob Squarepants The Musical (High notes, lots of dance moves, and high energy) - Arnold Cunningham: The Book Of Mormon (Big numbers, high energy, and comedy) - Edna Turnblad: Hairspray (Skilled acting, big numbers, and comedy) - Dewey Finn: School Of Rock (Musical talent, high energy, and comedy) - Dan Goodman: Next To Normal (Lots of emotion, big numbers, and skilled acting) - Fiyero: Wicked (Big numbers, lots of dancing, and high energy)

[@calliemarion7180]

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[@joshuacooper7629]

Also: Betelguese: Beetlejuice (Hard on your voice, high energy, lots of comedy, and crazy special effects) Jack Kelly: Newsies (High notes, lots of dancing, skilled acting) Michael: Be More Chill (Hard songs, skilled acting) Young Simba: The Lion King (Onstage the longest of anyone in the show, A CHILD!!!!)

[@giuliana5922]

@@joshuacooper7629 I- yES! also for betelgeuse special effects including lots of pyrotechnics, and the ability to make you love and pity a demon.

[@giuliana5922]

👏👏👏

[@goeagles25]

Edna Turnblad, of course!!! I kept waiting for Edna to be mentioned!!!

[@luciealbinet3347]

I think that phantom and Javert should be highter in this list.

[@kanatah2045]

I'm trying to imagine a situation where I'm going up to a Broadway actor asking "Which role do you think is the hardest to play: The Phantom, Jean Valjean or Evan Hansen?" and the actor would actually say " Evan Hansen"...

[@scottsummers4234]

😂😂😂

[@beneddiected]

It really doesn’t look that hard to play for me

[@cr0ssmybones]

double EnnD production its a really hard role to play emotionally and vocally evan is on stage 90% and he needs to convey a large range of emotions its so hard they won’t even let a actor play evan twice in a day from the emotional toll, you can see that better when watching the show live

[@danieljcook39]

Do a fair share of amateur theatre myself and I'd definitely say Evan Hansen is the hardest vocally there, by a mile. It all comes down to voice type though. I'm a baritone, ideal for Valjean, possible for Phantom, not gonna happen for Evan 😂

[@beneddiected]

Lukizoo at least he doesn’t get physical. It’s just as exhausting, mate

[@greenfinch_1266]

I feel like Ms Mojo shouldn’t make musical theatre videos, it comes off like they have no idea what they’re talking about.

[@hawktalon7890]

100% agreed.

[@eoincampbell1584]

These types of channels never really know what their talking about, the point is to make as many videos as possible as fast as possible.

[@diyqueens5026]

They are just naming the men in the 20 musicals they know

[@razberrymist9475]

She forgot to mention how challenging it is to properly do all of Evens ticks. Ben does an incredible job of expressing the character's constant discomfort with himself and awkawrdness

[@chadshere]

Yeah it like so shocking to find highly talented and trained performers. Our music business has a lot to do with dumbing down our musical expectations

[@eliotero9335]

I can't believe Beetlejuice isn't in this list. BJ's voice is one of the most difficult characteristics to pull off and Alex Brightman was able to pull it off.

[@jenj11]

But I'm pretty sure that the BJ understudies (mainly Will Blum) didn't do the voice that Alex did and just used their normal voices

[@Yanik2002]

EXACTLY

[@witharchie9593]

Lizbit The Rat Some people r stupid aren’t they lol

[@meshi64]

I think if we're talking about roles originated by Alex Brightman, Dewey Finn from SOR is harder considering the fact he had to play instruments live and jump all over the stage simultaneously!

[@MadeUpInBows]

Was coming to find if someone had mentioned this one...its staggering that it wasn't at least on the honorable mentions and dear evan Hansen was #1, some of those lower spots could have been #1

[@kcsupersonic1]

Ugh... I posted this one "The Top 10 Hardest Male Musical Roles," from a year ago but it bears repeating because I STAND BY THIS. Sorry, but no way is Evan Hansen a harder performance than Jean Valjean! Jean Valjean's vocal control and emotion are second to none. He also sings in so many of Les Mis' songs aside from his big solo numbers. In terms of vocal ability and the ability to emote to portray Valjean's brokenness, nothing touches it. Also because it is such a legacy character, the pressure of playing him is even higher.

[@beneddiected]

Ariella Waters TWOOO FOOOOHHH SIIIIIIXXXX OOOOOOHHHH OOOOOOOONEEEEE is an equally killer note

[@ghostlemons5793]

I agree Playing Evan i get i tough But like JEAN VALJEAN and Jekyll/Hyde Your playing 2 people in 1 Its definitely wrong

[@ITSMETHESHEEP]

Clearly you have never seen dear Evan Hansen

[@hipshakeirl]

and JVJ is in most of the show too...and deffo has some of not just the most difficult but emotional numbers too

[@6Hex9]

It really seems like this list was made by teenager who's like really into musicals but really doesn't know all that much.

[@IvyWolk]

yepppp

[@beneddiected]

Or doesn’t watch some musicals often enough

[@awesomewow7313]

YAS👏👏👏

[@jasminesaiz6039]

Dude im a teen who’s really into musicals but doesn’t really know all that much and I bet that even I could make a better list or at least rearrange this list in a better fashion

[@rockyracetrack]

I'm a teenager and I would have fucking known that the Phantom of the damn opera is harder than Evan Hansen. Like jfc

[@th3m00nstone]

im simple... I see Ramin Karimloo, I click

[@briannastultz6924]

Me too!

[@GuruLazer]

Guilty!

[@meshi64]

YUP

[@beneddiected]

I was hoping it’d be first. Guess it’s just a clickbait 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@mollyholbrook9118]

Meeee

[@karyt6]

Is someone else mad that Phantom is so low? It should be higher!

[@sanchekl76]

I thought Phantom should’ve been 1st!!!

[@marypetrie3513]

Yes!!!

[@meshi64]

Same!!

[@beneddiected]

shadow_of_happyness maybe second, after Jekyll and Hyde

[@sethallen2607]

maybe 15th, the role is only on stage 18 minutes and doesnt require as much of a range as they say. almost every role on this list is more difficult

[@Colbie_Ezra]

Umm sorry but how did Frank 'n' Furter from Rocky Horror Picture Show not make this list!?

[@hawktalon7890]

I really don't know.

[@Silvercentipede]

I do that role every morning in the shower or getting dressed, so it can't be that hard ;) Nah, I agree :)

[@savagegardenrox]

Never on Broadway? Maybe

[@_veronica_r]

It should've been for sure

[@baliyae]

Phantom is a hard role, and so is Jesus, Judas, Jean Valjean, Joseph, and even Sweeney Todd.

[@nina.harr1ngt0n]

Agreed

[@beneddiected]

Jekyll and Hyde

[@chrisbigelow1690]

Personally, I'm happy Sweeney is on the last, but at that it's only a somewhat difficult role because it's a mindset role.

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

that's a lot of J's

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

Phantom is harder than Sweeney, even though Sweeney carries the whole show with his vocals and his "scaryness" and Phantom is on stage for less than 30 minutes.

[@akawakanebaneba1]

The fact that Evan Hansen is #1 is ridiculous. I would’ve put him past 10.

[@scottsummers4234]

💯💯💯

[@lucaslowry8005]

Evan Hansen is a MONSTER role. The combination of vocal range and the physicality of the role requires so much, and it is emotionally draining as well. Definitely well deserved at the top of the list.

[@philippemartinkimoden]

I think the role deserves to be in top 1 in my own opinion, he doesn't really get to rest..from 11 songs that he's in out of 14

[@beneddiected]

Martin Kimoden is the acting demanding? Is the vocal demanding?

[@hakonboen]

@@beneddiected Very demanding indeed. Vocally, nearly all the songs Evan partakes in are all reaching for is everything inbetween top G to B's through out the show. In terms of the acting, this is also very demanding. Having to try to act normal around people while building on the lie he told because he is too insecure to speak up for himself, while subconciously knowing he has made a terrible mistake, realising that telling the truth will destroy his whole new life he has managed to build because of said lie, then having it all fall apart at the end of the show. It is truly amazing to see how the character develops throughout the show. So yes; The acting, singing (the whole role) is incredibly demanding, and definitley deserves to be that high on the list.

[@christopherbush9027]

Can someone from your channel please find a musical theater history course and take it - I’ll even offer to pay for it. As usual with your lists this is far too modern and leaves out some classics of the musical theater where is Tevye? where is Albin? where is John Adams? Your ranking of Javert and the Phantom are far too low on this list I’m really shaking my head on this one...

[@elizabethbutler944]

YES - Albin! I dressed a regional production of that last year and was that character's dresser. (13 costumes in the first act ALONE-and don't get me started on makeup/shoe/jewelry/wig/padding changes!) The ONE time he has to breathe is before his entrance at the top of the show. It's such a demanding role, physically, vocally, and emotionally.

[@michaelwilliams6132]

Thank you, I will help pay!

[@beneddiected]

Their rankings are most of the time hilarious

[@isabelledeneyer2375]

Post a link to the GoFundMe page :)

[@joshuawatts9991]

Isabelle Deneyer exactly. If anyone should be on this list for being in pretty much everything is Lin from Hamilton because not only did he write the musical but stared as the main character being in every song except 1

[@Countrydiva524]

How is Phantom not number one? To be Menacing, Misunderstood, Dark and somehow make the audience feel bad for him?

[@adam4757]

He's on the stage for 17 minutes

[@JadziaSews]

​@@adam4757 Even if he's on stage for 5 minutes he is still one of the most complex characters to ever hit broadway. The vocal range required, the level of acting that goes into his character is absolutely insane. The role is immensely difficult and I agree it deserves a much better spot in this list.

[@rickym242]

@@adam4757 So?!?! Have you seen Love Never Dies?!?!

[@adam4757]

@@rickym242 Yes I saw it in London unfortunately. But they were talking about the Phantom in POTO here, not LND

[@justess797]

@@adam4757 that's just the final lair 😂😂

[@taraking3207]

#15 Donny Novitski YES. THANK YOU. I'm so glad people are acknowledging that role and show exist. They need more recognition

[@asterismos5451]

Yes! It's a great show with insane talent.

[@liz5034]

Although I feel that's wayyyyy too low for him.

[@emmareed5793]

Yes! All of the male roles in that show are incredibly difficult! Speaking as a trumpeter, the role of Nick Radel is just so exhausting, and to even be able to sing after that is a miracle!

[@moonlightbae7456]

you did NOT just put evan hansen first...

[@anastasiabyheart]

*sighs* they did

[@soupforfree]

right?! he shouldve be 20, if that.

[@Nostalgio]

I know very lame choice. Phantom should be in the top 5! And Evan Hansen at number 15 or something.

[@andy_bomb4639]

Evan Hansen made that spot for a few reasons: The acting it takes to portray a character with depression and loneliness. But I think Ms Mojo put it at number 1 for one specific reason: The sheer vocal range you need to perfect the song. All the covers I've seen on KZbin lower the pitch of Waving Through a Window because singing that song in the original pitch takes an insane amount of vocal ability and range. Vocally, it's by far the hardest male role I've ever seen.

[@moonlightbae7456]

Andy_Bomb i see...i have still have to disagree..sorry

[@margegarland7635]

Angel is the heart, soul, and conscious of rent, who pulls the whole play together.

[@zacharyo_connor]

Saying that one role is more difficult than another is dumb. So many things outside a character can affect the difficulty of a role. For example, a lot of people are complaining about Evan, but Evan has been played on Broadway by (mostly) only adults. More experience makes a role easier. And while the role is difficult, it is more difficult for someone like Andrew Feldman to play him, as he is 16 and less experienced. Lola and Hedwig require wearing and dancing in heels for loooong amounts of time, but Quasimodo requires singing and extreme movement while hunched over. Is one of these roles more difficult? No. It depends on the stamina and dexterity of the actor. Characters and Actors are different. You can say a role is difficult, but it needs a common factor. If this video was 'Top 20 most difficult roles for *Insert Actor here* to play' it would honestly make more sense, because then you could deduct that actors ability, and see which roles would be most difficult FOR HIM. It would be a much more difficult role if Lola was played by a 17 year old boy, even if everything else about the show was the same. Difficulty comes from inexperience, not the acting/singing/dancing/crying/serial-killing/stupid-high-high-notes of the role.

[@nadjakari1752]

Your comment needs to be up on this list!!! 👍

[@mtsmcr]

such a good point!

[@emmihanson6612]

so EXACTLY!

[@musicalmattress1053]

No Tevye? No Harold Hill? No Billy Bigelow? No Henry Higgins? No King of Siam? No George Seurat? No Miguel Cervantes/Don Quijote? No Mack Sennett? Respect the classics!!!

[@mtsmcr]

yes! i was really hoping for tevye, george & cervantes

[@rosebrown6381]

Yes, I agree. I also think Rocky Horror Picture Show should have been at least mentioned. I mean, if they were going out of the way to point out shows like Kinky Boots, Hedwig and the Angry Itch, and Rent, Rocky Horror should have been on there first. Not only is it older, but the parts are harder and the dancing in heels (which are MUCH higher, I might add) is SUPER complex and never stops. I mean one of the main songs is Sweet Transvestite, for crying out loud and Dr. Frank'nfurter the sings the next song about how he can "Make you a man" in just 7 days. It's not subtle. And Rocky, the 'creature' wears nothing but a gold bikini bottom all show. Frank alternates between his Dr's coat which has a pink triangle and his black leather corset (both with fishnets and thigh high boots with 6" heels and makeup on POINT). All this from a 1975 show.

[@manueldelano6281]

It’s so funny that every time that they are like “incredibly high notes”, or “impossibly high notes”, or “high tenor notes”, and they’re mostly just Fs and Gs, which is literally a thing tenors practice constantly, not because they are high, but because it’s the tenor’s passaggio, and it’s difficult to keep it supported and covered, but it’s not high... for a baritone, maybe... for a bass, mostly yeah... but not for a tenor... for example, the Phantom is usually a baritone role, and for most baritones, those higher notes may be high, but for a tenor, those notes are everyday’s bread

[@ziraydejesus8108]

As a bass I can confirm that Fs and Gs are high but not impossible. However it’s always a quick note and never sustained (at least for G)

[@tcrpgfan]

@@ziraydejesus8108 And they don't talk about the actual skillset required for the part outside of just singing. Like Spongebob, not hard to actually sing, but extremely specific about what it requires in order to actually be capable of physically (Note there is light Vaudeville and Contortionism training involved). On top of that, just so the actor can actually play the part as expected with those skills, they have to be in good shape.

[@emeraldserena5591]

When the Phantom went for the high note in ‘Music of the Night’ flinched so hard because I was expecting Gerard Butler’s version.

[@RobertBurns71405]

Orpheus is a Really hard roll,But Hades is way more difficult

[@eoincampbell1584]

Really? I know there are crazy low notes but unlike Orpheus he doesn't have almost any choreography and has far less stage time.

[@Angelica-pp9gw]

Eoin Campbell I think Orpheus is hard because of the high notes and voice and it's difficult to find a guy who has a voice like his. The same goes with Hades, but I think low notes are a little easier

[@soupforfree]

agreed.

[@justess797]

@@Angelica-pp9gw I don't think this is the case. Cause Hades range is so low, (reaches G1) it would be harder to find someone that goes that low.

[@alyssamariek2]

Hades is always on stage, he is always sitting on top of the stairs when he is not on the actual stage, but you can always see so he also has to be in character the whole entire show

[@finnjackson77]

While Evan Hansen I think deserves to make the list I do not think it deserves the top spot at all it maybe deserves 10 at best in my opinion but I could understand if it was 5. The top spot should be Jean Valjean in my opinion

[@TylerFortier1]

Finn Jackson Waving Through a Window requires a very VERY flexible range, especially the baritone notes right before the key change.

[@beneddiected]

here’s the spice with ice not the only role that requires that. It’s not even that amusing in my opinion. And yes, I listened to the song just to prove my point.

[@trinaq]

Yes, Evan Hansen would be a tough role to pull off, especially in a high school production, in how much heavy lifting there is to be done. The Phantom and Jean Valjean are also complex roles! ❤️🎭

[@heathrawls870]

also Jekyll and Hyde, if I made the list I would've probably put them as #1

[@TylerFortier1]

Trina Q My school did a Dear Evan Hansen song run-through, I got to be Evan, at the end of For Forever and Words Fail, I got a standing ovation, and so much feedback overall. Such a surreal and humbling experience I’d love to relive any day.

[@beneddiected]

here’s the spice with ice good for you

[@beneddiected]

And Javert

[@ma3mc3mu-X]

I'm glad you mentioned Jekyll & Hyde as the top 10. Wish you show respect to the villain song Alive.

[@biancaboaventura7861]

"this explosive male protagonist" oH MY GOD

[@meanmachine272]

Haven’t even made it halfway through...let me just say...Quasimodo should be WAYYYY higher

[@diyqueens5026]

💯

[@rideoutsean]

EXACTLY. Imagine having to do the Made of Stone belts eight times a week.

[@garbenbarben7987]

The best thing is counting how many of these roles Hugh Jackman has performed

[@MS-df2fk]

His "Bring Him Home" is an abomination. It's supposed to be a prayer that slowly builds and he belts the entire song

[@rickym242]

He's only done maybe 2 of them.

[@nina.harr1ngt0n]

Jesus from JCSS, Joseph from JATATCDC, Beetlejuice, Billy Elliot, Scar from the Lion King, P.T Barnum from The Greatest Showmen, Gavroche from Les Mis, Buddy from Elf, Raoul from Phantom, Hades

[@marlinstrike]

Jesus in jcss gestasamene.might be the most moving vocal and stage acting combo ever

[@cameosweets]

This might be me being biased but I feel like there shouldve been at least a mention for Marvin and/or Whizzer from Falsettos. That might just be my opinion but both are very hard roles imho

[@millierose821]

just what i was going to comment!

[@LT20022]

Definitely agree!

[@calliemarion7180]

I think they are both difficult roles. But, in my opinion I find whizzers role to be harder. His character often has the higher harmony out of the males in the show. Particularly, in the song where Mendel first talks about his love for Trina.

[@user-kd7el1rm1d]

@@calliemarion7180 True! I’d say Marvin’s role is harder just due to the emotional aspect of it - he’s an awful person in the first act, and it takes a good actor to portray him actually changing into a decent father, lover, etc by the end. Also at the end, it takes a lot out of someone to perform that every night. Then again, you could argue the same as Whizzer. He also sings the most throughout the show. Whizzer definitely requires an incredible singer, but I’d say in terms of acting and singing overall, Marvin’s a bit more difficult imo. Either one deserved a spot on the list, I’d be fine with either tbh.

[@addisonlane4514]

lowkey shocked that betelgeuse wasn’t in the list. imagine having to do his voice!!!

[@cr0ssmybones]

Alex choose to do the voice its not required (for example his understudy Will Blum doesn’t do the voice) so since its not something all actors are required to do it doesn’t count i think

[@awesomewow7313]

@@cr0ssmybones I bet the casting crew choosed Alex Because he was Able to do the voice. And Will Blum was his understudy because he looked like him a lil and he was his understudy in School of rock so why not. The Voice might not be required but it's preferred (it's what makes Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice!). Regardless of the voice, having to constantly have High energy and Vocals and such is Pretty Difficult. He should've at least had an honorable mention.

[@pineappleunicorn7729]

@@awesomewow7313 actually Alex discovered that he could do that voice after he was cast, only like less than 1% of people in the world can do it. Will Blum is the understudy because he’s highly talented lmao- Beetlejuice isn’t really that vocally challenging and there’s not too much choreo

[@readymason]

Maybe it is just me but I’d say that Lord Farquad from Shrek The Musical deserves a mention because that role requires the actor to be on their knees the entire time! They even had a back brace for the broadway actor to keep his posture good. There is also a lot of dancing for his actor to do on their knees.

[@sarahlitterst]

Lafayette/Jefferson should not be that high up on the list. I get that the rap is hard but it’s really the only hard part

[@fairguycole6563]

And it’s not even that hard, takes a bit of practice but most theater kids can do it. The only hard part about that role is the French accent.

[@Chichi0013]

I love hamilton but some parts aren't that hard the hards are Maria, Philip hamilton, James madison and George washington.

[@scottsummers4234]

Evan Hansen for no. 1 really? I doubt that 🙄 It's a difficult role for sure but not as hard as some of the roles in the list. Valjean should be No. 1.

[@beneddiected]

I think Jekyll and Hyde. It can be third, and Phantom can be second

[@diveintofilm2039]

​@@beneddiected I think what's make Jekyll and Hyde so difficult is the fact you have to pull off two different characters with very different ranges and also make it look believable

[@beneddiected]

Dive into film agreed. It looks so dope. I really must watch it

[@Hammerhead4]

double EnnD production top tip, don’t watch the one with hasslehoff, it’s painful in how bad he is

[@christadaugherty29]

And Phantom #2.

[@muzicalzrlife6024]

I can agree with Javert. I’m currently rehearsing to perform as Javert in a production of Les Misérables next year and the emotions and stiffness of the character is very difficult to convey

[@elliestar88]

I saw Aladdin live and I was exhausted for for the actor that payed Genie. All his numbers were super high energy.

[@helenmesquita7726]

Pretty sure we have to blame Robin Williams for that.

[@ChienaAvtzon]

@@helenmesquita7726 - The Genie is the stage show is not based on Robin Williams, but how Howard Ashman originally conceived the character.

[@karenholl2489]

Time to go watch a bunch of les mis clips of various valjeans to calm myself at this hypocrisy

[@dyland.4787]

As someone who has played Quasimodo in a multi-week run, the part is far more difficult than some of the roles on here. And no.... Evan is NOWHERE near as challenging as many on this list. The role is emotionally heavy in areas but vocally and physically...it's not. The pop heavy score does go higher into a males range but it's not nearly as taxing as roles that require heavy belting into the stratosphere.

[@John-fp1yz]

he belts high b’s like every other number? that’s just as high as hunchback or really anything else on this list.

[@dyland.4787]

@@John-fp1yz he has several notes that he licks and they are in a easy pop range. Compared to the heavy hitters like Valjean, Qausi and numerous others which are in very sung thru type shows... It's an easier part.

[@John-fp1yz]

Dylan DeGeorge i disagree lol

[@dyland.4787]

@@John-fp1yz ok we can agree to disagree.

[@vicomtexdaae3630]

These lists should just be in no particular order because it’s always such a joke lol

[@rebccalay1299]

How dare you leave any of those honorable mentions below any ONE Hamilton character. Hamilton is far below any of the roles listed and to insist that Lafayette is a more difficult role than the PHANTOM?!?!? I’m deeply offended.

[@eazy2lawyer851]

I totally agree but to be fair, not only do you need a really heavy accent, but you also have to sing very very fast in guns and ships

[@Chichi0013]

And Washington he hits a very high note in one last time

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

ALSO WHY IS SWEENEY HARDER THAN ERIK I AM CONFUSED AS HECC

[@chaircatsup5832]

Damn, this makes me respect the members of theatre more

[@awaitednightmare]

This list is insulting. Sweeney, Javert, Jekyll/Hyde, Phantom...they are complex CHARACTERS as well as requiring powerful vocals. And you pick a sad teenager as the hardest? Get out of here. All the other roles had strong vocal requirements, darker and complex acting needs, and the DANCING. Evan Hanson requires none of that. I need an apology for this terrible ranking. I don't even understand how you can listen to "Bring Him Home" and still place Evan Hanson before that? Ugh.

[@sazfretz1945]

It's hard to believe that the original stage "Phantom" is the same actor that played Cornelius Hackl in the 1969 film, "Hello, Dolly!".

[@spoiltdiva]

KZbin search "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em" then you'll be really surprised! ;)

[@rodeo9837]

The American Sign Language translation during Quasimodo is very well done! Love it

[@viesymanchita]

Yeah no... this list was made invalid before you even got halfway through. Someone on staff needs to take a musical theater course

[@FTSIOBye]

The phantom sings opera and does it while showing and insane amount of emotion but evan hansen is higher then that? No way in hell...

[@cr0ssmybones]

The Phantom is on stage for 16 minutes evan is a really hard role to play emotionally and vocally he is on stage 90% and he needs to convey a large range of emotions and a great vocal range its so hard they won’t even let a actor play evan twice in a day from the emotional toll, you can see that better when watching the show live

[@marlinotalvaro7431]

@@cr0ssmybones Phantom is on stage for longer than 16 minutes (Final Lair itself is about that time). Plus, he sings offscreen- for example Notes.

[@simonelliott5804]

I think an honourable mention should be dr franknfurter from rocky horror especially if they’re going for a Tim curry feel 🤷‍♀️

[@jackiescheufler9964]

Javert should be higher on the list. His character runs such a gambit throughout the show. I'm not just saying that because he's my favorite character in the show. While Val Jean has to hit that BEAUTIFUL high note in Bring Him Home, Javert has a lot of depth (go away Russell Crowe version).

[@meanmachine272]

As someone who has played Javert...I agree...you can’t play him unless you fully immerse yourself...I didn’t even talk to anybody most of the time...it was my dream role and I was thankful for the chance I got to play him...also I actually jumped off the stage for the death scene lol

[@kated2147]

Fun fact. In the broadway track, Marius has the most stage time out of anyone in Les Miserables. Andy Mientus timed it because he’s in the chorus during act 1 and so his longest time off stage is that he’s not in the Inn scene, that’s it. He’s in basically all of the other scenes.

[@dearladycleo]

I did chuckle at the fact that at least 3 of these were like "it's hard cuz he had to do it in heels!" ..... Pffft

[@liquidturtle]

Sorry ma'am, but Lafayette and Jefferson aren't even THAT hard. I can rap both of their parts with ease. Of course, there's a French accent involved, but that's not too hard to do. Putting them above The Phantom, Javert, and others was certainly bold of you.

[@rileym7110]

I mean I agree with you but I get why they put Lafayette and Jefferson on the list. Ofc it shouldn’t be as high but it deserved to be on the list. You not only need vocals but personality, charms and some serious dancing skills while rapping like that. It’s a tough role all around, but defiantly not as hard as some on this list

[@chablemisspell]

i agree with reply here

[@liquidturtle]

@@rileym7110 yeah, I agree. It's a hard roll. But I think Ms.Mojo has a crush on Hamilton.

[@justess797]

Like has 5 songs and none of them are solos.

[@alexbosveld7092]

This video really shows that Hugh Jackman didn’t do justice to “Bring Him Home”

[@kamibearisaninja]

THANK YOU. They should have used Alfie Boe.

[@Joshuaklotzbach]

Hugh Jackman should have done Javert he fits that role much better

[@alexbosveld7092]

@@Joshuaklotzbach yes!!

[@mariejoris2052]

@@Joshuaklotzbach Honestly, I think anybody would have done better as Javert than Russell Crowe x)

[@seanhorace925]

Here's a Few Male Roles I can think of that might be hard to do: .Lumiere and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast) .Spongebob Squarepants and Squidward Tentacles (Spongebob Squarepants:The Musical) .Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) .Boq (Wicked) .Eye-gor (Young Frankenstein: The Musical) .Bert (Mary Poppins) .Che (Evita) .Spider Man (Spider Man Turn Off the Dark) .Any of the male roles in The Lion King: Musical) .Joseph (Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat) .Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) .Lord Farquard (Shrek the Musical)

[@seanhorace925]

Already saw Sweeney on the list. Never mind on him

[@kevinr.m.richardson812]

Most of the roles you just listed are worthwhile roles to have, but a walk in the park for a professional, or even an experienced adult amateur.

[@marlinotalvaro7431]

Boq is hard?

[@stinaina2227]

what about Dimitry from Anastasia... My Perterburg is NOT AN EASY SONG

[@Niqhtmusic]

I think phantom should be higher cause he needs to show emotion and shout a lot.. and hit those really low notes. Maybe just a little higher? Also RAMIN KARIMLOO

[@nathansnooza7971]

how is lola 16 that role requires so much emotional and physical stamina

[@MrJCumpton]

Just glad to see Great Comet getting some love!

[@koldkutgirl]

michael arden was fabulous in hunchback when i saw him at papermill playhouse. it’s not only vocally challenging, but physically-and he also used ASL.

[@allisonbergh4429]

Josh Castille killed it in Seattle

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

I saw him at La Jolla and it was so cool! Only been to Paper Mill once and it was to see Matilda

[@elijahzimmerman3322]

Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof?

[@scottyarbour2570]

Where in the world is Major General Stanley? Or Henry Higgins? Have you listened to how impossibly fast their songs are?

[@therealms-9320]

I feel like they put a lot of shows that are in like the last 20 years or shows that have been out for a long time, for example they didn’t put Tevye from Fiddler on the roof on here. Tevye is on stage for almost every scene, sings in almost all of the songs, and is only offstage for longest 7 minutes. Danny Burnstein the actor who played Tevye in 2015-2016 Fiddler on the Roof said it was one of the hardest roles he had done.

[@danielleking2691]

So you're saying that out of every broadway role, Evan Hansen is the most difficult....... no.

[@justanotherbohemian3827]

Creators of Jekyll and Hyde: *It is extremely hard for an actor to play two people in one hahaha* Anthony Warlow: *hold my beer please*

[@shrooooomie]

Hands down the best version. Make me think otherwise

[@justanotherbohemian3827]

@@shrooooomie I won't because he truly is THE BEST!

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

Anthony Warlow is king

[@alidawing9331]

Haha J.D a explosive character

[@seangates900]

I'm really just getting into Broadway beyond what few I've actually seen live, so I'm grateful for these lists!

[@Yourlocalgothh]

I don’t know why Aaron Burr wasn’t mentioned for longer. His character takes the entire show for Act 1 and Act 2. Whether he’s talking or singing, that man completely takes the show.

[@theatregayjay]

I know this was three years ago, but I feel like Emcee from "Cabaret" should be here. The singing isn't that hard, but he's practically narrating the whole show. He's literally the host, hence his name. He has to be entertaining to watch, especially with his playful jabs and innuendos and be able to capture the audience's attention in both an amusing way and a serious way, with songs such as "Two Ladies," "If You Could See Her," and "I Don't Care Much." Even "Willkommen," the very first song which opens the show, has to be entertaining in order to bring the audience in for the ride. The show has very serious themes and he has to be able to capture the uncomfortableness of them, since he represents Berlin throughout the beginning of WWII, and also the vulgarness of pre-Nazi Berlin cabaret bars in the late 30s and early 40s, all while being able to capture the audience's attention and have them feel a certain attachment to him to the point where we are incredibly shocked by the ending due to what happens to him, and that alone could be emotionally taxing for the actor depending on the ending the director goes for. He also has to be able to correctly pronounce sentences in German and French and may also perform with an accent. He is one of, if not, the MOST important character of "Cabaret" and he definitely should've been on this list.

[@mickeyshy12]

Shocked that Georges Seurat/George from Sunday in the Park didn’t make the list

[@connercarlson7915]

Moviefan12 THANK YOU! I was so upset George wasn’t on this list.

[@mickeyshy12]

Conner Carlson It seemed like such an obvious pick for this type of list.

[@MS-df2fk]

His songs are incredibly difficult to sing (especially "Color and Light" and "Finishing the Hat")

[@cindiverbelun1802]

DAMN RIGHT, George should be near-or at- the TOP of this list!!!

[@thebroadwayboi8075]

Here are a few that should’ve been included Harold Hill (The Music Man) Tony (West Side Story) Frankie Valli (Jersey Boys) Huey Calhoun (Memphis) Dewey Finn (School of Rock) Jamie (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie)

[@rebekahsegun8319]

Tony's most difficult song is probably Maria because of the sustained B4 toward the end, but that's about it excluding maybe Something's Coming. And even then, you don't HAVE to sing that B4. A lot of Tony's forego it.

[@AnnaItem]

if pierre from great comet isn’t on this list, i swear to god

[@AnnaItem]

update: thank god

[@cindiverbelun1802]

Anna he is.

[@britanyanderson4318]

Ok now do a top 20 hardest female roles, I just watched the top ten you guys did last year and there are a lot you guys missed

[@millierose821]

i think i would add marvin from falsettos to this list, also if we were doing hardest children’s roles, id add jason too

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

For child roles I'd add Gavroche from Les Mis.

[@shelbystevens5621]

I literally just watched this video to make sure Daveed Diggs was in it😂 So, thumbs up for that, though I would have loved a longer clip 🎤:)

[@loverofteaandspice]

Most people don't know the role, but for me its Luigi Lucheni from Elisabeth. Its a german musical, but he is basically the narrator of the whole musical. He has incredibly high belts, really akward jumps between high and low notes, has to have belivable, madness enduced emotional outbursts while singing, interact with the audience, all while climbing, running and driving around the stage. And don't forget that he needs to be fluent in italian. He just generally has to own the stage for the whole show and sing most of the songs (for a good three hours).

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

I love Elisabeth the Musical so much!!!!

[@chiara1194]

Are you talking about Lucheni or “Der Tod” (Death)? Der Tod is the life of the show…pun intended. Elisabeth is a great show. But my favorite German-language musical of all time is “Im Weissen Roessel”…they did an amazing revival in the late 2000s at the Seefestspiele in Austria. The late great Peter Alexander was in the movie version, and that is a hard role!

[@elysesedore-mallin4327]

I've been watching these musical lists all day and I swear they only watch like 20 musicals, half of them super modern and pick the list from that. There are so so many more musicals

[@sarahkinnear4915]

A good Javert makes or breaks les miserables, I think that qualifies it as a hard role

[@darkrose9793]

When I saw aladdin on broadway in London and James immediately won my vote for best genie since Robin Williams. He’s charismatic, sings amazing, and dang can that man act a good genie.

[@charod8423]

I always thought Javert was a harder role than Valjean but that’s just me

[@pedropaulospitz]

I guess that Valjean has more “screen time” and his range has to be huge.

[@eljordinio7647]

Javert doesn't have to sing up to the high b like JVJ does in Who Am I.

[@justineves3588]

very very great fun list I like it a lot great job mis mojo one of my very favorite list ever please do more videos like this one please

[@rachelgeee]

Regarding number 2, Jean Valjean, I have an interesting story! I met Claude Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil, the composer and lyricist for the musical. They wrote Bring Him Home in falsetto just for Colm Wilkinson! They knew they needed a song at that point in the performance when they overheard Wilkinson singing in falsetto (practicing for the Phantom of the Opera in his dressing room. He did falsetto so no one would overhear him, because it's bad manners to sing another musical while on the set for a different one.) They heard his falsetto and wanted to add it into the play!

[@rennescarbaugh3612]

No, these are like if you ask a musical theatre fan the ones they think may be hard. Clyde Barrow (Bonnie and Clyde): The notes you have to hit in some of those songs are insane. Plus you dont really get a break and the acting arc is NUTS Max/ Leo (Producers): There is NO break for these two Bobby (Company): its a 2.5 hour show that is EXHAUSTING for the actor. They sing dance and have to act the shit out of that role the whole time. This actor has to CARRY the show. George (Sunday in the Park...): The lyrics alone are tough and the nuance that needs to be brought to the role is incredibly difficult Donald Lockwood or Cosmo (Singing in the Rain): Each has an ICONIC number and the dancing is incredibly difficult

[@denisedicupe7349]

I agree these characters deserve a spot,but in THAT order?They ain't got a clue about it

[@kendallbeavers2052]

I don’t want to be that one person that bashes amazing actors and parts in the comments but there is now way that even should have been number one, there were plenty of roles in the honorable mentions that deserved to be on this list more then Hansen. And I love the musical and I think that it is a good listen too but there are so many underrated roles and musicals in musical theater that barely get to see the light of day because of the way our media works

[@franinconverse]

In what universe is Evan harder than any of the leads in the sung through musicals? Or the more physically demanding roles.

[@kevinr.m.richardson812]

I think the answer to that question is "In the mind of a middle schooler whose only experience has been being in the ensemble of a youth production of High School Musical and only knows the shows his/her drama club teacher has played the cast recordings of during class."

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

@@kevinr.m.richardson812LOL

[@fallonfish190]

I was lowkey hoping for Freddie Trumper, solely because of Pity the Child

[@dominiquepalmer2265]

Fallonfish omg yes they don’t call that song Pity the Singer for nothing. Anyone who plays Freddie is an icon

[@giagem404]

Hard agree! I was just going to comment this.

[@karenholl2489]

listening to adam pascal's pity the child daily is self-care

[@ezramordekhai6527]

Video suggestion: top 10 live action nick theme songs

[@ellabuckley3547]

I am really glad Hunchback is on this list. I love the musical so much and yet I struggle to find people who have listened to it! The vocals of all the characters and the emotions are just insane, the score is simply gorgeous.

[@sarahd382]

They really put Hedwig at number 6...

[@olvialee7221]

This might sound unbelievable but my mom at a young age actually played Jekyll/Hyde in elementary. I had no idea that David Hassolf played him. That’s awsm!

[@kam2866]

how is aaron burr not on the list .. he narrated the whole musical ..?

[@lynnetteraye8428]

I would definitely add Tevye from Fiddler on the roof. He also never leaves the stage and carries the humor pain joy and hope of the entire show (which is something like 3 hours)

[@ms.jayalex]

I'm surprised I haven't seen any song or role from Spring Awakening on any of these MsMojo lists.

[@helenmesquita7726]

Wonderful list