Jonathan Groff does phenomenal acting with just his voice, eyes, and facial expressions as King George because that’s all he has to work with. He said that his crown weighed 50 pounds and if he moved around too much, it would fall off. It’s only during his last reprise of “You’ll be Back” without the heavy crown that he’s able to cavort around on stage. What an amazing performance!
While my peers wanted to be Maria, I was obsessed with Anita, and found her character much more engaging. It's no surprise that the two actresses to play her in the films won Oscars for their performances.
Jonathan Geoff really deserves the credit for King George III. Granted the music was great but it really takes a special actor to accomplish what he did.
Donald O’Connor’s character in “Singin’ in the Rain” would have been near the top of my list. His singing and dancing and comedy match Gene Kelly at every turn.
Ado Annie from Oklahoma was the first to come to my mind. I'm genuinely sad to not see her on the list. I agree with King Herod though. His number is always a riot.
The Trunchbull from "Matilda" definetely steals the show there. Both of here songs are comedic but also show her absolute insanity and fully encompass her character.
How is Grizabella a side character? Admittedly the plot is minimal, but it’s all about the redemption of Grizabella! I mean who ascends to the Heavyside Layer?
Honestly, lots of characters from that show would fit here! RH Lee for sure, but also John Dickinson, Abigail Adams, Martha Jefferson (kind of, I'd argue she doesn't steal as much of the show as the others), and especially Edward Rutledge. It's one of my favorite things about 1776, that there are so many side characters that get fantastic spotlight moments.
Rizzo and Kenickie were always much more compelling to me, compared to Danny and Sandy. Kenickie was willing to step up on behalf of his possible unborn child, while Danny was more concerned about his image and shallow buddies than about Sandy, despite genuinely liking her.
Sammy Davis Jr was an amazing actor, dancer and singer given in 1954 he lost his left eye in a car accident due to hitting the cone on the centre of his steering wheel. This accident resulted in Cadillac’s removal of the cone in the steering wheel for all models of this car. The sad part of this accident was that actor Jeff Chandler found Sammy in a side hallway untreated due to segregation in the hospital, after Jeff Chandler found doctors he forced them to perform the necessary surgery on Sammy. Sammy made a comeback performance at Ciro’s in Hollywood and because Sammy was wearing a black eyepatch, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Peter Lawford all wore black eyepatches during the concert.
Honorable mention for me would be Dallas Winston in the Outsiders Musical. Anyone who portrays him really deserves the praise and recognition. Joshua Boone portrayed him and I couldn’t take my eye off of him the whole entire show
@@wrecked3327 I totally recommend seeing it. I cried a total of five times when watching it last month. It was beautifully directed and the music is spectacular
I came to say this. Also Amos Hart, husband of Roxie Hart, in Chicago (Mr. Cellophane). And the MC in Cabaret, and unforgettably the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors (Steve Martin ftw). I love side characters. There are others.
Seriously. How the heck do you make a list of “side characters who steal the show” and leave off Olaf (Frozen) or Angel (Rent). Usually yall get it right but this one stumped me… Especially Angel… AWESOME. WOW.
Pharaoh from Joseph! Brilliant making him an Elvis impersonator! Funnest parts! Gleb from Anastasia! Most compelling & conflicted in the musical! Better antagonist then Rasputin!
King George was already the funniest part just from hearing the soundtrack. Then when I saw the actual thing on Disney+ and then when our entire family was lucky enough to see Hamilton live we all realized just how amazingly hilarious he was. He’s barely in it and he’s got basically no point to being there most of the time but he’s there for some reason…..He’s just insanely hilarious
Added suggestion: Molotov in Chess, particularly in the British (and not US) productions. He's slimy, he's manipulative, he's incredibly fun. And in the British production he get probably one of the best villain songs even put to pen in "The Soviet Machine." Search elsewhere on this site for the 2008 concert version with David Bedella as Molotov to see it done perfectly.
Nancy is one of the leads in 'Oliver!'; she has two solos and is the lead singer in two others ("It's A Fine Life" and "I'd Do Anything'). It's a leading role.
King George III in Hamilton absolutely stole the show, i've seen Hamilton twice both guys who played KG3 were hilarious as hell! Detroit: Peter Matthew Smith (love the part when Peter used his scepter as an oar) Toronto: Rick Negrón (he has been with the cast since he toured with Lin in Puerto Rico)
How about Applegate/the Devil from Damn Yankees! Done right he can epitomize the "Doesn't it feel good to be bad" genre. Plus I've seen audiences in stitches when the actor can come up with some snappy quips in the middle of " Those Were The Good Old Days." Come to think of it, that also applies to The Devil in Pippin.
@laurenmarzo3174 I suppose you are right. Reminds me a bit of the movie version of Paint Your Wagon. Ben Rumson and Pardner are the obvious male leads, but the showstopper song gets to be sung by Rotten Luck Willy. The preacher also gets a pretty strong song.
I am going to state here and now that the least interesting part of West Side Story for me was Tony and Maria's romance. I was far more interested in the gang wars and Anita with her showstoppers. My flatmate and I agree: We'd play Anita over Maria any day, and on our tier list of musical women we'd like at an slumber party for adults (not explicit, just a girls' night in), Anita is around A tier, and Maria is a pity invite. As a note, Christine Daae is also a pity invite, but I insist that Carrie White isn't and Chris Hargensen isn't allowed anywhere near. We'll ask Elle Woods to look after Carrie and help her make some friends, while I talk humanitarian issues and the political climate with Elphaba Thropp and shyly admire Lydia Deetz' goth outfit. My flatmate can ask Tracy Turnblad to help her to dance in heels for the next audition and chat about how to pick the right friends with Veronica Sawyer before giggling over all the dumb stuff the Heathers bothered about when she was with them (but making sure Heather McNamara is out of earshot because we're inviting her too - maybe we'll introduce her to Cady Heron or Karen Smith).
Hang on? Nicely, Nicely was speaking of a real dream and was giving testimony. That’s why he is in a Salvation Army uniform at the end. He didn’t “play along”.
Nooooooooooo! Joanne from Company! Eliana Stritch and Patti LuPone will never be able to be on the side, that character is so well written, they’re like The Miser Brothers (Heat Miser and Cold Miser) they’re too much!
What about: .Genie from Aladdin .Plankton and Karen from SpongeBob the Musical .peron’s mistress from Evita .Lumiere and Mrs Potts from Beautu and the Beast .Scar from The Lion King
Jonathan Groff does phenomenal acting with just his voice, eyes, and facial expressions as King George because that’s all he has to work with. He said that his crown weighed 50 pounds and if he moved around too much, it would fall off. It’s only during his last reprise of “You’ll be Back” without the heavy crown that he’s able to cavort around on stage. What an amazing performance!
"Awesome, Wow!" Despite only being in three scenes, King George still manages to steal the entire show, and getting all of the laughs.
It’s the shoulders….
not even getting 10 minutes I believe. and also getting a Tony nom there? JGroff is literally a king. ❤❤
When I saw the show in Cleveland in 2022 the king was from Ohio and he was so funny
While my peers wanted to be Maria, I was obsessed with Anita, and found her character much more engaging. It's no surprise that the two actresses to play her in the films won Oscars for their performances.
Jonathan Geoff really deserves the credit for King George III. Granted the music was great but it really takes a special actor to accomplish what he did.
Donald O’Connor’s character in “Singin’ in the Rain” would have been near the top of my list. His singing and dancing and comedy match Gene Kelly at every turn.
Ado Annie from Oklahoma was the first to come to my mind. I'm genuinely sad to not see her on the list. I agree with King Herod though. His number is always a riot.
The Trunchbull from "Matilda" definetely steals the show there. Both of here songs are comedic but also show her absolute insanity and fully encompass her character.
How is Grizabella a side character? Admittedly the plot is minimal, but it’s all about the redemption of Grizabella! I mean who ascends to the Heavyside Layer?
I love that yall mentioned Nicely Nicely!! I was Sarah in Guys and Dolls in high school and this brought back SO many memories! 🥹🥹
Richard Henry Lee from "1776". The largest ham, appears only twice, makes Independence possible, and has an amazingly fun song.
AbsoluteLEE! 😂
Honestly, lots of characters from that show would fit here! RH Lee for sure, but also John Dickinson, Abigail Adams, Martha Jefferson (kind of, I'd argue she doesn't steal as much of the show as the others), and especially Edward Rutledge. It's one of my favorite things about 1776, that there are so many side characters that get fantastic spotlight moments.
Rizzo and Kenickie were always much more compelling to me, compared to Danny and Sandy. Kenickie was willing to step up on behalf of his possible unborn child, while Danny was more concerned about his image and shallow buddies than about Sandy, despite genuinely liking her.
FINALLY a shout out to Guys & Dolls, you never include this classic fabulous show. Nicely kills it🙌🙌
Oh my gosh 😂 The Princes from Into The Woods! 😂 Funniest part of the entire musical is probably them singing Agony
Sammy Davis Jr was an amazing actor, dancer and singer given in 1954 he lost his left eye in a car accident due to hitting the cone on the centre of his steering wheel. This accident resulted in Cadillac’s removal of the cone in the steering wheel for all models of this car. The sad part of this accident was that actor Jeff Chandler found Sammy in a side hallway untreated due to segregation in the hospital, after Jeff Chandler found doctors he forced them to perform the necessary surgery on Sammy. Sammy made a comeback performance at Ciro’s in Hollywood and because Sammy was wearing a black eyepatch, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Peter Lawford all wore black eyepatches during the concert.
I looked up the old steering wheel. Woah!
Honorable mention for me would be Dallas Winston in the Outsiders Musical. Anyone who portrays him really deserves the praise and recognition. Joshua Boone portrayed him and I couldn’t take my eye off of him the whole entire show
“you get tough like me.” I love The Outsiders.
I didn’t know there was an Outsiders musical.
Dang, that’d make me cry even more than the original.
@@wrecked3327 I totally recommend seeing it. I cried a total of five times when watching it last month. It was beautifully directed and the music is spectacular
I would say Fiyero in Wicked. We meet him midway through Act I and he’s in and out from that point, but he makes his presence known when he’s around.
I came to say this. Also Amos Hart, husband of Roxie Hart, in Chicago (Mr. Cellophane). And the MC in Cabaret, and unforgettably the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors (Steve Martin ftw). I love side characters. There are others.
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the gangsters in Kiss Me Kate
To me, it’s Auntie Debra from Kimberly Akimbo. BTW, thinks we can all agree that King George deserves his own spin-off musical.
Seriously. How the heck do you make a list of “side characters who steal the show” and leave off Olaf (Frozen) or Angel (Rent). Usually yall get it right but this one stumped me… Especially Angel… AWESOME. WOW.
Fagan from Oliver was another side character that stole the show
Pharoah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
That was my first thought too
Svetlana, in the West End-version of Chess… “Wasn’t it good? Wasn’t he fine?”
She makes the plot more tense until the “Endgame” scene is over
I love Hamilton
Genuine question: how is the trombonist from Hadestown not even an honorable mention? lol
The Millers Son from A Little Night Music is pretty remarkable!
Pharaoh from Joseph! Brilliant making him an Elvis impersonator! Funnest parts!
Gleb from Anastasia! Most compelling & conflicted in the musical! Better antagonist then Rasputin!
King George is iconic
This is the only song I really know from Hamilton 😂
I always thought Anita was somewhat a leading role in Broadway plus she has some great musical numbers
King George steals the show totally! Love Jonathan Groff! Anita from West Side Story is another good one!
You forgot nostradamus from something rotten
King George was already the funniest part just from hearing the soundtrack. Then when I saw the actual thing on Disney+ and then when our entire family was lucky enough to see Hamilton live we all realized just how amazingly hilarious he was. He’s barely in it and he’s got basically no point to being there most of the time but he’s there for some reason…..He’s just insanely hilarious
Added suggestion: Molotov in Chess, particularly in the British (and not US) productions. He's slimy, he's manipulative, he's incredibly fun. And in the British production he get probably one of the best villain songs even put to pen in "The Soviet Machine." Search elsewhere on this site for the 2008 concert version with David Bedella as Molotov to see it done perfectly.
Nancy is one of the leads in 'Oliver!'; she has two solos and is the lead singer in two others ("It's A Fine Life" and "I'd Do Anything'). It's a leading role.
I’m surprised Michael from Be More Chill wasn’t on the list. He’s pretty much the reason why people watch the show at all.
King George III in Hamilton absolutely stole the show, i've seen Hamilton twice both guys who played KG3 were hilarious as hell!
Detroit: Peter Matthew Smith (love the part when Peter used his scepter as an oar)
Toronto: Rick Negrón (he has been with the cast since he toured with Lin in Puerto Rico)
How about Applegate/the Devil from Damn Yankees! Done right he can epitomize the "Doesn't it feel good to be bad" genre. Plus I've seen audiences in stitches when the actor can come up with some snappy quips in the middle of " Those Were The Good Old Days."
Come to think of it, that also applies to The Devil in Pippin.
Applegate is considered a lead, but what about Gloria singing Shoeless Joe from Hannibal MO? It’s the biggest showstopper in Damn Yankees
@laurenmarzo3174 I suppose you are right.
Reminds me a bit of the movie version of Paint Your Wagon. Ben Rumson and Pardner are the obvious male leads, but the showstopper song gets to be sung by Rotten Luck Willy. The preacher also gets a pretty strong song.
Snake from Children of Eden! That number is always super fun to watch!
This list confuses side characters with supporting characters. They are not the same thing
Alice Cooper is an amazing choice for Herod
His performance was such a great lesson in "less is more"!
The Thenardiers from "Les Mis."
You guys keep forgetting the honorable mentions!
Totally King George in Hamilton -- the hilarity of the character's acting, paired with the song's lyrics are TOP!
Usually the performers are credited in the captions on screen during their performances, is there a reason why that didn't happen in this video?
I LOVE AGOOOONY! ❤❤❤
Pharaoh from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat?
Yes 100%
Pharaoh (another king) steels the show in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Only two times? Um no, it's four to five times🤓☝️ Grizabella sings Memory 2 times, maybe that's where you got confused 🤷♀️
How dare you forgot Amos from Chicago?!?!?
Mr Cellophane is one of my absolute favourite songs ever
@lilymarinovic1644 Mine too!!! Especially when we watch Chicago on the stage!!! Amos is the best side character!!!!
If you haven't seen it, there's a parody of the King George bit for CK3. "Technically not Tyranny"
I am going to state here and now that the least interesting part of West Side Story for me was Tony and Maria's romance. I was far more interested in the gang wars and Anita with her showstoppers. My flatmate and I agree: We'd play Anita over Maria any day, and on our tier list of musical women we'd like at an slumber party for adults (not explicit, just a girls' night in), Anita is around A tier, and Maria is a pity invite.
As a note, Christine Daae is also a pity invite, but I insist that Carrie White isn't and Chris Hargensen isn't allowed anywhere near. We'll ask Elle Woods to look after Carrie and help her make some friends, while I talk humanitarian issues and the political climate with Elphaba Thropp and shyly admire Lydia Deetz' goth outfit. My flatmate can ask Tracy Turnblad to help her to dance in heels for the next audition and chat about how to pick the right friends with Veronica Sawyer before giggling over all the dumb stuff the Heathers bothered about when she was with them (but making sure Heather McNamara is out of earshot because we're inviting her too - maybe we'll introduce her to Cady Heron or Karen Smith).
Anita has got to be number 1. The rest of Rita Moreno's life was defined by that one role.
Gigi van Trinh from Miss Saigon didn’t make it in? She has the first solo of the bar girls in Movie in my Mind!
I know this was off Broadway, but Sister Amnesia in Nunsense.
Lord Farquaad Shrek the music!!!
Nicely Nicely was not recounting a false dream - because at the end he had joined the mission. He had a true religious experience.
Moritz Stiefel in Spring Awakening
Angel in Rent
St Jimmy in American Idiot
Hang on? Nicely, Nicely was speaking of a real dream and was giving testimony. That’s why he is in a Salvation Army uniform at the end. He didn’t “play along”.
Josh Gad as Brother Cunningham in the Book of Mormon.
That’s a main character, not a side one.
Nooooooooooo! Joanne from Company! Eliana Stritch and Patti LuPone will never be able to be on the side, that character is so well written, they’re like The Miser Brothers (Heat Miser and Cold Miser) they’re too much!
8:28 to 8:36
❤❤❤
Lola from Damn Yankees??
She’s considered a supporting lead. Gloria from Damn Yankees is the best side character
What about:
.Genie from Aladdin
.Plankton and Karen from SpongeBob the Musical
.peron’s mistress from Evita
.Lumiere and Mrs Potts from Beautu and the Beast
.Scar from The Lion King
to be fair a majority of those are movies first before broadway musicals
2nd!
where is Glinda?
I don't know if that counts, since she had almost the same amount of stage time as Elphaba.
Glinda is a main character…
@ ok, why is Ariana Grande then nominated for best female side character at the Oscars?
@henriklindholm7007 because the Oscars think there can only be one main character for each gender. Or maybe whoever submitted the movie did.
What about Mrs Luvet. She stole the show in Sweeney Tod: the demon barber of Fleet Street. Especially Angela lansberry in the stage production
You would never consider Mrs Lovett a side character.
@ maybe not but she certainly isn’t the main focus of the play. That honor would go to sweetney Tod!