Ok but matilda should have been 2 or 3. She has to convey complex emotions on stage, memorise 6 long monologues, dance in high energy numbers, sing some kind of high notes and belts, she can't smile at all until the bows, she has to learn a Russian monologue. Also, unless it's a cast from the UK, they have to learn how to do a British accent for an entire 2 hour 40 minute show. That's not easy. Although, at least you actually started putting Matilda on these lists.
I totally agree! They don't understand the demanding notes in "Quiet", all of the story's, dancing, and if you're a official, many preformances. Totally an underrated role!
Depends on what country you are in. In the UK, there are VERY strict child labor laws that dictate how much a child performer can work. The cast of HARRY POTTER was only allowed to do one film a year because that is the law in the UK. On stage, child actors are allowed two shows a week, no more. In the US, not so much. Going all the way back to the days of Patty Duke playing the incredibly demanding role of Helen Keller 8 times a week, to Frankie Michaels as Young Patrick in "Mame", to Andrea McArdle playing "Annie", to more recent shows like "The Secret Garden" and "A Christmas Story: The Musical" (whose leads did 6 shows a week with an alternate playing the 2 matinees), there are not that many restrictions in the US regarding hours of work for children. They just need to be provided breaks for schooling etc. But nothing that limits the number of performances on stage.
2 things, Little Red is normally played by an older performer in the stage production & HOW CAN YOU PUT MATILDA BELOW BABY JUNE?!! Matilda literally has about six 5 minute monologues, carry emotion throughout & has to have a conversation in Russian!!!
Ya I’m 13 and I played little red in a a local dinner theater production and vocally it was sorta grueling compared to what I’m used to, Sondheim am I right?
Jason, Flasettos? He's on stage pretty much the entire time and is expected to be able to handle some kinda dark stuff. He has to sing all these harmonies too.
Waluigi Waluigi Umm, he has to match up to the talent of all the grown up actors around him. He has to be able to handle very mature content and be able to show very serious emotions. In addition to that, he has belt his heart out, which is definitely a high expectation for a kid (trust me, I take vocal lessons)
WilliamBlakeHall I agree, I don’t think Chava should be on this list. I was thinking about other characters that could be on this list. One that wasn’t even mentioned was Toby from “Sweeney Todd”
Susie Studios yes a young boy named Toby. He originally works for a rival barber named Pirelli but after Todd kills Pirelli, Toby grows close to Mrs. Lovett and eventually goes to work for her. *SPOILER*, in the end, Toby is one of the only 3 characters still alive.
I think that the School of Rock kids should have been higher up, as having to play their own instruments live and extremely well on top of acting, singing, and dancing is hugely demanding and they knock it out, but I agree with Billy Elliot being top.
I agree, but it was probably lower because only four kids actually played instruments. The other kids had hard roles, but not as hard as those four. The back-up singers had some hard moments too - I'm sure it's harder to sing in the background and not overpower a lead. But most of the kids didn't have those difficulties, although Summer is actually a harder role to play than you might think - try singing "Time To Play" and you'll see what I mean.
YES MATILDA!! I'd also like to mention that the story of Matilda is hard for kids to understand. As it deals with abuse. The emotional demand of Matilda is very demanding as well.
11 year old me: Could act moderately well with a decent voice, can’t dance to save my life 14 year old me: Can barely act, can slightly dance... BUT MY VOICE IS LIKE A FREAKING ROLLERCOASTER
No surprise at all that Billy Elliot is top spot. That is such a strenuous part...the kid dances through 75% of the show, and has to have pretty good vocal and acting chops as well. Great musical if you haven't seen it yet!
I was recently in a production of Matilda I played Amanda Thripp but the little girl who played Matilda was literally amazing she was only 11 and she had almost all her lines memorized a week before the show and that shows a lot considering ALL the stress she has i feel that it is EASILY the hardest role for kids and I have been in Annie and one of my friends played Annie and that was definitely easier so I don’t agree with your list
I agree! I played Matilda on the uk tour from 2017-2019 and it’s so intense! I said over 2500 words, lots of songs and lines to remember 💙 I had so much fun but so hard! It’s should demo be at least 2nd or even 1st!
I definitely agree with your number one pick. I recently saw Billy Elliot at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario (Canada) and it was mind blowing. The main actor, Nolen Dubuc, is only eleven years old, and he's incredibly talented. He's an amazing dancer, and an *amazing* singer. He's been performing the show since April 16th and he will keep doing it until November 3rd. His angry dance is so amazing, his yells were loud and clear and wonderful, and the dance is wonderfully choreographed. His electricity is better than any I've heard.
Agreed that Billy Elliot is the hardest role for a kid to play. Not only because of the difficult choreography but also because everything in the show revolves around him and there's really no other part in the show that's nearly as big a Billy's. But most of all, Billy is complex. Angry and frustrated, held back, sarcastic, full of life, discovering his identity, etc... To me Elliot Hanna and Zach Atkinson will always be the perfect Billy and Micheal. Also: where's Jason from Falsettos on this list? Such a complex show in general. The character is dealing with lots of very real and controversial themes and not to mention the music... Jason has got a few tunes to belt and not to mention all those harmonies!
Yes Winnie! That was the first role I thought of. Very vocally challenging for an 11 year old, and has to essentially carry the energy of the whole show.
Not saying it's as hard, but I feel that Jane and Michael from Mary Poppins deserve an honorable mention. They're onstage literally the entire time, and other than Mary, carry the show.
Okay, I'm gonna say this now, all of the kids in Matilda are insanely talented. Matilda has the hardest child vocals in Matilda, but she isn't actually in most of the big choreographed dances like Revolting Children, Miracle, or the bigger parts of When I Grow Up. The ensemble kids need some more recognition, especially the supporting kids who also learn solo lines and all of the ensemble lines.
Jane & Michael Banks blew me away in the Broadway performance, they had to sing and dance just like every adult throughout the show, and you better damn well believe those two were outlasting the professional hoofers that have been at it for 20 or so years.
Where is Jason from Falsettos?? He has some difficult choreography and the emotional depth one would need to okay him is off the charts. I can't believe he wasn't even in the honorable mentions
An actor that portrays Dodger has to not only be a skilled singer but most of all a very skilled actor. The role of Dodger is way more complex than Simba. Not to mention Dodger is a much bigger part. Little Simba is only on stage for the 1st half of the show, while Dodger is one of the characters that literally puts Oliver together as a show... He also has way more solo's than Simba.
Jane and Michael Banks from "Mary Poppins"... I was blown away when I saw the Broadway tour. Both child actors have to be in almost every scene and keep up high paced choreography, lyrics, dialog and the English accent with all of the professional adult actors. There was usually three or four pairs of Jane and Michael's juggling the roles to keep up with the demanding schedule.
Definitely thought Jason from Falsettos would’ve been at LEAST an honorable mention. I mean, he has to have so much emotion and energy throughout the show, plus he lots of stage time!!
Echoing the many protests over Matilda's rather low ranking. The fact a production usually has 2 Gavroches but 4 MATILDAS speaks volumes. She's the centre of attention like Annie and handles long monologues, which is a lot harder than lines within a conversation that can cue you. She should be #2 or #3.
The fact that Sadie sink, Caleb McLaughlin and gaten matarrazo all performed one of the roles in this top ten on broadway impressed me they’re so talented
I agree with these, but I don’t think they’re in the right order. Also Jason from Falsettos, Ralphie in a Christmas Story, Oliver in Oliver, Peter in Finding Neverland and Young C in a Bronx Tale should also be on this list lol
Elliott Hanna is the best!!! He’s been filmed in the musical live broadcast into cinemas. Before Billy Elliot he was already a recognized young talent,especially at dancing.
I just finished playing Chava at my high school, so seeing her on this list warmed my heart because I really miss that show. It was definitely the most demanding part I've ever played, I had to have a breakdown on stage every night.
Winnie Foster from Tuck Everlasting? She's onstage for nearly the whole show, has to reach both high and low notes, has to stay crazily energetic at some points while also being able to express her sadder side. She has to show the emotion in whether she chooses to watch everyone die around her or live a life she was meant to live.
Ok I am kinda mad- You said that Baby June "doesn't have much stage time" so it can't be harder then playing a main role! Matilda is playing 6 monologs, talking in russian and learning a choreography so your telling me Baby June is a harder role?
I would have to disagree, yes it is an absolutely amazing show, but it's never failed to draw audiences, and won TEN Tony Awards back in 2009, as well as four Oliviers in the West End =)
This was great! My school is doing Annie next year and I’m really hoping to get the role of Annie! It’s a very hard role but I think I’m up to the task!
Flora Bochenska although Jason is awesome in every way, I understand why he’s not on the list. His problems are similar to all the characters in the show (mostly Trina). Take Gavroche; it’s not like everyday that preteen boys are fighting in the French Revolution. Or the kids in School of Rock; it’s not like everyday that kids are making secret rock and roll bands with their teacher. With Jason’s case, most kids have to deal with the problems Jason faced. Most kids have a mom or dad that is gay. Most kids have to go through divorced because of that. I’d say the only “mature” aspect of playing Jason is singing “bitch” over and over again in the opening number.
@@jilliank6379 Are you forgetting the whole Bar Mitzvah scene? Sure, lots of kids have gay or divorced parents, but do many have to go through losing a new parental figure/friend through an aggressive terminal illness? How many kids hold Bar Mitzvahs in their dying friend's hospital room? Or the reprise of miracle of judaism, where he asks God to 'please make [his] friend stop dying'? I agree that stage-time wise Jason isn't the most demanding, but it's a lot for a kid to comprehend, and he's forced to mature far more quickly because of his situation. I'm going to have to disagree with you there, Jason deserved at least an honourable mention. Not many kids (nowadays anyway) have to deal with losing a friend to AIDS, and William Finn's material is not exactly easy to sing either.
I love seeing Matilda the Musical finally make it onto a top 10 on this channel. Honestly, I agree she should've been higher up. Aside from having to memorize several long monologues, she also has to carry a story of emotional abuse from her family and Trunchbull. The kids are also somewhat difficult (I played one in a high school production,) but not as tough as Matilda herself. I also feel Jason from Falsettos should've been on here. From being practically numb from the family drama, and being on stage literally the entirety of the show, he seems rather difficult to play. And Les from Newsies. I've seen one scene where he's thrown in a trash can and thrown across stage. Which seems extremely dangerous. That and the insane choreography in Newsies.
Perfect choice for number one, I remember when I first saw Billy Elliot on stage and just having my mind blown with how insanely talented those kids were, the amount of dance training they must have to go through to get that part is just mental! Also they have four Matildas because literally every professional musical production featuring children in main roles has at least 3 or 4 young performers playing said role, for example Billy Elliot will have 4 Billys, 4 Michaels and 4 Debbies all rotating.
i think jason from falsettos deserves to be up there, he’s very consistent throughout the entire musical as well as having to go through some pretty real and troubling things throughout the show.
Okay, I just saw the tour of School of Rock the other day, and those kids are insane. It's hard enough for adults to play their own instruments on stage. All those kids are already more talented then I will ever be
Tobias is usually played by an adult (Ken Jennings was 32 in the original Broadway production). His age is never mentioned, but Mrs. Lovett calls him "simple as a baby lamb", which I've always taken as that he's intellectually stunted for his age. The only time I've seen him played by a kid was in the movie version
Tina Denmark from ruthless the musical she has to do at least grade 6 tap dancing has countless solo songs and deals with the mature themes of the show and also the two kids from Mary POPPINS are so underrated they do so much and the singing on that show is so hard let alone for kids so I think these 2 should have definitely be on the list
Honestly, I think from emotional tone, Gavroche was the hardest roll to play. He was a kid who had to fight for his entire, short life just to survive. He was way to grown up for his age. He had to. Still, he was shot because he was just a little child. There is a whole chilling load behind his smile
Jack's rarely (if ever) played by or played as a child though - the movie was sort of an anomaly in that regard. Normally in a professional production, the role will go to someone who's at least 16 and will often be cast at around 18-25. It's basically the same situation as Toby in Sweeney Todd - the script never gives an explicit age, so most of the time it's assumed they're in their mid-to-late teens. Theatrical productions tend to avoid having actual children as much as possible since child labour laws means they have to cast at least 3 children per role. Unless it's absolutely 100% necessary for the characters to be identified as young children, they'll cast young (or at least young-looking) adults instead.
In school we did a show that was a mix of musicals and we did bits from Oliver, including Consider Yourself. We had to get a girl to play Dodger because she was the only person who could pull off the cockney accent while singing consider yourself
I’ve done Billy in Billy Elliot. that role is so so hard. The dancing is ridiculously hard you have 4 BIG dance numbers and you have 2 HARD songs while the role is emotionally devastating especially for a young boy and he’s on stage every scene except 1. Literally he’s in every scene but one. It’s so so hard
I think Jane and Michael Banks should have been on here. They are in Mary Poppins for pretty much the whole show and they have to dance, sing, and act as much as all the adults in the show.
As someone who played both Annie and Matilda, I personally find Matilda considerably more difficult. Annie has a lot of belting, but that it something that would be frequently practiced and come fairly naturally for the person in the role. Physically, emotionally, And vocally I found Matilda's role much more difficult to fill (though it's more likely to lose your voice after several performances of Annie)
I think it’s interesting that all three roles played by the kids on Stranger Things are on this list. Caleb McLaughlin played Young Simba in Lion King; Gaten Matarazzo played Gavroche in Les Misérables and of course Sadie Sink played Annie.
Here's my pick for the re-ordering of these choices. I considered not only the difficulty of the roles themselves, but also the level of risk to each production if the listed role/s aren't played well. 10 - Chava (ranked lowest because she's often played by a young adult rather than child) 9 - Baby June 8 - Artful Dodger 7 - Gavroche 6 - Young Simba and Nala 5 - Small Alison 4 - Annie 3 - Matilda 2 - School of Rock cast 1 - Billy Elliot
You know, for someone who danced ballet to "Castle On A Cloud" when I was 5, I feel like I should've seen Les Miserable by now. I mean, I'm about to turn 20. Maybe I should give it a watch.
I LOVE Billy Elliot and the fact that it's number 1 just makes me so happy. One of the best musicals of the last decade and also one of the top musicals to come out of London's West End. I have been in love with the music in this show since I was 16, for more than 10 years: Elton John is a musical genius. It's also only behind Hamilton (with 11) and The Producers (with 12) for most Tony's rewarded for a single production. I cannot sing enough praises for this musical
This list just goes to show how amazing Robert Madge was...such a charismatic and incredible actor to watch! No idea what he's doing now but he was impressive as a kid. (Gavroche and Dodger)
They are doing a really cool one man show at the minute that I got a chance to watch in the summer. It’s called my sons a queer(but what can you do?) it’s really funny definitely worth a watch😊
Not disputing the placement but I think Gavroche would have been harder to play in the 1980 Paris version. He originally had more lines, "Little People" was originally a much longer song and placed earlier in the show, the melody in the scene where he unveils Javert as a spy was different and much more rapid. And he also had to emotionally carry the end of the barricade sequence because that's where his death was placed (the song order was kinda weird in parts). Anyway, I have a lot of respect for the original three performers who played him in the French version. Not the hardest theatre role for a child, but still challenging!
Ok but matilda should have been 2 or 3. She has to convey complex emotions on stage, memorise 6 long monologues, dance in high energy numbers, sing some kind of high notes and belts, she can't smile at all until the bows, she has to learn a Russian monologue. Also, unless it's a cast from the UK, they have to learn how to do a British accent for an entire 2 hour 40 minute show. That's not easy. Although, at least you actually started putting Matilda on these lists.
I totally agree honestly she should have been number one
Black Knight 413 I’m still very annoyed that In the movie they didn’t even try to make the actors British. In fact they were EXTREMELY American
RavenclawAmbition I so agree
I totally agree! They don't understand the demanding notes in "Quiet", all of the story's, dancing, and if you're a official, many preformances. Totally an underrated role!
Black Knight 413 : I think she should be ahead of baby June.
Can we just appreciate that Tom Holland played Billy Elliot... Gosh I love that guy he's just all around amazing
I know!
Is he gay? Just asking
taliagmail. com eidjdjfjfj no haha
@@libertywells hi
@@libertywells ok even if he was it doesn't matter
Maybe ANNIE is more famous, but MATILDA is so much more demanding role
Edandush and what’s with her being English?
Edandush definitely
Edandush I definitely agree with you!
That’s what I was thinking! Just watching Matilda do any of her escapologist/acrobat scenes makes that so evident.
Edandush it's not a musical though
There are four matilda's.......because it's literally illegal if they don't lol
Wait really??
Why?
Because the hard is so harsh they cant do that every single day
That's true
Depends on what country you are in. In the UK, there are VERY strict child labor laws that dictate how much a child performer can work. The cast of HARRY POTTER was only allowed to do one film a year because that is the law in the UK. On stage, child actors are allowed two shows a week, no more. In the US, not so much. Going all the way back to the days of Patty Duke playing the incredibly demanding role of Helen Keller 8 times a week, to Frankie Michaels as Young Patrick in "Mame", to Andrea McArdle playing "Annie", to more recent shows like "The Secret Garden" and "A Christmas Story: The Musical" (whose leads did 6 shows a week with an alternate playing the 2 matinees), there are not that many restrictions in the US regarding hours of work for children. They just need to be provided breaks for schooling etc. But nothing that limits the number of performances on stage.
2 things,
Little Red is normally played by an older performer in the stage production &
HOW CAN YOU PUT MATILDA BELOW BABY JUNE?!! Matilda literally has about six 5 minute monologues, carry emotion throughout & has to have a conversation in Russian!!!
A lot of companies have little red as a kid now with the movie.
I'm pretty sure little red is a teenager, so it counts
Ya I’m 13 and I played little red in a a local dinner theater production and vocally it was sorta grueling compared to what I’m used to, Sondheim am I right?
@Sadie M good luck if you're doing it, matilda is my favourite show :P
i played little red when i was 11 🤷🏼♀️
Matilda is such a harder role than Annie, I am so confused right now. 😂
I played both Annie is harder
I played both. Matilda is harder in speaking and Annie is harder in singing.
annie is so much more difficult vocally, but matilda is more difficult emotionally i think
I personally think that Annie is a harder character to carry
absolutely - was waiting for Matilda
Jason, Flasettos?
He's on stage pretty much the entire time and is expected to be able to handle some kinda dark stuff. He has to sing all these harmonies too.
Suzannah E.H he’s my number one. That’d be a hard role for most adults to act
He’s like 12 and he’s singing really inappropriate content
Ms. Mojo people do not know him. They do not know musical theatre. What's new?
Yeah, I thought he would be on this list
As someone who was in Matilda, Falsettos, and School of Rock on broadway, Falsettos was the hardest.
1. Jason from Falsettos is missing
2. Little Inez should have at least gotten an honorable mention
Arty Zara rip Jason and Whizzer now
Arty Zara Jason is definitely not hard to perform
Waluigi Waluigi Umm, he has to match up to the talent of all the grown up actors around him. He has to be able to handle very mature content and be able to show very serious emotions. In addition to that, he has belt his heart out, which is definitely a high expectation for a kid (trust me, I take vocal lessons)
Arty Zara when you say he has to handle mature content all he has to do is “act”. Thats his job, I’m sure it’s not hard for an actor to act
Waluigi Waluigi I’m playing Jason rn, and it’s vocally and emotionally demanding soo
Chava is always played by an adult. And Jason from Falsettos is very hard due to the subject matter and the fact he's the only child in the show.
WilliamBlakeHall I agree, I don’t think Chava should be on this list. I was thinking about other characters that could be on this list. One that wasn’t even mentioned was Toby from “Sweeney Todd”
Toby! THROW THE OLD WOMAN OUT!
idk, I played Chava as a teenager so not always, and she was an extremely difficult role
PrinceTrexus wait, there's a kid in Sweeney Todd?
Susie Studios yes a young boy named Toby. He originally works for a rival barber named Pirelli but after Todd kills Pirelli, Toby grows close to Mrs. Lovett and eventually goes to work for her. *SPOILER*, in the end, Toby is one of the only 3 characters still alive.
I think that the School of Rock kids should have been higher up, as having to play their own instruments live and extremely well on top of acting, singing, and dancing is hugely demanding and they knock it out, but I agree with Billy Elliot being top.
NoLifeButTheater I agree because if they mess up on their instruments, it can ruin a whole song
I was just thinking that! They have to be TRUE QUADRUPLE THREATS and, being kids, have had less time in life to practice than an adult would have!
Erin F yeah! They should have been higher on the list
I agree, but it was probably lower because only four kids actually played instruments. The other kids had hard roles, but not as hard as those four. The back-up singers had some hard moments too - I'm sure it's harder to sing in the background and not overpower a lead. But most of the kids didn't have those difficulties, although Summer is actually a harder role to play than you might think - try singing "Time To Play" and you'll see what I mean.
YES MATILDA!! I'd also like to mention that the story of Matilda is hard for kids to understand. As it deals with abuse. The emotional demand of Matilda is very demanding as well.
When I saw Matilda in the West End, I was blown away by her talent, as well as the rest of the mostly child cast.
@@sassypants7536 Lucky! I found a full version online.
@@TeresaBenson late but can you give me the link? I badly want to watch it
Ya. I was just in it and I didnt get it at first
I love the book
I think 13 The Musical should have got a mention, purely because its the only Broadway show to have all teenagers!
Now I'm mad that 13 didn't get on the list. I feel like no one has heard of 13.
I HAVE!! i was Patrice in that show and it was really difficult🙃it’s my favorite show
What? I wish I could have done that.
I just went to go that that! But it was recreated by my cousin’s theatre group. I totally agree that it should be mentioned.
Yeah, I’m in it rn! It’s great 👍
2 I think they missed: Jason from Falsettos and Lil Inez from Hairspray. Jason carries a lot of emotional weight and Lil Inez is a scene stealer
11 year old me:
Could act moderately well with a decent voice, can’t dance to save my life
14 year old me:
Can barely act, can slightly dance...
BUT MY VOICE IS LIKE A FREAKING ROLLERCOASTER
11 year old me:
Good enough to be on West End (that's what my teacher told me and I'm in England so I can't do Bway ow)
Do you think you can't sing? Have u ever recorded a vid of u singing and listened? I promise, it sounds bad to you but not anyone else! C:
did you steal my identity
Jason from Falsettos is a pretty challenging role to play as a child too considering it’s all singing
No surprise at all that Billy Elliot is top spot. That is such a strenuous part...the kid dances through 75% of the show, and has to have pretty good vocal and acting chops as well. Great musical if you haven't seen it yet!
I was recently in a production of Matilda I played Amanda Thripp but the little girl who played Matilda was literally amazing she was only 11 and she had almost all her lines memorized a week before the show and that shows a lot considering ALL the stress she has i feel that it is EASILY the hardest role for kids and I have been in Annie and one of my friends played Annie and that was definitely easier so I don’t agree with your list
OMG I JUST PLAYED AMANDA THRIPP TOO! But I agree, Matilda was definitely a hard role. Even being a side character was a lot of energy.
People think the role of Annie is so hard but I played both Annie and Matilda and Matilda was much more difficult.
I agree! I played Matilda on the uk tour from 2017-2019 and it’s so intense! I said over 2500 words, lots of songs and lines to remember 💙 I had so much fun but so hard! It’s should demo be at least 2nd or even 1st!
I was lavender in my county’s performance of Matilda.
I'm playing amanda in a few weeks
I had a feeling Annie would be involved.
Hodon Yassin how did you know 😱
@@colestrashchannel208 Have u seen the cover?!
Hodon Yassin I did I was making a joke
@@colestrashchannel208h ok
@@colestrashchannel208 still, it's one of the most hardest juvenile movie roles ever.
I definitely agree with your number one pick. I recently saw Billy Elliot at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario (Canada) and it was mind blowing. The main actor, Nolen Dubuc, is only eleven years old, and he's incredibly talented. He's an amazing dancer, and an *amazing* singer. He's been performing the show since April 16th and he will keep doing it until November 3rd. His angry dance is so amazing, his yells were loud and clear and wonderful, and the dance is wonderfully choreographed. His electricity is better than any I've heard.
Agreed that Billy Elliot is the hardest role for a kid to play.
Not only because of the difficult choreography but also because everything in the show revolves around him and there's really no other part in the show that's nearly as big a Billy's. But most of all, Billy is complex. Angry and frustrated, held back, sarcastic, full of life, discovering his identity, etc...
To me Elliot Hanna and Zach Atkinson will always be the perfect Billy and Micheal.
Also: where's Jason from Falsettos on this list? Such a complex show in general. The character is dealing with lots of very real and controversial themes and not to mention the music... Jason has got a few tunes to belt and not to mention all those harmonies!
billy is in legit every scene except 1
Jason from Falsettos should've been in here if i'm being honest
Angelica 😍💕💕💕
omg yess
winnie foster from tuck everlasting?? jason from falsettos??
wait what? they made tuck everlasting into a musical? I didn't even like reading the book
they are usually played by a 16 or 17 year old
I was thinking of winnie too!
Yes Winnie! That was the first role I thought of. Very vocally challenging for an 11 year old, and has to essentially carry the energy of the whole show.
After all these years , I'm still asking Annie one mystery in Music: *_"ARE YOU OK ANNIE?"_* 😅
I think you mea Annie are you okay (Michael Jackson if you don’t get it)
The fact that Mary Lennox from The Secret Garden isn't anywhere on here is just insane. I'm offended on behalf of Daisy Egan.
Not saying it's as hard, but I feel that Jane and Michael from Mary Poppins deserve an honorable mention. They're onstage literally the entire time, and other than Mary, carry the show.
Omg another dance mom fan here haha
I’ve seen Fiddler on the Roof 3 times (2 high school and 1 professional) and for the professional production, Chava was played by an adult.
Jillian Kusar Same
Chava is a late teen actor
Okay, I'm gonna say this now, all of the kids in Matilda are insanely talented. Matilda has the hardest child vocals in Matilda, but she isn't actually in most of the big choreographed dances like Revolting Children, Miracle, or the bigger parts of When I Grow Up. The ensemble kids need some more recognition, especially the supporting kids who also learn solo lines and all of the ensemble lines.
Jane & Michael Banks blew me away in the Broadway performance, they had to sing and dance just like every adult throughout the show, and you better damn well believe those two were outlasting the professional hoofers that have been at it for 20 or so years.
Where is Jason from Falsettos??
He has some difficult choreography and the emotional depth one would need to okay him is off the charts. I can't believe he wasn't even in the honorable mentions
Simba should be way higher on the list. No way the Artful Dodger is harder than him. But I absolutely agree Billy is number 1
An actor that portrays Dodger has to not only be a skilled singer but most of all a very skilled actor. The role of Dodger is way more complex than Simba. Not to mention Dodger is a much bigger part. Little Simba is only on stage for the 1st half of the show, while Dodger is one of the characters that literally puts Oliver together as a show... He also has way more solo's than Simba.
Coming from a Dodger and Simba, Dodger is much, much harder.
The Artful Dodger is definitely a more difficult & complex role to perform.
Jane and Michael Banks from "Mary Poppins"... I was blown away when I saw the Broadway tour. Both child actors have to be in almost every scene and keep up high paced choreography, lyrics, dialog and the English accent with all of the professional adult actors. There was usually three or four pairs of Jane and Michael's juggling the roles to keep up with the demanding schedule.
I agree. I saw a community theater production, and the kids had to work HARD
Definitely thought Jason from Falsettos would’ve been at LEAST an honorable mention. I mean, he has to have so much emotion and energy throughout the show, plus he lots of stage time!!
Clicked on this and was thinking "Billy Elliott" HAS to be at the top! I cant even wrap my head around how they do it!
Echoing the many protests over Matilda's rather low ranking. The fact a production usually has 2 Gavroches but 4 MATILDAS speaks volumes. She's the centre of attention like Annie and handles long monologues, which is a lot harder than lines within a conversation that can cue you. She should be #2 or #3.
The fact that Sadie sink, Caleb McLaughlin and gaten matarrazo all performed one of the roles in this top ten on broadway impressed me they’re so talented
I agree with these, but I don’t think they’re in the right order. Also Jason from Falsettos, Ralphie in a Christmas Story, Oliver in Oliver, Peter in Finding Neverland and Young C in a Bronx Tale should also be on this list lol
Robert Madge Played Gavroche and The Artful Dodger.
Yes he did. He's so fun to watch.
Jason from Falsettos? Super challenging! Should’ve been featured or at least mentioned! Just my opinion!
Haven’t watched the video yet but I’m calling it now! Number 1 had better be BILLY ELLIOT!
Yes, you couldn't be more accurate!
Yeah. I clicked on the video just to see if Billy Elliot was number one.
TOM HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!!
Elliott Hanna is the best!!! He’s been filmed in the musical live broadcast into cinemas. Before Billy Elliot he was already a recognized young talent,especially at dancing.
Y'all blessing us with so much content lately
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I just finished playing Chava at my high school, so seeing her on this list warmed my heart because I really miss that show. It was definitely the most demanding part I've ever played, I had to have a breakdown on stage every night.
Wow this is the first time i see what u look like cool, love the outfit and the hair
Thank for for acknowledging Small Al in Fun Home! She was the first one I thought of when I saw this title
Winnie Foster from Tuck Everlasting? She's onstage for nearly the whole show, has to reach both high and low notes, has to stay crazily energetic at some points while also being able to express her sadder side. She has to show the emotion in whether she chooses to watch everyone die around her or live a life she was meant to live.
Loved it❤️
Just wondering where Peter Davies from Finding Neverland was...
Agreed
saw it last friday and i totally agree
Ok I am kinda mad-
You said that Baby June "doesn't have much stage time" so it can't be harder then playing a main role! Matilda is playing 6 monologs, talking in russian and learning a choreography so your telling me Baby June is a harder role?
Billy Elliott is so underrated though! So good!
I would have to disagree, yes it is an absolutely amazing show, but it's never failed to draw audiences, and won TEN Tony Awards back in 2009, as well as four Oliviers in the West End =)
Mary Lennox from The Secret Garden?!
Exactly what I was coming to say!
@@fimelis Exactly what I was going to say. Her character is very complex and that score is a difficult one!
YES!!!!!!!
FRRR its a demanding and underrated part! Also..Jason from Falsettos...? Why the heck was Chava on there???
Anthony Frascella I came here specifically to say that. I know a young lady who did that role and she verified to me personally that its not easy. 😁
This was great! My school is doing Annie next year and I’m really hoping to get the role of Annie! It’s a very hard role but I think I’m up to the task!
I can’t watch gavroche’s death scene because i know i will cry throughout the the rest of of the movie 😭😭😭😭
Omg same! I saw it live and i couldnt help but sob
I came here for Jason from Falsettos and I'm kinda disappointed, but great video anyway💝
Flora Bochenska Jason is the best 😂
@@jilliank6379 Exactly!😍
Flora Bochenska same!!
Flora Bochenska although Jason is awesome in every way, I understand why he’s not on the list. His problems are similar to all the characters in the show (mostly Trina). Take Gavroche; it’s not like everyday that preteen boys are fighting in the French Revolution. Or the kids in School of Rock; it’s not like everyday that kids are making secret rock and roll bands with their teacher. With Jason’s case, most kids have to deal with the problems Jason faced. Most kids have a mom or dad that is gay. Most kids have to go through divorced because of that. I’d say the only “mature” aspect of playing Jason is singing “bitch” over and over again in the opening number.
@@jilliank6379 Are you forgetting the whole Bar Mitzvah scene? Sure, lots of kids have gay or divorced parents, but do many have to go through losing a new parental figure/friend through an aggressive terminal illness? How many kids hold Bar Mitzvahs in their dying friend's hospital room? Or the reprise of miracle of judaism, where he asks God to 'please make [his] friend stop dying'? I agree that stage-time wise Jason isn't the most demanding, but it's a lot for a kid to comprehend, and he's forced to mature far more quickly because of his situation. I'm going to have to disagree with you there, Jason deserved at least an honourable mention. Not many kids (nowadays anyway) have to deal with losing a friend to AIDS, and William Finn's material is not exactly easy to sing either.
I love seeing Matilda the Musical finally make it onto a top 10 on this channel. Honestly, I agree she should've been higher up. Aside from having to memorize several long monologues, she also has to carry a story of emotional abuse from her family and Trunchbull. The kids are also somewhat difficult (I played one in a high school production,) but not as tough as Matilda herself.
I also feel Jason from Falsettos should've been on here. From being practically numb from the family drama, and being on stage literally the entirety of the show, he seems rather difficult to play.
And Les from Newsies. I've seen one scene where he's thrown in a trash can and thrown across stage. Which seems extremely dangerous. That and the insane choreography in Newsies.
Perfect choice for number one, I remember when I first saw Billy Elliot on stage and just having my mind blown with how insanely talented those kids were, the amount of dance training they must have to go through to get that part is just mental!
Also they have four Matildas because literally every professional musical production featuring children in main roles has at least 3 or 4 young performers playing said role, for example Billy Elliot will have 4 Billys, 4 Michaels and 4 Debbies all rotating.
I got a part of Matilda in once and I was working at home like, 3 hours a day. And going to rehearsals like 6 hours a day
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not even a honorable mention for jason in falsettos??? although the role isn’t vocally demanding its very emotional.
i don't use this Your so RIGHT!
i don't use this !!!!!!!!
It is quite vocally demanding. William Finn music is deceptively difficult to sing, and as the role is sung through it's even harder.
@@danielmorrison2376 I agree and it takes so much great acting and soul
Daniel Morrison i agree
My friend played Chava in a school production of Fiddler and later on Tzeitel. She told me that Tzeitel was harder to play.
The older sisters definitely seem harder but they can’t really be considered children.
I saw school of Rock live and when they announced that all the kids were actually playing their instruments I was blown away
3:28 why is alex brightmen in like all of the best broadway shows
i think jason from falsettos deserves to be up there, he’s very consistent throughout the entire musical as well as having to go through some pretty real and troubling things throughout the show.
Mary Lennox from Secret Garden? Shocked that it wasn’t even an honorable mention
Hell yeah
Gavrouche in the Le Miserables movie was literally one of my biggest childhood crushes ever! 😂
Love you Gavrouche ❤️❤️❤️
Amelia Evans same 😊❤️❤️
I was kind of surprised they went with Dodger and not Oliver himself
Nah. I've played Dodger and Oliver in different productions, and in the way that we played it, Dodger was a much harder role to portray.😁
Puzzle Peace Gaming Dodger is harder he dances more has more challenging songs and has to do a cockney accent
Isabel Erhart cockney accent’s not that difficult the dancing is the hardest part
Okay, I just saw the tour of School of Rock the other day, and those kids are insane. It's hard enough for adults to play their own instruments on stage. All those kids are already more talented then I will ever be
Oh that French accent in 6:40 is just something
Toby from Sweeney Todd,
Like especially for the movie, the grim atmosphere for a child would be pretty daunting
Foxy Avocado yeah imagine being in the wings during the scenes where Todd cuts customers throats
Do you know more kind hold some more show
Tobias is usually played by an adult (Ken Jennings was 32 in the original Broadway production). His age is never mentioned, but Mrs. Lovett calls him "simple as a baby lamb", which I've always taken as that he's intellectually stunted for his age. The only time I've seen him played by a kid was in the movie version
Tina Denmark from ruthless the musical she has to do at least grade 6 tap dancing has countless solo songs and deals with the mature themes of the show
and also the two kids from Mary POPPINS are so underrated they do so much and the singing on that show is so hard let alone for kids
so I think these 2 should have definitely be on the list
Billy Elliot was the exact one I would have picked. Good job!
I would’ve been so upset if Billy Elliot was not number one
I clicked on the video just to see if Billy Elliot was number one.
Omg. I am auditioning for Annie in September!!! Wish me luck!!
Awesome!!! I was Annie, and it was a blast!!! Work on those vocals!
I clicked on the video just to see if Billy Elliot was number one.
Honestly, I think from emotional tone, Gavroche was the hardest roll to play. He was a kid who had to fight for his entire, short life just to survive. He was way to grown up for his age. He had to. Still, he was shot because he was just a little child. There is a whole chilling load behind his smile
Would have put Jack from into the woods in here, especially over riding hood
Well Jack can be played by a young man as long as he looks the part.
Jack's rarely (if ever) played by or played as a child though - the movie was sort of an anomaly in that regard. Normally in a professional production, the role will go to someone who's at least 16 and will often be cast at around 18-25. It's basically the same situation as Toby in Sweeney Todd - the script never gives an explicit age, so most of the time it's assumed they're in their mid-to-late teens. Theatrical productions tend to avoid having actual children as much as possible since child labour laws means they have to cast at least 3 children per role. Unless it's absolutely 100% necessary for the characters to be identified as young children, they'll cast young (or at least young-looking) adults instead.
İm playing Jack in into the woods now and im gonna have to agree
In school we did a show that was a mix of musicals and we did bits from Oliver, including Consider Yourself. We had to get a girl to play Dodger because she was the only person who could pull off the cockney accent while singing consider yourself
How dare you not even mention Jason from Falsetto’s!! That poor kid has to do so much in that show!
I’ve done Billy in Billy Elliot. that role is so so hard. The dancing is ridiculously hard you have 4 BIG dance numbers and you have 2 HARD songs while the role is emotionally devastating especially for a young boy and he’s on stage every scene except 1. Literally he’s in every scene but one. It’s so so hard
I think Jane and Michael Banks should have been on here. They are in Mary Poppins for pretty much the whole show and they have to dance, sing, and act as much as all the adults in the show.
As someone who played both Annie and Matilda, I personally find Matilda considerably more difficult. Annie has a lot of belting, but that it something that would be frequently practiced and come fairly naturally for the person in the role. Physically, emotionally, And vocally I found Matilda's role much more difficult to fill (though it's more likely to lose your voice after several performances of Annie)
I would also have added JoJo from Seussical in here
I think it’s interesting that all three roles played by the kids on Stranger Things are on this list. Caleb McLaughlin played Young Simba in Lion King; Gaten Matarazzo played Gavroche in Les Misérables and of course Sadie Sink played Annie.
this just made me aware of what an untalented adult i am lmao
Here's my pick for the re-ordering of these choices. I considered not only the difficulty of the roles themselves, but also the level of risk to each production if the listed role/s aren't played well.
10 - Chava (ranked lowest because she's often played by a young adult rather than child)
9 - Baby June
8 - Artful Dodger
7 - Gavroche
6 - Young Simba and Nala
5 - Small Alison
4 - Annie
3 - Matilda
2 - School of Rock cast
1 - Billy Elliot
You know, for someone who danced ballet to "Castle On A Cloud" when I was 5, I feel like I should've seen Les Miserable by now. I mean, I'm about to turn 20. Maybe I should give it a watch.
The film adaptation is great except for russell crowe, he is definitely not a singer
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@@lexxierowell how are you
The sound of music kids! The sound of music is such a hard musical for kids to perform!
Number 2 is as ridiculed as it is iconic unfortunately.
Great list msmojo!
I LOVE Billy Elliot and the fact that it's number 1 just makes me so happy. One of the best musicals of the last decade and also one of the top musicals to come out of London's West End. I have been in love with the music in this show since I was 16, for more than 10 years: Elton John is a musical genius. It's also only behind Hamilton (with 11) and The Producers (with 12) for most Tony's rewarded for a single production. I cannot sing enough praises for this musical
It premiered in 2005 so it's not from the last decade, you're right though it's a phenomenal show!
and THATS why Sadie Sink and Caleb Mcglauclin are the most talented teens in the world
School of rock is such a good movie,
Jack black is awesome, and Miranda was so funny as summer,
Childhood nostalgia
if jason from falsettos isn’t here i swear!
I remember I played Annie when I auditioned for my first musical at my local theater group 💙💙
Toby from Sweeney Todd could have gotten an honorable mention
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I feel like Gaten is going to slay in the revival.
Since when do we see MsMojo narrators?! This is great
Annie finally getting some love on the broadway top tens!!!
This list just goes to show how amazing Robert Madge was...such a charismatic and incredible actor to watch! No idea what he's doing now but he was impressive as a kid. (Gavroche and Dodger)
They are doing a really cool one man show at the minute that I got a chance to watch in the summer. It’s called my sons a queer(but what can you do?) it’s really funny definitely worth a watch😊
Winnie Foster from Tuck Everlasting also seems like a challenge.
Ya shes onstage almost the entire show and she has to be strong the entire show and she sings a lot
Not disputing the placement but I think Gavroche would have been harder to play in the 1980 Paris version. He originally had more lines, "Little People" was originally a much longer song and placed earlier in the show, the melody in the scene where he unveils Javert as a spy was different and much more rapid. And he also had to emotionally carry the end of the barricade sequence because that's where his death was placed (the song order was kinda weird in parts). Anyway, I have a lot of respect for the original three performers who played him in the French version. Not the hardest theatre role for a child, but still challenging!
Where’s the kid from Newsies?
Sam Klein there not kids 😬
@@onlywillow7735 the boy who plays Les is. He's probably 10-11 in the show
Les?
I’ve watched billy Elliot about 4 times and I still get chills when I watch it especially in the song angry dance it’s so demanding
So we just aren't gonna talk about how Lila made the list twice? (Annie and red riding hood)
Yep. Robert Madge was on twice as well (Dodger and Gavroche).
I agree with this, especially Annie and Matilda. I was highly impressed with these kids playing these roles in these musicals, like wow! :P
I was just expecting Toby from Sweeney but I love the list!
Same. Every song from Stephen Sondheim musicals are difficult