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In honor of International Women's Day, here are ten female characters from the world of musical theatre that I love!
1. Babe Williams from The Pajama Game
Doris Day playing Babe Williams in the 1957 movie version of The Pajama Game was one of my first feminist idols. A woman who worked, was in charge of the grievance committee, and wasn’t afraid to stand up to men — even if it cost her her job.
Doris Day playing Babe Williams in the 1957 movie version of The Pajama Game was one of my first feminist idols. A woman who worked, was in charge of the grievance committee, and wasn’t afraid to stand up to men — even if it cost her her job.
2. Charity from Sweet Charity
When I first watched the movie, I was so confused by the ending. She doesn’t end up happily married? Huh?! My grown-up self LOVES the ending. It’s so REFRESHING for a female character to not end up married or with a man at all! Women can be happy and whole people even when not in a romantic relationship!
When I first watched the movie, I was so confused by the ending. She doesn’t end up happily married? Huh?! My grown-up self LOVES the ending. It’s so REFRESHING for a female character to not end up married or with a man at all! Women can be happy and whole people even when not in a romantic relationship!
3. Elphaba from Wicked
Duh! Smart, talented, a little bit different. Animal rights activist. Also possesses magic powers.
Duh! Smart, talented, a little bit different. Animal rights activist. Also possesses magic powers.
4. Celie from The Color Purple
A woman who overcomes the most horrendous circumstances of abuse, poverty, and ignorance. She learns to love herself, and in the process discovers community and empowerment through creative work.
A woman who overcomes the most horrendous circumstances of abuse, poverty, and ignorance. She learns to love herself, and in the process discovers community and empowerment through creative work.
5. Alice Murphy from Bright Star
A vivacious and intelligent woman who is the editor of a journal, celebrates her sexuality, and doesn’t compromise who she is, or who she loves, for the sake of appearances.
A vivacious and intelligent woman who is the editor of a journal, celebrates her sexuality, and doesn’t compromise who she is, or who she loves, for the sake of appearances.
6. Matilda from Matilda
A girl who loves reading and has super powers, Matilda is basically my dream human.
A girl who loves reading and has super powers, Matilda is basically my dream human.
7. Jerusha from Daddy Long Legs
A bright young woman who dreams of becoming “a scientist, a motorist, a suffragette… the class valedictorian, or what else heaven knows…” and discovers that the secret of happiness is learning to be still. Also loves letter writing.
A bright young woman who dreams of becoming “a scientist, a motorist, a suffragette… the class valedictorian, or what else heaven knows…” and discovers that the secret of happiness is learning to be still. Also loves letter writing.
8. Alison from Fun Home
Talented cartoonist who shares her story of realizing she is a lesbian whilst dealing with the trauma of her closeted father’s death. Played by the wonderful Beth Malone who is one of the few Broadway stars I lost the ability to speak in front of. Real-life Alison Bechdel came up with the now infamous “Bechdel Test.” The show was also written by the wonderful Jeanine Tesori.
Talented cartoonist who shares her story of realizing she is a lesbian whilst dealing with the trauma of her closeted father’s death. Played by the wonderful Beth Malone who is one of the few Broadway stars I lost the ability to speak in front of. Real-life Alison Bechdel came up with the now infamous “Bechdel Test.” The show was also written by the wonderful Jeanine Tesori.
9. Frumah Sarah from Fiddler on the Roof
She’s loud. She’s larger than life (I mean she’s dead, but even so). She's a woman unashamedly taking up space and changing the outcome of the narrative because of her presence. And she has one of the greatest vocal lines in musical theatre history... TEVYEEEEEEEEH!
She’s loud. She’s larger than life (I mean she’s dead, but even so). She's a woman unashamedly taking up space and changing the outcome of the narrative because of her presence. And she has one of the greatest vocal lines in musical theatre history... TEVYEEEEEEEEH!
10. Julie Andrews: Maria/Mary/Millie
Ok, Dame Julie Andrews isn’t a character in a musical, but I grew up watching Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music on repeat, and three of her characters were a huge influence on my younger self.
Mary Poppins (from Mary Poppins), Maria (from The Sound of Music), and Millie (from Thoroughly Modern Millie) were all outspoken, forthright women, who sang and danced to make life more bearable and magical. The indomitable spirits of these characters changed the lives of the people they encountered for the better, and enchanted millions of viewers around the world.
Julie is a writer, producer, and director, and comes across the most genuine and wonderful human being on the planet. You don’t even know how excited I am for Julie’s Greenroom.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Ok, Dame Julie Andrews isn’t a character in a musical, but I grew up watching Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music on repeat, and three of her characters were a huge influence on my younger self.
Mary Poppins (from Mary Poppins), Maria (from The Sound of Music), and Millie (from Thoroughly Modern Millie) were all outspoken, forthright women, who sang and danced to make life more bearable and magical. The indomitable spirits of these characters changed the lives of the people they encountered for the better, and enchanted millions of viewers around the world.
Julie is a writer, producer, and director, and comes across the most genuine and wonderful human being on the planet. You don’t even know how excited I am for Julie’s Greenroom.
Happy International Women’s Day!
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