Boo!
Did I scare you? Probably not. But, as they say, “Tis the season!”, and Broadway sure is a menagerie of colorful, down-right frightening, characters. Before you think this is a blog about Michael Riedel and Scott Rudin though, let me stop you. Instead, I want to chat about the most unnerving characters found onstage, specifically in some of Broadway’s well-known musicals. There’s something special about an onstage character that really delivers the creep factor, and I think it’s time to celebrate some of our song-and-dance villains (and a few protagonists, though creepy in their own right!)
10) The Witch from Into the Woods
“Greens! Greens! And nothing but greens!” The Witch has always scared me… popping up unexpectedly, growing magic beans, always bringing bad news, placing curses and spells on people- she’s like a high-maintenance friend. But, you’ve got to love her nonetheless!
9) Franz Liebkind from The Producers
Considering he’s a temperamental Nazi whose favorite pet pigeon is named “Adolf” and all, I think it’s fair to say that you wouldn’t want to cross Franz Liebkind, no matter how funny Springtime for Hitler is…
8) The Trunchbull from Matilda the Musical
Just, please don’t make me go to Chokey! Although, I’ll happily take on the chocolate cake challenge.
7) Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Show
For a list like this, it would be a shame to disregard characters from Rocky Horror, and I think Riff Raff takes the cake. He’s creepy, manipulative, and ultimately he kills his master to enable him and his sister to return to their home planet. Oh, and he has mad dance skills to boot. Let’s do the time warp again!
6) Mr. Hyde from Jekyll and Hyde
I mean, Act Two opens with a production number entitled “Murder, Murder,” during which Mr. Hyde runs around killing basically 75% of the characters that we met in Act One. So… yeah.
5) The Phantom from The Phantom of the Opera
When he’s not crushing people with chandeliers, and spitting fire balls at Raoul, he’s busy just being the lovable freak that the audience can’t help but root for. It doesn’t matter how many times he hangs a stage hand. As long as he is wooing Christine, that’s all that matters.
4) The Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Sure. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is about as family-friendly as Broadway gets. But, with a character named “The Child Catcher,” things are bound to get creepy. And boy, do they ever. I’m still having nightmares.
3) Margaret White from Carrie the Musical
She’ll hit you with a Bible! She’ll throw you in the cellar! And best of all, she’ll stab you in the back *literally* when you get home from prom. Yes, folks, it’s Margaret White- Broadway’s monster mother, courtesy of Stephen King. And now, you can catch Mrs. White with all her insanity in the feature film remake of Carrie, which is now in theaters.
2) Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors
-He’s a giant talking plant who eats people and takes over the world… I feel it’s self-explanatory. Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. is pretty despicable too, I might add.
1) Sweeney Todd from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Partly because this show is a Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, partly because “My Friends” is one of the most frightening, poignant solos ever composed for the theater, but mostly because I may never be able to bring myself to have a straight razor shave, Mr. Todd receives the top spot as Broadway’s scariest character. And here’s a shout-out to his pie-baking partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett!
Happy Halloween!
Photo via Atomic Toasters