What Role Were You Born to Play?

[Dedeley]

As character exposition is always interesting - at least in the hands of a good author - I thought this would be a fun topic.

What character of the stage, screen, TV, print, etc. were you born to play?

Right now, I'm coming up with Madame Thernardier from Les Miserables, Ado Annie from Oklahoma, Sally Bowles from Cabaret (only because I could sing Cabaret), Lady Macbeth OR the First Witch from Macbeth, and Scarlett O'Hara (as she is in the book, not the movie).

Play on! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with :D

[Jeannie Fitzgerald]

Is there a web site associated with this?

[Leela]

Fun! :D

I can share what roles I would LOVE to play. Born to play? Not likely. I have the acting talent of a rock. But if I COULD act...I would be born to play:

Rosalind
Portia

Nausicaa (if they ever made a live action of Miyazaki's manga)

[Pathos]

For me it'd have to be one of the Musketeers...since I'm a waanabe Musketeer anyway. Question is...which one? Definately not Aramis. I'm not that smooth with the ladies...nor am I very religious. Athos is very cool but I'm probably more like Porthos in real life so I guess Porthos would be it! Now...anyone know a casting agent?!?! :wink:

[Margaret]

Mary Poppins. Totally.

[RichardMacHugely]

Charlie, from "The Foreigner"

Also, Higgins from "My Fair Lady". I've already played him, but I'm only 40, so I'm not really old enoug to fill Rex Harrison's shoes yet. Catch me again in 10 years.

[Nightfire]

Beatrice from Much Adu About Nothing. I'm her w/o a doubt.

[Lug Ironjaw]

Born to play? That's hard. I doubt the great authors thought of me when they came up with their creations. But I'll give it a try...

Shrek - Yup, I love the big green guy. I can also do a Scottish accent, and hope to buy a condo in a swamp.

Any Viking from the 13th Warrior - I have watched this movie so many times my DVD has disintegrated.

Sam the Eagle from the Muppets

Darth Vader: Well I wasn't born to play this role, though I would like to think I was. Plus, I'd get to choke people over the phone.

Silent Bob - take away his stoner aspect and I think he's a family member.

[Dedeley]

No website that I know of, Lady Jeannie. I just thought it was a cool idea! I had a song running through my head this morning, and thought, "I was born to play that role" (if I had any talent, if I wasn't so self-conscious, if I wasn't so shy . . . . . etc.)

There are so many interesting people here, with such varied interests, I thought it would be a fun topic for people to think about! And it seems like it was! Look at the great posts.

Lug, I am sure that you would make a wonderful Shrek! But . . . . . can you burp on command?

[Fiona Freckl'dbottom]

Also, Higgins from "My Fair Lady". I've already played him, but I'm only 40, so I'm not really old enoug to fill Rex Harrison's shoes yet. Catch me again in 10 years.

Oh, Richard, as you know, that's what makeup's for! They can *make* you look older! I'm sure you'd do great!

[*Gremco]

Marion from Forrestwife , Sally from Nightmare before Christmas, and Megra from Disney's Hercules.

[*Gremco]

Also, Higgins from "My Fair Lady". I've already played him, but I'm only 40, so I'm not really old enoug to fill Rex Harrison's shoes yet. Catch me again in 10 years.

Oh, Richard, as you know, that's what makeup's for! They can *make* you look older! I'm sure you'd do great!

Make up is a wonderful thing! When I was fourteen I played Gonzalo in the Tempest. With the prosthetics and fake hair, you almost couldn't tell except for the fact that I was heavy chested and couldn't be tapped down and sang soprano and couldn't lower my voice very well. Oh, and the "naughty twinkle" in my eye that some other actors accused me of.

[Pathos]

I was heavy chested

Was? Meaning you aren't anymore? Bummer! :twisted:

[*Gremco]

No, I WAS heavy chested, now I'm just enormous.

[RichardMacHugely]

Oh, Richard, as you know, that's what makeup's for! They can *make* you look older! I'm sure you'd do great!

The very first part I ever played was Horace Vandergelder in our high school production of "Hello Dolly!" In the early days of rehearsal, I played him more or less as myself. Then the director asked me if I could do him a little older. So I gave him OLDER. After he was able to stop laughing, catch his breath, and get up off the floor again, he asked me if I could back it up to about 55. And I played Higgins not so long after that. I did both in makeup.

Mostly though, I think characters should be played by actors of approximately the right age.

Oh, I've also always wanted to play Henry V, but I'm probably getting too old to do him now. I'm definitely more of a Falstaff these days.

And here is where I do an exaggerated spit take and gasp out "heavy chested AND with a naughty twinkle in the eye?????"

If I were the swooning sort, this would be the place to do it.

[thungar]

For me I think that Father Donnely from "The Marriage of Bette and Boo Played him for the school one act play contest.
Or LeRoy from The Bad Seed... the one that I would love to play would be from a set of books by David Eddings his name is Barek a side character but still very important.

[Queen Maggie]

What a fun question!
Beatrice from Much Ado (yes, I already did it, back in college. I just wish I could play her again... but I've passed the age)

And my all time favorite: Eleanor of Aquitaine from the Lion in Winter... (which, again I've already played, but I should take another crack at it when I've got another 10 or 15 years . )

Of course, I adored playing Margaret Tudor of Scotland when MDRF was in the right years, but we've moved out of her time range, so i won't have that chance again.

;) And I'm really looking forward to being the Queen of Hearts this summer (July 2) when team wench puts on the MS Fantasy Ball... tickets on sale soon! come and play!

[po silvertop the rogue]

Must.. resist.....
Oh, Hell... Dedeley! I'm a semi-professional theater-person.. I *always* think the role I want is one I was born to play...
I managed to get MacDuff- and not only play him, but do the combat choreography too! ..and Antonio from 12th Night.. and Big Julie in "Guys & Dolls" (I was offered Nathan Detroit, and had to turn it down- as I was designing and building the set for the production)
The Sheriff - Lance Rampant at EMMF - Oh, Wait! I *do* play that one! Heh, heh, heh!

But still on my shorter "dream" list of roles to play: Don Quixote, Iago, Zastrozzi, any of the male roles in Eric Idle's comedy "Pass the Butler".. and a few others...

When they adapt Steven Brust's Vlad the Assassin novels.. I want to play Vlad.

Wow.. *too* many possibilities.. must relax... must get a bite to eat.. must replenish Hot Chocolate...

Life on the Stage!

s.

[Ursula]

This came from my husband when I asked him who I would be...."Betty Davis cause your tough,gruff and rough!" and "Kitty" from the old TV show Gunsmoke .....

[Fiona Freckl'dbottom]

Upon asking my rogue, he replied Betty Boop - but that's a cartoon, not really a "flesh n' blood" character, so that wouldn't really count, would it?

[Pathos]

Upon asking my rogue, he replied Betty Boop - but that's a cartoon, not really a "flesh n' blood" character, so that wouldn't really count, would it?

Still...I'd like to see you dressed like that! :twisted:

[Larkspur]

My favorite roll would be Kathy Seldon from Singin' in the Rain, or Victoria from Victor/Victoria.

Then again, anything Julie Andrews has done, or Margeret O'Hara, especially with John's Ford and Wayne, she is simply stunning.

BTW, I cannot sing to save my soul, but have a fair foot when dancing, would love some professional instruction. Everything else has been off the hoof. (pun intended)

[Dedeley]

Fiona, cartoon characters count! Anyone counts - from a book, etc. This is a fun thread! Doesn't mean you need the age, character, looks or talent to play it - you just gotta want to PLAY it!

I've thought up a few more - Sybil Fawlty, Anne Boleyn, Anna in The King and I (only to wear the dress and do the polka).

Rhetorical question: Why do I always like the darker Shakesperean characters? What is it about them?

[Fiona Freckl'dbottom]

Still...I'd like to see you dressed like that! :twisted:


:oops: Aww, shucks, Pathos, so would I! LOL!

And I agree w/ Suentus when he said the role he wants is one he was born to play, so with that in mindit'd be cool to play Viola from 12th Night....

Oh and I'd *love* to play Maria in the Sound of Music (just so I can sing the goatherd song ;-) )

[Pathos]

:oops: Aww, shucks, Pathos, so would I! LOL!

C'mon Fiona. Put on a short skirt and give us a "Boo boo be-doo!" :wink:

[Fiona Freckl'dbottom]

:oops: Aww, shucks, Pathos, so would I! LOL!

C'mon Fiona. Put on a short skirt and give us a "Boo boo be-doo!" :wink:

:oops: shucks again, M'dear

Or should I just throw on a blue one-piece jumpsuit, wear my hair up, and give you a "Captain, I'm sensing some hostility from within the ship," a la Counselor Troi ;-)

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

A couple of differnet people have seperately told me that Oliver Platt's Porthos from the Charlie Sheen 3 Musketeers movie reminded them of me.

[Gemdrite]

A couple of differnet people have seperately told me that Oliver Platt's Porthos from the Charlie Sheen 3 Musketeers movie reminded them of me.

I'll be honest, thats the first person I thought of when I saw your avatar and read some of the stuff you have posted, lol.

As for my characters, Danielle in Ever After, Morgaine in Mists of Avalon, or Arwen in LOTR, would be several of the ones I would love to be and have the right attitude for.

Now, if only I could act, lol...

[AnnaFaerie]

Anne Boleyn

Elizabeth I

Scarlett

Claire from the OUTLANDER series

[Dedeley]

That's the beautiful part of this - you don't have to have any talent for this thread! Just the desire.

Fiona - "High on a hill stood a lonely goatherd . . . . . "

Po - what are you resisting? We are all friends here. Now, out with it, Mr. Tobler-Rogue.

[Winifred Baskerville]

I think I fit Marianne Dashwood, of Sense and Sensibility. And not just because I'd get dishy Alan Rickman for a Colonel, either! Okay, that's a big reason, but there are others... Just let me think of them.

Oh! And Rebecca from Ivanhoe... (oh, that's cause Ciaran Hinds is Bois-Guilbert. Hmm...)

I think I was born to play myself, actually... It's a great role and I don't think anyone else could do it better. ;)

WinB

[Dedeley]

I think I was born to play myself, actually... It's a great role and I don't think anyone else could do it better.

Good for you - I think that's the best answer yet.

[Kaige]

Danielle De Barbarac from Ever After.

[po silvertop the rogue]

Quoth Dedeley: Po - what are you resisting? We are all friends here. Now, out with it, Mr. Tobler-Rogue.

I *was* resisting admiting my addiction to mentally casting myself into every role I see- and I resisted for almost a *whole* line of text before weakening and admitting it!

Seriously... Theater people are the worst/most challenging audience-members.. we can't watch *anything* without mentally asking why this choice was made, or why that costume was used.. And how *we* would have played the part differently...

So, sorry to disappoint thee, M'lady- it's not that I was resisting admitting any specific role.. (you were hoping for some deep, dark, psychological clue to my innermost psyche based on my desire to play some twisted, demented role, right? :twisted: ) Nope- just me!

And as to your Shakespeare question... His darker characters have all the good lines- and all the complexities that make a role fun! *that's* why Iago is my favorite audition piece.- and someday I'll play that role... (sigh)

s.

[Pathos]

Or should I just throw on a blue one-piece jumpsuit, wearmy hair up, and give you a "Captain, I'm sensing some hostility from within the ship," a la Counselor Troi ;-)

Aw...that'd be nice but I was always a Dr. Crusher man myself. :wink:

[Pathos]

A couple of differnet people have seperately told me that Oliver Platt's Porthos from the Charlie Sheen 3 Musketeers movie reminded them of me.

Hey...I called Porthos first!

OK...you can have Oliver's version. I'll take Frank Finlay's. 8)

[Fiona Freckl'dbottom]

Aw...that'd be nice but I was always a Dr. Crusher man myself. :wink:

That's cool...Gates McFadden is very beautiful! I mentioned Troi instead of Crusher since I'm not a redhead and majored in Psychology ;-)

[Dedeley]

Porthos seems to be really popular! Besides Pathos and Cyrano, two other off-line friends said the same thing. No one wants to be Dartagnan. Porthos IS a lot more interesting.

Po said: So, sorry to disappoint thee, M'lady- it's not that I was resisting admitting any specific role.. (you were hoping for some deep, dark, psychological clue to my innermost psyche based on my desire to play some twisted, demented role, right? )


Nah, we all get enough clues into the twisted and demented psyches of one another by seeing what we post. No disappointment whatsoever, Po.

Perhaps another good question would be - who do OTHER people think you were born to play? I get the Scarlett thing all the time - probably because I have dark (OK, it's dyed now that I'm getting old, but it WAS naturally dark) hair and green eyes. Also Justine from the Alexandria Quartet by Durrell. And I will admit that the Sybil Fawlty came from my nickname, which is "My Little Pirahna Fish."

I'd love to see what we all would come up with at a costume party - if we weren't allowed to do our normal faire-wear. So far, we've got a lot of musketeers, a lot of Star Trek characters, a couple of Scarletts, and lots of Shakespearean characters. I STILL call the polka dress from The King and I. That thing was a character on its own.

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

A couple of differnet people have seperately told me that Oliver Platt's Porthos from the Charlie Sheen 3 Musketeers movie reminded them of me.

I'll be honest, thats the first person I thought of when I saw your avatar

:D That isn't me. It's Jack Black from Tenacious D.

There is a slight resemblance though, which is why I chose it.

[Dragonfly]

Lessee...the part I was born to play?

Probably Simon in Lord of the Flies...if I'm remembering it correctly. The kid who has visions and sees green lights all the time is who I mean. He just knew he was outside of everybody else, and weird shit was always happening to him. Plus is was always picked on, generally misunderstood...this resonates with my childhood. *chuckle* My teacher even started refering to me as "the simon-esque one" while we were reading that book in English class.

Aside from that...perhaps Brienne of Tarth from ASoIaF. She's strong, she's not that great to look at, but she can get the job done. She's also sure she's JUST as good as the best sword arms in the kingdom, whether she is or not. I've got that tinge of fight and arrogance in me as well.

[thungar]

When they adapt Steven Brust's Vlad the Assassin novels.. I want to play Vlad

You do that I would love to play Krager. Or maybe Morrolan I have always liked him but sticks would be cool but I hate the fact that he ends up dying during the fighting Vlad starts.

[Emrld]

I get told Scarlett alot - maybe because I do the Southern Belle thing so well

I have also been told Samantha from Sex in the City (even though I think I am more of a Charlotte)

Lori Petty's role in Tank Girl would be a total blast (two dollars and fifteen cents.)

Dolly in Hello Dolly

Julie in Valley Girl

Kira in Xanadu

[Lady Laurel]

My favorite play that I have seen is Alice IN Wonderland-- I Would love to be alice. I think I can relate to her. I always feel like I am down a rabbit hole.

Danielle in Ever After would be another and Dorothy in Wizard of OZ.

[Constance Innuendo]

this one took a few days thought before I could really answer it, and I also decided that yes, I have to include cartoons:)

Evita (ala Elaine Paige NOT Madonna)
Matron Mama Morton or Velma Kelly from Chicago (depends on the day of the week)

Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop)

and as sad as this is if you catch me off guard and make me giggle I sound almost exactly like Betty Rubble (the first time my s/o heard that his response was. . ."wow thats just sick"

[Dedeley]

Matron Mama Morton

She's cool!

If you like my gravy, pepper my ragout . . . . . when you're good to Mama, Mama's good to you! Can I play her, too, please, please!! I'll be the understudy.

[Bronya]

Dedeley-What a fun thread
GOLDA from Fiddler on the Roof (I love being a match maker)
SCARLETT from Gone with the Wind (My favorite saying, I even have above my computer at work-"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."'
MINNIE MOUSE-Who better to have as your leading man, errr mouse

[*Gremco]

Golda was the mom, Yenta is the matchmaker. They are both awesome women! I was raised on that movie and Mom is a Yenta. I love that movie/play!! I think I would want to play Hodel.

Now I'm going to have the songs stuck in my head for days!