Female Characters You Need to Play Once in Your Life

There’s just something magical about slipping into the shoes (and often fabulous costumes) of a larger-than-life musical theatre character. Over the years—on stage, in class, or simply singing full-out in my living room—I’ve fallen in love with some truly unforgettable roles. Some are bold. Some are fierce. Some are… let’s just say, deliciously dramatic.

As a performer, you are often put into what is considered your "hit" role or you become "typecast." That is not by accident. There is a reason you notice lots of actors in Hollywood playing similar characters in various movies. The audience is used to that, and it makes sense. The same happens when you audition for a role. If you fit the look, sound, and feel of a certain character, it is easy for a casting director to say "YES!" Over the years, my "hit" role has grown a little, but the reality is that most of my favorite roles to play are still considered my "hits."

My Favorite Female Characters in Musical Theatre

Here are some of my favourite female characters to play—or dream of playing—in the world of musical theatre:

Two performers with jazz hands

🎀 Sharpay Evans – *High School Musical*

Let’s be honest—Sharpay is the moment. Her sparkly outfits, dramatic entrances, and unmatched ambition? ICONIC. I have had the honor of taking on the role of Sharpay several times. Each time, I LOVED every moment of it—well, maybe not the blonde wig or getting a pie in the face. Playing Sharpay is like unleashing your inner diva and owning every inch of the stage. Her solos are SO much fun to perform. I think one of my favorite aspects of playing Sharpay is that, although she comes off mean at times, I loved trying to show the audience that she is really misunderstood. I felt that if I could win the audience over, I was doing my job.

💃 Velma Kelly – *Chicago*

I saw Chicago in England, and I was instantly mesmerized. Velma Kelly is powerful, sultry, sharp-tongued, and absolutely magnetic. There’s this electric energy in her dance numbers and a delicious edge to every line she delivers. She's a villain, but also somehow the coolest person in the room. “All That Jazz”? Yes, please! Velma sees an opportunity and takes it. She doesn't really understand the choices she made and quickly falls in love with the spotlight. Velma Kelly has some incredible songs, and although this role is considered a dancer's role, I love the richness of her solos and the quirky nature of playing a puppet in "We Both Reached for the Gun."

🎓 Elle Woods – *Legally Blonde the Musical*

Performer as Elle Woods

Playing Elle is like tapping into pure sunshine—with a law degree and killer vocals. She’s bubbly, determined, underestimated, and totally unstoppable. “So Much Better” is my personal pump-up anthem. I would say Elle Woods is not normally a character I am drawn to, but after seeing it on Broadway and directing it a few years ago, I had to mention her. Elle has incredible heart and incredible solos. She has ambition (maybe not for the right reasons to start with), but when Elle discovers the power she has within herself, she becomes unstoppable. Plus, who doesn’t want to strut onstage in pink and prove that kindness and smarts can go hand-in-hand?

🐙 Ursula – *The Little Mermaid*

I saw The Little Mermaid on Broadway, and let me tell you—Ursula stole the show. She's wicked, witty, and oh-so-sassy. I love a good villain song, and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” is one of the best. Getting to cackle, scheme, and belt? Theatre perfection! In the version I saw, Ursula became the whole stage, and it was mesmerizing. The "Poor Unfortunate Souls" song is a fantastic piece for storytelling, allowing the audience to hear the secret of saying one thing and meaning something else. Playing Ursula means embracing your inner villain, hamming it up with flair, and making every eyebrow raise count. She’s not just bad—she’s fabulous while doing it.

💄 Miss Hannigan – *Annie*

Kids on Stage in Annie

What’s more fun than playing a frazzled villain who lives in chaos with little girls? Miss Hannigan might be a hot mess, but she’s also hilarious. She gets all the best lines, the funniest reactions, and a whole lotta attitude! “Little Girls” is a comedic gem, and I love how it builds with each line. Miss Hannigan is another character who is misunderstood and exhausted with her life. She takes her frustrations out on the orphans and becomes incredibly jealous when she learns that Daddy Warbucks is adopting Annie. The dynamic with Miss Hannigan's brother, Rooster, who has an evil plan, adds fun layers. She’s a villain, sure, but she’s also tragic—and that mix makes her incredibly fun to play. There’s nothing subtle about her, and that’s what makes it so satisfying to perform.

🌪️ The Witch – *Into the Woods*

Complicated, powerful, and misunderstood—and again, that Sondheim score. Playing the Witch is a dream. You get to be dramatic, dark, vulnerable, and vocally challenged (in the best way). The songs the Witch sings are so diverse and so much fun. In one song she is rapping, in another she is belting, and in yet another, she delivers a beautiful ballad. “Last Midnight” gives me chills every time. The Witch appears mean, but you learn her darkness is all for the sake of Rapunzel, a desire to protect her that any parent can understand. Playing the Witch means tackling challenging vocals, deeply rooted feelings, and powerful stage moments. She’s a dream role for anyone who loves characters with a full arc and a ton of emotional weight.

💃 Morticia Addams – *The Addams Family Musical*

Cool, calm, and always in control, Morticia Addams oozes confidence. She doesn’t need to raise her voice to command a room—she just is. Her dry humor, graceful physicality, and devotion to her wonderfully weird family make her a joy to play. “Just Around the Corner” is a cheeky and theatrical number, and her tango with Gomez? Swoon! Morticia embodies elegance with a spooky twist—and she gets some of the best one-liners in the entire show. Morticia represents many characteristics all at once—she is seductive but creepy, motherly but not, powerful but supportive. She shows how one person can embody so many different traits all at the same time.

👑 Bonus Faves:

• Regina George – *Mean Girls the Musical*: Ice queen perfection. Her solos are killer, and there’s something so powerful about portraying someone with that much control—until it all comes crashing down.

• The Baker’s Wife – *Into the Woods*: A beautiful, grounded role with emotional nuance, humor, and honesty. She’s not flashy—but she’s so real.

• Elphaba or Galinda –Wicked: Both stellar roles with a fun character arc that reveals more than meets the eye.

  
  

Final Curtain Call…

Whether they’re fierce and fabulous, or funny and flawed, these characters have left a mark on me—and probably made me sing in the kitchen more than once. Theatre allows us to explore all sides of ourselves, and roles like these make the ride thrilling, empowering, and totally unforgettable.

✨ Now I want to know—who’s your dream role? Who would you love to play (or play again)? Let’s talk theatre!