Any good musical, stage, film, animated, or otherwise, needs to have at least one vocally gifted villain. Not only are musical villains often coveted roles desired by performers and theatre fans alike, but their ability to use powerful songs and scores to express their evilness. Fiendish, frightening, and (let's face it) fun, the role of the villain definitely commands respect.
Although there are no small roles and only small actors, there are some roles that shine brighter than others. So which insidious commander of the stage truly stacks up against the rest? Who truly is the most menacing master of melodies?
Macavity The Mystery Cat (Cats)
For a moment, let's pretend that the unsightly CGI abomination of a film adaption never existed and use the original Andrew Lloyd Webber musical as reference.
Macavity, though not the largest role on the list, commands a certain brand of attention. Though he appears only briefly in the show, his reputation and hidden presence is something worthy of recognition. Plus, it's not easy to make a skin-tight catsuit and makeup look intimidating.
King George III (Hamilton)
Though the true villain of the story is hard to pin down, the classic entertaining musical villain crown has to go to King George. Smarmy, snooty, and over-the-top, his majesty is exactly what one wants when they think of a musical villain.
Shameless of his misdeeds, he's prepared a catchy little diddy about how much he enjoys what he does. The fact that "You'll Be Back" takes the form of a Beatles-inspired breakup song only sweeten's the pot.
Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors)
He's a big green mother from outer space and he is bad, he's none other than Audrey II from Alan Menken's Little Shop of Horrors. This botanical baddie has a rather insatiable carnivorous appetite, along with some pretty impressive vocals.
It's easy to see how a nerdy guy like Seymore was able to fall under his spell with that kind of negotiation power.
Mr. Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde)
Though the musical is a bit of a cult classic, there's no argument about Mr. Hyde being one of the most difficult villain roles ever conceived for a Broadway musical.
Naturally, both Jekyll and Hyde are played in a dual role by the same actor, but Hyde is the antithesis of the kindhearted Jekyll in every way. His predatory nature is perfectly captured on stage. Especially with the song "Alive."
Hades (Hadestown)
Though a slightly newer addition to the Broadway stage, Hadestown's adaptation of the king of the underworld is about as cold and cruel as they come.
Part of his notoriety is due to the icy portrayal by Patrick Page, the other half is thanks to his conception as a totalitarian ruler in a post-apocalyptic setting. He's definitely one tough act to undertake.
King Herod (Jesus Christ Superstar)
On the other end of the spectrum, King Herod represents perhaps the most famous comedic villain in Broadway history. In an ironic twist, King Herod's portrayal is the comic relief of the production inspired by the ion.
In an emotional rock opera, "King Herod's Song" is a ragtime number straight out of a vaudeville routine. That is unless it's Alice Cooper featured in the role.
Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)
Who said the villain couldn't be the star of the show?
Sweeney Todd is equal parts terrifying and tragic, a role that leaves a bloody trail that drips from his razor as he embarks on his quest for vengeance. While the broadway show is without a doubt one of the best in Stephen Sondheim's career, it's the Burton version that gets the most praise.
Scar (The Lion King)
If there's one Disney villain that was made for the stage, it's Scar. While the animated version belongs in the hearts of fans everywhere, the stage version gets away with a lot more.
Scar on stage is both more comedic and diabolical at the same time. Not only is he given more expression, but his appetite for evil is only heightened by "The Madness of King Scar" where he tries to put the moves on Nala.
Javert (Les Miserable)
It's not every day that a villain is able to tear one's heart in two, but Javert is certainly a capable character.
While Thénandier is easily the more entertaining baddie in the cast, Javert's morals are lawful to a serious fault, but like most good villains, he's the type who does what he does out of a sense of right rather than wrong. His complexity is what makes him interesting.
The Phantom (The Phantom of the Opera)
Was there ever any doubt this guy wouldn't land the top spot? He's evil yet enchanting, sympathetic yet sinister, and beastly yet beautiful all at the same time.
Though he's one of the most adapted and reinterpreted characters in all of fiction, the one everyone and their mother knows has to be the musical version made famous by Michael Crawford. With pipes like that, it's impossible not to surrender to the Music of the Night.
