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| WestEnd_Wonder |
Cast as Molokov - need some info!I was cast as Molokov last week, and l was wondering how big a character he is. Much stage time? Any solos?Much thanks in advance! |
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| Amy_Vocalist |
Shouldn't you have researched this before the audition? 
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| Salome |
He quite a major role. next to the 3 principals he has the mst stage time in the piece.
depending on the version he has either 2 or 4 musical number Let Work Together A Model of Decorum and Tranquility Soviet Machine Us vs USSR plus various solos in other pieces. |
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| Cadriel |
In London (version performed outside of the US), Molokov is in the following proper numbers:
US vs. USSR - solo part in chorus number Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility) The Soviet Machine - solo part in chorus number Endgame - small solo in chorus number He is also featured heavily in several pieces of recitative ("Anatoly & Molokov," "Florence & Molokov," "The Deal") and has some spoken lines. In Broadway (version performed in the US), he has a substantial spoken part along with the following numbers: US vs. USSR - solo part in chorus number Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility) Let's Work Together - duet Molokov is one of the seven principal characters, and has substantial stage time, although he is typically billed below Svetlana (who has a considerably smaller part). Personally, I think it's a role that is easy to play as a poor caricature of a Cold War Russian (even to the point of basically being Boris Badenov), but several excellent interpretations have been pulled off. The Swedish show (available on DVD without subtitles) features a dark but nuanced performance by Per Myrberg; if you are able to get to New York, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (Lincoln Center) archive also recorded Hal Goz's very complex Molokov. |
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| Salome |
Ive never seen him billed below svetlana. | ||||
| Cadriel |
The Broadway poster billed Harry Goz below the other principals. |
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| jackrussell |
Because that's how it's written. 
But you're right, it can be done more interestingly with a bit of effort. |
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| Cadriel |
Depends on the version. Molokov has some moments of better characterization in the London show; unfortunately the actual London performances were never recorded officially, leaving the London Molokov with nothing until the Danish tour, which had very little subtlety as a general rule. Yes, that version is very close to the stereotype. The Broadway character is much more complex, although in a sort of chessmaster way (pun intended) where you're not sure if he's ever quite sincere. Stockholm also has a better written Molokov than London, complete with a heartwrenching solo, but without the more subtle layering of the Broadway characterization. Ironically, Richard Nelson drew a more interesting Molokov than Tim Rice, but his overall book failed utterly to make the sympathetic characters, you know, sympathetic. Sydney also tried a few things with the character, but didn't really transcend the limitations it inherited from London. |
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| Salome |
yes.. thats called Special billing . when it says.... "And " follwed by the name thats considered the next best thing to top billing. thats one of the oldest billing honors going. plus in the broadway show Goz got 4th call behind casnoff,carroll and kuhn. |