Brianna Hand
Everywhere you look, it seems like people are rising up and standing for what they believe in. And with movements such as #MeToo and March for Our Lives being headed by leaders both strong and brave, we thought we’d take a look at some prominent Broadway characters who saw something wrong with the world and took a stand against it.
Here are 12 Broadway revolutionaries to inspire you to join in their crusade:
1. Elphaba from ‘Wicked’
After discovering that the Wizard has been part of a conspiracy to stop animals throughout Oz from speaking, Elphaba uses her powers to rebel against his regime.
2. Jack Kelly from ‘Newsies’
Handsome and heroically charismatic, Jack Kelly leads his band of newsies against their publisher after a price hike on papers threatens the boys’ livelihood.
3. Nala from ‘The Lion King’
Left behind after Mufasa dies and Simba flees the kingdom, Nala faces off against Scar to get him to address the growing famine. When he refuses, she leaves the Pridelands in pursuit of help.
4. Enjolras and the Students from ‘Les Misérables’
Fierce believers of democracy and equality, Enjolras and his fellow students take part in a revolutionary plot to overthrow the French government.
5. Ren McCormack from ‘Footloose’
Wren’s fierce spirit and love of music make waves when he lands in Bomont, a town that has banned dancing. Along with his friends, he pushes back against the dancing rule to allow everyone to express themselves.
6. Tracy Turnblad and Motormouth Maybelle from ‘Hairspray’
Tracy and Motormouth stand up for what is right after “The Corny Collins Show’s” TV station refuses to let black people on the show beyond the monthly Negro Day.
7. Perchick from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
A radical Marxist, Perchick gains the attention of the village of Anatevka after scolding a group of men for not acting against pogroms and expulsions in Russia.
8. Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Fathers from ‘Hamilton’
Tired of being controlled and unfairly taxed by the British Crown, this group plays a major part in the historic American Revolution.
9. Bobby Strong from ‘Urinetown’
The daring Bobby stands up against the unfair fee hikes set for using urinals, launching a pee-for-free rebellion.
10. Esmeralda from ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’
Committed to fighting battles that can’t be won, Esmeralda seeks fair treatment of the less-fortunate in France and stands up for the gypsies.
11. Melchior from ‘Spring Awakening’
Known as the radical of his class, Melchoir doesn’t settle for the narrow-mindedness of the rest of society and vows to make a change.
12. Matilda and the Revolting Children from ‘Matilda’
These kids rebel against their tyrannical headmistress, Ms. Trunchbull, in a series of pranks (some more telekinesis-based than others).
13. Jackie and Tony Elliot from ‘Billy Elliot’
This father-and-son pair participate in the coal miners’ strike, regularly facing off against riot police.
