I thought musicals101.com had a searchable character db, that you could plug in sex, age, vocal range and get a list of characters/shows. Maybe they have moved it or I am thinking of another site...
Jack's Mother, Cinderella's Stepmother, Cinderella's Mother - Into the Woods
Marie - Cinderella
Mrs. Banks - Mary Poppins
Miss Hannigan - Annie
And there are many roles where the ages are more indistinct or fudged (Victoria in Victor/Victoria; Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables; Diana in Next to Normal; Calliope & Melpomene in Xanadu...)
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Just as an aside, I think the 50+ female roles in musicals are the most interesting and one of the most important archetypes. Whenever I write a play, I almost always make a point of including a part for an older actress. I just love them.
Depending on your look and the theater you're performing in, probably anything from the Merman catalog.
Sally in Call Me Madam
Annie in Annie Get Your Gun
Rose in Gypsy
Dolly in Hello Dolly
And others:
Mame or Vera in Mame
Desiree in A Little Night Music
Joanne in Company
Sally, Phyllis or Carlotta in Follies
Norma in Sunset Boulevard
Golde or Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof
Sue in Bells Are Ringing
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Me too! I've been waiting to turn 40 hoping that I might one day play one of those great roles! Who knows? Maybe one day if I cross my fingers and toes and wish on a sparkly pair of red shoes I might sing a role that was written by you, you talented person you! :)