Musical Theatre and College

[Princess_Dot]

I know a lot of TB'rs are into Musical Theatre, and at least one (other than me) wants to go to college for MT. Anyone else? Maybe we can talk about auditions, preperation, song/monologue choice here.

For songs I am thinking of some new choices...
Christmas Lullaby from Songs for a New World
I Dont Know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar
Stranger to the Rain from Children from Eden
I Resolve from She Loves Me

I was thinking of Christmas Lullaby for one choice, that will show off my upper range and Stranger to the Rain to show off my belting.

I am not sure if "I Dont Know How To Love" Him is overdone or not. I mean it is JCS, which is a well known show.

As for monologues...I just dont know. I am looking at plays by Marsha Norman, William Inge, William Mastrosimone, Jim Grimsley, Lee Blessing and many many others.
I havn't found one that JUMPS out at me yet.(Dramatic or Comedic) But I am only a junior, so I think I have some time.

What about you all...

 

[Master Gracy]

I love musical theater, but Im not confident with my newly broken voice yet, so Im glad theres nothing musical coming my way for two years or so.

Christmas Lullaby from Songs for a New World
I Dont Know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar
Stranger to the Rain from Children from Eden
I Resolve from She Loves Me

Im not sure if I dont know how to love him is overdone, but it shouldnt matter.

As for monologues...I just dont know. I am looking at plays by Marsha Norman, William Inge, William Mastrosimone, Jim Grimsley, Lee Blessing and many many others.
I havn't found one that JUMPS out at me yet.(Dramatic or Comedic) But I am only a junior, so I think I have some time.

monologues, Ill look into for you -imho, I've been doing dualogues for too long

 

[baby<3]

I've never heard any of the songs you've listed...

But what's your range? I might have a few suggestions.

Oh and www.musicals.net is a great place for info if you still need more!

 

[Princess_Dot]

I have a wide range. I am most comfortable singing soprano, can belt as a mezzo soprano, and often fill in with the altos in chorus. (They are week)

I Resolve might be overdone too, I know Vanilla Ice Cream is wayyyyy overdone, and they are from the same show. Ugh, this is tedious.

 

[Master Gracy]

I know a good song for showing off is the girl in 14g, but idk about the scatting

 

[Princess_Dot]

I know a good song for showing off is the girl in 14g, but idk about the scatting

Thanks I listened to it! I would probably want that end belt, but that might require the scatting. My voice coach is wonderfull with cutting and re-arranging songs, so it could be worked out. Ill deffinatly keep it as an option, do you think it shows off enough range? (I know the middle has all those soprano parts [opera parts] but that might be too random for an auditon)

 

[Master Gracy]

Thanks I listened to it! I would probably want that end belt, but that might require the scatting. My voice coach is wonderfull with cutting and re-arranging songs, so it could be worked out. Ill deffinatly keep it as an option, do you think it shows off enough range?

just read this

Hello, Sarah –

Thank you for the question.

In the Real World of musical auditions – assuming you are talking about academic, community or professional situations – your job is to prove your true vocal category. There are no roles for altos who are also high sopranos because there is no such thing as an alto who is also a high soprano.

On the other hand, in the Classical world, i.e., opera, oratorio, symphonic, etc., there are mezzo-sopranos with coloratura abilities and composers who have written for them. Cecilia Bartoli is such a singer. She is at her phenomenal best with 18th Century Italian repertoire. Marilyn Horne is the supreme interpreter of roles by Rossini and Bellini. Listen to her recording of the opera NORMA with coloratura soprano Dame Joan Sutherland. Their duet, "Si, fino all'ore estreme", is one of the finest moments in all of recorded opera. Though their voices intertwine around many of the same notes, you will definitely be able to distinguish which of the two is the mezzo.

In extreme contrast, "The Girl in 14G" (by Jeanine Tesori) is a novelty number written for someone who can imitate or draw upon a range of caricature voices, i.e., from a "Betty Boop" to some fake operatic nonsense resembling the "Queen of the Night". "The Girl in 14G" is one of those semi ha-ha pieces designed to take up a lot of time in a neighborhood cabaret. The song cannot demonstrate a legitimate voice and it is definitely NOT acceptable audition material.

For musical theatre auditions – your job is to choose two songs (a ballad and up-tempo, not from the show at hand) by the same composer or one whose compositional style is similar. As a professional vocal coach, I know that most audition notices specify 16 measures, but you must always go prepared to perform the entire song (generally 32 measures). Your résumé (and/or sign-in sheet) must indicate one vocal category and your legitimate range. You must state the character(s) or ensemble position for which you want to be considered. The range of your audition songs must reflect that of the character you want. The song must be printed out in your key – never expect an audition accompanist to transpose or to come up with some sort of arrangement. Whatever you choose, push the agenda and the attitude of the character through your song.

Most sincerely,
Seán Martinfield, The San Francisco Sentinel

 

[Princess_Dot]

just read this

Hello, Sarah –

Thank you for the question.

In the Real World of musical auditions – assuming you are talking about academic, community or professional situations – your job is to prove your true vocal category. There are no roles for altos who are also high sopranos because there is no such thing as an alto who is also a high soprano.

On the other hand, in the Classical world, i.e., opera, oratorio, symphonic, etc., there are mezzo-sopranos with coloratura abilities and composers who have written for them. Cecilia Bartoli is such a singer. She is at her phenomenal best with 18th Century Italian repertoire. Marilyn Horne is the supreme interpreter of roles by Rossini and Bellini. Listen to her recording of the opera NORMA with coloratura soprano Dame Joan Sutherland. Their duet, "Si, fino all'ore estreme", is one of the finest moments in all of recorded opera. Though their voices intertwine around many of the same notes, you will definitely be able to distinguish which of the two is the mezzo.

In extreme contrast, "The Girl in 14G" (by Jeanine Tesori) is a novelty number written for someone who can imitate or draw upon a range of caricature voices, i.e., from a "Betty Boop" to some fake operatic nonsense resembling the "Queen of the Night". "The Girl in 14G" is one of those semi ha-ha pieces designed to take up a lot of time in a neighborhood cabaret. The song cannot demonstrate a legitimate voice and it is definitely NOT acceptable audition material.

For musical theatre auditions – your job is to choose two songs (a ballad and up-tempo, not from the show at hand) by the same composer or one whose compositional style is similar. As a professional vocal coach, I know that most audition notices specify 16 measures, but you must always go prepared to perform the entire song (generally 32 measures). Your résumé (and/or sign-in sheet) must indicate one vocal category and your legitimate range. You must state the character(s) or ensemble position for which you want to be considered. The range of your audition songs must reflect that of the character you want. The song must be printed out in your key – never expect an audition accompanist to transpose or to come up with some sort of arrangement. Whatever you choose, push the agenda and the attitude of the character through your song.

Most sincerely,
Seán Martinfield, The San Francisco Sentinel

So its a no go for a college audition. Still a funny/light song. The version I was listening to was Kristen Chenoweths version, deffinatly a legit singer, so I am not sure if the operatic parts in her version were faked in the origional.

Thanks for the article, it keeps this one off my list.

 

[Master Gracy]

hmm, what are your thoughts on:
Adelaide's Lament from guys and dolls
Somewhere That's Green from little shop of horrors
With One Look from sunset boulevard
All That Jazz/Funny Honey/When You're Good To Mama from chicago
?

 

[Master Gracy]

So its a no go for a college audition. Still a funny/light song. The version I was listening to was Kristen Chenoweths version, deffinatly a legit singer, so I am not sure if the operatic parts in her version were faked in the origional.

Thanks for the article, it keeps this one off my list.

kristen's is the version I have too. She had opera training I believe.

 

[Princess_Dot]

hmm, what are your thoughts on:
Adelaide's Lament from guys and dolls
Somewhere That's Green from little shop of horrors
With One Look from sunset boulevard
All That Jazz/Funny Honey/When You're Good To Mama from chicago
?

Adelaide's Lament is deffinatly a NO. Every college professor/voice teacher/director/producer I have talked to has told me it is over-done. Yes I learned it with my coach, yes I can sing it, but so can many many other people.

I personally like Somewhere That's Green to listen to, but it is hard to cut to show range.

With One Look is from Sunset Boulevard, which music is by Andrew Loyd Webber. I was told not to sing ALW, because he is not always liked. He is still current, and activly writing music. He is kind of a love/hate writer. I personally like his writing, but I don't think I would even sing it for an audition.

I don't want to sing anything from Chicago since the movie came out, and it is also playing on Broadway right now. It is just too popular. I fear that schools will be hearing to many bad renditions of All That Jazz, Funny Honey, ect... While I would LOVE to be that one good version of the song, I fear the schools will tune me out before I begin.

Yes I know I am picky, and thanks for the suggestions, , it is helping me narrow down my list. Helping me put into writing, what I don't want, and realize what I do want in a song.

kristen's is the version I have too. She had opera training I believe.

Yes she did, she actually went to college for Opera. Its true, if you can legit sing opera, you can sing anything.

 

[Master Gracy]

dont rain on my parade I know has a large range, but seemingly you have to really nail it for it to work

dancing through life & im not that girl could work, but the popularity of wicked could make that a no no

how about something from gigi? I love gigi

would you be able to do poor wandering one from pirates of penzance?

I know hairspray had that movie, but (the legend of) miss baltimore crabs might be nice

(heres a list of overdone songs )

* Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray
* On My Own from Les Miserables
* Adelaide's Lament from Guys and Dolls (why are teenagers always singing this? the character has been engaged for 14 years!)
* Memory from Cats
* I Hate Men from Kiss Me Kate
* All That Jazz from Chicago
* Wash That Man... from South Pacific
* Can't Help Lovin'... from Show Boat
* Big Spender from Sweet Charity
* You Can Always... from City of Angels
* Shy from Once Upon a Mattress
* Tomorrow from Annie
* I Enjoy Being A Girl from Flower Drum Song
* Broadway Baby, Hard Hearted Hannah, Hit Me With a Hot Note from Follies
* Surrey With The Fringe On Top & I Can't Say No from Oklahoma
* They Call the Wind Mariah from Paint Your Wagon
* Corner of the Sky from Pippin
* Summertime from Porgy & Bess
* The Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera
* Hero & Let's Hear It For The Boy from Footloose
* Seasons of Love from Rent
* Big Spender from Sweet Charity
* Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid
* In My Own Little Corner from Cinderella
* Popular from Wicked
* Anthem from Chess
* This Is The Moment from Jekyll & Hyde

 

[Princess_Dot]

^^ haha yeah Ive seen that list. Its sad when was like 14 I sang a song from Wicked for an audition (I think the sheet music just came out) And the musical director (who was casting the show) had me sing another song that was in my book.

I learned the hard way with Wicked.

Edited to add: I booked the adult ensemble (I was 14, so i was psyched) and understudied the lead child role. so I still dont think song choice is gonna turn someone completely against the auditioner.

 

[Master Gracy]

^^ haha yeah Ive seen that list. Its sad when was like 14 I sang a song from Wicked for an audition (I think the sheet music just came out) And the musical director (who was casting the show) had me sing another song that was in my book.

I learned the hard way with Wicked.

oh really

I got a new song for you to listen to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC1q-0ut-To
^the song is slightly funny in places, and is from a relatively new musical.
(im not sure about that vid of it though, bc my sound card is broke.

 

[Princess_Dot]

oh really

I got a new song for you to listen to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC1q-0ut-To
^the song is slightly funny in places, and is from a relatively new musical.
(im not sure about that vid of it though, bc my sound card is broke.

Is the Legally Blonde sheet music out yet? I would love to sing a song from it for my talent show this year. (because lets face it, not everyone in an all girls school knows about musicals, but everyone knows legally blonde) I dont know about a college audition, but it is a funny musical. haha

I dont know if my songs should be semi-dramatic, or completely comedic. I want to show my acting skills through my song. Wow hard decisions.

 

[Master Gracy]

Is the Legally Blonde sheet music out yet? I would love to sing a song from it for my talent show this year. (because lets face it, not everyone in an all girls school knows about musicals, but everyone knows legally blonde) I dont know about a college audition, but it is a funny musical. haha

I dont know if my songs should be semi-dramatic, or completely comedic. I want to show my acting skills through my song. Wow hard decisions.

Im not sure about the sheet music :I
but if you do it for your talent audition, you have to put it on youtube

 

[Princess_Dot]

Im not sure about the sheet music :I
but if you do it for your talent audition, you have to put it on youtube

haha totally. My schools talent show is such a joke. I've won every year since freshmen year, because they let everyone who signs up in. I mean I am all for more people to compete against, but its like all these girls singing awfull renditions of American Idol songs. I dont know why people have told them their whole lives that SCREAMING is the same thing as belting, because it most deffinalty is not.

 

[Master Gracy]

haha totally. My schools talent show is such a joke. I've won every year since freshmen year, because they let everyone who signs up in. I mean I am all for more people to compete against, but its like all these girls singing awfull renditions of American Idol songs. I dont know why people have told them their whole lives that SCREAMING is the same thing as belting, because it most deffinalty is not.

just videotape the entire thing

 

[Princess_Dot]

just videotape the entire thing

OMG how embearassing. (woah, spelling?)

I will, I will!! I'll be like "And here is Ashley's 'amazing' rendition of Respect"NAHT

 

[Master Gracy]

OMG how embearassing. (woah, spelling?)

I will, I will!! I'll be like "And here is Ashley's 'amazing' rendition of Respect"NAHT