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Another Opening, Another Show

1457910

Posts

  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    it's just an amateur show with a local company

    standard requirements, two contrasting songs etc etc

    the thing I'm worried about is if I'm too young for any good parts

    everyone tells me I'd be a great Mark but I'm only 18 and even the audition guidelines list 20+ for every character that isn't Mimi

    tiny ensemble, too

    YaYa on
  • Lost SalientLost Salient blink twice if you'd like me to mercy kill youRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Radical radical radical!

    I hope you will be letting us know how it goes.

    Lost Salient on
    RUVCwyu.jpg
    "Sandra has a good solid anti-murderer vibe. My skin felt very secure and sufficiently attached to my body when I met her. Also my organs." HAIL SATAN
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    does anyone here know the show Side show

    I'm learning "You Should Be Loved" from it and it's a badass ballad and I'm wondering if I should get the soundtrack

    YaYa on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Whoo only one more week before my next gig starts.

    I don't even know what to do with myself when I don't have anything in the evenings.

    Khavall on
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    god, I know the feeling

    I hated the last show I was in, but I miss having rehearsals to go to

    YaYa on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    What's even better is that last gig I was forced onstage as an actor/singer.

    As the romantic lead. And the girl I was playing opposite spent a year in NYC as a professional actress, only returning because one of our best friends mother died and she was here to support her.

    Now I get back to the pit, where I can even ignoring ego, which I have none, I can clearly say that I have dominon over.

    Khavall on
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    what show?

    YaYa on
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    oh also Khavall I'd like your advice

    in the audition info for the show I'm going for it says quote: "in order to give yourself the best chance we recommend you don't prepare anything too difficult to sightread I.E JRB music may work against you because of its playing difficulty."

    one of my songs is Shiksa Goddess

    what sort of contingencies should I have just in case?

    YaYa on
  • DeathPrawnDeathPrawn Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    If they say "hey, you probably shouldn't do a JRB song", you shouldn't do a JRB song. Find another piece.

    Even if you completely 100% nail Shiksa Goddess in the audition, they're going to look at you and say, "well, there's someone who doesn't know how to follow instructions." If it's down to you and one other guy, and you're both equally talented and suited to the part, you want to give them as few reasons as possible to go for the other guy over you.

    It's far from a dealbreaker if you sing it, but I still wouldn't. Yes, you have to find another piece, and it may not be as well prepared as Shiksa Goddess. But I would say that negative is outweighed by the negative of doing something the auditioners specifically recommended against. It's not about "oh god the pianist might fuck up and throw me of", it's about "I'm going to give the auditioners exactly what they want"

    DeathPrawn on
    Signature not found.
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    JRB music is interesting. Personally, I'm actually not a shitty musician, and can play his shit with one hand tied behind my back.

    But it is shittily written. Awful, really.

    Khavall on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I, when I'm singing, audition on Guettal. Specific Guettal though. How Glory Goes, Saturn returns is stretching it, that sort of stuff.

    But then again, I have unrealistic expectations on accompanists. I expect they're as good as I am.

    Khavall on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Also, as someone who plays for a lot of auditions, the most crazy stuff I tend to play is "green finch and linnet bird". Really, most musicians assume their accompanist will be dumb, so they do stuff from les Mis or shit.

    Which still gets them parts.

    if you can sing standards in a way that blow the competition away, do that shit.


    However, last gig I got was one where I was called in by a lesbian fuck buddy of mine who knew I could sing without audition.

    Khavall on
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    DeathPrawn wrote: »
    If they say "hey, you probably shouldn't do a JRB song", you shouldn't do a JRB song. Find another piece.

    Even if you completely 100% nail Shiksa Goddess in the audition, they're going to look at you and say, "well, there's someone who doesn't know how to follow instructions." If it's down to you and one other guy, and you're both equally talented and suited to the part, you want to give them as few reasons as possible to go for the other guy over you.

    It's far from a dealbreaker if you sing it, but I still wouldn't. Yes, you have to find another piece, and it may not be as well prepared as Shiksa Goddess. But I would say that negative is outweighed by the negative of doing something the auditioners specifically recommended against. It's not about "oh god the pianist might fuck up and throw me of", it's about "I'm going to give the auditioners exactly what they want"

    frankly it's not really much of an option, I've got a couple other upbeat songs but I don't have nearly enough time to get them to the level I'd like them at

    I'll talk to my singing teacher about it, but do you really think doing a song that's not nearly as impressive will put me up higher just because I listened to a tiny clause instead of doing the best I can possibly do?

    YaYa on
  • DeathPrawnDeathPrawn Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    The thing about JRB music is it's a distinct style. I am a shitty pianist, but I can play his stuff with no trouble. I've seen brilliant pianists get thrown off by some of his rhythms - it's not that it's tough music, but it's different from what some classically pianists are trained to expect.

    For the record, I think he's a decent songwriter. He does a great job of writing lyrics and melodies that sound very natural, like the music is just an extension of the person's natural speaking voice. His accompaniments tend to fall into the same pitfalls time after time, but I happen to like his sound. He is, however, a horrendously shitty dramatist.

    DeathPrawn on
    Signature not found.
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    YaYa wrote: »
    DeathPrawn wrote: »
    If they say "hey, you probably shouldn't do a JRB song", you shouldn't do a JRB song. Find another piece.

    Even if you completely 100% nail Shiksa Goddess in the audition, they're going to look at you and say, "well, there's someone who doesn't know how to follow instructions." If it's down to you and one other guy, and you're both equally talented and suited to the part, you want to give them as few reasons as possible to go for the other guy over you.

    It's far from a dealbreaker if you sing it, but I still wouldn't. Yes, you have to find another piece, and it may not be as well prepared as Shiksa Goddess. But I would say that negative is outweighed by the negative of doing something the auditioners specifically recommended against. It's not about "oh god the pianist might fuck up and throw me of", it's about "I'm going to give the auditioners exactly what they want"

    frankly it's not really much of an option, I've got a couple other upbeat songs but I don't have nearly enough time to get them to the level I'd like them at

    I'll talk to my singing teacher about it, but do you really think doing a song that's not nearly as impressive will put me up higher just because I listened to a tiny clause instead of doing the best I can possibly do?
    Again, I've never had to deal with a shitty accompanist, because I'm always the accompanist, but I've had people who audition under the assumption of a shitty accompanist who have done just fine. I've always been insulted, and since my colleagues know just how good I am, they've mostly realized the insult(nothing that isn't fixed with some sex), but really, Vocal showing off doesn't need to be tied to accompanimental masturbation.

    Khavall on
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    sooo....do it, don't do it, what?

    e: I'm not doing Shiksa because it's a tough accompaniment, I'm doing it because it's the best contemporary song in my repertoire

    the only thing that comes close is Purpose, which isn't what you sing if you want to show off

    YaYa on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    DeathPrawn wrote: »
    The thing about JRB music is it's a distinct style. I am a shitty pianist, but I can play his stuff with no trouble. I've seen brilliant pianists get thrown off by some of his rhythms - it's not that it's tough music, but it's different from what some classically pianists are trained to expect.

    For the record, I think he's a decent songwriter. He does a great job of writing lyrics and melodies that sound very natural, like the music is just an extension of the person's natural speaking voice. His accompaniments tend to fall into the same pitfalls time after time, but I happen to like his sound. He is, however, a horrendously shitty dramatist.

    For the record, I think he's got amazing potential that's squandered because he can't write a song that doesn't remind the listeners that he plays piano.

    It's not the best performance, mostly because the singer is a communications graduate who had maybe 3 rehearsals, but here's an example of my work as a composer.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKme5ChQlWI&feature=channel

    JRB could be great. He could easily be Guettal quality, and if the two had to fight on quality Musical theater would be advanced a generation at least.

    But he jacks off on the piano too much.

    Khavall on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    YaYa wrote: »
    sooo....do it, don't do it, what?

    e: I'm not doing Shiksa because it's a tough accompaniment, I'm doing it because it's the best contemporary song in my repertoire

    the only thing that comes close is Purpose, which isn't what you sing if you want to show off

    Personally I'd reccomend learning "How Glory Goes" by Guettal.

    change the ending a bit maybe, but that will show off more range, acting and musical ability than anything JRB written. And your accompanist better the fuck be able to play it or slap them/sleep with them in a Dom fashion.

    Khavall on
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Khavall

    I've got two weeks here and I'm already learning my ballad from scratch

    YaYa on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Once I auditioned on Beethovens Sonata Pathetique in two days prep time.

    Khavall on
  • DeathPrawnDeathPrawn Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    YaYa wrote: »
    DeathPrawn wrote: »
    If they say "hey, you probably shouldn't do a JRB song", you shouldn't do a JRB song. Find another piece.

    Even if you completely 100% nail Shiksa Goddess in the audition, they're going to look at you and say, "well, there's someone who doesn't know how to follow instructions." If it's down to you and one other guy, and you're both equally talented and suited to the part, you want to give them as few reasons as possible to go for the other guy over you.

    It's far from a dealbreaker if you sing it, but I still wouldn't. Yes, you have to find another piece, and it may not be as well prepared as Shiksa Goddess. But I would say that negative is outweighed by the negative of doing something the auditioners specifically recommended against. It's not about "oh god the pianist might fuck up and throw me of", it's about "I'm going to give the auditioners exactly what they want"

    frankly it's not really much of an option, I've got a couple other upbeat songs but I don't have nearly enough time to get them to the level I'd like them at

    I'll talk to my singing teacher about it, but do you really think doing a song that's not nearly as impressive will put me up higher just because I listened to a tiny clause instead of doing the best I can possibly do?

    Do you have any prior experience working with the people you are auditioning for? If they know you, doing a JRB song would most likely be less of an issue. It would also make you more fit to make a judgement call as to if they're not going to like it or not.

    Other than that, I have a simple question: is it possible for you to get a different song to a high enough level of performance that you would feel comfortable auditioning with it? I don't mean "it as good as my Shiksa Goddess", I mean "I would feel confident standing in front of a casting director and performing this song."

    If the answer is no, then, well, I don't think you have much of a choice.

    If the answer is yes, think long and hard. My general recommendation to anybody in that situation would be to do the other song, but keep in mind that is coming form a person who has absolutely no idea what you are like as a performer, has not heard you sing any of the songs up for consideration, and knows nothing about your personality, personal life, or how long your artistic process takes.

    DeathPrawn on
    Signature not found.
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    sigh

    I'll talk to my singing teacher about it

    How Glory Goes isn't upbeat, anyway, if I'm replacing Shiksa I need to replace it with another upbeat song

    DeathPrawn:
    they don't know me

    not in that amount of time, it takes me a long time to get comfortable enough with a song to sing it in front of an audience and I've been doing Shiksa for almost a year now

    I already am nervous about doing "You Should Be Loved" with so little prep time, comparatively, and the only reason I'm doing it instead of one of my fallback ballads is because I've picked it up very quickly

    I can get a new song good enough to do it in front of an audience in that amount of time, but I really won't be happy with it and I'm sure the nerves will show through

    YaYa on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    YaYa wrote: »
    sigh

    I'll talk to my singing teacher about it

    How Glory Goes isn't upbeat, anyway, if I'm replacing Shiksa I need to replace it with another upbeat song

    DeathPrawn:
    they don't know me

    not in that amount of time, it takes me a long time to get comfortable enough with a song to sing it in front of an audience and I've been doing Shiksa for almost a year now

    I already am nervous about doing "You Should Be Loved" with so little prep time, comparatively, and the only reason I'm doing it instead of one of my fallback ballads is because I've picked it up very quickly

    I can get a new song good enough to do it in front of an audience in that amount of time, but I really won't be happy with it and I'm sure the nerves will show through


    Fuck nerves.

    Are you good enough to get shit ready in short time? Do that shit.

    Aren't you? fine. Ameteur hour exists for a reason.

    Yeah, I'm a doucehbag. Get the best shit you can under the circumstances ready in time for the audition.

    Seriously though.. if you can prepare specifically for the audition in the best way to prepare for the audition... do it. If you can't, rely on luck.

    Art is tough. I'm sure you're good. Prove it to your auditioners.

    Khavall on
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    alrighty, well, let's look at some upbeat stuff

    Purpose is always a good fallback, not terribly impressive but I can do it well, it's contemporary and it fits Rent just fine

    I'll see if I know anything else that'll fit the criteria

    any suggestions?

    YaYa on
  • DeathPrawnDeathPrawn Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Since you're auditioning for Rent, you could go the Larson route and do 30/90 or Sugar.

    If you don't mind going through a song and picking out selections to make an arrangement, Scrap or Man from The Full Monty could work well.

    Look at the Sky or Run Freedom Run from Urinetown.
    Since Khavall's hell-bent on recommending Guettel, Icarus.

    DeathPrawn on
    Signature not found.
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    DeathPrawn wrote: »
    Since you're auditioning for Rent, you could go the Larson route and do 30/90 or Sugar.

    If you don't mind going through a song and picking out selections to make an arrangement, Scrap or Man from The Full Monty could work well.

    Look at the Sky or Run Freedom Run from Urinetown.
    Since Khavall's hell-bent on recommending Guettel, Icarus.

    Guettal is one of the few composers I will admit that can just outclass the fuck out of me in every way.

    Thus I love him so.

    Khavall on
  • YaYaYaYa Decent. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I was thinking about doing something from tick, tick, BOOM, yeah

    How Do You Love A Girl Like That from I Sing! could work out okay too

    YaYa on
  • Lost SalientLost Salient blink twice if you'd like me to mercy kill youRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Every time I think I've moved off of the showtunes kick I've been on, I look at this thread and think, "Welllll, maybe I'll just see what's on XM Broadway right now."

    Not sayin it's a bad thing, but the security guy in our neighborhood caught me singing along to Schadenfreude on Thursday. Awkward!

    YaYa, I'm sure you'll rock a new song, as long as you pick it soon and work your ass off.

    Lost Salient on
    RUVCwyu.jpg
    "Sandra has a good solid anti-murderer vibe. My skin felt very secure and sufficiently attached to my body when I met her. Also my organs." HAIL SATAN
  • Centipede DamascusCentipede Damascus Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    somebody reminded me of Little Shop of Horrors today

    what a good musical that is and what a fantastic movie it made

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtMizMQ6oM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DD7VIKZnGA

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouLiQ7KhmYU

    Ellen Greene is so great you guys

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv0klnEAZmM

    Centipede Damascus on
  • Lost SalientLost Salient blink twice if you'd like me to mercy kill youRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I may be biased toward Little Shop because my friend played the best Audrey II

    And also because I want to give Rick Moranis a million hugs

    Either way, I 100% agree with your opinion, Centi.

    Lost Salient on
    RUVCwyu.jpg
    "Sandra has a good solid anti-murderer vibe. My skin felt very secure and sufficiently attached to my body when I met her. Also my organs." HAIL SATAN
  • Centipede DamascusCentipede Damascus Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Lost, you're good people

    dang now I just miss Pushing Daisies more

    Centipede Damascus on
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I really am the worst person to consult for auditions. I judge auditionees based on the piano part I have to play, and I audition on the most vocally difficult shit around.

    Khavall on
  • MonkeyfeetMonkeyfeet Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    CD you missed one of the best songs from Little Shop

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0kSBiu1IGk

    Monkeyfeet on
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  • BalefuegoBalefuego Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    The thing I never understood about Little Shop as a small child was why didn't Luis Tully just call the Ghostbusters

    Balefuego on
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  • MonkeyfeetMonkeyfeet Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I don't think anyone posted any Reefer Madness yet

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHWHFJTWEk4

    It is hilarious and has forum poster girl Kristen Bell

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO-CN9lJvYo&feature=related

    Monkeyfeet on
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  • BalefuegoBalefuego Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    must resist going back to my Kristen Bell theme

    Balefuego on
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  • MonkeyfeetMonkeyfeet Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Balefuego wrote: »
    must resist going back to my Kristen Bell theme

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFGJXVhyVDQ&feature=related

    Monkeyfeet on
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  • BalefuegoBalefuego Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    damn it Monkeyfeet

    I am simply but a man

    Balefuego on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • nevilleneville The Worst Gay (Seriously. The Worst!)Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Any of you see Camp? It came out a few years ago. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0342167/

    It had fairly decent music, considering all the kids in it sang it themselves.

    I.e.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ3uX2nragI&feature=related

    neville on
    nevillexmassig1.png
  • MonkeyfeetMonkeyfeet Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    is Camp anything like Young At Heart?

    i.e does it make me cry?

    Monkeyfeet on
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