West Side Story audition coming up, any song suggestions?

[jamieisrac]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 11:13am

A local theater is putting on a production of West Side Story, and I scheduled an audition. I am having trouble thinking of a song to audition with. I would like to get in, but my dream role in the show would be Maria! I am a soprano, but can sing mezzo/belt as well. I would prefer a ballad over up-tempo, but any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated! Other roles I've had are Cosette in Les Miserables, Catherine in Pippin, Yonah in Children of Eden, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, to get a better idea of my voice :) Thank you all so much!
Updated On: 12/14/05 at 11:13 AM

[jasobres]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 12:28pm

Would you want suggestions of songs from the show?

I recommend the "Quintet" version of "Tonight" (Tonight, tonight/Won't be just any night...)
Either that or "Somewhere."

[jamieisrac]

Posted: 12/14/05 at 6:12pm

Preferably a song not from the show. Perhaps another Sondheim? :) Thank you!

[astonishing1985]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 6:20am

I agree with jamie, do not do a song from the show unless they specifically ask for it!

If you did Cosette would you want to sing In My life?
Memory from Cats?
or something from Phantom
Good luck

Posted: 12/18/05 at 10:10pm

"vanilla icecream" is a great soprano song. Maybe "poor wandring one?" or if you want something lower "as long as he needs me" from oliver? Something classic but I would stay away from phantom

[phantom_tenor]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 7:39am

Maybe some other Bernstein? Glitter and Be Gay is a good one. Different style to WSS though.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 4:06pm

If you want to be Maria make sure you let them know you have the range as well as the look.

One More Kiss from Follies or Soon from Night Music, both sung by Victoria Mallory and both glorious, come to mind. He Plays The Violin from 1776 could work if you take it up a few keys. Do it as a semi-aria and not the belt that Betty Buckley did.

Don't do too slow a ballad. Make sure it has some rhythmic drive.

Look virginal. Wear a dress but not too short and not too much of a scooped neck. Nothing remotely racy. [ Never wear slacks to an audition unless you're playing Edwin Drood. The people want to see what your legs look like. I'm serious.]

If you have brown-to-blonde hair, borrow a dark wig and do your makeup to match.

If you want the part, go after it with everything you've got.

Maria may be an innocent, but by the end of the piece she has to show everybody how strong she is. She is the one who brings the gangs together, demands peace at last and shames the adults. Anticipate her adulthood. She wants to be grown-up. What a lousy surprise it holds for her.