For my Audition....

[Roxie]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 8:35pm

So I'm auditioning for the Charlottetown Young Company next week (Canadians will probably know about this) and this is what is needed and what I am doing.
1-Musical Theatre Song
2-Pop Song
3-Monologue
I'm doing "As Long As He Needs Me" as of now for MT, "Reflection" for pop (I'm not at all a pop singer) and the Roxie monolgue from Chicago cause I know it and am really comfortable with it. What do you think about these choices and has anyone auditioned for this before?

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 9/15/04 at 11:25pm

you might see a lot of other girls doing Roxie, and the directors might have Verdon/Zellwegger in mind when you do it. BUT if you can make it your own go for it. Better to do a known monologue very well than an unknown horribly. Break a leg!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 9:02am

Just a suggestion - but my acting teacher, who has directed and cast a lot of productions, says that women should NEVER sing "As Long as He Needs Me" because there is no HOPE in the song. It's a co-dependent song and therefore it makes the person singing it look like a schmuck. Try to find a song with Joy in it - Casting people get so tired of hearing sad songs and songs about oppression and co-dependency over and over again - they'd rather be amused and entertained and see some of your spirit shine through your audition - to find out more about who you really are, than to see you stand up there and sing a song about suffering and being needy.
That's my two cents.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 9:53am

Your acting teacher's comment is a perfect example of the kind of nonsense that gets promulgated amongst actors. First off, in its original circumstances, the number is predicated on nothing BUT hope since it's not only Nancy's self-justification to stay with Bill but later refers to Oliver as well. To call the character a 'schmuck' is simplistic, arguable and irrelevant.
Out of context, the song can sustain interpretations far removed from its original intentions and has been a staple for singers for decades. I hardly think Judy Garland considered herself a schmuck when she sang the song, making it one of the most powerful ballads in her repertoire. Updated On: 9/16/04 at 09:53 AM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 10:08am

this goes against every fibre of my being - but since I did the unthinkable and allowed myself to read your post, MusicMan - I've been holding this inside since I joined this site (thank GOD I now have you blocked)...You are one of the most moronic individuals I have ever encountered. Your posts are always written as though you copied and pasted them straight from a textbook and are always, ALWAYS heartless, cruel and unimaginative. I cannot imagine how you have survived in this business. You must be the most insecure poster here on this site because your ramblings are such a cry for attention. Get over your inflated sense of self. I will never allow myself to read another post by you again. Thank you Rob and Craig for creating the Block feature and I am kicking myself for not using it accordingly until now.

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 10:13am

uh-oh...

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 10:19am

redhot,

In musicman's defense, I think he is probably right in this case. While many many many people do this song for auditions (which, for me, is enough reason to not do it), I don't think the song is about despair. The most interesting thing any actor can do with a song is to play against the lyrics. PLaying opposites is always the smarter choice if it can be worked out...and in the case of this song, I think it can be.

That's my two cents, at least. =)

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 10:21am

everytime i see your name, this is what happens...

*singing* touch me in the morning!!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 10:30am

I won't mention this again - because I want to stay in a good mood today and I won't let some freak like MM ruin my day - but my response was to all the posts he's put on here over the past several months. This one just takes the cake. I've seen woman after woman try to make that song work, and I agree with my teacher - it is impossible to find joy in a co-dependent song. I love the writing of the song, don't get me wrong, and I love it in the context of the show - but not as an audition piece.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 10:36am

I don't know. I know a lot of codependant people. They all seem to be VERY joyful about being codependent.

I don't like actors using words like "impossible".

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 10:41am

OK - strike Impossible. MM just got me heated up. Codependency is an ugly way to live, regardless, and unhealthy also. Wether or not people can find joy in their co-dependency, its not fun to watch or listen to. Thats why its hard on the casting people to have to listen to it over and over all day long. I still agree totally with my teacher - when you enter the room to do an audition, the casting person is more interested in seeing who YOU are as a person, than what kind of character you can play (they generally peg you right away in that respect, wether you want them to or not)...so sing something joyful and show them your own unique individualism, your special qualities - and then let them decide how they want to use you (IF they want to use you). Thats how I prefer to approach each individual audition - and it usually works for me. Kudos to my teacher.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 10:56am

While your teacher may be right about some casting people, I would contend that character actors especially should come in and do a character, not themmselves -- show off what you're good at!

I'd also say that there are many a casting director that wants to hear something like that song (although b/c this particular song is overdone, I would drop it).

I also think the role can be played a number of ways -- it need not be codependent. It could just be someone who has found love. In fact, to play any character as codependent many acting teachers would HATE (particularly many NYC method teachers)-- since it is "judging the character".

[VivaBohemia]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:02pm

If a person on a message board has the power to ruin your day, then you deserve to have it ruined.

That said,

For your musical Theatre piece, it should be a big contrast from your pop song, since the popsong will most likely be fast paced, up tempo anyways, you should have a song that counter acts that and shows the dramatic side. While "As Long As He Needs Me" is over used, I think if you play up your pop song to be your "happy song" and Your Musical Theatre song to be your other side, it could work just fine. Do what your confortable with!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:07pm

NO one on this board can ruin MY day - I'm in an amazing mood today! Go me! yea!

[VivaBohemia]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:09pm

Then dont make it a point to say stupid crap like that in your posts.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:13pm

That's right redhot. You need to learn to praise Idina in all posts at least once, or don't say anything at all.

[BT]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:24pm

Redhot - I'm sure Roxie appreciates your point of view as expressed by your teacher. It was kind to share it with her so she gets the perspective of someone who has directed and cast a lot of productions. Personally, I would much prefer a bit of hope and joy in the songs, especially after hearing hundreds of them during the day. As long as he needs me is a powerful ballad, but truth be told, Dr. Phil would slap Nancy across the face and ask her what planet she's living on. If Roxie can move them to tears then maybe she'll be remembered for it. If it is just an OK song for her, then I'd definitely choose something else. I know for a fact that Idina did not sing that at her audition for Wicked.

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:27pm

and Viva, i think the issue was calmed before you made your attack on redhot... so, uh, MYOB... Updated On: 9/16/04 at 01:27 PM

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:30pm

Someone attacked redhot???? Time for a rumble??? No one messes with Redhot and gets away with it. *snaps fingers*

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:41pm

i really don't think it makes a huge difference which song you sing as long as it shows off your voice and range...especially if you're only doing 16 bars....just pick something simple that you sing well and that an accompanist will have no trouble playing

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:43pm

thank you lildogs, for bringing this back on topic!

now can it please stay there, without childish comments?

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 1:48pm

good luck joe, this is tangent city USA

[VivaBohemia]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 2:01pm

Im sorry. I apologize. No hard feelings Redhot? Dont mind me, Im just in a bitchy mood today. I was going to audition for A local production of Pippin and I got stuck at work.

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 2:03pm

Viva, you just restored my faith in humanity! hugs from all!!!

[VivaBohemia]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 2:06pm

I hate getting bitched at, and yet I do it to other people. Thanks for the hug Joe.