Good Audition Piece for a Sondheim Show?

[baileyc]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 8:02pm

Hi, first of all, I'm new to this site, so I apologize if this post is on the wrong message board.

Secondly, I'm planning to audition for a production of Sweeney Todd soon. However, I don't want to use a song from the show to audition.

What would be a good song to do? I'm a 22 year old male with a vocal range of Eb2-F#4. I was hoping to audition for Anthony Hope, if that helps. 

Thanks in advance to any replies!

[Willie4316]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 8:27pm

Did you want to use another Sondheim piece to audition with or no Sondheim at all? 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 8:43pm

I think you may stand out more if you avoid Sondheim songs altogether.

HOWEVER, I'd suggest you choose a song that demonstrates your ability to deal with rapid, complex lyrics (as well as showing off your vocal range). Antony has to sing "Ah, Miss" and "Kiss Me" as well as the more lyrical "Johanna".

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 9:09pm

Patter songs with fast, complex lyrics can be found in lots of Gilbert and Sullivan.  You might look at, for example, Modern Major General.

For a more modern patter song, there's Watch What Happens reprise from Newsies (starts with just Davie and then others join in, but you could still just sing Davie's part).

My favourite patter song is from Sondheim - Not Getting Married.  Maybe you could transpose that one into your range. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 9:19pm

I don't think the OP needs to go full-out patter song. Antony is the lyric
tenor of the piece and I'm sure those auditioning will want to hear the
OP "make beautiful tones".

But songs from writers such as John Robert Brown or Michael LaChiusa,
or even some Maltby and Shire will show the Sondheim influence
without actually being Sondheim. (A less extreme choice would be
to go with "Something's Coming" or "All I Need Is the Girl" or "We're
Gonna Be Alright" (original lyric). Sondheim lyrics to other composers'
music. I don't know whether these specific songs show enough range,
but they will at least sound different to the ear.)

I love Sondheim, but by the time I'd heard 80 Sondheim songs in one
day...
lyrics to other composers.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 10:36pm

I've heard the only time you should audition with Sondheim is if you're auditioning for Sondheim. Jack from Into The Woods is a sort of similar character. Try Giants in the Sky

[baileyc]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 12:36pm

Yes, another Sondheim piece.