To all of you wonderful fellow members of Broadwayworld, my nephew, Michael has reached the fourth round of a local singing competition here in Media, PA at the Media Theatre. He has to have two varying songs by Tuesday. He has a beautiful voice. its amazing and he's amongst some pretty talented people. to give you an idea of his voice, he has the power of Brian Stokes and the soul of Brian McKnight. these are the songs he'a sang so far:
1st week- "Home" from The wiz
2nd week- "Wheels of a Dream" from Ragtime
3rd week- "Not A Day Goes By" from Merrily We Roll Along
he wants to sing Summertime from from Porgy and Bess but doesnt know what else can vary from that. All and any suggestions would help.
bump
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
It's used a lot, but how about 'The Impossible Dream' (Man of La Mancha).
Also look at: 'Marry Me a Little' (Sondheim) and 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' (Les Mis)
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/05
Why God Why?
Empty Chairs
On The Street Where You Live
What Do I Need With Love?
Funny - City of Angels
How Glory Goes - Floyd Collins
Pity the Child - Chess
Chorus Member Joined: 7/12/05
I agree with the majority.
Empty Chairs.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
Maybe look to some jazz and theatre standards.
Stand-by Joined: 12/10/03
Marry Me from The Rink depending on his age.
For some variation try Go Visit from 70, Girls, 70 or something from A Class Act like Gaugain's Shoes.
Leading Actor Joined: 6/19/05
empty chairs again
Stand-by Joined: 1/8/05
Is it delco-idol?? I'm from Media!!!
i think this is a wonderful song for a young man with a soulful voice. it can have great power and poignancy.
Lonely Town
Lyrics by: Betty Comden
Lyrics by: Adolph Green
Music by: Leonard Bernstein
Arranged By: Gordon Jenkins
From the Show: On The Town (1944)
Label: Capitol Records
Recorded: April 29, 1957
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New York, New York, or a village in Iowa
The only difference is the name
If you're alone, whether on Main Street, or on Broadway
If you're alone, they are both the same, a town's a lonely town
When you pass through and there is no one waiting there for you
Then it's a lonely town, you wander up and down
The crowds rush by, a million faces pass before your eyes, still it's a lonely town
Unless there's love, a love that's shining
Like a harbor light, you're lost in the night
Unless there's love, the world's an empty place
And every town's a lonely town
I agree with Empty Chairs---powerful song!!
there is a terrific youthful ballad from SMILE called "In Our Hands" that could show off his lyrical quality and then let him get soulful...i think finding quality, but underdone, material is always a plus in competitions like this one. He won't be competing with the well-known recordings or performances of popular songs.
Joined: 12/31/69
i also think LONELY TOWN is a nice choice. It is not inherently as melodic as some songs though (that's Bernstein) which may not appeal to all judges. A perfect Bernstein example, perhaps better known, is SIMPLE SONG from MASS...i love it, but others find it discordant. It might be a nice choice, but perhaps a better one for a competition like the NATS Musical Theatre division.
Gotta agree with Marry Me A Little - it's sondheim, so it's a bit more complex which shows off his musicality, plus there's some amazing notes that are wailed out there and just soar gorgeously for someone with a beautiful voice. Everytime I hear it on the video of Putting It Together I cry and am just desperate to marry him.
It's a gorgeous song that DEFINITELY stick witih you - the judges won't forget him.
Let us know how it goes!
it is the delco idol competition!
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