Musicality - what a great idea for a TV programme !!!!

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 5:31am

There was a recent UK channel 4 programme called Musicality, it was kind of like "American Idol" but for theatre performers. However there was no public voting, the expulsions were all down to the team of voice and acting coaches judging them.

They started off with several thousand amatuer performers and whittled them down to a final ten and then from these there were eventually five winners. The winners were given the opportuity to star in Chicago in London for one night and some of the perfomance and all their big songs were shown on TV a few days after the performance last month. That final 90 minute programme was amazing.. all the actors performed wonderfully putting to shame some of the stunt casting that has graced Chicago in recent years.

In just the last couple of weeks two of the final 5 already have professional contracts to kick off their careers. Donna Hazelton will star as Mama Morton from the end of January and from early that month Rebecca Dent will star in the London mounitng of the UK tour Saturday Night Fever.

What a great idea for a programme.. I would LOVE to see a Broadway version.

They released a CD of the Winners - Link below.

Musicality Winners CD

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 7:17am

"All right, contestants! Let's begin.
Now, I want you to sing this as if your lower intestines are being ripped out of your belly with a pair of pliers."

Updated On: 12/23/04 at 07:17 AM

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 9:02am

Stares at the Master !

what ????

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 9:42am

It's a good programme I must admit! Fulfills people's dreams of performing onstage... they should bring it on broadway, i think people will be more enthusiatic about it!

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 10:23am

MasterLcz- I love your quote! "I better get them cha cha heels I asked for!"

lee- Thanks for the info re: Musicality. I had no idea about this show and think it's much more interesting than American Idol (of course, I'm a musical theatre performer).

I'm almost ready to buy this cd. Is it worth it? How are the vocals?

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 11:10am

The vocals vary slightly... Warren is primarily a dancer but he does okay when he sings. However I can't bear to listen to his "Mack the knife" from the CD. Bad news over !

There is just the best version of "Mister Snow" from Rebecca Dent.. just lovely.

Donna Hazelton is a future star, her "Don't rain on my Parade" is good but her "As if we never said goodbye" is amazing.

Matthew has a lovely big romantic voice, a Marius or Raoul type and very handsome. Matthew's "I can imagine it" from windy city" is very good and I have listened to it at least 6 times today at work !! He really shines on "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and "You're just in Love" from Call me madam. Actually writing this I just realised how used he is on the CD - just listening to his "On the Street where you live" which is beautiful.

I would really recommend it !

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 1:11pm

Sorry, Lee...My post was a 'what if' there was a Broadway version of the show with the judges requirements... :)

It does sound like a brilliant concept, and I so wish something similar could be done here! Imagine...all these kids singing show tunes (instead of top 40 melisma-a-thons)!

(and thanks, Love4Cheno...that's what Christmas is all about!)

[Jgssf]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 1:33pm

Musicality does sound like a great idea for a tv show.
Does anyone know or can anyone find out if they are thinking to bring this tv show to the states?