Roles for low, low altos

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 9:56am

Hey all! Just wanted to find out if anyone knows some good, hearty parts for a gal with a low voice. I know of:
Sonia Walsk in They're Playing Our Song
Bobbi/Gabby in City of Angels
Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street Updated On: 4/30/05 at 09:56 AM

[ForTheLoveOfLea]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 10:20am

I used to be an expert at this. I thought I was a low low alto for a long time so I researched this endlessly.

Sally in Cabaret sings down to a low E. Cabaret is a good show for altos. It depresses me now that I can't sing these songs. They are amazing.

I'd suggest looking at some of Chita Rivera's work. She's had lots of great alto roles.

Also try www.stageagent.com now that they are working again. They have a search feature that allows you to put in exactly what you are looking.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 10:24am

Sarah's Friend from Ragtime

[MusicMan]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 10:31am

Frenchy (the Dolores Gray/Marlene Dietrich role) in DESTRY RIDES AGAIN.
Dolly Levi in you know what.

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 4/30/05 at 12:28pm

Anita (West Side Story)
Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart (Chicago)
Aura (Kiss of the Spider Woman)
Rosie Alvarez (Bye Bye Birdie)
Sally Bowles and Fraulein Schneider (Cabaret)
Eponine (Les Miserables)
Joanne, Sarah and Amy (Company)
Domina (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum)
Val, Sheila, Diana, Bebe, and Connie (A Chorus Line)
Meg Brockie (Brigadoon)
Kim (Miss Saigon)

I also recommend stageagent.com

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 3:29pm

Fred/Aggravain - Mattress
Margo in Applause
Annie in Oklahoma
Mme. Armfeldt in Little Night Music
Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 3:33pm

Rupunzel in Into the Woods

[MyDreamsRecurring]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 3:35pm

Rapunzel isn't an alto! Far from it!!

"Rosie Alvarez (Bye Bye Birdie)"
lol. imagine, me a soprano trying to belt "spanish rose"
apparantly it worked but..just...infuriating to practice

[gertiecummings]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 3:48pm

Nancy from Oliver!

I'll try and think of more.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 3:54pm

Lois Lane in Kiss Me Kate can have a low voice. It was originally portrayed by Lisa Kirk who was an alto. (correct me if I'm wrong)

[AnotherDay46]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 4:01pm

quick question - The highest I can go is a middle C or D. What would I be concidered?

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 4:06pm

depending on age (if you're older) there's mama euralie in once on this island, she's definitely an alto.

Updated On: 5/1/05 at 04:06 PM

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 12:58am

These are great suggestions! I tried stageagent.com and while I loved it...I feel there could be more info on it. How about for a low alto with a very dark quality to her voice? I tend to do well with the jazz standards...

[apdarcey]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 1:09am

your best would be something you already mentioned.. gabby/bobbi in city of angels.

[neelyohara]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 1:12am

Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Yay for Cole Porter.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 1:31am

oh... who sings 'why can't you behave?' in kiss me, kate?

[andyf]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 2:47am

Bianca, I think.



And Aida is a great one for low, low altos!

[cathyhyatt]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 11:34am

eponine is not that low..i thought they said low low alto.

[cathyhyatt]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 11:35am

nycorbust...are you kidding me? rapunzel a low alto!? try high soprano..puhleassee

[trpguyy]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 11:40am

it's not a huge part, but the neice in Man of LaMancha is a really low part. She sings by herself and in a trio in the same song. Not really a solo part.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 11:51am

Flaemmchen in Grand Hotel--

I Want to Go to Hollywood is really low. The highest note is the C above middle... and the lowest is, I believe, the E below middle.

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 12:16pm

Those are wonderful suggestions! Thank you!

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 12:32pm

"Rupunzel in Into the Woods" hahahahahahaha very funny.

[peach]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 12:44pm

I am a low(ish) alto - here are some roles I've played and/or auditioned for:

Sally Bowles - CABARET

Roxie or Velma - CHICAGO

Anita - WEST SIDE STORY - you'd have to hit (I think) a high D (yes?) in "A Boy Like That." When I played this role, the music director made me belt it. It's a high belt, but not that high a note. It was years ago, so I don't remember the exact note.

Berthe - PIPPIN (depends on your age)

If you're feeling bold, the Leading Player in PIPPIN (if the director is interested in a woman for the role, that is - I got called back for this role and lost it to a guy. Rats.)

The "Robin" role in GODSPELL. Day by Day is a nice ballad for a lower female voice (I think it was Robin that sang Day by Day?)

Lola - DAMN YANKEES (potentially some higher-ish belting, but sounds well within your range. Her songs are pretty easy to sing).


EDIT: Note change in the Anita ref...I originally wrote middle D meant to say high.
Updated On: 5/4/05 at 12:44 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 1:31pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Anita sing quite low in 'West Side Story'?