Sing 'Happy Birthday' in character voice...? (Audition)

[Parks]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 6:22pm

I have an audition for my high school's musical (Singin' In The Rain) next Tuesday. On the information sheet, it says that we must sing a 16 bars of a song (of course) and sing 'Happy Birthday' in character voice.

I don't know what to do for my "character voice". Do you all have any ideas for what I could do? I've thought about doing a stud voice (almost seductive) or maybe a Rod (Avenue Q) type voice. Neither of those will probably work-or be creative. Maybe the Rod one, but do you all have any ideas?

Also, for music choices-which of these should I do:
-Purpose
-Shouldn't I Be Less In Love With You (Probably better fit for the show)
-Dancing Through Life (won't do unless if I'm feeling good that day-it's pretty tough for my vocal range)

Thank you so much!

Updated On: 3/27/05 at 06:22 PM

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 6:29pm

When I did my 16 bars of Purpose I did it from "it's a sign" until "before it's too late"..it's more than 16 bars, but the director told me afterwards that it was an 'amazing song'..because it showcases a range. I'd go with Purpose..G'luck with that character voice :)

[Parks]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 6:39pm

I don't know if I can really pull it off or not. I mean, I can hit the notes pretty easily and it's a fun song..but yeah. I don't think we are getting accompniment (sp). Do you think it would still sound alright without it?

[Mythus]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 6:41pm

Whenever I read "character voice", I think old lady. Or an rough, cockney accent. But I'm not sure those would work either.

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 7:18pm

I think pulling it off w/out accompaniment is up to you in it whether you feel comfortable or not..because anyone singing without accompaniment could potentially sound weird (I'm NOT saying you would! ) but my advice is if it's without accompaniment, see which of your song choices is easiest to do to stay in key with..Purpose never switches out of key in the beginning so it shouldn't be bad :)

Posted: 3/27/05 at 7:22pm

In Singin' in the Rain, the only character voice I can think of is Lina LaMont (sp?) and her voice is high and squeaky.

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 7:42pm

Does Lina sing in the acutal show? I know in the movie she doesn't. Well, if it's the same in both, then you probably don't have to necessarily imitate her. I would reccomend something that would let you use great facial expressions as well as a silly voice.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 7:55pm

Lina supposedly sings a song in the stage production of the show now. So do you all think the Rod idea might work? I think Shouldn't I Be Less In Love With You is the best to do acapella, but it doesn't show off my voice which is what I need. I'll try to work with Purpose.

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 8:08pm

When I tried out for Guys and Dolls, a girl at auditionc sang Doe Re Mi in her regular voice, then switched to an Adelaide voice. Not really having to do with anything, but you know.
Anyway, I think that the director is prob'ly looking for a Lina (sp?) voice. i really don't see why else they would be asking for a rendition in a character voice..

[Parks]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 12:19am

...but I'm a guy. Probably not looking for me to be doing Lina..but I may be wrong?

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 4:56am

Lina does sing in the production.

The thing is she has to sing off-key. It's actually an extremely difficult role for a singer...

[MusicMan]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 8:48am

If you're auditioning for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, then, for heaven's sake, sing in a character voice appropriate for the show. It could be in the brash, exuberant manner of a Don Lockwood or a mock-inebriated Cosmo, replete with pratfalls, or a Bing Crosby, croon-y, period sound. Make bold choices!