The Music Man

[bwaybound865]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 2:26am

I have an audition tomorrow for The Music Man but I am not very familiar with the show. Is there anything anyone could share. A link perhaps? Any type of character stuff for Harold Hill would be awesome too! Thanks so much.

[nathanlaneismyhero]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 1:29pm

The Music Man is a phenomenal show! As for Harold Hill, he's a shyster that is also sweet and lovable. Just make sure that you are believable as someone that has a rotten side, but at the same time, is very charming.

Posted: 4/17/07 at 1:31pm

I have a really difficult time and always have had with people who are auditioning for roles in a show and have no idea what the show is about. Aren't there libraries in schools and/or communities?

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 1:36pm

rent the movie

[Piercemn]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 1:47pm

If you do rent the movie, rent the one with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones, which is a very fine adaptation of the musical, and the one with Matthew Broderick, which shows you what NOT to do. The latter is awful!

[bcectchc]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 3:10pm

"I have a really difficult time and always have had with people who are auditioning for roles in a show and have no idea what the show is about."

Couldn't agree more! Between the movies, recordings, libraries, or simply googling, there are more opportunities than anyone ever could imagine to assist in preparing for an audition. If you haven't done your homework, please don't ruin the production and audition for it. You don't have enough interest to sustain the energy necessary to present a decent -- let alone a wonderful -- performance.

[nathanlaneismyhero]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 3:21pm

I don't think that he should rent the movie. Then people go in and try to sound like the people in the movie. The whole point is to be original and make it your own. That's why I just gave him an idea of what the character is like. That way he has something to base his character on.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 3:29pm

I agree that the movie with Robert Preston is an excellent adaptation of the Broadway musical, one of only a handful of decent film versions of Broadway musicals. I think you should rent or buy the movie before auditioning for the lead of THE MUSIC MAN. If you could pull off a Robert Preston copy you would be really something to see.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 3:29pm

Bump

Updated On: 4/17/07 at 03:29 PM

[bwaybound865]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 4:36pm

"Between the movies, recordings, libraries, or simply googling, there are more opportunities than anyone ever could imagine to assist in preparing for an audition. If you haven't done your homework, please don't ruin the production and audition for it."

Obivously I am researching the show.... or else I wouldn't have posted on here. Thanks for giving me advice I've already been following.

[jackson992]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 8:58pm

I've never seen such a ridiculously posted comment on this board. Just because someone isn't familiar with a show does not mean they will not be good in the show. As a matter of fact, I would say it is the exact opposite.

[bcectchc]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 1:46pm

Researching is one thing. Researching THE DAY BEFORE THE AUDITION is another. Adequate preparation is the key to an audition. Not taking the time to become familiar with such a well-worn show (until the day before) is not admirable in the least!

I stand by my original post.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 10:18pm

The Music Man is a light-hearted story about "Prof" Harold Hill and his scheme to rob the citizens of ficticious River City, Iowa (AKA small town America) in 1912. His scheme is that he will teach their children how to play musical instruments, thus they must buy instruments and band uniforms...which he traditionally plans on never devilering.

But a smart 30-something librarian gets in the way...as she's too smart for his plan. However, she falls in love with what he does for the community after his inspiring words help her 10 year-old brother emerge from his shell.

This was the my first show...I was Winthrop (the 10 year-old brother) and it's one of my favorite shows I've done to this day...nearly 8 years later.

I just realized...the audition was today...so this isn't very helpful now.

[jewels732]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 10:29pm

I hope your audition went well. I was in The Music Man last summer, and it was an incredibly fun show. My favorite parts were definitely the library and shipoopi dances.

[junkyard]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 9:22pm

Whenever I see mention of the "Music Man" i reflect on the late Iggie Wolfington, a great actor and human being. Iggie was the original Marcellus Washburn on Broadway. One evening at the Majestic Iggie was so into his dance routine that he danced off stage and right down into the orchestra pit. He broke his leg but two nights later he was back at the theatre (in a wheelchair naturally) making everyone laugh.