Theatre Aquarius Sweeney Todd - I'm Doing It.

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:14pm

I decided I would post this now that the summer is fast approaching. I am doing a 7 week theatre programme at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ontario. It has all professional teachers in the areas of singing, dancing, movement, characterization, acting, costumes, set design, improv etc... I am very, very excited as I have never done anything like this.

The most exciting thing is that we are doing Sweeney Todd!! Sweeney is my second favourite show and I can't imagine how amazing it will be to be in it. Maybe someone else on the boards knows about the programme or is doing it or has done it? (not likely)

This thread is also an audition help thread in disguise (shhhh.) I have decided that I am going to be auditioning for Sweeney himself. Yes I know Sweeney is a very challenging role, but he is one of my dream roles. I figure that if I work my ass off and do all I can to audition for Sweeney I will have no regrets even if I don't get him. And the bonus is that Sweeney Chorus is still completely awesome. So I need help for song ideas. I really want to find good songs, but Sweeney is such a unique character when it comes to singing I am having trouble finding anything. Any suggestions?

[WOSQ]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 2:26pm

No ideas on specific songs yet, but Sweeney Todd is a hybrid show. It is a cross between an old-fashioned 19th century melodrama and an opera. Since both of those genres depend on characters that are larger-than-life and over-the-top, look for a song that can be done that way. Have a POV.

Rose's Turn (perhaps not specifically appropriate) is something like this. The character uses the song to work out a solution to a personal situation and the singer ends the song in a distinctly different place than where they started.

Sweeney after his 'Epiphany' is certifiable. That's a different place to be from sane at the start. Find a song that you can go down the path to lunacy, but a scary crazy which by which I mean one that isn't that far removed from everyday 'normal' behavior.

Treat it as an exercise. Have fun.

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 3:59pm

I want to do Epiphany, but I know that wouldn't be a good idea to do a song from the show. I want to show off my low notes, but I can't think of many characters that sing like him.

[Mythus]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 4:21pm

I don't think Epiphany is a good audition choice, if you're singing something from the show. I'd go with My Friends, if you're singing a song from the show and you want to show off your low notes.

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 7:03pm

Oh I by no means would use it for the audition, I was saying that it's bad in general to use songs from the show, no? If I did I would love to sing My Friends, but I've heard generally it's a bad idea.

[taperina]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 9:42pm

I live just outside of Hamilton and I used to do summer sessions at Theatre Aquarius as well as at the Sanderson Center in Brantford. I've had my dance recitals at Theatre Aquiariu since I was 8...love that theatre! So beautiful and it has a great stage! When will the performance of Sweeney Todd be? Do you know yet?

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 12:34am

That's awesome. You have to tell me about the theatre and the program cause I have never been there.

The performances are August 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 I believe.