Transposing Songs/Changing Character Focus in The Full Monty — Page 2

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#26

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 7/26/06 at 10:00pm

Someone I did Funny Girl with years ago told me that the musical director transposed all of Fanny's songs down a third. And then I remembered that the director complained when I couldn't hit my high note at the end of the "Wedding Number"(I was the Ziegfeld Tenor). Hmmm, ironic, isn't it?

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Updated On: 7/26/06 at 10:00 PM

#27

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 7/26/06 at 10:59pm

Leave this show at once!

I get the same bad vibes I had many years ago when I was finally cast as Dolly. At one of the earliest rehearsals, the director said that the title number should be cut because it didn't advance the plot. I KNEW we were in big trouble and dropped out immediately.
The whole show fell through and (of course) I'm the one they still blame. Still, I think I did the right thing.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

#28

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 7/26/06 at 11:21pm

You did the right thing Dollypop. That is assinine.

It is NOT stupid to talk to your director calmly and civily IN PRIVATE. I can understand how you might get fired if you make a big stink in front of everybody and cause a scene, but there is nothing wrong with stepping aside with the director or MD. Theater is about collaboration.

"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars

"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290

#29

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 7/26/06 at 11:41pm

Dollypop - yeah, cutting out the title song from Hello, Dolly! is a big red flag! Thanks for the feedback. That really helps a lot and I appreciate it. I've done a couple shows there in the past and have always had a good experience. They did have to lower some notes for the lead in one show, but not much and I was happy with my role and working with my female counterpart. But this Monty casting weirdness seems different.

TheActr97J - Darn! I already thought about waiting until first music rehearsal and the moment they talked about transposing the songs down a FIFTH, I was going to do the diva speech John Camereon Mitchell did in the Grease episode from "Head of the Class".

By the way, I just got offered to be in 2 operas and gosh darn! it's the at the same time as Monty.

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Updated On: 7/27/06 at 11:41 PM

#30

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 7/27/06 at 12:41pm

Two pages! Cool!:)

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#31

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 7/28/06 at 11:34am

Just an update! I'm taking the opera gigs over Monty! Thanks for all your feedback. I really appreciate it, All!

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#32

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 8/8/06 at 12:12am

Ok, I found out more about this casting. Seems the director wanted to change the focus to Dave instead of Jerry. She even wanted to take away Jerry's 2 solos. She cast the show around me.

So, now that I am not doing the show, she's going to recast the show again. I found this out from someone else. I wish she would have let me in on what she was doing.

Thoughts???

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#33

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 8/8/06 at 12:42am

I think you were wise to drop out. The show sounded like a disaster.

EDIT:
P.S.--you can't just change the focus of a show like that that. It's like saying, "You know what? I think 'Carousel' should really be more about Carrie Pipperidge. I think I'll cut out Billy and Julie's solos and try to make them less important."

Not only is that illegal, it's stupid. The director is an idiot.

Updated On: 8/8/06 at 12:42 AM

#34

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 8/8/06 at 12:51am

I don't get it. If she wanted to cast the show around me, then just give me Jerry!

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#35

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 8/8/06 at 1:56am

if that's you in the picture then I don't see how anyone could cast you as David. isn't David supposed to be overweight? you're clearly ... not.

#36

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 8/8/06 at 10:13am

I was going to say the same thing.....I don't think the director knows how to cast and that is sad. Assuming that is you...you were very miscast as Dave. No offense to you. You look much more like a Jerry. Crazy people who get their hands on shows..... Now, Im off to a Full Monty rehearsal.

#37

re: Transposing Songs in Musicals

Posted: 8/8/06 at 11:37am

For the record, my AVATAR is Tony Yazbeck, Al in the current 'A Chorus Line' revival. But I am not overweight either.

This is Harvard, not a stripper bar...

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