We Know You Sing .... But ....

[mrdreamjeans]

In my last post, I made reference in the comments area to audition material. My song choices are out-of-date. I've been extremely fortunate that I've been invited in recent years to do certain shows, rather than auditioning for them. The upside is that folks I've worked with before want to work with me again. The downside is that when I audition for people who don't know me, my audition material and my skills are rusty and/or out-of-date. Consequently, I'm looking for fresh material - songs that suit my voice (tenor, wide range), are appropriate for a character actor of my age and are good acting pieces... tell a good story....

I'm planning a vocal coaching with bearfuz and in our chat I made these remarks ... I need to find material that plays to my strengths. "I Love to Cry at Weddings" is still a good comic piece, but "This is the Moment" and "Being Alive" my two consistent winners over the years, are elevator music. I still occasionally do both songs in benefits. I'm looking at two songs from "A Man of No Importance", but need a classic ballad and something dynamic for an uptempo. Do you think "To Each His Dulcinea" , "I Get a Kick Out of You" or "The Prologue" from Les Mis would fit the bill? (LOL... I know them already, so that helps:) I also do a wonderful acting song written by Craig Carnelia called "It's What You'd Call a Dream".

In another comment rock_bear said, I was surprised that you do "This is The Moment" for auditions, that song's been done to death over here (England) despite the fact that the show only had a very tiny run. "This is the Moment" has gotten me a lot of work over the years, so I have confidence in it. It's hard to let it go ...

I was given a chart of the song when the show had its world premiere in Houston in 1989. (I had a friend in the show.) So I've been singing it since before the music was published, long before it became ice skating music. Though it's lyrics have never been strong, there is something about the melody that is a perfect fit for my voice. I mostly used the song for AIDS benefits during my time with "Phantom".

It's a tricky question ... Do you sing a song that is overdone if you sing it better than most people? Or lay it to rest? Both "This is the Moment" and "Being Alive" were like that for me. Auditoneers would suggest I get something else, right after they said, "You're hired!"

Many of you in LJ Land have heard me sing. A couple of you have heard me sing a lot. Even if you've never heard me sing, but love musical theater, I'll take all suggestions. Familiar, obscure or original to you - It doesn't matter. I'll make a list and try out the songs. I'd appreciate feedback on this topic.

rock_bear and I were also discussing remarks intended as compliments but which served to have the opposite effect. One of the best (worst?) comments I've endured was when I was singing on the cruise ships. (think thick New Yawk accent) "We know ya sing .... but what do ya do for a living?"

With your help, I'll select, learn and polish new songs which will continue to allow me to work in the theater...so that when I'm asked, "What do you do for a living?", I can still answer, "I sing!!!"

Comments

[rock-bear.livejournal.com]

Gethsemeny is a wonderful technical demonstration of your voice but is also one of those songs that so many people hate, don't risk your panel being one of them.

Anthem is good, its a little over used but its still nice

Some of the songs from Pimpernel are possible, they're familiar but not over used


Have a look here
http://www.thestage.co.uk/stagetalk/viewtopic.php?t=2139

one of the suggestions here is Why should I wake up, from Cabaret which is one of my favourite songs

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll take a look! Chip bearfuz has worked on several of the Wildhorn shows, so I'll ask him about it. I'm working with an actor who did "Civil War", but we can't come up with a song from it that would be age appropriate or welcomed.

Thanks for your earlier comments which triggered this discussion! I appreciate it! Hugs!

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Actually I've only worked on one Wildhorn show -- Dracula. Tom Hewitt sang a couple of songs in that that were pretty cool, but they didn't save the show from tedium. The first Wildhorn song I got intimately acquainted with was "Into the Fire" from Pimpernel, because Chuck Wagner wanted to do it at a Les Miz cast benefit (with male chorus, of course) so he gave me a very badly-done lead sheet and I lifted it for him to use. It went off *very* well.

And here's an CW anecdote. We decided to use the same tune and the same arrangement for Chuck at another benefit later on, but on the day of the benefit he pulled out for some really lame reason which I forget, after we had worked our asses off. Fortunately Stephen Bishop, who was understudying Chuck as Javert at the time, stepped in and sang the socks of the song. You can bet which one's work ethic I respect more...!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The woman, whom you've referenced through this link, has put together an amazing list! I wrote several of her suggestions down. I've got quite a list going, but still looking for more! Thanks!