'The Sound of Music'

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Hey guys, there's been so much discussion about this show and the pros and cons of finding a lead in this way, that I just wondered if anyone was going for it at the nationwide auditions?


  • 17 years ago
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JOhn,
Where did you hear that? I have a good friend who s a singing trianer and never have they done this for Phantom from what i know. The range is there becasue its part of the operatic sound for Phantom. The top E for Christine is standard as well. Its click tracked, but that for technical reasons.

I have herad many cast recordings of Evita, Superstar etc and the keys are ALWAYS the same. Thats why EVITA is so hard to cast. Madoona had it taken down for the film but he had no artistic control over it. She wasnt even close to the actresses who have played it on stage. It loses its total drive when transposed down. All the recordings of Phantom I have heard have the same range as well. There are dozens of people who can hit the notes, why will he change it? I also knew a musical director who was with Phantom...he has not said this to me. ALW is a perfectionist so I dont think your source is accurate

As far as Maria, its an alto with a high F. Any soprano or alto with a good head voice can do it. Its not an opera sound etc. Audition, but be aware that you are on national Tv so be as prepared as possible, knowing it may already have been cast for all you know. But do the best you can.


  • 17 years ago
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Shoot the noot Blake! You have me worrying now! Thanks so much for your advice!
It's better to be prepared.
I guess if you can't hit the note don't even go for it!

Oscardarling I see you're feeling my pain! lol I was totally convinced I shouldn't go and then I thought about the what ifs that will come in the future, so why the hell not how are you gonna know if its for you or not if you don't even go to find out!

Good luck deciding yourself oscardarling!

Lou


  • 17 years ago
  • 22

I think so. You are not a Ruthie henshall or an Elaine Piage who ahs proved hereself YET, so you wont get any special exceptions I am afraid. There are hundreds of competent actresses who can hit the notes. Go in and do the best you can. Personally...I see you as a Liesel more than a Maria. "Sixteen going on seventeen". Your posts have that naive freshness and I think you shoulkd consider this. Of course it is totally up to you. I think you have a chance but make sure its righht. Go to the library, get the score and see the range with your voice coach. You should be doing this type pof reserach. Know all the roles you are able to do, and what is piss easy and what is possible. And what is OUT of your range.

I can easily handle most Les Mis roles, except Valjean. i can handle the Pahntom...but need more work in bits. I can do Judas in SUPERSTAR, but not the main theme song. Impossible. I wont go near We will Rock You. But i could handle most stuff. Its crucial that you experiment with as MUCHG as you can so you are coinfident.

As an alto, I dont think you would have that much trouble with Maria. Soprano is about TESSITURA, voice quality...NOT range. many alyos can hit top A, but its a push.

Go for the auditio0n, but check the score first.


  • 17 years ago
  • 23
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I'm going. I was also in two minds, I didn't agree with what they're doing (and I still don't in essence) but I also think it's annother audition for another job, and an opportunity to apply for a dream role. I'd be really annoyed with myself if I passed it up. I probably won't get very far at all, but if I don't give it a go I'll never know...

Plus, I'm hoping that someone trained will win it, and show what hard work it is to play a WE lead.

Incidentally, I was listening to Front Row the other day when they discussed it, and the producer (not ALW, the other one whose name I forget just now) was saying how they have no intention of portraying acting of this type as being something that anyone can do, but rather they want to give people the opportunity who might not otherwise have had it - not sure I necessarily think that represents the aim of the whole show (!), but it's got to be better than the universal meeja dumbing down of our chosen metier, eh?

xx


  • 17 years ago
  • 24

Too true Tegwen. I know I'll be watching it in the future thinking I might have had the chance to go even to the next stage, were you get to perform a song of your choosing so maybe get to show your singing skills. I know I will be kicking mysself.

But I'm so stressed and worried now about it!
I don't have the confidence or vocal style of Julie Andrews I mean to say I freakin sing the blues! lol

But I'm getting advice here to just stop stressing and go for it! Never mind if I fluff it or don't get far...at least I'll have done it!

Blake your advice is priceless. Unfortunateley I don't have a vocal coach here in Belfast and I have recently just stopped smoking (4 1/2 weeks) so my voice is changing (recovering!), which doesn't put me in the best position either!
What am I letting myself in for?

I would love to audition for Liesel but I think thats cast by now!

Good luck for those who are going for it. The auditions in Belfast are this weekend so fingers crossed and I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks.

Lou


  • 17 years ago
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if anyone saw graham norton on 'jonathan ross' last night, they may find that helped make up their mind one way or another! he-in my humble opinion!-seemed to find the whole thing quite amusing and that it was going to be more like pop idol than anything else...ie. a chance to watch hysterically bad people really go for it! i wonder if ALW et al. and the tv production people have the same ideas for the show as each other...


  • 17 years ago
  • 26
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john barrowman would be a brilliant choice! however i think graham norton is MUCH more well-known and i really think that audience numbers are probably the most important thing...for the tv people anyway.


  • 17 years ago
  • 27

I think this is such a hard decision, Im not a singer so I wouldnt go but I guess you can only go on past similar type shows. Pop idol etc do often humilate people who audition with crazy editing etc but equally they provide a few with a chance to be seen but they are the minority.If you do make an idiot of yourself (not that anyone would) it will soon be forgotten with all the many others who audition as well.
With the recent reports of ALW having huge personal mortgages to keep the musicals he has open going, then it doesnt surprise me that he would then do such a big publicity stunt such as this. I would go but treat it like any other normal audition, just one of many you have that week, no more no less. x


  • 17 years ago
  • 28
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With having a public vote at the end of the process, it rules out any sort proper 'talent' search though...
Just look at the ridiculousness of Strictly Dance Fever. Last night was only the 2nd round of eliminations and so far we have lost 2 couples who were exeptional dancers - for the sake of keeping 2 couples who people 'like'. It's incredibly heart breaking to see these youngsters go out when they were by no means the weakest couples.
You do have the factor for the Ireland vote, the Scottish vote, the mum vote, the gran vote etc!!!


  • 17 years ago
  • 29
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Hey everyone,

Ok, i going in for this sound of music audition thingy and well not sure if i should or not but think i'll go 4 it! For anyone who's going in 4 it-i'm confused on application form it says pick a date 4 audition i picked 11th May as that was avaliable now i can't see 11th May atall 4 the london auditions? do i turn up then for the other dates mentioned instead? Has anyone else has this problem?

nikki -x-


  • 17 years ago
  • 30

Firstly,
NIkki, I read in the form that they reserve the right to change the dates and to keep checking on the BBC website to see if dates were changed. So it possibly has been so check it out. But I'm sure they would call you!

Secondly
I went and didn't get through! Not even past the first round! Mortified! Ack not really...I am definately glad I went. Its worth it guys. Its just another audition. Anyway you want to see the amount of people who did get through!!! There were loads of them. I think I didn't go through cause I don't have the pure crisp high voice, I mean I'm pretty bluesy /huskey! Also the lungs thing..I think just recently quitting the evil weed (smoking) meant my breathing capacity just wasn't as strong as it could be and I couldn't sustain the notes long enough!

All that said! It was still a better to do it and know than not and forever ponder sort of thing!

And theres no sense at all of people making fun of you or judges judging! They just say your through or not!
Go for it guys and good luck!

I think I'm gona start smoking again! lol Only joking!
xx


  • 17 years ago
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Thanks so much kitkat doll for letting me know! that sounds ok then i thought they might be laid back on the dates but wasn't to sure!
thanks again,

Goodluck, sure will see you there!

Nikki-x-


  • 17 years ago
  • 32
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Just found a geat website that gives you info on shows/roles. (http://www.stageagent.com)

They list the following for Maria:

Maria Rainer Soprano (low B to high bB )


  • 17 years ago
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Anyone who is going for this, just thought you might like to know that Arlene Phillips is choreographing the show, so we can all look forward to her on the TV judging panel I am sure.
(very scared!)


  • 17 years ago
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