[Holly]

Edit - posted at the bottom of the thread with a couple little updates.

I'm excited. :] Just found out my school is definetly doing Chicago, not Singing in the Rain like it was looking like we might be doing. Now, of course, I'm thinking about auditions...other than seeing the movie and having the revival cast recording I'm not overly familiar with the show, so I'm looking to you guys.


The director loves me as a person, but I'm afraid that he hasn't really seen what I can really do - most of the scenes or songs I've done in front of him have been less than my best work. So I really want to impress him with this audition, and my goal is to at least get called back for something. (I've auditioned for two shows directed by him; the first one - Urinetown - I didn't get in, the second one - Thoroughly Modern Millie - I got a callback for Flannery but got ensemble/guest #1.)

He always has us sing a song from the show, assigned depending on what character we're auditioning for, so I don't have a choice about songs. I'm thinking of going for Mama Morton, I think it would probably be the best choice for me.

I'm an alto (but have recently figured out my range is a lot wider than I thought, I just took a vocal lesson where I was belting high soprano), a sophomore (grade doesn't usually matter to my director though), on the shorter/chubbier side of average. Most recently I've played Rizzo in Grease, I've also done Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress and Appashionata in Li'l Abner. Slut roles/mean roles tend to be my type, haha. Are there any other roles I should be considering going out for?

Basically I'm looking for advice on characterization and everything. I'm guessing I'm going to be singing "When You're Good to Mama." If I get a callback - here's to hoping - I'll have to do scenes. Any tips about the character would be awesome

Oh gah gah rambling. Sorry about that. I get carried away when I post. But thanks in advance!

[music is life]

Wow you're doing Chicago for a high school? Are they going to take out all the non G-rated dance moves and words?


Well, seeing as you're an alto you pretty much can audition for any of the principal female roles. Roxie is a mezzo/alto, Velma is an alto, and I think Mama Mortan is a low alto not sure. And well since the mean roles tend to be your type I think Velma may be a good part for you. Also, since you said your range is a lot wider than you thought. How good are you dancing? Because Velma does a lot. But, Velma is just a suggestion for you.



And Chicago. Wow my favorite musical ever! I'm really jealous! But, then I think if it's a high school, they are going to have to change a lot of the original script/production to be able to fit for teenagers.

[Holly]

We did Cabaret a couple years ago and from what I saw, the dancing was far from "G-rated," so I'm figuring not much will be changed now for the choreography. Since I don't know the script for the stage show I'm not sure if anything would have to be changed there...we also did A Chorus Line and didn't censor "Dance: Ten, Looks: Three." (I didn't see either of those, though, they were when I was in middle school, so I can't really say much about them, other than one Cabaret number and what I've heard about the shows.)

I'm a tap dancer, but other forms of dance I'm just kind of...basic at. I'm starting ballet and jazz lessons soon, but I'll only have about four months of that by the time auditions come around. About the extent of my dancing is that I can do a double pirouette...on a good day...

[what_the_heck013]

Since you've played Aggravain and Rizzo recently, Mamma Morton seems like a good choice. I think a good audition song choice for her would be "Turn Back, Oh Man" from Godspell. Rizzo is also a lot like Velma. In that case, "There Are Worse Things I COuld Do" or "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee" might be good choices.

[music is life]

oh that's good then if you can do all the moves Chicago needs. I go to a school that would NEVER allow that. Which sucks because I LOVE Chicago.


Anyways, I think "When You're Good to Mama" is a really good choice. And if you're thinking about auditioning for Velma maybe "All that Jazz?" Or "I Can't Do It Alone" because I'm sure people will think about "All that Jazz" as their first choice if they're auditiong for Mama. But, I think Mama would be a great role for you seeing as how you've played Aggravain. And Velma is just a suggestion but they are the "mean" roles I would think.


Well, Mama is the type of person who will do whatever you want as long as you'll do something for her. Her song starts out with a band and she's sort of the motherly character and takes care of the women in jail, but wants something out of it. She's I think manipulative and conniving.

And Velma is flashy, sexy, sensual and an amazing dancer. And has an incredible voice and is really suppossed to be the headliner, the best.


Hope that helps!

[Holly]

Oh, sorry if I didn't make it clear enough, I can't choose the song to any extent. The songs are assigned for each character.

Thank you for your help

[music is life]

Oh I see. Yeah, that's how they do auditions at my school too. Which has it's advantages and disadvantages.


So, are you only going to audition for Mama? Sorry if it seems like I maybe me wanting you to do Velma, it's just a thought. lol.

[Holly]

I'm really not much of a dancer, but I'm going to consider it

[Startobe]

that's crazy that your school got the rights to do this show. where do you live? my school is about 4 hours from New York and we've been denied the rights twice! break a leg at auditions!

[Holly]

I'm in the suburbs of Los Angeles

[PinStripes]

Hm, that's weird. My highs chool did a few years ago (nothing was G-rated) and it was amazing. I didn't hear about any trouble with rights. And we live in the middle of nowhere. Eastern Massachusetts.

[Holly]

I wanted to give a little update on this -

- The only thing it looks like my drama teacher feels is at all inappropriate for us to do is some of the lyrics to Class.

- For people talking about trouble with rights, it turns out this was either the third or fourth year he's requested them before he finally got them.

- Auditions haven't come up yet, but they're nearing - our information meeting is on Tuesday and auditions are a couple weeks later, so I'll know for sure what song I'll have to sing then.

- I saw the show on broadway last month, so now I feel like I may have an actual grasp on the character of Mama Morton, which hopefully will help me out! (Cross fingers!) While I'm going to sing for her, I'm also going to write down that I'd like to be considered for Velma, even though I'm guessing one of the people with a lot more dance experience than I have will be getting her

Thanks again for all your help, guys!

[DaddyDiesel]

[sts4903]

Wow I was exactly int he same situation, exept I'm a guy. but anyways we did Chicago with our company this summer and it turned out amazing if i do say so myself. Our director is awsome and left everything in (its highschool aswell) exept the lyrics to Class that we had to change a little. But, when iread your initial post i was thinking velma (range, attitude) but if you werent planning on such a big role then go for morton, or even one of the murderesess (sp?) those are wicked fun. But good luck and keep posting!

[flyinghome]

[quote="DaddyDiesel"]

[jazzygirlsings]

This is a REALLY old thread! LOL!

[ado amber]

wow a high school is doing chicago? weird...