[jmurr253]

my school is doing OUAM and i am really excited. i am not a very strong singer but i have done many many plays with the directors before...so my question is what is a major part that doesn't sing alot...i would love to be the Jester but i know he sings...

thanks
~Jmurr~

[Brock07]

The King or Wizard

[PappyCat]

Here is my quick and dirty breakdown on male parts:

Minstrel - Sings quite a bit and it needs to sound good.

Dauntless - He sings quite a bit too, but his singing is mostly comedic. He can't be a terrible singer, but his songs aren't serious ones. I've seen some Youtube videos where Dauntless tried too hard to be a good singer and it just came out not sounding like Dauntless.

Wizard - He only 'sings' a little in one song and I believe it's actually more spoken than anything.

Harry - Harry sings quite a bit and it has to sound dashing and good. He sings the romantic songs.

Jester - Jester sings a lot, but it's mostly comedic or upbeat stuff. However, he does sing by himself in "Very Soft Shoes" and it has to sound good...It's also while dancing.

King - King does not sing at all, or only sings during the very very very last reprise-y song. He's Mute so he doesn't talk at all until the very end. He must be an excellent pantomimist (Pantomimer? Lol!)

Hope that helped!

[Lepitot]

[Beagle On Stage]

I'm walking proof that Dauntlesses can have gorgeous legit voices. I've always had a better voice than my Harrys and Minstrels.

Of course, I also have the depth to play the role in a way that permits that. Whereas most Dauntlesses apparently...do not.

Long story short, no you don't need to be a great singer, but you will have to play the role in a way that supports that take.

[PappyCat]

Beagle, do you have any clips of yourself singing in Once Upon a Mattress? I'd love to see them. If you'd rather not share them with the group, than PM? I'm actually fairly certain that I've never seen a picture of you!

Lepitot, I remember you sharing your videos way back when and really liking them. I dunno, I don't mean to say that Dauntless should have a terrible voice, but the singing shouldn't be attempting to sound pretty. (I don't think Fred should either.) Unless you are doing an interpretation that supports that (Beagle.) Just my opinion though, and it's hard to put into words.

[musikal_geek]

[Beagle On Stage]

Facts are facts, Luc. I'm not going to be shy about it.

[Lepitot]

I think both Winnifred and Dauntless can both have great voices, but they can't sing their songs beautifully.

If Dauntless is singing like he should be Sir Harry, that's not good. But, obviously the person playing him can have a great voice, as long as they don't try to sing it gorgeously. If they are, they aren't playing the character.

Ugh, I thoroughly HATE when Winnifred sings Shy like it's supposed to be pretty. I've always been "Shyyy" and they sing it quietly at first in this gorgeous operatic-wannabe voice and crescendo and decrescendo. Gah.

[PappyCat]

I know! I improved greatly over the course of the show and my directer was like "I want the gritty, brassy voice you had before!" when I was singing shy. Not that I ever got operetic and such, but you know what I mean.

I never sang the Shy note in shy like an actual note. I mean, I stayed in pitch, but I thought it was funnier if it was just this BAM thing after having sung the first few lines.

[Beagle On Stage]

[Lepitot]

A version that was never intended. I just don't feel Dauntless is open to interpretation.

That's like taking Fred and making her a quiet, actually shy girl. And singing Shy beautifully. It isn't the character.

I think taking Dauntless way out of context and not changing the others would really make the show feel weird. Granted, it would feel even more awkward if you changed all of the characters, but I just don't agree with your interpretation.

I'm not saying you are wrong. I just don't think I would enjoy a performance where Dauntless wasn't, well...Dauntless.

[Beagle On Stage]

It's not like making Fred quiet and shy. The script itself would not work that way.

If I don't know what I'm talking about as concerns playing this role, no one does.

[metaphor17]

After reading this whole thread...




^ I think you might need to eat a bit of this

[Beagle On Stage]

I'll tell you what I will eat. Crow. When everyone who disagrees with me does the role twice, once each way, and still thinks the more traditional version is better. Because at this point, no one here is as qualified to make a judgement call as I. Fact.

[metaphor17]

I'm not disagreeing with you, Beagle! I'm sure you were just fab as Dauntless

What I AM saying is that maybe people would respond better to your point of view if you were just a little more...gracious (good word choice or not?) about it.

[Beagle On Stage]

There is a great dissertation on this very board where I'm very gracious about it. And everyone can see that, as someone who knows everything about this subject, I always try to help people see why it's just a better choice. But when people who simply don't have the experience with it that I do try to tell me I'm wrong, it pisses me off, and deservedly so.

If Julia Child said that marinara sauce is better if you add orange juice, would you tell her that she does it wrong? Of course not. You might be surprised because that's unusual, but hopefully you would remember that she knows marinara sauce better than anyone else here, and not diss on her advice before you've tried it yourself. Same thing.

[Lepitot]

I didn't say you were wrong.

But your interpretation completely changes the character, who is in a very one dimensional and shallow world. The characters are all very stereotypical. I merely said I feel the original take is better in my opinion.

It's fine that you portrayed it that way and I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

[musikal_geek]

[Beagle On Stage]

[PappyCat]

While I can make a pot marinara sauce every single night, even multiple times a day, and try out different things, the chances are, a person is only going to get to play Dauntless once, twice if they are lucky and live in an area that puts on Once Upon a Mattress more than once.

I dunno, none of the characters have a lot of give in the ways they can be interpreted because this is a fluffy musical. (Let me make a disclaimer that it is indeed my favorite musical.) The script doesn't support a deeper version of Dauntless, especially if the other characters are playing the more traditional way.

Now, here is where I'm going to bluntly state my opinion. I think your version of Dauntless takes away the likeability of the character. For the story to work, the audience needs to root for Fred and Dauntless to get together. I don't know why anyone would wish your version of Dauntless on Fred. I loved Dennis O'Hare's portrayal of Dauntikins on the poorly recieved TV movie version with Tracy Ullman. I think he captured the character perfectly. I squealed with delight every time he came on screen because he was just so dang adorable. He was likeable and I rooted for him the entire time. The script supports the naive little mammas boy Dauntless.

[Lepitot]

That was perfect, Pappy Couldn't have said it better myself!

[musikal_geek]

Yup, I definitely agree completely with Pappy. Well-said!

[Beagle On Stage]

You're all entitled to that opinion, but must realise that my judgement call on the best way to do the role is simply a more experienced one.

[Lepitot]

Doesn't mean it's right...

You certainly have the more biased opinion because you've done it both ways and are naturally proud of your original take.

But, I've done the show. I've watched the movie several times. I've watched my performance DVD several times. I know the show very well. I feel I'm experienced enough to back up my opinion that the script just doesn't support it.

I'm glad you enjoyed your way. But, don't tell me I'm wrong because you've done it both ways.

[musikal_geek]

Let's see who can get the last word in!