[madpianist]

I Really need help. I REALLY REALLY want this role so badly. I am a freshman and am going against older people in my high school for good roles in Into the Woods. I am a high soprano and can hit notes in the whistle range, but I have no idea what piece to do? I want the lady in charge of it to go WOW when I open my mouth. since Cinderella is an operatic character and sweet and speech like, I was thinking a song like "I Could Have Danced All Night" or "Show Me" from My Fair Lady. Do you think any of those are good songs? I was also thinking "The Light in the Piazza" or "Some Enchanted Evening". She doesn't want any songs from the play. Please Help!

[Snow_White]

I would first make sure that you are open to take other roles.

I don't mean to sound like a downer or like I am being mean, but as a freshman you need to understand that there will very likely be a sort of hierarchy in your school's theatre department and a role like Cinderella (as it is considered a lead) will likely go to an older student...

Not that I am saying don't audition, I encourage you to give it your all and get yourself out there for sure, and who knows- you may end up getting the role...but there are other roles that you should look at as a younger student...have you looked at the role of Little Red? Perhaps even Rapunzel (as she is a soprano part...and requires a much more operatic voice then Cinderella)

Just keep yourself open to taking any role...as a freshman your main concern should be getting yourself known by the theatre department and the teachers so that when you are the older student you will be getting the leads.

Trust me, we all went through it

[ConverseSneaker]

To be honest, I don't think any of those songs are really right for this audition. The number one rule on this board for Sondheim auditions seem to be use a Sondheim song.

I would look at songs from his other shows and see if any of them work. Talk with your director, maybe she could offer advice and ideas. If you show that you are dedicated and want to do a good job, I'm sure she will take note of that.

[madpianist]

So, what do you think a good song would be then?

[ConverseSneaker]

Well, bear in mind that I don't know much about the show itself, but look at Anne's songs from a Little Night Music. Soon might be a good choice.

Anyone else with more knowledge of this show think this is good?

[Snow_White]

Green Finch from Sweeney...except that it might be a popular choice because of the movie thats out...still...it's a good one.

[music is my life!!!]

even if she doesn't want a song from the show, you really would have a better chance if you knew all of her songs and scenes pretty well, so you could strut your stuff for the ball!

[madpianist]

Well, I met with my singing teacher, and do you think Not A Day Goes By would be a good song? I has a good range, is speechy and operatic.

[lottielou22]

Maybe something of Maria's from West Side Story... (not I Feel Pretty--that's too low) the trouble is she doesn't really have any solos, she's mostly in duets and stuff... maybe you can find a solo arrangement of something. She's about the same range as Cinderella.
(though I admit none of her songs or notes would make someone go "wow".)

[music is my life!!!]

can't you do "on the steps"? that's the real strutty song for cindy. maybe noone is alone...

[ConverseSneaker]

[Kiwi]

I'm not going to presume to specify any songs to do, I don't know your voice well enough to decide. But here's the two bits i will put in to try to make your choice a little easier:

First of all, if the director says don't do a song from the show, then for the love of the sweet children, DON'T DO A SONG FROM THE SHOW!! Not only is it specified that the director doesn't want songs from the show, but using songs from the show you're auditioning for is generally a very bad idea. 1) The director surely has been preparing for the show and brainstorming ideas for a while now and therefore has listened to the music plenty enough times to be sick and tired of it and not want to hear it at an audition. 2) She probably has a certain interpretation of whatever song you do from the show and if you interpret it differently it could screw you over. 3) Directors usually have you sing something from a show at a callback audition, and that's when you get to show off your knowledge of the show. By all means, learn the music, learn the lines, come up with ideas, but don't sing it for the audition.

Second, I'm thinking you don't want to do a ballad, because for the most part this show is very upbeat, aside from the songs toward the end. You might want to consider something by Sondheim (besides Into the Woods, obviously), because then you'll be sure to have the same general style, and you can show that you can master his wordy lyrics .

It's good that you're thinking of ways to wow your director and get noticed, but like Snow_White said, high school directors generally choose older kids over younger because they've been waiting for leads longer and the director has worked with them before and knows their work ethic and can trust them to pull through (not to impugn your work ethic, she just hasn't seen yours yet). I had the same problem this year when we performed Damn Yankees: there were hardly any seniors in the theatre program this year, and i thought i had a good chance even though i was a sophomore (we don't have freshman at my school). I didn't get a lead, but I ended up having the time of my life in the show even as a dancer. Certainly you should do your best to stand out so that she keeps you in mind for later roles. And who knows, there are a lot of roles in this show, you might get lucky! Just keep your desire for the role in check.

Hope that helps!

P.S. I'm auditioning for the same role sometime in May, and something from Light in the Piazza is an excellent idea. So even though you didn't mean to, thanks for giving me the idea!