jax
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Just got recast as the Jester...help me!Hey all you people! I have a story to tell.
My high school is putting on a production of OUAM. Auditions were about a month ago, and I got the role of Lady Lucille, which was fine by me.
That is, of course, until our (male) Jester quit two days ago and I was picked to fill in. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to play female, because prior experience has taught me that my particular proportions (namely a very large bust) make passing as male both difficult and physically painful.
Otherwise, I'm a bit lost. I've been reading the script exhaustively and YouTubing it up, which have certainly helped...but your advice would be greatly appreciated.
What difficulties have any of you run into while playing the Jester as a female, and how did you go about solving them? What about costuming? Dancing? Altering the singing parts if necessary?
The show's in a little less than a month, and I'm a nervous wreck!
Help me out?
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ConverseSneaker
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Ok, I did a bit of thinking, and I might be able to help. I think it would be possible to play the Jester as a girl. Sing the songs in your octave if you must. The Jester being a girl could add a whole new dimension too. Like the Wizard doesn't like the idea of women being in show business which is why he doesn't respect her, so when she gets the handshake from the Wizard, she feels she's finally earned his approval and made her father proud, hence Soft Shoes.
Heck, after thinking up that, I want to play the Jester! Really though, he/she is an awesome character. I hoped I helped.
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Elphaba22
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Our Jester was a girl, and played it as a girl, and there were no problems
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Salome
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I really hate when they tamper with the gender casting in this show.
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PappyCat
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| Salome wrote: | | I really hate when they tamper with the gender casting in this show. |
Same, although our Jester was a woman who played it very convincingly as a man.
Regardless, it's not like our OP can do anything about it at this point. I think the Jester is actually one role that can be switched around gender-wise pretty easily. I hate the idea of a female Minstrel.
Talk to your musical Director about Normandy, since Larkin and you will have to do battle for the higher notes. It'll definitely change the sound of it. However, our jester was a woman and it sounded fine.
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jax
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| Salome wrote: | | I really hate when they tamper with the gender casting in this show. |
I'm not exactly a fan of it, either; but I was picked for the role with the knowledge that I would have to play female, so I'm going to do my best.
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PappyCat
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Plus they clearly thought you were the best choice for the role, even out of the remaining boys in your company (which I'm guessing, if it's like a lot of High school theatres, are not plentiful.)
So, I don't think anyone has said this yet: CONGRATULATIONS! You'll have lots of fun.
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jax
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| PappyCat wrote: | Plus they clearly thought you were the best choice for the role, even out of the remaining boys in your company (which I'm guessing, if it's like a lot of High school theatres, are not plentiful.)
So, I don't think anyone has said this yet: CONGRATULATIONS! You'll have lots of fun. |
: D Thank you!
I was very flattered--being a total musical theater noob, I was certainly NOT expecting an upgrade of any sort, let alone of this magnitude!
Now all I have to do is learn to dance somewhat convincingly - what I lack in coordination I'll hopefully make up for in dedication, ha ha.
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Elphaba22
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actually, our jester and minstrel were girls...Normandy was wierd...
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Bristian
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Congratulations!
Although completely irrelevant, I have a pissed off jester tattoo on my inside left forearm.
It isnt based on OUAM though...
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Beagle On Stage
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| Elphaba22 wrote: | | actually, our jester and minstrel were girls...Normandy was wierd... |
One of my productions used girls for both Jester and Minstrel too. It does sound really weird, doesn't it. That whole last section starts to resemble the Andrews Sisters. lol
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Elphaba22
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ROFL!
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jax
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| Beagle On Stage wrote: | | Elphaba22 wrote: | | actually, our jester and minstrel were girls...Normandy was wierd... |
One of my productions used girls for both Jester and Minstrel too. It does sound really weird, doesn't it. That whole last section starts to resemble the Andrews Sisters. lol |
Haha! xD
We have a male minstrel, and I am very much an alto, so I can get away with taking the lower notes for the last part.
For the other songs and the earlier parts of Normandy, I've been taking it up the octave and doing my best...and actually discovering that I have better range than I thought. 
We open in just over two weeks - I'll be sure to post pictures!
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blue wind
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i just wanted to say....
gideon glick (SA OBC) played the jester in OUAM when he was in high school.
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