[ravenwork]

Auditioned last week for a community theater production of ITW. I really wanted the Cinderella's Prince/Wolf combination. What did I get? The Narrator.

I am thrilled of course. When I listed him as a desired role on my audition form, I was certainly being honest, but I guess I didn't expect it to happen.

The thought of getting the Act I Finale rolling is VERY scary. That number is a killer. In addition, all those quick hit-and-run lines have me a bit intimidated too.

Well, I don't do theatre to get into my comfort zone. Looks like it's time for a wild ride.

Anyone what out there care to share their experience, or their take on the Narrator?

[IwantheGoldenTicket]

i see the narrator as either looking like a fiddler on the roof character. OR if you've ever seen the movie Ella Enchanted, like that narrator. a different look but it seems he's into his imagination and fun. he wants to have a good time but gets down to buisness.

it's all about the interpretations. maybe you could slow down the quick lines. make him your own and see what your director thinks. the good thing about the show is that these are such CHARACTERS. i mean you can totally character these characters out. (if you get my drift) have fun with it and don't worry to much. you'll do great. break a leg

[what_the_heck013]

Are you also doubling as the mysterious man? If so, then I see the Narrator as telling the story to his son, the Baker (even though it is the Baker's story). This is then repeated as the Baker tells the story to his son, etc. Did that make ANY sense?

[The Very Angry Woman]

[Baker]

[what_the_heck013]

I always thought that the Narrator/Mysterious Man was the Baker's father. Or are you saying that he was the son and they changed it?

[The Very Angry Woman]

[Baker]

That would be an interesting twist though, if the Mysterious Man had been the Baker's Son... traveling backward in time once he's old to make sure that he was, in fact, born...

[ravenwork]

Greetings to all, and thanks for your replies,

I am slowly beginning to get into my characters, and yes I am doing the double role of Narrator/Mysterious Man as it was intended. For the OBC of ITW, Tom Aldredge played both Narrator and Mysterious Man. The original script specifies that the Mysterious Man actually removes his costume on stage after he dies revealing that he is the Narrator. The script that we are using from MTI doesn't contain this note. Perhaps Lapine didn't like the way this played. I suggested this bit to the director, and he is willing to try it, especially since the change from MM to Narrator after MM's death is VERY short.

I see the Narrator as a story-teller, something like the father in Big Fish, that Tim Burton masterpiece film. He likes his imagination better than his real world, partly because he is rather selfish and irresponsible, and the world he lives in doesn't work too well. The Mysterious Man is his more honest appraisal of himself, but this part of him is trapped within his imagination. Complex? Yes, maybe too much, how could I show any of this? ITW is a complex show, many levels, many interpretations.

The most fun I have had so far is the first run-through of the Narrator's entering the story. That scene is just too much fun!

I can't wait to perform MM's part of No More, but WHEW! Sondheim wrote a real musical tongue-twister there, most complex melody I have ever attempted.

I am so blessed. I LOVE this show!

[what_the_heck013]

[ConverseSneaker]

[All4theBest02]

I'll just be quick:

From a former narrator/MM to another, we played the narrator off as one of those intellectual fatherly figures who tells the story - knit sweater, khakis, glasses, well groomed.

The mysterious man (while beardless to my dismay) was a bit dirtier in life - leaves poking out of his cuffs and under his hat, raggedy and flithy clothes.

When the mysterious man died, I took the character in a different direction - I had some fun putting more leaves out of the hat and spirit gumming those fake plastic tree 'leaves' patterning my face, to show the mysterious man was absorbed as part of the forest, having been for so long in life (Hence, No More).

Funniest moment in the show: No blackout between MM's death and Narrator at the end of Act I, and pulling my pants off to reveal my narrator pants, then yoinking of the vest and shirt to reveal my sweater - pull out glasses, kick things to the side, proceed calmly.

Hope any of this might've helped, I honestly didn't read the other posts ^_^;

[ravenwork]

HUGE HELP!

We are doing the onstage change from MM to Narrator. Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. I think this can be a great bit, and it is GREAT to hear that it can work well. I actually suggested it to the director. There is a note suggesting this in the published script, but the note is missing from the MTI playbook.

I was thinking of letting the MM costume sort of hang askew a bit in the second act so that my Narrator suit can be seen.

Now that I am well into rehearsals, I am more confident of my characterizations. The script is written for the MM/Narrator as a dual role. The mirrored death scenes are telling. I know it isn't always cast as a dual role, and I understand how high schools might want to handle it separately, but I think the dual role is a crucial part of this amazing piece of theatre.

I am so fortunate to have my shot at this.