One Jump Ahead has a lot of solo parts and characterization. Yesterday we auditioned solos, including a butcher, a grocer, and a baker. Three girls auditioned, so it wasn't hard to pick them, but of the two, one was so quiet and really had to get the rage out of her "riff-raff, streetrat, scoundrel, take that!" The louder girl wanted to be the grocer...but I had to go with the butcher, I told her "I can see you waving around a cleaver" and gave the quiet girl the grocer. The things you tell the kids...
Second was the harem girls - we had our Aladdin there as well, so not only did they have to sing the part "oh it's sad Aladdin's hit the bottom, he's become a one man rise in crime", but they had to dance and fawn around him. The first two girls did a great job, the second were ok, and the last two girls backed out after deciding they couldn't play that part. The harem girls will also dance around a bit and have to be a bit scandalous (but still PG - Catholic school and all!). I taught them the harmony at the end of practice too - they'll do a really great job and I can't wait to see all the choreography!
The matron was easy "I'd blame parents except he hasn't got 'em" - except it's tough to sing, and she kept singing "I'd blame par" and forget to add the "rents" all in one note, but other than that she is very matronly.
The last part is the best - the girl who sings "still I think he's rather TASTY!" The girl who got it was voted in for it - she also danced around Aladdin but then started to unzip his hoodie while she sang - I had to draw the line there before I got fired. Other than that, she was hilarious and perfect for the part! Poor Al was blushing - but I think he loved all the attention yesterday!
More practice tomorrow, and next week is "A Whole New World" which has a surprising amount of chorus work, but I'll also have to deal with the first time Al and Jas have sang together all romantic and such, as I say "now remember, you do NOT love each other - PLEASE do not start dating".
Poor Music is sick this week so I've been solo all last week and this one, but I'm managing. My piano skills are getting better each day!
Second was the harem girls - we had our Aladdin there as well, so not only did they have to sing the part "oh it's sad Aladdin's hit the bottom, he's become a one man rise in crime", but they had to dance and fawn around him. The first two girls did a great job, the second were ok, and the last two girls backed out after deciding they couldn't play that part. The harem girls will also dance around a bit and have to be a bit scandalous (but still PG - Catholic school and all!). I taught them the harmony at the end of practice too - they'll do a really great job and I can't wait to see all the choreography!
The matron was easy "I'd blame parents except he hasn't got 'em" - except it's tough to sing, and she kept singing "I'd blame par" and forget to add the "rents" all in one note, but other than that she is very matronly.
The last part is the best - the girl who sings "still I think he's rather TASTY!" The girl who got it was voted in for it - she also danced around Aladdin but then started to unzip his hoodie while she sang - I had to draw the line there before I got fired. Other than that, she was hilarious and perfect for the part! Poor Al was blushing - but I think he loved all the attention yesterday!
More practice tomorrow, and next week is "A Whole New World" which has a surprising amount of chorus work, but I'll also have to deal with the first time Al and Jas have sang together all romantic and such, as I say "now remember, you do NOT love each other - PLEASE do not start dating".
Poor Music is sick this week so I've been solo all last week and this one, but I'm managing. My piano skills are getting better each day!