Overdone songs and monologues

[peskymeschi]

I recently discovered that one of my go-to audition pieces falls into the "don't ever do it, it's overdone" category. When I was studying theatre, I seemed to have a handle on what not to do, but that was forever ago and now I'm out of the loop. So I turn to you, Indiana theatre community, to fill the void in my knowledge, if you would be so kind...

What audition pieces (songs or monologues) have you seen too many times? Or what have you been warned away from?

And I guess a sub-question, for anyone who sits on the other side of the table: how much does it matter?

Here's something I've been told: Wicked is a no-no and don't attempt Les Miz.

[rebthebecca]

Songs that teenage girls should currently avoid:

"Good Morning Baltimore"

Anything from "Glee". (ESPECIALLY "Rain On My Parade")

"Part of Your World" from Little Mermaid

[Rose]

I'm not anything like an expert for monologues, but for musicals, be very careful about doing a song that proclaims how good you are unless you are 100% sure you can back it up. For example, I saw someone audition with "I'm the Greatest Star" from Funny Girl, and the only thought I had was "In your dreams, honey. Next!"

Wicked is a no-no unless you can sing it exactly the way it sounds on the cast album - many of those songs are so well-loved that they're burned in everyone's brain from listening to them over and over - if you can't meet or beat the original, don't try it. I suspect that's the same caveat for Les Miz.

I've said this before, but I recommend avoiding songs from Rent, for 2 reasons. First, much of the "feeling" from Rent songs comes from the orchestration and the emotion generated during the show itself. Singing something like that "cold" and with only piano accompaniment (played by someone who may or may not be able to "rock") will not show you off to your best ability. Second, if you're auditioning for a traditional musical (Guys and Dolls, Music Man, Joseph, Fiddler, etc.) and you audition with a rock-style song, the director may feel you don't have the technical chops to sing more traditional Broadway style music. Hate to say it, but that's my assumption - if I don't hear clear, correct tones, if I hear a lot of swooping and sliding, if I hear a screaming quality in someone's voice, my first reaction is "not good for the long haul - they'll blow their voice out too fast."

Stick with Broadway standards - try to find a similar song from a show by the same composer (for example, something from Brigadoon if you want to play Liza Doolittle or something from Carousel or Oklahoma if you're setting your sights on Maria Von Trapp) - find someone who can play the piano for you and practice with them before the audition so you know how the song will sound without all the lush orchestrations on the cast album.

Oh, and learn the freakin' words. NOTHING makes a director think "Next!" more than someone explaining how they just picked their audition song in the car on the way to the theater, and they don't know the words, so could they look over the piano players shoulder? I've done musicals for more years than I care to count, and have had my share of successes on stage, but I still begin picking out and rehearsing my audition song 3-4 months in advance of an audition. If something comes up at the last minute, I have one stock song that I can always fall back on that shows off my voice, and I use that.

I guess my best advice is being good is better than being clever when it comes to auditioning. Focus on preparation, preparation, preparation - that will take you farther than anything.

[KeithDB]

My daughter, Bethany, could probably write a book in response to this question, and I mean that nearly literally. She has dabbled some on IA but I don't think does anymore. She's now in Los Angeles in rehearsal for her gig at sea on one of Holland America's cruise ships.

[Dee]

I agree with Rose 100%. I've even got a few stand-bys that have gotten a little stale with potential directors. Unless I can sing an audition song in my sleep backwards and forwards (as the music is written, because sometimes music directors want to know if you can improvise, but mostly they want to know if you can learn a song and do it the way it's supposed to be done). I agree that classic stand-bys are the go-to pieces--R&H (both Hs), Gershwin, some Cole Porter. Sondheim has always been a no-no, but I keep hearing some of the younger girls murmuring that it may be making a comeback. If you don't know who's accompanying at auditions and whether they can sight-read Sondheim, choose something else. I recently had a close friend point out a song he "knew" would be "perfect" for me to audition with, but the audition he was pointing me to was too close to give the song (and me) justice in an audition. I also have my tried and trues to fall back on in a pinch, but am always looking at new stuff to try out. Oh, and I personally wouldn't try anything from "JCS" or "Godspell," just because they are so 70ish to me, and because they fall into that "rock" style Rose mentioned. Good luck on finding a new piece.

[static26]

any audition songs for a bass/baritone? I never have found THE one song that is brilliant yet,

[Lou Harry]

Not great on knowing my vocal music parts, but how about My Defenses Are Down from Annie Get Your Gun or Things Are Looking Up from Crazy for You?

Or put both together for an Down/Up thing.