happyguava
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Help with roles pleeease!!!Hi everyone,
I am auditioning for Les Miserables next year, and I was wondering what part to go for. I know most of the songs from the show, and I can sing them, but I am 15 and I'm not sure which part I should go for (this is a community theatre group by the way). I am fairly tall, and I've been told I can pass for about 19. I will be 16 by the time the show is on, not that it really makes a difference.
My singing teacher told me I could play Fantine, but I had it in my head that she was meant to be older. Which out of Fantine, Eponine and Cosette are best for me?
And even then, what should I sing in an audition?
Thanks so much!!
Guava
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nicnikniki
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What is your range? If you're an alto or mezzo soprano (G-C or Bb-F, approximately), you would be better as Eponine or Fantine. However if you're a soprano and you can sing to top C I'd say you could probably try as Cosette. I think the hardest role to play (acting wise) is Cosette, and the easiest is Eponine - the actress playing Eponine can be as bad as anything and the audience will still lap it up.
You could also play Madame Thenardier (the innkeeper's wife) if you think you can play a really funny/nasty character.
And if all else fails, playing a prostitute is always fun.
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Aimee
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I agree, your vocal range really does matter here and the 'quality' of your voice. Tell us more about you  .
Your age doesn't matter, your old [tall] enough to play any of the roles, even Madam T will be 19 or under and have to age up.
Fantine is about 26 by the time she dies but people will accept anyone if she can sing it. Fantine is a beautiful role, if you want heart wrenching reality that's the one to go for.
Eponine is the 'popular' role as she is the love sick heroine.
Cosette is hard to play because its high vocally and because she has very much less material to make people 'like' her. Hard to play is good btw, its a challenge.
There are a few smaller roles too like The Factory Girl and The Madam, the Crone and the old woman in Lovely Ladies etc.
Good luck.
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Lesmiserables24601
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HmmmIn all eventualities Cosette is the most demanding of the female roles. Our Cosette, who is immensely talented, was denied Eponine for that part by the director because, in his own words, there are a million divas' capable of Eponine, and very few who can play Cosette. In the end, its all about how you feel about Les Miserables, and the characters. What character do you feel for? Its been said that Fantine is 26, but she is still quite naive - I guess this is what makes her such a poignant character, a small town girl who went to go and fulfill her dreams only to have them dashed to the ground.
Audition songs? That depends whether it is a casual or semi - professional audition. If its casual sing a song from the musical itself that compliments both you and your voice. If professional, a song in the same style as the musical generally showing the same vocal range of the character you wish to play would be suitable. If you need any further information on musical audition protocol I'd be more than happy to send some to you. Just PM me, yah? Also i recently played Jean Valjean in a school production of Les Miserables so I can help with any process information or the such. Have a good one, and Good Luck.
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Orestes Fasting
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Well, your voice teacher knows more about your voice than we do, so if she suggested Fantine that's, tentatively, what I'd go for. Age doesn't matter--everyone in the production should be 19 or under anyway, and due to the time abridgment in the musical (Fantine's "descent" takes place over several years in the book, whereas the musical squashes the time down quite a bit), she can be in her early 20s if need be.
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happyguava
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Okay, yeah I should have gone into a bit more detail. I am technically a soprano, but I do sing some mezzo/alto stuff. When I first started singing I was doing mezzo stuff, but when I started singing soprano stuff my voice sounded much better and I get a nicer tone in my upper register. As you can see by all the roles I want to play (in my signature) my range is pretty big (about 3 octaves I think) and the stuff I sing, and want to sing, varies a fair bit.
I have sung both "On my Own" and "I Dreamed a Dream" in the past, but haven't sung any Cosette songs apart from "Castle on a Cloud" when I was about 8.
As much as I would love to play Eponine, what you are saying is right - very easy, and the audience will love it even if I suck.
My voice teacher said Fantine would be good because she thought she was about my age - hence my confusion  I feel for both Fantine and Cosette, and would be very happy playing either of them. I would be happy playing Eponine too. Which sort of brings me back to where I started 
Any more help with deciding would be muchly appreciated - as well as with audition songs. I don't know what else I can tell you to paint a better picture of how I sing etc...
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Orestes Fasting
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In that case--try for Fantine, or Cosette if you're more comfortable in your high range, and let everyone else fight over Eponine. 
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Aimee
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Except the role you have on you list is Eponine, so don't miss the chance.
Can't you try out for them all?
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Kragey
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I agree with Aimee. Do you have to try out for a specific part, or can you just sing an audition song and let them pick what they think is best for you?
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happyguava
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I am meant to tell them which role I am auditioning for. That doesn't mean they won't consider me for other roles, but I have to write one down!
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Kragey
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I would say Cosette for your main choice, although they might want a younger girl for that part; if that worries you, try for Fantine.
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Aimee
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She's only 15 I think age wont matter for any role.
I say follow your own heart, if you do what we say you might regret it forever. You heart will be sayin 'I want this role' be quiet, listen to it, and go for it. [Unless you'd be really bad in the role then be realistic too].
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happyguava
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Okay, so, I think I really need to think about it - such a hard decision!!!  Anyway, do you reckon my audition song would depend on which role? I know Cosette has a higher part etc. So any ideas for songs for each role?
Sorry guys, I know I'm being a pain, but thanks!!
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Kragey
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There's an audition song thread stickied in the Misc forum. Check the soprano and mezzo songs.
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Aphrodite
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Maria's part in "Tonight" from WSS could work for Cosette. It's high, has the ingenue "aura" etc.
Look at songs that first fulfill the range requirements for the parts and then fulfill the "feel" requirements.
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happyguava
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I was thinking "Wishing you were somehow here again" if I chose to go for Cosette, or "Don't Cry for me Argentina" if I went for Eponine?
Although "Tonight" isn't a bad idea either.
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Aimee
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Tonight is a duet so maybe not as good. I like the Phantom idea.
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Colle
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For trying out for Cosette, what about "Goodnight My Someone" or "My White Knight," both from "the Music Man?" I am not sure how well either song would work, it is just an idea.
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happyguava
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Anyone remember this thread?
Well, I just got back from my audition (prepared a little early, I know!) and I am so depressed - it was TERRIBLE!!! It ended up being that the songs were advised for each role, so naturally I had to sing On My Own - a song I have been singing for a few years now. So I was quite confident. Althought at the time it felt good, and I completely loset myself in the song and can hardly remember it now (good sign, right?), after leaving that building I just have a bad feeling. I don't know if it's the fact that there was so much competition, or if it's the way they spoke to me or just that I know I sang badly but I just have this terrible feeling and I really don't want to get my letter.
I don't know what it was that made it so bad. I have been to so many auditions, it's meant to get easier!!! But I want this soooo badly...
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Sister Robert Anne
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I'm sorry it went so badly. Do let us know what happened though. 
I don't want to start a new thread on the same subject, so I was just going to ask: Does Cosette always have to be a lyric soprano? I'm a dramatic soprano trying out for the SE and she is easily within my range, but I know I won't have as light a tone on the higher notes. You are allowed to try out for up to two parts including chorus, so I was going to try for Cosette and Madame Thenardier (if you try for a main part and are not cast you will probably be in the chorus anyway); my range is nowhere near low enough for Eponine and probably not for Fantine either.
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Piece of crap
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That stuff really only matters in opera n' stuff. In Les Mis, a "rock opera", the voice types are way more leniant -- I'm aware that Dramatic Sopranos are thicker in sound than the lyric soprano however, and that Cosette is thought of as "youthful" -- hence, the lyric soprano might play it off better.
But once again, it isn't an opera where the vocal fach is of incredible importance. Variety is one thing I think many Les Mis diehards enjoy in the different casts n' stuff!
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eponine5
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didn't Judy Kuhn have a slightly lower voice than most?
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Fantine
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| eponine5 wrote: | | didn't Judy Kuhn have a slightly lower voice than most? |
Well she didn't hit most of her highest notes on the TAC, so who knows.
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Moci
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| eponine5 wrote: | | didn't Judy Kuhn have a slightly lower voice than most? |
She was classically trained and seems to have/had soprano range and a strong chest voice (try listening to the OBC of 'Les Mis' and the OBC of Chess)
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happyguava
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| Sister Robert Anne wrote: | | I'm sorry it went so badly. Do let us know what happened though. |
Sorry, I didn't read your reply. I'm in the ensemble (you may have guessed!) with a couple of solos here and there, so I suppose it wasn't as bad as I was imagining. But I found out that over 100 people auditioned and we have a cast of just under 40, so I do feel better. It should be a good show! Thanks for all the help everyone
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guidosantini
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| Fantine wrote: | | eponine5 wrote: | | didn't Judy Kuhn have a slightly lower voice than most? |
Well she didn't hit most of her highest notes on the TAC, so who knows. |
What notes didn't she hit on the TAC?
I don't think Judy Kuhn has a lower voice than most. She sings with a full lyric sound and blends her chest and head voice better than many other singers. I think few singers are as versatile as she is. Perhaps you're confusing the "weight" of the voice with pitch? Sometimes when you compare recordings, a song sung by one person will sound higher than when sung by someone else even when they are, in fact, singing in the same key.
At any rate, she sang Amalia Balash in She Loves Me before leaving to do the LA premiere of Sunset Blvd. Amalia sings a high C in the song "Ice Cream."
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Fantine
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| guidosantini wrote: | | Fantine wrote: | | eponine5 wrote: | | didn't Judy Kuhn have a slightly lower voice than most? |
Well she didn't hit most of her highest notes on the TAC, so who knows. |
What notes didn't she hit on the TAC?
I don't think Judy Kuhn has a lower voice than most. She sings with a full lyric sound and blends her chest and head voice better than many other singers. I think few singers are as versatile as she is. Perhaps you're confusing the "weight" of the voice with pitch? Sometimes when you compare recordings, a song sung by one person will sound higher than when sung by someone else even when they are, in fact, singing in the same key.
At any rate, she sang Amalia Balash in She Loves Me before leaving to do the LA premiere of Sunset Blvd. Amalia sings a high C in the song "Ice Cream." |
This topic is over two years old. Get over it! And no, she doesn't hit the high C in Every Day properly.
But she is great in Pocahontas.
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guidosantini
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| Fantine wrote: | This topic is over two years old. Get over it! And no, she doesn't hit the high C in Every Day properly.
But she is great in Pocahontas. |
Well, aren't you the most charming person to walk the earth? You seriously need an attitude adjustment. If this topic is too old to post a reply, why did you bother replying to me?
I'm new to this forum. The topic is still open, so I'll post here as long as the topic stays open if I want. She does in fact hit the C just fine. I will say that she shouldn't have tried to sing the final "l" in the word all. No one should attempt consonants on a pianissimo high c or above.
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lesmisloony
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Oh, for Rassilon's sake.
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Orestes Fasting
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| guidosantini wrote: | | Fantine wrote: | This topic is over two years old. Get over it! And no, she doesn't hit the high C in Every Day properly.
But she is great in Pocahontas. |
Well, aren't you the most charming person to walk the earth? You seriously need an attitude adjustment. If this topic is too old to post a reply, why did you bother replying to me?
I'm new to this forum. The topic is still open, so I'll post here as long as the topic stays open if I want. |
She bothered replying to let you know that dragging up an ancient thread without acknowledgement or justification is rude. Especially if you're just posting to get all butthurt because someone criticized an actress you like. And I know we've had thread-necromancy dust-ups recently, so in conclusion: lurk moar.
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guidosantini
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| Orestes Fasting wrote: |
She bothered replying to let you know that dragging up an ancient thread without acknowledgement or justification is rude. Especially if you're just posting to get all butthurt because someone criticized an actress you like. And I know we've had thread-necromancy dust-ups recently, so in conclusion: lurk moar. |
Butthurt? And you're calling me rude? 
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Orestes Fasting
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Yep. Protip: waltzing in here, committing a classic n00b faux pas, and then pitching a fit at the people who tell you to knock it off will only get you laughed at. Mostly over the fit-pitching.
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guidosantini
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| Orestes Fasting wrote: | | Yep. Protip: waltzing in here, committing a classic n00b faux pas, and then pitching a fit at the people who tell you to knock it off will only get you laughed at. Mostly over the fit-pitching. |
Protip: it's possible to correct someone without being rude. Laugh all you want. Me ne frego.
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bigR
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It is also possible to write something like "hi, guys, I know this thread died long ago, but I'm new here and I just wanted to..." before going all thread-necromantic. You might even have gotten a few interesting answers.
Also, se veramente te ne frega, stop being so touchy about it.
And welcome.
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Moci
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| guidosantini wrote: | | Orestes Fasting wrote: | | Yep. Protip: waltzing in here, committing a classic n00b faux pas, and then pitching a fit at the people who tell you to knock it off will only get you laughed at. Mostly over the fit-pitching. |
Protip: it's possible to correct someone without being rude. Laugh all you want. Me ne frego. |
Q-tip: You have to stop pushing it when there's resistance.
(old, but who cares)
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Quique
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Welcome!
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Fantine
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I don't see how I'm rude though. Just because I say something negative about your favorite singer?
Hold on; I'll go grab the popcorn.
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EponineMNFF
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| Moci wrote: | | guidosantini wrote: | | Orestes Fasting wrote: | | Yep. Protip: waltzing in here, committing a classic n00b faux pas, and then pitching a fit at the people who tell you to knock it off will only get you laughed at. Mostly over the fit-pitching. |
Protip: it's possible to correct someone without being rude. Laugh all you want. Me ne frego. |
Q-tip: You have to stop pushing it when there's resistance.
(old, but who cares) |
Hang on, I've got Milkduds! xD
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mezzo_soprano
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Chips anyone?
Okay I think we need to make a newbie nettiqute thread. Alot of them don't realize the unspoken rules and get defensive. I'm not blaming either party here I just an offering my $0.02.
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guidosantini
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| Quique wrote: | | Welcome! |
Thank you!
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guidosantini
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| Fantine wrote: | I don't see how I'm rude though. Just because I say something negative about your favorite singer?
Hold on; I'll go grab the popcorn. |
No, I took your saying, "Get over it!" as rude. And while I like Judy Kuhn a lot, I would not say she's my favorite singer. That would be Anna Moffo.
I would like to apologize to you and anyone else I may have offended.
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guidosantini
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| mezzo_soprano wrote: | | Okay I think we need to make a newbie nettiqute thread. Alot of them don't realize the unspoken rules and get defensive. I'm not blaming either party here I just an offering my $0.02. |
I think that's an excellent idea.
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bigR
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[quote="guidosantini"] | Fantine wrote: |
I would like to apologize to you and anyone else I may have offended. |
Don't worry, we've all made newbie's faux-pas.
If you stay around long enough you'll see that we aren't as mean as we seem.
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