You are here:

Acting in Plays, Singing/Grease Audition; Good Audition Pieces

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/1/2008


Question
I was wondering if you had an suggestions for a high baritone/tenor audition piece for the musical Grease.  I've used:
The Impossible Dream - Man of La Mancha
I'm Not That Smart - 25th APCSP
Giants in the Sky - Into The Woods
for many auditions before, but I do not feel any of these will fit for Grease.  I was told to do something from The Music Man, but I don't enjoy singing any pieces from that show at all.

Any ideas of any songs that may be good?
BryanJrr

Answer
Fortunately, you asked someone with a range close to your own (I'm a solid baritone).

I'm surprised they suggested something from The Music Man as that is a show with very traditional-type music.  Grease, as I'm sure you're aware, has much more bebop, dowop and Rock and Roll influences.

With that in mind, I would suggest something like "Hot Patootie" from the Rocky Horror Show (film version: Rocky Horror Picture Show), especially if you can put the same emotion into it that Meatloaf did in the film.  If you want to impress them with technical excellence, go with something from Stephen Sondheim - "Joanna" from Sweeny Todd, for instance or even "Maria" from West Side Story.  Also, consider selections such as "Heaven On Their Minds" or "Simon Zealotes" from Jesus Christ, Superstar (regarded as being the first rock opera, by the way).

As with any audition, it's always difficult to know what the director is looking for in particular, so these are just some general suggestions.  The key thing is to work hard in preparing, and give it your best during the audition itself.

Break and leg, and let me know how you did!

-- Spyder

Acting in Plays, Singing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

J. Spyder Isaacson

Expertise

Especially the Seattle theatre scene. Seattle is the number two theatre city of the nation, having more theatres than any other city (including Chicago!) except New York. I know the reputations of most of the local theatres, have worked with quite a number of them, and am currently earning the majority of my livelihood through live theatre. Beyond that, I have been a working professional for the past 10 years (after a long career in an unrelated field), have done just about everything in the field, and have done every possible type of theatre. Currently, I am also pursuing a new (and unexpected!) career as an animated film producer. (PLEASE NOTE that I am NOT an expert in music!) ***DO NOT*** ASK ME QUESTIONS REGARDING AUDITION SONGS OR MONOLOGUES - the answers require way too much information to be passed along by the All Experts system.

Experience

I have been an award-winning actor, singer, playwright, director and administrator (on various levels, all categories) for the past 30 years. A large part of my expertise has been with live theatre, although I do have a minor connection to filmed theater. I have done musicals, straight dramas, straight comedies, and experimental theatre.

Organizations
Theatre Puget Sound Magical Mystery Troupe Centerstage Theatre Conservatory Board of Trustees (former) Express-Theatre Northwest (former) Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater

Publications
Unrelated trade publications

Education/Credentials
B.A. in Theatre Arts, Gonzaga University M.Ed. in Education and Technology, Western Governor's University (in progress)

Awards and Honors
Mutiple awards (ask for specifics), Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Valley Community Players, Best Supporting Actor

Past/Present Clients
C's Animation Studio Productions, LLC

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.