About Mark LeBeau Expertise I can answer questions on musical theater technique, repetoire, audition materials, classical arias, classical technique questions, repetoire, Historical information, Denver Performing Arts Scene
Experience 10 years of teaching, acting, singing in opera and musical theater. Private voice and piano teacher for 12 years.
Education/Credentials Bachelors Degree Music Education- SUNY Potsdam, Crane School of Music
Masters Degree Voice Performance- Ithaca College.
Question QUESTION: Hello there-
My name is Trevor P and I'm a Junior in High School. My school is putting on Once Upon a Mattress later this year, and I am planning on trying out for Prince Dauntless. I know that he's a baritone, and I have heard his music before, but I'm not sure what song I should use to audition with. I was thinking something a little more upbeat, such as Being Alive from Company... but I wasn't sure. And I don't really like singing Being Alive... so I guess that's not a good choice. Do you have any suggestions? My director likes it when we sing songs that are really close to the style of the show... which is kind of hard to place, as Mattress doesn't really have a true style (its not a rock musical, nor is it an old standard...).
Any suggestions you might be able to give me would be very much appreciated. My audition is fast approaching, and I better get to work preparing a song that will moswt definitely land me the role of Prince Dauntless.
Thanks so much for your help!
Sincerely,
Trevor P.
Canton, CT
ANSWER: Hi Trevor-
Thanks for your question. I LOVE 'Once Upon A Mattress'. Great show! While I agree with you wanting to sing a little more upbeat selections for this show, I don't think of 'Being Alive' as uptempo or in the style of the show. While much of the music of 'Mattress' is not traditional musical theater as in having the typical feel, (some is conversational), I do believe it is closest to standard musical theater. You may want to take a look at "Come Back To Me" from On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, the Title Song of "Me and My Girl". While this song is a little bit more modern, it does have a great story and it's funny... as long as it's believable, I say go for it. The song is called 'Last One Picked' from Howard Crabtree's Whoop De Doo. Some other songs to look at, "Leaning On A Lamp Post" from Me and My Girl, "Lonely Town", and "I Won't Send Roses" from Mack and Mabel. 'Mattress' is a great show! Have a ball and break a leg! Let me know what you choose!
All the best!
Mark
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Mark-
Thank you so much for your suggestions! After looking through them all, I think I am going to choose Me and My Girl. I love that song, and I'm not sure why I didn't think of it! But I did have one question- I don't have the sheet music for it. Is there a place online where i might be able to buy just that song, and not have to purchase an entire song book? None of the websites I visited (sheetmusicplus.com, musicnotes.com....) seemed to have any music from the show, much less the song I was looking for. If I can't find the music... well, then I'm going to have to pick a different song. So any suggestions you might have here would also be greatly appreciated.
Again, thanks so much for you help!
-Trevor
Answer Hi Trevor,
That seems to be the issue most of the time. The best suggestion I can give you is to check out your local public library or a College/University Music Library. You can look for Vocal Selections from the show or there are a number of books that have the song; Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology vol. 2, First Book Of Broadway Solos, Great Songs from Musicals for Teens, Teen's Musical Theater Collection- Young Men.
You may even want to post on a site to see what you get back. There are sites sometimes listed on youtube. Searches are how I find much of my music.
