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Acting in Plays, Singing/Legit Full Lyric / Possible Spinto Soprano Looking for Belty Musical Theatre Piece

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Expert: - 3/19/2009


Question
Alright. This is going to take a little bit of explaining. Thank you for your patience! hah

I am a 22-year-old full lyric soprano (with possible dramatic / spinto future growth), but during high school and 2 years after graduating from high school I focused on musical theatre, specifically power belt pieces. I'm a character actress in the musical theatre field (not an ingenue by any stretch of the imagination) and have a pretty extensive repertoire (i.e. Elphaba from Wicked and several Ethel Merman roles among others). After two years in New York, I decided to go back to school and focus on opera performance, and had to leave my power belting days behind for the time being while I work on making sure my support is 2nd nature, etc.

That being said, I have a recital coming up in the fall, and I need to find a flashy musical theatre number for my closing piece. Now, I am allowed a certain amount of belt, but I can't venture into Ethel Merman land again quite yet, so I'm completely lost. I also need for the piece to be comedic, and I am just not aware of any light belt characters that are the comic relief in a show.

My question is if you have any advice that might point me in the right direction. I have a pretty extensive knowledge base of musical theatre history, but most of the information I have gleaned is geared toward the really powerful, character roles. Any help and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much in advance! :)

Answer
Hello, Stefanie –

Thank you for the question.

I want you to get the following anthology.  Click on or paste the URL into your browser to order on-line:
The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology, Soprano edition – Vol. 2
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=32001285122&lc=recs:det...

The anthology includes a fabulous and comedic "fireworks" type number by Victor Herbert, "Art Is Calling For Me".   Listen to the recording by Beverly Sills.  At the end of the second verse is a perfect opportunity to throw in a flourish of coloratura.  Also consider a very popular French "art song" from the Big Band Era – "Jalousie" (Jealousy).  Sing it in English.  Check out the sample by MGM soprano, Kathryn Grayson:
"JEALOUSY"
http://www.amazon.com/My-Heart-Sings-Kathryn-Grayson/dp/B00004UEQ2/ref=pd_sim_m_...

To order the sheet music on-line:
Ultimate Big Band & Swing Showstoppers
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=4536299&cart=3200128512...

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1083307565.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Take a look at my You Tubes:

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Acting in Plays, Singing

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Sean Martinfield

Expertise

I am a professional vocal coach in San Francisco. In addition to answers from a previous web site (Askme.com - where my "tag" was "VocalCoach") I have published over 2000 responses related to vocal training - particularly as it relates to Musical Theatre and Opera. I have 24 years of experience as Personal Trainer to singers and actors in the San Francisco Bay Area. I sang professionally for 20 years and know what it means to live the life of a musician. I can determine your voice category, i.e., Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Alto Belter, etc., and how to broaden and strengthen your range. Need an audition song for a Broadway Musical? I will give you suggestions that are appropriate to your vocal category and to requirements specified in the audition notice. I have also created a vocal methodology, "The Belter`s Method". It will enable those in Musical Theatre to practice more efficiently because it focuses on the demands of professional performers as well as to those auditioning for school and community productions, and as University and Conservatory performing arts majors. If what you want is a better voice and more control over your career moves and choices, contact me. Also, as the Editor of SanFranciscoSentinel.com, it is my privilege to review productions at the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony, as well as Broadway National Tours booked into San Francisco's Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran Theatres. I also review works by A.C.T (the American Conservatory Theatre) and Magic Theatre. I cover select films, tributes and retrospects, and various international film festivals – particulary those booked into The City's opulent Castro Theatre – including the LGBT Frameline Festival, International Film Festival, Silent Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival, etc. For private vocal instruction, I can be contacted through SanFranciscoSentinel.com. Look under: Seán Martinfield, Sentinel Editor and Publisher.

Experience

As a vocal coach, I work primarily with singers and actors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. My students range from absolute beginners to working professionals, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. The vast majority of my clients come to me through recommendation. I know how to identify any singer's vocal category, i.e., soprano, tenor, alto, baritone, etc. I know how to muscle-up every singer's vocal range and to expand it beyond conventional definitions. I have developed a vocal methodology for those who want to know how to belt, THE BELTER'S METHOD. As a singer who spent half of his career doing Bel Canto, I know that classical or Italian methodologies do not work in Standard American music. Bel Canto cannot be "adapted" to meet the needs of contemporary American music, including the demands of the Musical Theatre. There are a number of major components to my work as a vocal coach. The first is to identify the client's vocal category and to strengthen and maximize the vocal range accordingly. Then it's about teaching a reliable vocal workout that will enable the client to gain better control of their musicianship. That includes scale work to expand the vocal range and to improve placement, breath control, and diction. Then we work on material for the audition portfolio, the immediate job or assignment, a recording session, etc. My task to is to better equip singers and actors who are hoping to or relying upon their performance skills and vocal endurance to maintain a career in the Performing Arts. My clients regularly appear in cabarets and musical productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have worked in New York and gone on National Tours. For more information, Contact me at: Broadwaybelters@yahoo.com

Education/Credentials
San Francisco State University – BA in Theatre Arts; graduate work in Theatre, Philosophy, and Comparative Reiligion. Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley – Graduate work in Ethics

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