Notes for Songs from Act 1

I'm a little late to the party here, so if you don't get a chance to read this before tomorrow, that's my fault--not yours.  

For everyone: If the curtain is opening or closing, you'll need to speak up or wait for it to stop moving--if it's not awkward to do so.  Ask a director if you're unsure.

"Thomas"

It was a little tricky with missing a couple of our singers in this song.  That's a good reminder to us though, that if the person before you misses his or her phrase, you should know the song well enough that you can jump in with your lyrics anyway.

Nice dancing, Maddi & Juli.  Remember Mrs. Kluge's advice about looking at the other person's ear to keep from smiling.  = )  I can't help smiling with you, so don't look at me, either.

Once the music is loaded onto the high school's computer, I'll make sure to turn it down during the speaking parts of the song.  With the curtain opening though, it'll still be hard to hear you (Evan & Henry).  Evan, see if you can get to center stage quickly as soon as the curtain starts opening.  It would be good if you can see the audience before you say your lines.  It's very hard to hear you when you're behind the curtain while it's opening.

Sloane, would you sing along with Erica on this line:  "Must they shout?"

Morgan, great job on your "Thomas!" parts--even without Krista.  

Evan & Sloane, I like your "arguing" while the Artists are singing with Thomas.

Sloane, could you hear those little drum beats okay?  I'm hoping monitors will help, once we get them.  That part is tricky.

Artists, it's a little hard to hear you at the end of the song.  You could also try some gesturing on the "we're to blame" part.  Look more apologetic, if you can.

"Lock, Stock, and Barrel"

Mrs. Stuewer did a great job with suggestions on this.  I only have two things to say:

1.  On the group singing--ENUNCIATE.  Your words are a bit mushy.  I could hear the solo words well, though.  

2.  It sounds like you still don't know the last verse (the one with the four "please" phrases).  Go back and practice with your CD until you know it without thinking.  

"Confucius Say" (China Setting)

Families 1, 2, 3 ~ I can tell you know your words (good job!), but they were a little bit mushy.  Make sure you're singing clearly so the audience can understand you.

Seth & Buddy ~ Nice job!  A couple of spots it seemed like you were unsure of the first words in a phrase, so just polish that up a little bit.  I could hear most of your words clearly.  Good enunciation.

Elena ~ Beautiful.

"Drink a Cuppa"

Nice job on the singing, Juli, Ethan, & Maddi.  Girls, when you spin, you'll have to throw your voices to the audience as much as you can.  That curtain soaks up your sound and we lose your words a little.

Juli, I could hear you, but it wouldn't hurt to be a little bit louder.  You have time between your words (tea...for two...) to "belly breathe".  You could try that and see if it helps your volume a bit.  Don't hyperventilate on me though.

Ethan, your voice resonates nicely and adds depth to the trio.  Just watch your vowels.  If it's a little high on that "girl for me" part, you can go back to the original notes (ending on an E instead of an A) so that your vowel stays pure.  Play around with that and see what you like better.  Also, watch your vowel on "sip".  It's not blending with the girls' vowel there.

 Juli & Maddi, start smirking, exchanging glances, nodding, winking when Thomas is fumbling for words after Kathryn's "Who are you marrying?".  Break out in a huge grin when Thomas says, "And you can stop smirking!"  Good job on the reprise. 

"Chasing Dreams"

When the music first starts and you are talking, we'll have the music a little softer.

Good enunciation, Sloane.

Good entrance, Ethan.

Good entrance, Sloane (on talking part).  Nice volume and enunciation while the curtain is closing.  We'll turn the music down some for your talking part.

Ethan, watch your diphthongs here.  When you sing a long /i/ sound (my, eyes, line, I), stay on the "ah" part of it for as long as you can, with just a little bit of the "ee" tacked on at the end.  I like to practice diphthongs in front of a mirror, making sure I keep my jaw dropped for as long as possible on that long /i/.  

Lovely, lovely parts at the end of the song!  Both of you--just beautiful.  = )

"Shi-Jing"

Thanks for filling in, Maddi!  Nice job.  = )

Two things for when you sing "Banished, banished, banished":

1.  Exaggerate the /b/ and /d/ sounds each time.  "BanisheD, BanisheD, BanisheD"  Then it won't sound so much like, "Spanish, Spanish, Spanish".  = )

2.  On your 3rd "BanisheD", keep it very short so that Chang can sing, "life for me!"  The exception to that is the very last time you sing the chorus.  Then you hold out the 3rd "BanisheD".

Whenever you start your step-together dance step again, always go to your RIGHT first.

Peter F. and Gabe, you two do this song well every time--dancing and singing.  Good job.

"All You Need Is Cash"

Nick, I like the snap you added in the first verse.  Nice enunciation and volume throughout the song.  The last couple of times you've switched the first two phrases of the song.  If you think alphabetically--that "bills" comes before "rent" in the dictionary--that might help you. We want "rent" to rhyme with "spent".  That's the only constructive criticism I have for you though.  You do consistently well throughout the musical.  Great job.  = )

Evan, when you're singing, "Someone's got to marry the poor," turn to the audience a little as you're walking--as if you're trying to convince them that poor people are worth marrying too!  Put your arms out a little and shrug while you do this.

The talking part and going into verse 2 was pretty sloppy, but it was much nicer on March 21st, so I think this was just a fluke.  Still, take a minute to polish this up.  Evan, when you tell Miss Chamberlain to go and file, you're annoyed with her for being there.  Sound a little exasperated.  Yell a little.  Shoo her off like she's a pesky fly.

Nice curtsy, Tricia (on "clothes").

"Thomas Reprise"

This is still under pitch.  Go back and practice with your rehearsal CD a few times.  Otherwise, good volume and clarity.

"All You Need Is Cash Reprise"

Good circling around Albert.  Like sharks.  = )

We're a little behind the beat on "as a father-in-law, do you wanna be rich or poor?" (right before your little dance)

Entrance on the slow "As a father-in-law..." part was a little late.

Evan, on the very last "poor", while you're going down on your knee, pull your pockets out to show just how poor you are.  Sort of shake your head, as if to say, "I really don't want to be poor, so I'm going to give in to Mr. Parimutuel."