So just a quick question: If I am specifically auditioning for the part of Maria (I would take any part in the show of course, but that is the part I REALLY want), would it be better to do a song that fits Maria's personality (like "Show Me" from My Fair Lady) or do a song that my voice sounds better on but doesn't at all scream "maria" ("If I Loved You" from Carousel)? Both are within the 'rules' for picking out good audition songs- 'If I Loved You' is another R&H song, but Julie Andrews played both Eliza and Maria....

It is a small community theater, and I have a good chance at the part; I just enjoy obsessing over audition songs.
Thanks!!!

(and in case you read it, yes I did also post this in the auditions forum)

Yes, but Mary Martin was the ORIGINAL Maria. She is well known for playing the ORIGINAL Nellie in South Pacific and the ORIGINAL Peter Pan in Peter Pan. "Show Me" is also an excellent idea, though.

Personally i think If I loved You is a really slow song but its a beautiful one. Try picking up the speed maybe for auditions and that song would be awesome!!!
Candice

DON'T EVER SCREW WITH THE TEMPO THAT'S WRITTEN! It is one of the worst mistakes you can make in an audition! Don't do it! ESPECIALLY with classics! The only exception to that rule is if you are going for something jazz-oriented and you are singing a jazzy version of something that is a classic, since classic musical theater and jazz often intersect.

For one, the casting director that's expecting the song to be the ballad it is will be totally thrown if you make it an uptempo...And they will focus so much on that and your performance may be missed. Then they will think you are inconsistent with tempos...

Do what you do best, within reason! LOL!

If you can improve "Show Me" by the time you audition, then that would be a better choice...if not, stick with "If I Loved You", but continue to work on "Show Me" because that's a more appropriate sound for Maria ultimately...They should be able to hear if you can get a different color from "If I Loved You", so don't worry about that too much...

Make sure that you have more than one song prepared that you're comfortable with, as that makes it easier for them and yourself when preparing to audition.

I did the first verse of Show Me, but going up to the high note at the end.
I thought I read very well, and of the women who sang from the show at callbacks, I thought I did the best.
I'm 27.
And I was cast as Mother Abbess.
???????????

The director said I had the best voice and wanted "Climb Every Mountain" to be the best song in the show. So, if I had the best voice, why am I not Maria, who sings way more memorable songs from the show.
**sigh**