Auditioning for Les Mis...

...What do you do when you have a voice like Eponine, but a body type (very tall, skinny) that's more like Fantine? I've always used "On My Own" as "my" song, successfully at auditions and in broadway revues. I'd kill to play that part...but I'm pretty sure because of my height (5'11"), I'll never get cast as Eponine, even though vocally it fits me well. (And Cosette's probably out too, depending on the height of Marius) I'm thinking I'll probably have a better shot at Fantine, but I'm not entirely sure that it's the best vocal fit. From the Fantines I've heard, it seems she usually has a deeper full sound that I don't really have. I sound kind of young Disney princess-ish. So I'm struggling to figure out what to sing, because I have no idea what the casting people will think of where to put me!

I think the song I've decided on is "A New Life" from Jekyll and Hyde, because it kind of covers both bases (it's a typical "I Want" kind of song that allows for some acting and belting, sounds similar to Les Mis). But which 16-30 measures?

Options:
1) Starting from the beginning. This might be a good choice if I'm shooting for Fantine...allows for a lot of soft "reflection," which reminds me of I Dreamed a Dream. And a few acting opportunities.
2) Starting from "A new dream, I have one I know that very few dream..." is a good mix. Has one softer chorus, builds up to a stronger belt, but would stop before the notes get too powerful
3) Starting from "a new love, even though..." will get me through the end of the song. But I'm a little nervous about doing the big powerhouse belting at the end...my nerves sometimes get ahold of me at auditions, so my vibrato becomes goat-like, haha! I think if I could pull it off, it'd be great, but if I blow it, it condemns me.

What do you guys think? Any advice?

In my experience, if you are going to sing a particular song for an audition, you have to sing the big part. An auditioner will not care that you had a pretty sound, or that the part you did sing was so appropriate for whatever role you want. The only thing they will think is "Why didn't she sing the money notes?" And the only conclusion they will come to is "She can't sing them." So if you feel uncomfortable with the end of "New Life", it's probably best to find another song. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, and it is only one person's opinion, but there it is.

If you are going to do that song, you NEED to do the ending. You have very little time to show off yourself and your voice, so go to the big ending.

***Update....

So I sang "A New Life" from 3/4 of the way in, so I could get to the end. I got to do maybe a verse and a half before they stopped me (no big notes), but I guess I did ok, because I got the callback sides for Fantine, Eponine, Cosette and Mdme. Thenardier. Ha ha, it looks like they have no idea what to do with me!

So now I'm practicing them all for callbacks.

My husband did really well, too. He sang "Falcon in the Dive" from Scarlet Pimpernel, and got sides for Javert, Valjean, Enjolras, and Marius.

Congrats! Maybe they don't know what to do with you, but the other possibility is that you are being considered for maybe one or two parts but they gave you the other callbacks so they could see more of you to help them decide. Just work on developing each character so they can see your versatality and skills as an actress. Good luck!

Congratulations on the callback. And your husband, too. Sounds like they don't know what to do with him either. "Falcon in the dive" is such an awesome audition song for Javert.

Keep us posted.

Ha ha, yep, we thought it sounded EXACTLY like something Javert would sing! He LOVES Scarlet Pimpernel, and it seems to be a musical people don't hear a lot of at auditions.

Well they hear the girl songs ALL the time, just not many perform the guy songs.

***Update.

I am so majorly sad and depressed right now. I've been practicing every day, eagerly awaiting callbacks and sooo excited to finally get to be in Les Mis, since every other time I've seen it done, I was too old to be in the "student" version (I'm 26).

We just heard that the production got cancelled due to state budget cuts. (Why do the Arts suffer first?!?)

I'm really really REALLY sad.