The Radio in my Head

On Friday night Broadway boy Aaron Tveit performed is first concert at 54 Below. He has cleverly named his show 'The Radio in my Head" and all the songs he performed hold a special place in his heart, they tell his story of performing and it got me thinking.

 As Musical Theatre performers our job is to tell a story through song, after all that is why we prefer it over straight plays. The addition of music heightens the emotion for us. So why not tell our own stories through music? Aaron's genius inspired me to make my own playlist documenting my story.

1. Good Morning Baltimore- Hairspray.

-This was my first taste of Broadway. At 18 years old on a school trip I saw my first Broadway musical and got to do a workshop with some of the cast. It was at that moment I knew New York was the place I would one day call home.

2. Born to Try- Delta Goodrem

-At 11 years old there was a character on the TV show Neighbours that spoke to me more than anyone ever had. She was called Nina Tucker, a shy girl who came alive when she sang. Two years later the actress released her first single, Born to Try and I knew I wanted to perform for a living.

3. Over the Rainbow- The Wizard of Oz

- This was my first show in high school. I played Glinda but desperately wanted to sing this song! It was my first taste of being in a musical and I was in love.

4. Idaho- Nerina Pallot

- When I was 19 I was lucky enough to record with a professional sound engineer and this was the song. I learnt it in less than an hour and since then it has been one of my favourite songs to both sing and listen to.

5. I Miss the Mountains- Next to Normal

- For a long time I avoided this show, the issues in it and this song in particular hit too close to home and upset me far too much. When I was finally in a good enough place to listen to it I was completely blown away. Since then Diana has become a role I would love to play one day.

6. On My Own- Les Miserables

- The Musical and role that started it all. (See last weeks post for a full length ramble on how much this musical means to me! I shan't bore you again.)

7. Dark Blue- Jack's Mannequin

- I adored this band in high school but I hit a creative slump in university and stumbled across the front mans documentary. It inspired me just as much as Delta had ten years earlier and they have done ever since. So much so that I got their symbol tattooed onto me!

8. Out Tonight- Rent

- It took me a long time to get into this musical. My friends would always play me the songs and while I enjoyed them I was far too innocent to really appreciate it. Now I am obsessed! While I'm still quite timid whenever this song comes on I let loose and Mimi has become another dream role.

9. Memory- Cats

- This was the first song I ever performed. It was my first year at high school, I was 11 years old and my music teacher asked me to sing it for the class. She saw something in me that day and all through high school continued to push me to my fullest.

10. With You- Ghost

- I wrote about this musical for my final year dissertation and fell head over heels with the music. This song in particular is just so stunningly beautiful and surprise, surprise. Molly is another dream role!

11. Candyman- Christina Aguilera

- This is my go to karaoke song! I heard this album in my first year of university and became obsessed with all things vintage, as well as the different ways I could use my voice. Up until then it had been all musical theatre or Delta Goodrem. Now I started learning how to growl and riff and really expand what I could do.

12. No Good Deed- Wicked

- During my second year of university I was feeling unfullfilled. I was doing a Drama degree and missed singing. My parents completely supported me when I applied to do a short course in Musical Theatre and this was the first song I performed with them. I barely remember the performance because for the first time I got so into character I didn't think and afterwards I was hit with such a high I just knew I was doing the right thing.

Encore. They Just Keep Moving the Line- Smash

-This show gives me my weekly dose of Broadway and this song in particular really hit home. I get a degree, but that's not good enough I need to keep going. I get experience but there's always something else to complete. They just keep moving that dammed line!

So there we go! If I were to perform my own show, that would be the set list. It may be interesting to come back to it when I'm 30 and see what songs I would choose then. What would be added and what would be taken away?

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

Top 5: Shows I've Seen

We've reached number one! Although I'm pretty sure this will come as no surprise to anyone...

Les Miserables

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This was the first musical I ever saw, it started this whole thing off! I was 13 years old, on a school trip where everyone fell asleep during the show except for my musical friend and I. We sobbed when Gavroche died, I desperately wanted to be Eponine. (I couldn't hit Cosette's notes so she seemed more realistic) and I fell head over heels in love with Enjolras and Marius, the latter being played by none other than Mr. Hadley Fraser himself! How strange that ten years later I would see him again as Javert and then in the movie! 

If I'm honest that's all I remember, along with an overwhelming happiness and the ultimate desire that I wanted to be on that stage. Now that will never happen as it's moved from the Palace to the Queen's but I could still be in the show!

I have been very lucky when it comes to this musical, I was at the 25th Anniversary at which I sobbed... a lot! When the original cast came out and I saw Michael Ball my legs actually gave way! It wasn't pretty! My view count is just into double figures now and I'm still not bored. Every single time I see One Day More I get goosebumps and cry, and by the time the Epilogue rolls around I am a sobbing mess. There is just something about this musical that has hooked me, and is yet to let go a decade later.

The good bits:

Really? Okay... everything! The simplicity of the stage, the story. Alright, pause. The story... Victor Hugo wrote and incredible novel with such compelling characters, the moment you add music to their journeys you know it's going to be a hit. And go, the music. Pause. God have you ever heard such rousing songs? Do You Hear the People Sing was actually being considered as the French National anthem at one point and who can blame them? It makes me want to run and build a barricade every time! Go. The actors that have enhabited these characters are some of the best in the world, Lea Salonga, Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Ramin Karimloo, David Thaxton, Alfie Boe, Wolverine! I mean come on!!

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Favourite song:

One Day More. So 1. I love a song that grows and ends with an incredible note that everyone belts out. 2. I adore it even more when lots of people sing different things at the same time. 3. I LOVE THIS SONG. Okay so I maybe should have put a warning at the beginning of this blog, and you've probably already clocked onto this but today will basically be me 'fangirling' about Les Miserables. Apologies.

With all the characters singing about their stories, marching in time and singing such a rousing song I am always left with goosebumps and teary eyes. Not only is it my favourite song in the musical this is my favourite song of all time.

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Favourite character:

Enjolras. (You were expecting Eponine weren't you!?) He is just fascinating, and dies so tragically. I have always fallen in love with whoever has played him and since reading the book I am falling more and more in love with the character. I think even Victor Hugo himself had a crush on Enjolras! He's so inspiring and strong and brilliant!

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Dream Cast:

Jean Valjean: Ramin Karimloo

Javert: Norm Lewis

Fantine: Ruthie Henshall

Marius: Craig Mather

Cosette: Judy Kuhn

Eponine: Lea Salonga

Enjolras: Aaron Tveit (Surprise, surprise!)

Thenardier: Alun Armstrong

Mme. Thenardier: Katy Seacombe

Someone please make that happen!

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

The Age of Aquarius

 I'm finding age to be a funny thing in this business, one that manages to both worry and comfort me at the exact same time. 

 On the one hand you have the west end casting of Les Miserables, they cast young. Sierra Boggess mentioned that she was old at 29. It panics me that starting at 23 will mean I'll never achieve my dream of playing Eponine. But then if we hop across the pond to the Broadway production of the same show we see one of the best Eponines, Celia Keenan-Bolger, playing her at 28. One year older and she would be considered almost too old to play Fantine, who is older than Eponine! 

 It's confusing, as I said on one hand I'm comforted by the fact I still have five years left before being too old on Broadway, but in England (where I'm currently stuck) I'm pretty much past my prime.

 In fact, it seems to be a running trend that actors can still get a break later on in their lives on the great white way. Norbert Leo Butz, 29 when he got his big Broadway break. 

 Then again, I could once again turn the tables and confuse matters more by bringing up people like Jennifer Damiano, she is only 21 and already has three big broadway shows under her belt! Or my favourite Aaron Tveit who landed his role in Wicked at 23.

 I'm hoping you can see where my confusion comes from. I know there's the whole 'don't compare yourself to others' thing but when it comes to casting ages I can't help it. Especially when it's concerning my ultimate dream role.

 I have managed to stop obsessing over it all, I've accepted the fact I will never be a child prodigy like Miss. Damiano but maybe, just maybe I can still play the street waif I so long to be. Hopefully when I get the opportunity I won't be considered too old!

 It's such a funny thing to talk to 'real' people about. At 23 years old you are considered young, at the beginning of your journey with your entire life ahead of you. In the acting world you're old to be starting. I don't really have anything philosophical to say about this fact. It's just something I've found interesting... and stressful!

The only thing I have learnt is to keep going, keep learning, keep growing and when an opportunity comes along grab it with both hands and don't let go. I'm hoping that someday soon someone will take a chance on an unknown and I will be one step closer to those grubby street clothes!

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

Time to Study!

 This morning I went to my first dance lesson in about three years. It wasn't as horrific as I first expected it to be and I actually ended up having fun. Turns out I quite enjoy dancing when I stop worrying about how bad I am!

 I've had a lot of free time, what with no job, no money and, well no life! So I've been researching the Broadway stars I admire and seeing what they do, how they prepare. I discovered that while on Broadway in the leading role of Frank Abagnale Jr. Aaron Tveit was still taking acting lessons and I thought why am I not doing the same? If he continues to learn after bagging the job of his dreams why on earth am I sat around not learning when I haven't even got one professional credit under my belt?

 And so begins my 'quest' to keep learning. I've enrolled in dance classes, ballet to be exact, as well as acting classes. For now I'm going to leave the singing as that's where I'm strongest and focus on the other two. Also when money's short you really can't afford to do that many classes!

So I guess now is the time to knuckle down and get to the hard work, let's face it. When I finally do get a job I'll be craving this kind of time to completely dedicate myself to acting so I'm not going to waste it while I have it.

If a little inspiration is needed though, here's the wonderful Aaron Tveit in Catch Me If You Can showing off some dance skills. (Oh and Chorus girls with legs for days, if that doesn't make you want to go to the gym I don't know what will!)

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

Top 5: Shows I've Seen

The Phantom of the Opera

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Fun fact: I saw Love Never Dies on stage before I saw Phantom. Of course I knew the story. I grew up listening to Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman belt out these beautiful songs thanks to my parents obsession with the musical. I watched the movie (didn't particularly like it,) and even sang songs from it in performances. It wasn't until my 21st birthday when I received a theatre token and money to fund my poor student lifestyle that I finally got around to seeing it on stage. One part of me couldn't believe it had taken me this long to see it, the other knew that it would probably be a once in a lifetime thing thanks to the ticket prices. Usually I would complain about this, but in some weird way I like that fact. It makes the whole thing so much more special. Call me weird but the whole experience of seeing the show was magical and something I will never forget.

The good bits:
Where do I even start? Everything! Andrew Lloyd Webber is a genius composer so the score is perfection, the actors were just incredible. I saw John Owen Jones and after seeing Ramin I was worried this Phantom wouldn't live up... oh boy did he! My goodness what an actor. The set, the costumes, the everything. It may only be at number three but I would say this is as close to a perfect musical as you can come.

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Favourite song:
On every musical I question myself for adding this because it's so hard to pick! Especially in a musical where every song is as beautiful as the last. The Phantom of the Opera blows you away with that last note, The Point of no Return is just tension in a song and I love it but in the end I think Wishing you were somehow here again wins. Not only does it have one of my all time favourite transitions ever, with the single violin at the beginning swelling into a full orchestra. I get goosebumps every time. It also has so much emotion in it and if you get the right Christine it can literally stop the show.

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Favourite character:
Phantom. I love Christine as much as the next 'phan' but I love a misunderstood genius. He's so flawed, and so interesting. There are so many different ways to play him too which just adds to the character because every time you see it there could be something new you discover about him. Oh and it helps that he has the most beautiful voice.

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Dream Cast:
25th Anniversary. Done. They were perfection for me. God I'm so boring! I will repeat last week and just throw out people I want to see in the show.

Phantom: Aaron Tveit.
(When he's older, can you imagine? He'd be perfect.)
Christine: Laura Osnes.
(She has the innocence and the beauty.)
Raoul: Jonathan Groff.
(I feel like I don't need to explain much here, he's wonderful at everything!)

Wish me luck, the same to you.
Annabelle
xoxo

Top 5: Shows I've Seen

Ghost

Originally Ghost was not on my list of things to see, in fact I had no interest in it. For my dissertation I was looking at how technology affected the actors and seeing as Ghost was the most technological show on the west end it made sense that I firstly see the show and secondly interview the actors. So in April 2012 I took myself along and wasn't all too impressed, I mean the sets were amazing but I didn't even cry! I had been very focused on the technology though and after listening to the soundtrack realised what I'd been missing, so I dragged my friend along for a second viewing and sobbed. I let myself get caught up with the story and boy did it take me for a ride!

The good bits:

The technology- Come on you must have known that was coming! It was stunning, they made a man completely disappear in front of your eyes! I mean that's incredible. 

The score- I am obsessed with the music from this show, it seems to fit the story perfectly feeling modern enough for the setting of today's New York City, but with enough classic musical theatre thrown in for good measure.

The actors- They were wonderful, I saw Mark Evans and Siobhan's understudy on both visits and she was amazing. It must be an extremely taxing musical to do both emotionally and physically and they looked as though they were giving it their all.

Favourite song:

Suspend my disbelief/ I had a Life- There's something about the coming together of melodies that I adore, plus Sam's part of I had a life gives me goosebumps, some of the notes he hits are just insane and it manages to wrap up so much in one song. Okay so it's a nine minute song, but there's a lot in it!

Favourite character:

Molly- In all honestly it was going to be between Sam and Molly here and Molly won out because I can relate more to someone who's lost a loved one more than I can to a ghost. Her character is just so complex and goes through so much and still manages to stay positive. She really is a wonderful character and has some equally wonderful songs, With You really is her stand out song. It's stunningly beautiful.

Dream cast:

Last week was boring, and seeing as only two people have played each role I'm going to cast other people I think would be amazing.

Sam: Aaron Tveit. 

(Can you imagine those high notes, plus his acting in this role would be show stopping.)

Molly: Megan Hilty. 

(Again, the high notes, the acting! Perfect.)

Carl: Hadley Faser. 

(Would be interesting to see his take on this slime ball.)

Oda May Brown: Raven Symone. 

(You know she would kill it, even if she is a little young right now.)

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo