BMT Youth Troupe - "I Hope I Get It!"

Personally, I've been waiting to do this number with somebody.  Even better - I get to teach it.  Boy, is the BMT Youth Troupe senior class gonna have a great time with this one ...

If you are one of those awesome students Melissa, Antonio and I see on Saturday mornings, welcome!  Very glad to have you, please don't be afraid to browse the blog and hit that 'Follow' button on the right to keep updated on other cool stuff.  (You'll find some posts about the BMT show Guys & Dolls here, as well!)  In the meantime, let's talk about the piece you'll be performing in May - the opening number, "I Hope I Get It" from the rousing Broadway classic A Chorus Line!

The entire show is an audition process, taking place on a bare stage with a a bevvy of dancers auditioning to be chosen for a chorus line in a Broadway show.  We see a glimpse of each character as they describe events in their personal lives that lead them to choose their 'career path'.  Each with a unique background, here are the nineteen main characters of A Chorus Line (source from Wikipedia):

• Zach, the imperious, successful director running the audition.
• Larry, his assistant.

The Auditioners:

• Don Kerr, a married man who once worked in a strip club.
• Maggie Winslow, a sweet woman who grew up in a broken home.
• Mike Costa, an aggressive dancer who learned to tap at an early age.
• Connie Wong, a petite Chinese-American who seems ageless.
• Greg Gardner, a sassy Jewish gay man who divulges his first experience with a woman.
• Cassie Ferguson, a once successful solo dancer down on her luck and a former love of Zach's.
• Sheila Bryant, a sexy, aging dancer who tells of her unhappy childhood.
• Bobby Mills, Sheila's best friend who jokes about his conservative upbringing in Buffalo, New York.
• Bebe Benzenheimer, a young dancer who only feels beautiful when she dances.
• Judy Turner, a tall, gawky, and quirky dancer.
• Richie Walters, an enthusiastic black man who once planned to be a kindergarten teacher.
• Al DeLuca, an Italian-American who takes care of his wife.
• Kristine Urich (DeLuca), Al's scatter-brained wife who can't sing.
• Val Clark, a foul-mouthed but excellent dancer who couldn't get performing jobs because of her looks until she had plastic surgery.
• Mark Anthony, the youngest dancer who recounts the time he told his priest he thought he had gonorrhea.
• Paul San Marco, a gay Puerto Ricanwho dropped out of high school and survived a troubled childhood.
• Diana Morales, Paul's friend, another Puerto Rican who was underestimated by her teachers.

Cut dancers:

• Tricia, who has a brief vocal solo.
• Vicki, who never studied ballet.
• Lois, who dances like a ballerina.
• Roy, who can't get the arms right ("Wrong arms Roy").
• Butch, who gives attitude in the audition.
• Tom, an all-American jock.
• Frank, who looks at his feet when he dances ("headband").

Like with most audition processes (or for those who haven't done an audition before, think a job interview that you'd really like to score), it can become a high-tension environment, especially when you're surrounded by your competition.  There's some great character work and 'nightmare audition moments' we'll have some fun with to really bring the authenticity to the piece.

Check out the original Broadway cast from 1975 perform "I Hope I Get It" on the Tony Awards and check out some of the character work done by the actors.



The musical has also been made into a movie in 1985 and has quite a cult following. Here is the movie cast (you might catch a glimpse of Michael Douglas!) performing the finale number, One. Watch how the chorus line becomes never-ending through the mirror - watch closely!



And now that brings us to your practice video - with lyrics! I will be creating a practice track based on the 2006 Broadway Revival cast, to which Melissa will be arranging the choreography. Did you remember the groups she put you into? Okay, try your best to remember, there's a clue in the video what it's for. You can copy n' paste the lyrics after the video to print for yourself, if you like. AND A WARNING - this may be edited for length, dance segments may be changed, as well as spoken dialog! We'll let you know of those changes ...

In the meantime, enjoy! (I'm rather proud of this one, lemme know what you think!)

ZACH:

(spoken) 

Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...Again!

Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...Again!

Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...Again!

Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...Right!

That connects with...

Turn, turn, out, in, jump, step,

Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch.

Got it?... 

Going on. And...

Turn, turn, touch, down, back, step,

Pivot, step, walk, walk, walk.

Right! Let's do the whole combination,

Facing away from the mirror.

From the top. 

A-FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT!

[DANCE BREAK]

ALL:

God, I hope I get it.

I hope I get it.

How many people does he need?

BOYS:

How many people does he need?

GIRLS:

God, I hope I get it.

ALL:

I hope I get it.

How many boys, how many girls?

GIRLS:

How many boys, how many...?

ALL:

Look at all the people!

At all the people.

How many people does he need?

How many boys, how many girls?

How many people does he...?

TRICIA:

I really need this job.

Please God, I need this job.

I've got to get this job.

ZACH:

(spoken) 

Okay, now the ballet routine …

(continual dialog TBD)

And, one-two-three four-five-six!

[DANCE BREAK]

ALL:

God, I really blew it!

I really blew it!

How could I do a thing like that?

BOYS:

How could I do a thing like...

ALL:

Now I'll never make it!

I'll never make it!

He doesn't like the way I look.

He doesn't like the way I dance.

He doesn't like the way I...

[DANCE BREAK]

ZACH:

(spoken) 

Alright, I’m eliminating down now.

Girls first row, boys second row …

(continual dialog TBD)

ALL:

GOD, I think I've got it.

I think I've got it.

I knew he liked me all the time.

ZACH:

(spoken) 

Alright, I need your pictures and resumes, please.

(continual dialog TBD)

ALL:                                                  MAGGIE:

Still it isn’t over,                                What's coming next?

It isn't over.                                        MIKE:

I can’t imagine what he wants           What happens now?

GIRLS:

I can't imagine what he...

ALL:

God, I hope I get it!

I hope I get it.

I've come this far, but even so

It could be yes, it could be no,

How many people does he...?

I really need this job.

A FEW VOICES:

My unemployment is gone.

ALL:

Please, God, I need this job.

A FEW VOICES:

I knew I had it from the start.

ALL:

I've got to get this show!

Tony Awards 2011: Best Musical Moments

The 65th Annual Tony Awards marked a powerful season on Broadway.  Many of the issues of the characters in these plays and musicals resemble significant changes in today's society; theatre's way of 'holding up a mirror' to the world, allowing conversation to happen and people to connect.  Topics of AIDS, poverty, war, racism and religion were presented in satirical, hilarious, sincere, grotesque and heroic moments in theatre history.  I've rediscovered some powerful performances, found some new favourites and have a bit of a gay-man-crush on Neil Patrick Harris because he is so awesome.  I'll be featuring my favourite musical performances of the evening, with a special feature about the powerful pieces of theatre and drama that were featured and nominated from this year's Broadway season.

There were lots of favourite musical moments of the night, as well as some amazing music and talent to be discovered.  "Teen heartthrob" Neil Patrick Harris set the tone for the evening, celebrating the wide diversity that has come to Broadway in recent years, with a rousing musical number featuring appearances from the nominated productions of Catch Me If You Can, Sister Act, The Book of Mormon, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying! and Anything Goes.  Former Tony host Hugh Jackman even came onstage to offer NPH some helpful hints on the night's progress, only to turn into a battle of showmanship.  In the end, it's all about "acquiring better gift bags."  We were also treated to a performance mid-evening from the cast of Company, with NPH in the role of Bobby.  You'll also find some hidden talents from castmates Stephen Colbert, Christina Hendricks, Martha Plimpton and John Cryer.

Daniel Radcliffe made his professional debut in London's West End the psychological drama Equus with his Harry Potter costar, Richard Griffiths, in 2007.  (Richard played Vernon Dursley, Harry's abusive uncle, to save you the search.)  He was applauded, as well as receiving harsh criticism for his courageous yet disturbing performance as Alan Strang that was far beyond the comfort level many people were used to seeing him in.  The production was brought to Broadway for a limited run, establishing Daniel's 'star power' and talent on the stage.  There's no doubt his movie career has trained him in endurance for his performance as J. Pierrepont Finch in the 50th anniversary revival production of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying!  (I'd like to see a dance-off between Harry and Voldemort!)  The production received a nomination for Best Revival, and John Larroquette took home the Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical!

The Scottsboro Boys recounts a moment of history in the American South in 1931, where nine black boys are accused of a terrible crime and sent to prison without fair trial.  The case is widely considered a modern miscarriage of justice and has been examined by many artists, scholars and historians as a prominent change in Alabama law.  Controversy surrounded the show in regards to its use of "minstrelsy and (apparent) blackface were racist".  Whoopi Goldberg had said on The View in response to the protests growing outside their theatre:  "The people who are protesting this show, 90% of the people have not seen it ... People are protesting saying that it shouldn't be in a minstrel show, this is too serious. What people don't understand is that you have to bring information to people in an most-invigorating way."  That's how theatre reaches you!  The production had received 12 nominations at this years' ceremonies, second only to The Book of Mormon: The Musical.  Sadly - really - it didn't receive any awards.  Before the boys suffer their tragic tale, they had high hopes of a free life riding a boxcar and seeing the wide open spaces in the number "Commencing to Chattanooga", featuring Joshua Henry. 

I was really wondering what song would be performed from The Book of Mormon: The Musical.  Considering myself part of a lucky club who has seen this wonderful, wonderful masterpiece of musical theatre (read about it here!), I also keep in mind the television-friendly content - if any.  The choice of "I Believe", performed by Tony-nominated Andrew Rannells for his role of Elder Price, was a great way to show the sweetness of the whole absurdity in this musical, that these Mormon folk will take a leap of faith for you, no matter who you are.  The song demonstrates the personal leaps of faith Mormons take when it comes to the doctrine of their religion; some of it is rather questionable, some of it controversial, but something that Trey Parker and Matt Stone have stated in their press interviews for the show is that they have "nothing bad to say about Mormons" because they're "such nice people!"  Looks like Broadway loves Mormons, too - earning nine awards out of the 14 nominations they received, including Best Musical!  I hear there's a waiting list, and even cast and crew are having a hard time getting tickets for their family and friends.  I only hope for the sake of the rest of you it becomes a touring show!

I love being surprised by someone's 'hidden talent'.  Take Sutton Foster, for instance.  I first saw Ms. Foster onstage in a fantastic performance as Janet van de Graaf in The Drowsy Chaperone a few years ago in Toronto, a nostalgic spoof of 1920s musicals.  She's got a great 'fresh vintage' look, fantastic dance form and a beautiful belting voice that has earned her roles in many revivals, including the current - and Tony nominated - production of Anything Goes, a farce set below decks of a prestigious ocean liner sailing from London to New York.  I did not realize until after the ceremonies that Ms. Foster also plays Brett's sign-holding girlfriend Coco in Flight of the Conchords - y'know, the mousy, quiet one?  Yeah, I know, right!  Ms. Foster took home Best Performance of an Actress in a Musical and the production won Best Revival - see why as they perform the title song from the show at this year's Tonys.   

Norbert Leo Butz is just awesome altogether.  I got a first-hand account of his awesomeness when I saw him as Freddy "Buzz" Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: The Musical on Broadway in 2006.  (We had just missed John Lithgow as Lawrence Jameson, but were treated to Jonathan Pryce in the role - hilarity ensued!) His performance as Carl Hanratty in the new musical Catch Me If You Can, the detective chasing 16-year-old con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr., earned him Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical, and quite a role to remember.  Believe it or not, for you Wicked fans - this mustachioed grumbler had played Fiyero in one of the first Broadway casts!  Watch him and the cast perform "Don't Break The Rules" from the musical.



Stay tuned for the next 'Tony' post of some incredible dramatic plays included in this year's Broadway season!