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!

"Here I Go Again" with BMT Youth Troupe!

It's another session with BMT Youth Troupe, and it's packed full of awesomeness like you wouldn't believe!

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 song you'll be performing in May - "Here I Go Again" from the musical Rock of Ages!

Melissa and I wanted to make sure we found you a song that was going to be, first and foremost, fun for everybody.  We are so happy and relieved that y'all are happy with the piece, because we've got some amazing stuff planned for you. 

Rock of Ages is what's called a 'jukebox musical', where the songs themselves are pop songs that are widely recognizable, stuff found on just about everyone's classic rock playlist you can find.  "Here I Go Again" was originally performed by British hair metal band Whitesnake and became a hit single in 1987.  You can still find the song in most karaoke machines and '80s metal compilations.

The music video created iconic imagery for the '80s hair metal era, with vixen Tawny Kitaen prancing on the hood of a Jaguar XJ in scant white lingerie and seducing the lead singer while he's driving.  We also have shots of the band who are performing in what seems to be an empty stadium.  It's a cheese video, but it made it huge.  We can rip on it later.  Check it out below - if you dare!



I also must apologize for the recording that I had played for you, which was a live performance from the original Broadway cast.  After finding the London West End cast performance for a televised fundraising benefit on BBC, I'm rather upset I didn't play that one instead.  If you'd like, check out the Broadway cast, but it's not worth it to post here.  You're better off with this one.  :)



Which brings us to a little video I made for you guys! This is a practice track from the Whitesnake version of the song, which is essentially the same at the musical version, other than some minor differences. This will most likely be the track we perform to, but you'll be warned of any changes, naturally.

And that guitar I was talking about?  Here it is!  One of you lucky people will get a chance to use this beauty in our performance!  I'll bring it in sometime for everyone to check out ...

Enjoy your practice video!  The lyrics are after the video, if you'd like to copy n' paste into a document.

SHERRIE:

I don't know where I'm going

But I sure know where I've been

Hanging on the promises

In songs of yesterday

An I've made up my mind

I ain't wasting no more time

But, here I go again

Here I go again

DREW:

Though I keep searching for an answer,

I never seem to find what I'm looking for

Oh lord, I pray

You give me strength to carry on

'Cause I know what it means

To walk along the lonely street of dreams

SHERRIE/DREW:

Here I go again on my own

Goin' down the only road Ive ever known

Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone

And I've made up my mind

I ain't wasting no more time

STACEE:

I'm just another heart in need of rescue

Waiting on love's sweet charity

DENNIS:

And I'm gonna hold on

For the rest of my days

LONNY:

'Cause I know what it means

To walk along the lonely street of dreams

COMPANY:

And here I go again on my own

Goin' down the only road I've ever known

Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone

REGINA:

And I've made up my mind, oh yeah

I ain't wasting no more time

FRANZ:

But, here I go again

SHERRIE:

Oh, here I go again

DREW:

Here I go, here I go

Here I go again

Oh yeah, here I go

[GUITAR SOLO!]

COMPANY:

And here I go again on my own

Goin' down the only road I've ever known

Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone

SHERRIE:

And I've made up my mind

DREW:

Oh yeah, I ain't wasting no more time

Come on!

COMPANY:

And here I go again on my own

Goin' down the only road I've ever known

Like a drifter I was born to walk alone

'Cause I know what it means

To walk along the lonely street of dreams

Here I go again!

BMT Youth Troupe: 'Steal Your Rock n' Roll' Piano Accompaniment

Alright, kids.  I'm talking to you.

Technology sucks, especially when you need it to work really badly.  Albeit, the piano accompaniment for your performance is finished and ready to go!  Many thanks to Josh Priess, music director extraordinaire, for the beautiful playing on such an epic song.

Find the lyrics after the video!

BMT Youth Troupe Sings 'Seasons of Love'

I'm a lucky lady, y'know.  It's not every day you get to work with awesome kids who are dedicated to their work like this.

I've been teaching kids on Saturday mornings for Brampton Musical Theatre's Youth Troupe.  This particular group has the honour of singing 'Seasons of Love' from the popular rock opera Rent.  Since everybody and their monkey's uncle knows this song, I had put on the backing track to see what the kids could do, where they felt comfortable vocally, who would break out in dance and all that.  The kids are also working with Melissa, a dance teacher and choreographer, for some fancy footwork to go with the song.

We'll be performing in a couple of weeks, and the kids are sounding amazing.  Check it out for yourself in the video here, taken by Brittany, one of the students in this group.  (I'm in the green scarf and the black 'STAFF' shirt.) I'd like to point out this is all before I had officially taught them the harmonies - they all gravitated towards what they felt comfortable, which helped me out immensely.  Kudos to Madison and Leah for taking on the solos!

(To quote Hermione Granger, "Does my hair really look like that from the back?!")