"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" inspired 2-Song Original Mini-Musical
Elliott Brotherhood for The Grinch
The Grinch is a character we are all very familiar with: grumpy, sarcastic, rough-around-the-edges, but, ultimately, a misunderstood villain. Because this project is so short, I really want to encourage actors to make this role their own. I am open to pretty much any interpretation. I would prefer not to have a Jim Carey impersonation contest, however if that is your best version of this role, go for it! Any inflections or accents you want (so long as you can still be understood and can sing through them healthily) are welcome.
I'm looking for a mature-ish sounding voice. Not old, but clearly adult. The thing I will be paying most attention to is consistency from your acting voice to singing voice- do they sound like the same person? That being said, you don't have to add inflections/accents/impressions if you don't want to.
Specifications of this role:
There will be a handful of lines setting up your solo, as well as two or three lines in between song sections. However, the solo will be the majority of your part. The solo for the Grinch is currently in the key of G minor, with the highest note coming in at a G4 (belting) and the lowest at a G3. I am willing to adjust the key if this is not a comfortable range.
"The nerve of those Whos, inviting me down there on such short notice! Even if I wanted to go, my schedule wouldn’t allow it. Four o’clock: wallow in self pity, four-thirty: stare into the abyss, five o’clock: solve world hunger- tell no one, five-thirty: jazzercise, six-thirty: dinner with me (I can’t cancel that again!), seven o’clock: wrestle with my self-loathing... I’m booked! Of course, if I bump the loathing to nine, I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness... But what would I wear!?"
An upbeat pop or contemporary theater song of your choosing that you feel you can perform well, preferably, with good comedic timing, and that is at least two (2) minutes long. Please do not sing any songs from or that are associated with and previous "Grinch" works (no "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" or "Where Are You Christmas?"). Auditions can have backing tracks or be acapella, however if you choose to go without a backing track please be mindful of your timing. Neither option is "preferred," however if you submit an acapella audition where you are not keeping time well it will be distract from your performance. There's absolutely no shame in needing a backing track, it's always in your best interests to play to your strengths.
If you need some ideas, any of these songs would be good choices:
"Tear Me Down" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch
"Youngblood" by 5 Seconds of Summer
"Problematic" by Bo Burnham (from Inside)
"A Miracle Would Happen" from The Last Five Years
"30/90" from tick, tick... BOOM!
"Shiny" from Moana
"The Pitiful Children" from Be More Chill
"This World Will Remember Me" from Bonnie and Clyde
"Everybody Loves Me" by OneRepublic
Again this is a song of your choosing, so have fun and pick something that you feel good singing!A vocal exercise or scale that demonstrates your range, primarily that you are comfortable singing between a G3 to a G4*. If you are unfamiliar with with any such exercises, you can do the one provided in the link below (links to YouTube), and record the exercise that begins at the one-minute mark. Note: You do not have to do the entire exercise. Please stop once it becomes too high to be comfortable.
Vocal Exercise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smZDZxSsh9k
*The range of this song is somewhat flexible, as I am willing to change the key for a singer that does a good job but can't fit that range.
Great job again here! I'll let you know :)
Congratulations! Definitely well deserved!
Thanks so much, man! I really enjoyed your audition too, you've got a great speaking and singing voice!