The feedback from my last assessment as a group has helped me improve my singing for my solo because I have now been told how to breathe correctly when singing and the posture I need to have in order to deliver a good performance.
Also after my feedback from last time, I am now more confident with performing when singing. I just need to work on my characterisation and learning how to control this and make sure that it is obvious that I am in character through out the whole performance; not just show the character here and there - I need to be in character the whole way through the song.
Friday 14 December 2012
Why have I chose this song?
I chose this song because I really like the musical Mamma Mia; it is one of my favourite (a long side Billy Elliot). I think that the song that I chose entitles me to portray a good sense of happiness and cheerfulness with the song as it's about 'Sophie' thanking someone that there is music in the world because without music and dancing, "what are we?"
When characterising the song I need to be happy and proud that I have a talent, playing the part of Sophie, who can sing and dance. Her personality is bubbly and smiley. I need to show this when performing and demonstrate it to the audience.
When this song is sung in the musical, when Sophie is at her wedding and her 3 potential dads turn up that her mum doesn't know about. In the musical, the song is sung by Sophie and her as the lead singer and her 3 potential dads singing the chorus in the background.
When characterising the song I need to be happy and proud that I have a talent, playing the part of Sophie, who can sing and dance. Her personality is bubbly and smiley. I need to show this when performing and demonstrate it to the audience.
When this song is sung in the musical, when Sophie is at her wedding and her 3 potential dads turn up that her mum doesn't know about. In the musical, the song is sung by Sophie and her as the lead singer and her 3 potential dads singing the chorus in the background.
Sophie
Sophie is the girl in the musical that sings 'Thank you for the music'.
In the west end, Sophie is currently being played by 'Charlotte Wakefield' and in the film, Sophie is played by 'Amanda Seyfried'.
Charlotte Wakefield
Amanda Seyfried
Co-starred alongside Meryl Streep inMamma Mia!, a romantic comedy film adaptation of the 1999 musical of the same name. Mamma Mia! was Seyfried's first leading role. The film was the fifth highest grossing film of 2008, and as of March 2010 is the 49th highest grossing film of all time. Her musical performance in Mamma Mia! was released on the film's soundtrack, for which she recorded five songs. As part of promotion for both the film and its soundtrack, Seyfried recorded a music video of the song, entitled "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)".
In the west end, Sophie is currently being played by 'Charlotte Wakefield' and in the film, Sophie is played by 'Amanda Seyfried'.
Charlotte Wakefield
Amanda Seyfried
Co-starred alongside Meryl Streep inMamma Mia!, a romantic comedy film adaptation of the 1999 musical of the same name. Mamma Mia! was Seyfried's first leading role. The film was the fifth highest grossing film of 2008, and as of March 2010 is the 49th highest grossing film of all time. Her musical performance in Mamma Mia! was released on the film's soundtrack, for which she recorded five songs. As part of promotion for both the film and its soundtrack, Seyfried recorded a music video of the song, entitled "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)".
Film production
Background:
Mamma Mia! (promoted as Mamma Mia! The Movie) is a 2008 British musical/romantic comedy film adapted from the 1999 West End/2001 Broadway musical of the same name, based on the songs of successful pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson. The film was directed by Phyllida Lloyd and distributed by Universal Pictures in partnership with Tom Hanks' and Rita Wilson's Playtone and Littlestar, and the title originates from ABBA's 1975 chart-topper "Mamma Mia". Meryl Streepheads the cast, playing the role of single mother Donna Sheridan. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård play the three possible fathers to Donna's daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried).
Mamma Mia is the highest grossing musical film worldwide. Until the release of Avatar in 2009, it was also the highest grossing film in the United Kingdom. The film has also developed a cult following.
Cast:
- Meryl Streep as Donna Carmichael (née Sheridan), Sophie's mother, owner of the hotel Villa Donna, and wife of Sam at the end.
- Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan, Donna's daughter and Sky's fiancée.
- Pierce Brosnan as Sam Carmichael, Sophie's possible father, husband to Donna, and an Irish-American architect.
- Colin Firth as Harry Bright, Sophie's possible father and an English banker; based on "Our Last Summer", which he sings at one point.
- Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson, Sophie's possible father, a Swedish sailor and travel writer.
- Dominic Cooper as Sky, Sophie's fiancé, designing a website for the hotel.
- Julie Walters as Rosie Mulligan, one of Donna's former bandmates in Donna and the Dynamos; an unmarried fun-loving author.
- Christine Baranski as Tanya Chesham-Leigh, Donna's other former bandmate; a rich three-time divorcee.
- Philip Michael as Pepper, Sky's best man who likes Tanya. He is also a bartender.
- Ashley Lilley as Ali, close friend of Sophie and her bridesmaid.
- Rachel McDowall as Lisa, close friend of Sophie and her bridesmaid.
- Enzo Squillino as Gregoris, one of Donna Sheridan's employees.
- Niall Buggy as Father Alex, priest who nearly married Sophie and Sky, but ends up marrying Sam and Donna.
All the songs in the musical
Act II
Accessed on: 14/12/12
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!#Original_London_production
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Plot of Mamma Mia
The story takes place on a mythical Greek island in the present day, and centers around a young girl named Sophie who dreams of a white wedding, with her father giving her away at the altar ("I Have a Dream"). Problem is, she doesn't know who her dad is - and she's getting married the next day. As the show begins, she explains to her chums that her mum, Donna, fell into the arms of three men within a short space of time. So she's got three possible dads, and has invited them all to the wedding ("Honey, Honey").
Sophie's mum, a tavern hostess, used to front a rock chick band called "Donna and the Dynamos." Her former bandmates - the tomboyish Rosie and the glamorous Tanya - show up for the wedding, and talk over how life has turned out for them ("Money, Money, Money"). They're not the only ones who turn up though - so do the three possible dads, whom Sophie convinces not to tell Donna that she invited them ("Thank You for the Music"). Donna is surprised, to say the least, at the sight of the new arrivals ("Mamma Mia").
Convinced that this new twist will ruin everything, she escapes to her room, where Rosie and Tanya do their best to cheer her up ("Chiquitita"). They discover momentos of their old rock band days, and try to see if they've still got it ("Dancing Queen").
Sophie is not much happier - she'd been sure she'd be able to tell at first sight which one was her father, but she has no clue. Sky (her fiance) tries to cheer her up, while his friends try to steal him away for the traditional bachelor party, beginning with a deep-sea dive ("Lay All Your Love on Me").
At Sophie's own party, Donna, Rosie and Tanya make their triumphant return to the stage ("Super Trouper"). The three "dad"s, Sam, Bill and Harry, are also present, and as the only men there are subjected to the attention of the girls ("Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!"). Sophie talks to each of the men, and *all* of them become convinced that the reason he has been invited is because he is Sophie's father ("The Name of the Game"). Sophie returns hopelessly confused, while the party carries on ("Voulez-Vous").
The second act begins with Sophie's nightmare about her wedding, where there are three men fighting to give away the bride, who isn't what she seems ("Under Attack"). Sam is the first to try to speak to Donna about his suspicions, but all she can think of is the past ("One of Us"). It turns out Sam, who may have been the love of her life, left her. They both wish they could go back to the time when they were open with one another ("S.O.S.").
Meanwhile, Tanya has been fighting off advances from one of the boys that works for Donna, and finally manages to put him down once and for all ("Does Your Mother Know"). Sam tells Sophie something about his failed marriage, trying to ensure she knows what she's getting into with Sky ("Knowing Me, Knowing You").
Harry has also decided to speak to Donna, and they begin to reminisce about the time they spent together ("Our Last Summer"). Sophie herself arrives and Donna helps her finish getting ready for the wedding, hardly able to believe her little girl is getting married ("Slipping Through My Fingers"). Sam returns again, emboldened by his talk with Sophie, but Donna still doesn't want to have anything to do with him, and asks him to leave ("The Winner Takes It All").
An attraction has been growing between Rosie and Bill, who find themselves alone in the church before the wedding. She decides to take matters into her own hands ("Take a Chance on Me"). The wedding begins, with Donna giving the bride away. However, Sophie's been doing some thinking, and puts an end to the proceedings, saying she's just not ready. But someone else is - Sam explains his desertion of 20 years ago and asks Donna to marry him. Shocked, but happy, she agrees ("I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do").
Content with having three dads rather than just one, Sophie leaves with Sky to find their future ("I Have a Dream").
Accessed on: 14/12/12
http://www.britinfo.net/theatre/story1000017.htm
Sophie's mum, a tavern hostess, used to front a rock chick band called "Donna and the Dynamos." Her former bandmates - the tomboyish Rosie and the glamorous Tanya - show up for the wedding, and talk over how life has turned out for them ("Money, Money, Money"). They're not the only ones who turn up though - so do the three possible dads, whom Sophie convinces not to tell Donna that she invited them ("Thank You for the Music"). Donna is surprised, to say the least, at the sight of the new arrivals ("Mamma Mia").
Convinced that this new twist will ruin everything, she escapes to her room, where Rosie and Tanya do their best to cheer her up ("Chiquitita"). They discover momentos of their old rock band days, and try to see if they've still got it ("Dancing Queen").
Sophie is not much happier - she'd been sure she'd be able to tell at first sight which one was her father, but she has no clue. Sky (her fiance) tries to cheer her up, while his friends try to steal him away for the traditional bachelor party, beginning with a deep-sea dive ("Lay All Your Love on Me").
At Sophie's own party, Donna, Rosie and Tanya make their triumphant return to the stage ("Super Trouper"). The three "dad"s, Sam, Bill and Harry, are also present, and as the only men there are subjected to the attention of the girls ("Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!"). Sophie talks to each of the men, and *all* of them become convinced that the reason he has been invited is because he is Sophie's father ("The Name of the Game"). Sophie returns hopelessly confused, while the party carries on ("Voulez-Vous").
The second act begins with Sophie's nightmare about her wedding, where there are three men fighting to give away the bride, who isn't what she seems ("Under Attack"). Sam is the first to try to speak to Donna about his suspicions, but all she can think of is the past ("One of Us"). It turns out Sam, who may have been the love of her life, left her. They both wish they could go back to the time when they were open with one another ("S.O.S.").
Meanwhile, Tanya has been fighting off advances from one of the boys that works for Donna, and finally manages to put him down once and for all ("Does Your Mother Know"). Sam tells Sophie something about his failed marriage, trying to ensure she knows what she's getting into with Sky ("Knowing Me, Knowing You").
Harry has also decided to speak to Donna, and they begin to reminisce about the time they spent together ("Our Last Summer"). Sophie herself arrives and Donna helps her finish getting ready for the wedding, hardly able to believe her little girl is getting married ("Slipping Through My Fingers"). Sam returns again, emboldened by his talk with Sophie, but Donna still doesn't want to have anything to do with him, and asks him to leave ("The Winner Takes It All").
An attraction has been growing between Rosie and Bill, who find themselves alone in the church before the wedding. She decides to take matters into her own hands ("Take a Chance on Me"). The wedding begins, with Donna giving the bride away. However, Sophie's been doing some thinking, and puts an end to the proceedings, saying she's just not ready. But someone else is - Sam explains his desertion of 20 years ago and asks Donna to marry him. Shocked, but happy, she agrees ("I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do").
Content with having three dads rather than just one, Sophie leaves with Sky to find their future ("I Have a Dream").
Accessed on: 14/12/12
http://www.britinfo.net/theatre/story1000017.htm
Broadway and London production of Mamma Mia
Original London Production of Mamma Mia
The musical opened in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999 and transferred to the Prince of Wales Theatre on 9 June 2004, where it is playing as of 2012. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Anthony Van Laast, the original cast featured Siobhan McCarthy, Lisa Stokke, and Hilton McRae.
The musical opened in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999 and transferred to the Prince of Wales Theatre on 9 June 2004, where it is playing as of 2012. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Anthony Van Laast, the original cast featured Siobhan McCarthy, Lisa Stokke, and Hilton McRae.
Original Broadway production
Prior to the musical's Broadway engagement, it made its US debut in San Francisco, California at the Orpheum Theatre from 17 November 2000 to 17 February 2001, moving next to Los Angeles, California at the Shubert Theatre from 26 February 2001 to 12 May 2001 and finally to Chicago, Illinois at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from 13 May 2001 to 12 August 2001.[12] The musical opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on 18 October 2001 and is currently running, as of 2012. The director is Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Anthony Van Laast.
Character
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Original London Cast (1999)
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Current London Cast
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Current Broadway Cast
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Donna
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Rosie
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Lauren Cohn
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Tanya
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Sam
Carmichael
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David W. Keeley
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William Tapley
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Bill
Austin
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Nicolas Colicos
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Ken Marks
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Mark Gillis
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Daniel Cooney
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Harry
Bright
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Paul Clarkson
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Dean Nolen
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Graham Rowat
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Sophie
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Lisa Stokke
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Tina Maddigan
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Charlotte Wakefield
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Christy Altomare
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Sky
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Andrew Langtree
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Joe Machota
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Andreas Gyllander
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Zak Resnick
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Accessed on: 14/12/12
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!#Original_London_production
Week 3 - Solo
This week, I finally chose my song for my audition.
Thank you for the music - (Mamma Mia).
Also we had a 'one on one' with the musical theatre teacher and she helped us by giving us tips on how to perform the song and what key to sing it in that suits our voice.
This week, I feel that I am more confident with my song choice and think that I am confident enough now to go in the audition and sing. This benefits me because now I have learnt the lyrics of my song, I can now focus on how to characterise the song because it's from a happy/cheerful musical so therefore I need to work out how I am going to portray this. Learning the lyrics of my song has meant that I have completed my target from last week.
This week, however, I hadn't completed my other target of coming prepared to the lesson by having the CD with my music on; therefore I had to borrow someone else's CD that's doing the same song as me. This made me unprepared and meant that I had to sing to a different version than I was used too! Next time for my audition, I will come prepared with the CD and have completed the characterisation for my performance.
Thank you for the music - (Mamma Mia).
Also we had a 'one on one' with the musical theatre teacher and she helped us by giving us tips on how to perform the song and what key to sing it in that suits our voice.
This week, I feel that I am more confident with my song choice and think that I am confident enough now to go in the audition and sing. This benefits me because now I have learnt the lyrics of my song, I can now focus on how to characterise the song because it's from a happy/cheerful musical so therefore I need to work out how I am going to portray this. Learning the lyrics of my song has meant that I have completed my target from last week.
This week, however, I hadn't completed my other target of coming prepared to the lesson by having the CD with my music on; therefore I had to borrow someone else's CD that's doing the same song as me. This made me unprepared and meant that I had to sing to a different version than I was used too! Next time for my audition, I will come prepared with the CD and have completed the characterisation for my performance.
Week 2 - Solo
This week, we had to perform our songs to our piers. I think that this situation benefited me because it made me realise the song I chose wasn't right for me; therefore I am going to choose another song that suits my voice better. The pier feedback helped me a lot in this situation.
This week I think I did well because I was very nervous about performing to my piers as they hadn't heard me sing before. However, I did it and it has now gave me more confidence for my audition. Also, the feedback helped because I am now going to try and find another song that suits my voice better than my first choice of song.
However, this week, I don't think I sang as well as I could of when performing my song because I was so nervous. Next time I need to realise that I need to sing in front of my piers to get a confidence boost for when I sing in front of the 'panel' in the audition. Also this week, I didn't achieve my target from last week that was to learn the lyrics of my song as I had them in front of me when I sang. Therefore next week, my target is to learn the lyrics of my new song and have my song on CD with the instrumental version; therefore I will be prepared for the lesson and can just concentrate on characterising the song.
This week I think I did well because I was very nervous about performing to my piers as they hadn't heard me sing before. However, I did it and it has now gave me more confidence for my audition. Also, the feedback helped because I am now going to try and find another song that suits my voice better than my first choice of song.
However, this week, I don't think I sang as well as I could of when performing my song because I was so nervous. Next time I need to realise that I need to sing in front of my piers to get a confidence boost for when I sing in front of the 'panel' in the audition. Also this week, I didn't achieve my target from last week that was to learn the lyrics of my song as I had them in front of me when I sang. Therefore next week, my target is to learn the lyrics of my new song and have my song on CD with the instrumental version; therefore I will be prepared for the lesson and can just concentrate on characterising the song.
Week 1 - Solo
This week, I decided I was going to do a solo song instead of a duet for my musical theatre audition. I decided this as I found a song that I would like to do that is; Electricity - Billy Elliot. I like this song because Billy Elliot is my favourite musical and I love the meaning behind this song.
This week, I think that I did well by making up my mind of what song I was going to sing and whether I wanted to sing solo or not. I think this will benefit me because I have made my mind up so early in the process which will give me more time to practise and get my song perfect by the time the audition comes around.
However this week, I think that I could of spent longer on my own rehearsing my song, but instead I wasn't fully focused and was singing other peoples songs helping them out. Next time I need to be more focused on what I'm doing instead of talking to other people about theirs.
Next week, I want to of practised my song a number of times so I feel confident with it. I would have also liked to learn the lyrics to my song so I don't need to hold them in front of me; this will make sure that I am confident with my song and can concentrate on singing it in character rather than worrying about the lyrics and what's coming next.
This week, I think that I did well by making up my mind of what song I was going to sing and whether I wanted to sing solo or not. I think this will benefit me because I have made my mind up so early in the process which will give me more time to practise and get my song perfect by the time the audition comes around.
However this week, I think that I could of spent longer on my own rehearsing my song, but instead I wasn't fully focused and was singing other peoples songs helping them out. Next time I need to be more focused on what I'm doing instead of talking to other people about theirs.
Next week, I want to of practised my song a number of times so I feel confident with it. I would have also liked to learn the lyrics to my song so I don't need to hold them in front of me; this will make sure that I am confident with my song and can concentrate on singing it in character rather than worrying about the lyrics and what's coming next.
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