The Evolution of Auditions - or - the Auditions of Evolutions

So, it's been a week or so since Auditions for Evolutions.

Once again, I was impressed by the calibre of auditionees. Coming from NZ, where the concept of a Revue / Concert production generally invites the calibre of auditionees that makes the 'outtakes' section of Idol auditions look attractive, this was a pleasant change.

If I have one observation, it's that the diversity of talent wasn't present.

When writing the vocal arrangements for Evolutions, I have been specific in my vocal requirements -- 8 guys, 8 girls, needing 2 strong sops, and 2 strong tenors, and 2 strong basses, with the rest made up of alto / mezzo / bari combinations.

I kinda expected that we would struggle with the guys. It's not so much that there's a lack of manpower, but we announced auditions late, and had a somewhat blande offering (against CLOC and Whitehorse). (Not that I think much of either Shout or Chorus Line...and don't get me started on the responsibility of big players to bring diversity to the cultural scene...it's just that people love the shows with $$$$'s)

What took me most by surprise was the lack of diversity in the women. If I wanted a cast of pure mezzo / alto's, I would've been sweet. But I needed someone who could hit a soulful bottom F, and someone who could hit a top A without sounding like aunt Marge from the local church choir.

Anyway -- as it stands, we're still hunting for a couple of killer guys (1 shit hot tenor, and 1 rock solid baritone). We've got an amazing array of talent in our women, and the guys that we have cast are great.

Also, the makeup orchestra has FINALLY been agreed on.

We'll be going with 10 players:
Keys I
Keys II
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Cello
Violin
Trumpet
Trombone.

Which means that I get to conduct, rather than play (thank christ).

On another note, arrangements have taken a slightly unexpected turn for the better.

There's been a few accidental, unplanned gems just pop into the score -- like the Gun Song from Assassains, but done in a really really bin-laden scares the shit out me dark manor.

And Merano from Chess done like you're at the cuban jazz festival. (Fuck opera.)

Anyway -- I've decided that after Evolutions I'm hanging up my baton for a while, so if you're reading this, and in Melbourne, and undecided if this is your cup of tea -- trust me -- the show is gonna rock, and it's my last jaunt with the boards for a while, so come and check it out!

Marty