Man of La Mancha: Excitement or Fear
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Acting
Forum Discription: Q&A about auditions, character development and other aspects of the craft
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2878
Printed Date: 5/16/24 at 5:37pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Man of La Mancha: Excitement or Fear
Posted By: JonathanBuford
Subject: Man of La Mancha: Excitement or Fear
Date Posted: 12/18/07 at 4:38pm
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My name is Jonathan Buford. I am 23 years old and before just two days ago I had never done anything relating to the theatre. I live in a relatively mid-sized town where much theatre happens, and I have seen a few shows. This year they chose to do one of the only musicals I have ever enjoyed: Man of La Mancha. I went to audition just hoping to land a role as a guard or as the Captain of the Inquisition. The talent of the performers at this audition was incredible. One of the actors auditioning played Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady and Billy Bigelow in Carousel last season.... He also is known for being a fine actor, and he most certainly was. So I cannot sing at all. I chose to audition the piece "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin and it was a dismal failure.... and yet people applauded. A few moments later the real performers begin to belt and to astound every one and I thought I wouldn't even be considered for any role. However, a little later on the director who is a very attractive young lady, asked me to read for the role of Don Quixote/Cervantes and I did.... again I act as well as I sing..... but she seemed to enjoy it. I was then sent home, thinking she did it merely to make a point as to how pathetic talents should not audition.
However, yesterday I received the call informing me that I was cast as Don Quixote/Cervantes.... and I was speechless! I have no experience or talent and now I am playing one of the most difficult roles ever! and it's not a joke! I am excited but terrified and not sure of what I should do. Do I dare make a fool of myself attempting the impossible, or do I tell them they should go with some one else. The last few days have been absolutely crazy!
Jonathan Buford, The New Performer.
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Replies:
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 12/18/07 at 10:28pm
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First of all, congratulations on landing such a great role.
If I may offer words of encouragement, it is possible this director sees potential in you that you have yet to discover for yourself. Most actors are their own worst critics and perhaps you're being too judgmental on your abilities. In any case, jump in with both feet and make a big splash. Your enthusiasm and energy will be greatly appreciated and maybe even overcome whatever lingering doubts you might possess. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by a role, I always remember a bit of advice an acting teacher once gave me: "You're only as good as you dare to be bad." In other words, stepping outside your comfort zone and taking on the challenge is the only way to succeed in anything. If you only stay the safe route, you'll never broaden yourself. Best of luck to you. Dream the impossible dream! ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: JonathanBuford
Date Posted: 12/18/07 at 11:37pm
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Thank you very much. I suppose I can do the show I just have no idea where to start since I seriously don't know how to read music or internalize a character at all but I will give it my best. Also the woman who is playing Aldonza is 75 years old so this is one of the most unconventional productions of MOLM ever. |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 12/19/07 at 1:46am
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There is no choice in this situation but to jump in and give it everything you have. I agree with Topper, the director is often a much better judge of performance than the actor simply by virtue of not being the actor. Just give it your all and remember that she has shown a great deal of confidence to cast you in a lead with little to no experience and repay it with 100 percent effort. You will be fine.
PS. if there is a musical director, see if they would be willing to put in some extra time to help you get comfortable with the songs. PPS. You mentioned that the director was attractive, if you're going to ask her out, wait till closing night, a showmance will do nothing but distract you from the task at hand.  ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 12/19/07 at 7:50am
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Where is this show going on? I love MOLM and have played Sancho in the past. This sounds to be a very interesting cast, Don Quixote barely out of his teens and an Aldonza in her 70's? This might be worth the drive. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 12/19/07 at 3:29pm
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OMG run from this if a director and the producing organization have the idiocy to cast a 75 yr old Aldonza. Either that or she looks and acts MUCH younger. I can't begin to imagine what the so called concept for this might be. I'm all for "thinking outside the box" and all that crap but jumping off the cliff is only fun until you land. ------------- BD 
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: JonathanBuford
Date Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:59pm
| No the lady does look and act 75, but her voice is somewhat impressive I suppose. And... well I went in for a sing-through tonight... and she's essentially the only one who can do much with music at all so this should be a very interesting production. And I didn't have to worry about asking the director out... she asked me out tonight... I said yes, why not? This really is going to be an odd run but I have decided to do it. |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 12/20/07 at 2:00am
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Well done JB, it is a great role to snaffle.
From the script you will realise that your acrually playing 3 characters.
Cervantes, Quixote & Alonso Quijana.
A quote from 'Don Quixote': “I know who I am, and who I may be if I choose.”
Check out your sceneography from the script, as to who you are, as the scenes goes from reality to ilusion [story telling], as it happens as fast as a lighting state cue change.
Don't worry about the singiing, as all the Cervantes/Quixote I have directed, were hard pressed to carry a tune. Brilliant actors so they restorted to speak/sing. That is all untill the last show i did, I couldn't find a Cervantes at the auditions & on our first rehersal, I talked the audio Techie to read in for the part. Realising as he was from Walse, the chance are he would have a fine singing vioce - also he was 60 years old & fitted in nicely.
As luck would have have it, he had a great welsh barritone vioce.
However I wished he had of had more songs in the show, but that's not the case.
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 12/20/07 at 8:59am
Because it's not usually a good idea to date your boss. Just like any other working environment. I hope she just wants to talk with you in private about the play. |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 12/20/07 at 2:00pm
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I say go for it and date her. Come on guys admit it, with the casting ideas can it realy get any worse if he's sleeping with the director? ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: JonathanBuford
Date Posted: 12/20/07 at 2:19pm
| Yeah.... So I went on my date with the director last night.... She talked to me about the show for five minutes, then the unadulterated flirting begin, and one thing led to another, and before I knew it we were at my place, and it was a very nice night. However, I have done a little more studying of the character, and I think I have a vague notion of what I'm doing at this point. The only negative things I have to report is that the actors who were playing The Padre and Sancho have both quit the show, but they were both lousy any way. The show becomes more and more dysfunctional, but I like it this way. |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 12/20/07 at 2:54pm
Well, good luck with all that. Unless, of course, we're just being punk'd
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Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 12/21/07 at 8:35am
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jayzehr.. the thought occured to me as well.. but lets assume it isn't the case. If so, I have a word of caution for Johnathan.. don't assume you are the only one from your theater who has found a home here on our BBoard... As has been said, Anything you say here can and will be used against you... Especially if your fellow actors or worse your director should stumble accross it... ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 12/21/07 at 8:38am
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Darn you Marty, I was enjoying his little story and now you scare him into silence. I was just waiting to see if he tried to date the aging Aldonza as well as the Director. Now that would be a good story. I live vicariously through the misdeeds of my friends. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 12/21/07 at 9:06am
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Hah! I say again HAH!... It is we who live vicariously through you my old friend... ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: JonathanBuford
Date Posted: 12/21/07 at 11:09am
| I will admit it sounds very outlandish and oftentimes I don't even think it's real but it is happening and I'm still trying to figure out how it all began to happen. We begin rehearsals on Monday and it should be interesting to say the least....... especially because the director called me today and said our "fling" was off.... so who knows I might not even be playing the lead by then. |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 12/21/07 at 11:32am
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hhhhmmm maybe she is lurking here now..... ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |