I received an email in late July from a local director looking to cast a musical. He liked my smile from my head-shot on Stage 32 a new networking site for those in film, theater and voice over. Would I like to audition for the Wizard of Oz? Intrigued, I said sure. He was looking for Aunt Em and Locusta, the Good Witch of the North. You see, this musical is based on the original books and the 1902 Broadway musical, not the MGM or Wicked version.
I read Aunt Em not like the Aunt Em in the movie. No screeching Dorothy’s name and sounding old and haggard. He liked it. I kind of thought of Glinda while I read for Locusta. But, well, more about that later. He recorded the audition as I sang a couple musical numbers I still managed to remember a few bars to, like Sondheim. I went home and thought how I would have killed for a role like this 10 years ago. And the chance falls into my lap without my doing anything in particular now. I concentrate on voice over and film because theatre is a huge black hole for time. Once you’re sucked in, you only come out the other end after the run is finished.
A week later, the director asks if I can come by and sing for the composer. He loves my voice but wants to put it through its paces. I say sure. This is unusual as most musical theatre directors and producers do not like my voice. Its too operatic, I don’t belt and my low voice is weak to name just a few things. The problem has always been I’m a high soprano, like really high, and I like it. In the world of musical theatre, I’m supposed to look like an ingenue, to be a soprano. Pretty shimmering voice goes with very pretty face. If you’re a character, like me, with a funny face, you have a loud low voice. Yeah, that ain’t gonna happen.
I am still wondering how I’m going to fit the musical and everything else in my life for these next couple months. I decided to chronicle my journey to Oz on my blog. Will I survive? We’ll find out.
Life and Befuddlement 
very, very exciting. and it will all fall into place. you may need to recruit a gaggle of munchkins to offer assistance along the way. look forward to reading about it –
that’s a great idea, munchkin assistants. Now where to find some?
Gee, Kris, you’re the first witch I’ve ever known. So happy you’re the good one, although playing the bad one might be more fun!
The word is I get to be purple and I have lots of great songs to sing. Oh, I have a fight with the bad witch. i don’t think I’d like to be green, anyway.