Project Audition Song

JTylerBlog@gmail.com

Well.
With all the Legally Blonde hype wound down for now, it's time for me to start some new projects-- obsessions (which ever you'd like to call it).

I am currently on the search for an audition song. Ideas?
It needs to not be "cursed by the Audition Gods". What does that mean exactly?

No Jason Robert Brown (which is a shame since he's a favorite of mine), Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sondheim, Frank Wildhorn, or other various artists. Why? Various reasons, but for the most part these top 3:
1. Too hard for the pianist to follow if he/she doesn't know the piece
2. Too emotional/obscure for an audition piece
3. Too Story-heavy to cut

In short; here are the 10 commandments of audition song-ing by your very own Julia:

1. Make it show off the best of your range
2. Don't pick an "over used" song... keep in mind over-heard songs and over-used auditions songs are different. Just because it's considered unique to people on the streets and it's not being performed at every high school pop show from here to Georgia does NOT mean a casting director hasn't had in burned in their memory!
   
3. Make sure it has a story, but is still cut-able if you just need 16 (give or take) bars
4. Make it fresh; something the casting directors want to listen to you sing
5. Don't just find something you like-- find something you can actually sing
6. Make sure the sheet music is available
   
7. Don't mimic a style; just because Bernadette sounds like that doesn't mean you do, too
   
8. Have an up-tempo song and a ballad on hand
9. If you can only hit a high C on Mondays, make sure there are no high C's in your piece. Your permanent range- not future... not past- but current/permanent range is the only one you should be singing from.
   
10. Make it age appropriate. I don't want to hear "Dance 10, Looks 3" from a 15 year old.

So yeah. Easy enough right? I THINK NOT! And this is what I'm currently on the search for.
My previous audition song was "I Can Do Better Than That" from The Last 5 Years. BUT then I got word from the Audition Gods, that not only is Jason Robert Brown spit on by pianists! But The Last 5 Years is an OVER USED Off-Broadway! Bah! Curse you, Audition Gods!

Julia, baby, who are the Audition Gods?
Well! These are "those people". ...You know. I'm making no sense.... Example: You know when people say things like "Well, you know what they say! *insert some saying your mother would tell you*" Well, who is they? Nobody knows right? But apparently they are just filled with sayings, and you listen to what they say! Same with Audition Gods. Who knows who's calling those shots but they are shots that need to be called... And apparently Casting Directors listen to them-- in translation, you should, too.

I really love "Taylor the Latte Boy" by (none other than) Kristin Chenoweth. But a few concerns... It's not from a production and no sheet music.
Do you think this will be a problem? What are your own commandments of auditioning?
Let me know! (comment or e-mail... JTylerBlog@gmail.com )

None the less, you should listen to it. It will make your life:



Isn't she the cutest. Oh, I can't resist, I am a long long long time Chenoweth fan! Please look at this, too! You'll love it! (but don't be thinking Audition Song)



JTylerBlog@gmail.com

Legally Bailey.

Well, well, well. Here it is. Spoilers galore, by the way.

Bailey is the new Elle. I am more than disappointed.

Autumn has the voice. She looked BEAUTIFUL with her long blonde hair. Honestly! Look!













Autumn was gorgeous. Now! Enough of my weeping. Here's the order of this post:

1.Reviews/Thoughts
2.Good News!
3. Pictures & Links


Reviews/Thoughts
Bailey- During her performance I kept thinking "She's so southern. So southern." I felt like I was watching Bailey (or a Disney Princess) do a show.... not Elle Wood's story. Overall I didn't feel much of anything, except a bad cover-up accent. I was thrilled when Jerry Mitchell (Mr. Director) said "You have a bad habit of 'Schmacting'... acting fake-ly through a scene to the audience instead of through your scene partner." And to that I said AMEN! Also, check this out.. Bailey trying out for American Idol... she didn't make it. Hint, hint, Legally Blonde? But now the good things about her performance...
She did have high energy... and.... Anything else?
If you ask me Jerry Mitchell looked very disappointed when she was cast.

Autumn- Girl. I just. I am so sorry. I truly felt like Autumn deserved the part. She looked precious in her Elle Costumes and sang like nobody's business. Sang? No, brought the house down with her voice! Plus, I felt it. She actually portrayed realistic emotions in her songs... not a Disney Princess. I do agree with the judges in that she needed to get in touch with her inner "Sorority Girl". Her energy seemed a little off, but was it just nerves? Overall, if you had told me she was Valedictorian of Harvard Law- I'd believe it. She brought the maturity Elle needed, along with the bubbliness Elle requires.

GOOD NEWS!
My heart was broken when all the girls had to come out in their "Elle Woods" Hoodies and pose for Bailey, Autumn included. That was harsh. BUT! Here's the up side.... straight from Playbill News.

• Autumn will be the understudy on Broadway! (Better than nothing, way better... so much better) And will be in the ensemble.
  
• And remember sweet Lauren? Well! She is the understudy for Becky Gulsvig on the Legally Blonde tour! And will also be in the ensemble.
  
• And Rhiannon.. oh, yes. Rhiannon. May I please just point out that I called this so long ago? In my last post. You can look! Rhiannon will be playing Elle's best friend, Margot, (you know, lead-sorority girl?) on the tour.

So, overall, good. At least they weren't sent away with nothing.

Pictures! Links!



Full Performances:
Here

PlayBill News:
Here

Legally Blonde:
Here

Um, Bailey? No.

I think not.

Wrong choice Legally Blonde, sorry.

This, That, and Some Other Stuff.

One. More posts are soon to come next week! Exciting ones, too!

Two. Just a reminder to subscribe to this blog if you're looking for updates! If you find yourself saying "What?! How do I do this!? Tell me, Julia!" Well, calm yourself down. You have two options, don't you love options? You can:
a) Send me an e-mail, JTylerBlog@gmail.com , (or leave a comment) that says "Hey. I want to subscribe. Here's my e-mail; mye-mail@email.com" or you know, something along those lines. THEN I will put you on this lovely thing called a "Contacts List". And Every time I make a new post I will send an e-mail that goes "Hey... new post. It's about this, that, and some other stuff. Check it- ch-ch-check it, yo! [link to blog]" (I always rap in e-mail) Then if you say "pssh! no thanks!" Then don't click. That's your life story. But if what I rapped about caught your attention, well by golly, click! Click like the wind! Then come here and read, and have your happy time.
b) I think there's a little button here on the page that talks about subscribing. It's over on the right side of the page under the Poll somewhere. But please, heed my warning, I have no idea what that button does. It might just let you subscribe with out the middle man (um, me in this case) or it could do something crazy. Like blow you up. Either way, as I said before, that's your life story. Do what you please.

Three. LB Spoilers. I was heard with the "Whats?!" heard round the world when Lauren was cut off Legally Blonde, The Search for Elle Woods this past week. Honestly. Honestly! I had complete confidence in her! How could they just-- OVER AGE?! I'm sorry. I'm going to stop myself now before I go into fits of rage. All I've got to say to that is Rhiannon better be the number 2 to go. Or else. Or else I will go into a fit of rage the world has never seen before. (Or just sit and be disappointed and yell some. Either, or.) That's all I have to say on that topic. I'm throwing a Legally Blonde Party Monday for the finale. I'll post pictures-- probably.

Four. (Twilight Gush-Love. Stop reading now if you're not interested) I kind of regret that this blog has not but a touch of Twilight in it. Honestly. Those books are love- no, so much more. and I've said this before, but it feels stupid to call them books because they have had such a huge impact on my life. I'm re-reading Eclipse, the third book in the series, now. It's just as glorious as I've remembered it to be. AND OH! And I got famous on Youtube! For a Twilight parody! (Hence why this blog has been new-post-free for a while.) We're pushing 20,000 hits at the moment. And it's great. I would go into more detail and post a link and what not, but I kind of want to keep my real identity incognito for now. AND OH! AND CAN I JUST HAVE A MOMENT. JUST A MOMENT TO SHARE MY EXCITEMENT ABOUT AUGUST SECOND?! THE RELEASE OF BREAKING DAWN?! AHGFH4OUITHWEGNSVJDN2qpoi4r09wefusdhjikIHT2Q3948TYUGH.
Those are the only words I can fathom to express my excitement. I. Can't. Wait.

I love you, Subscribe!
Julia
JTylerBlog@gmail.com

The Blondest Blog Out There!

Group shot! New Hair! So much to Discuss! (Please ignore Autumn in this picture)
All Photos are from MTV.com!






LAURA BELL BUNDY POST BELOW! Look! It's beautiful and pink!

So, in between this post and the one I just posted- take a look... I gush over Laura Bell Bundy and have some great videos [located conveniently right below this post] AS I WAS SAYING for a blog that had nothing to talk about, I certainly have gone blonde-- legally.

SPOILERS!

So getting to my favorite show on television; Legally Blonde; the search for Elle Woods.
I really do like all the girls that are left in the house, although I think the biggest surprise of the season so far is that the girls are surprisingly convivial towards one another. One of my favorite moments of the season was 2 (?) weeks ago when the girls got the survey about "who is the worst actress, singer, etc" Autumn was the one that stepped up to the plate and said "This is not positive, it's not Elle Woods, it's not what we're going to do." She then changed the questions to "most improved" and "most growth". It was so precious and sweet, it brought tears to my eyes.... *Story Coming up* I know you're thinking "what a wuss.. cries at reality TV?" BUT the background of that is... earlier this year I had the lead in a play and in that play I was in that required me to cry- cry? No. Wallow in guilt and sadness and tears and depression. It was intense. But I had this problem. I was not a crier. I just wasn't. If I got a sad feeling I would say "Aww. Too bad" and move on. But I had to find ways to prevent myself from doing this in the play, or else while I'm supposed to be breaking down in depression, I'd be shrugging and saying "Hmm, sucks." and walk off. Obviously, not acceptable (I'm very method). I had to start crying, if I can't manage crying in real life how can I manage it on stage? So what to do to prevent this? Instead of moving on and not thinking sad thoughts, I would just let them touch me. I would let it dwell in my mind until I felt it. I could feel the sadness. I'm not sure if my brain just liked that and let it stick after the play was done or if I just got good at it. But now, at any act of sweetness or sadness, I transform into a sympathetic weeping willow. SO THAT is why I cried at reality TV *Story Complete* I'm not sure if I captured her sweetness.. here is what MTV said:
"That night, a surprise call sheet arrives at the Legally Blonde loft. Included is a difficult questionnaire, asking the girls a host of loaded questions like: "who is the weakest dancer?" and "who should have already been sent home?" All of the girls are upset, especially Lauren, who thinks the questions are directed at her.

With tension and tears at an all-time high, Autumn steps up and declares that if they're going to play this game, they're going to play it the Elle Woods way. She suggests that they rephrase the questions in a positive light. For example, instead of choosing the worst singer, they'll name someone the "most improved singer." The other girls quickly get into the spirit, giving snaps and compliments to everyone."

All of these photos are the "made over" Elles!Lovely Autumn. Plus her Legally Blonde (ballad) performance was KICK ASS! Watch it! http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1590530&vid=255364
I don't think she looks half bad as a blonde... but is she Elle? I don't know, but I certainly like her. And her acting, and her singing. So... does this Blonde measure up for you

Sweet Bailey! She has been a favorite of mine from the beginning. I really love everything she's been doing lately, I just wish that she'd show a little more growth. I get it. You're good. Why don't you get better? And I believe she is very very Elle.

I really love Lauren, her performance of "Serious" won me over. (watch here http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1589673&vid=251355 ) I know.. I know.. at first I said she was "little girlish" or something like that, but now I'm a big time Lauren fan... I can really see her playing the part. And as for her "little girlish" looks... I've just come to accept that she has great hair and a bubbly face- that's all. Although, I still feel like there's something missing... maybe it is a little bit of maturity? And despite all this love... her voice drives me up the wall. She keeps scooping into her notes or something, like she can't just deliver a note you get this throaty belt then a nasally follow up.

Oh Natalie.. I hate to say it, but I don't think you're a loss. I thought you showed great efforts in your dance performance ( http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1590088&vid=253193 ) and you were a great person in the house, but I just don't see it. Your face shape just doesn't seem right for Elle... and I wouldn't say that you should consider keeping the blonde hair. Maybe I'm just being too cruel, but I didn't like you to begin with and I don't like you now that you're gone either. Rhiannon. I just. I don't know. I see it, then I don't. You seem like maybe Elle's best friend. There-- but not there. Like just in this picture I get a sense of "What's going on?" And there's still that gawkiness I haven't quite gotten over. I hate to say it but I think you'll be next on the chopping block, although I hate to let you leave when I'm still this unsure about you.

That's my Legally Blonde input for now! SNAPS AND LOVE!

Julia

Agree? Disagree? Have some good stuff for me to look at?
COMMENT LIKE THE WIND! or email me!

JTylerBlog@gmail.com

Can I have a moment? A moment to just gush and love all over Legally Blonde the musical? Okay, I'm glad you're okay with that because here I go! Now, now, now, where to start?

This might be a touchy subject when speaking of blondes, but let's go straight to the roots of this whole production. Right back to Miss Laura Bell Bundy herself. This woman, is power house to say the very least. She brings a cute, sassy, sharp Elle Woods to the stage and a BIG-PINK-FABULOUS-SWEET girl off. (Please ignore the fact that I just yelled all those adjectives.) Anyways, Laura Bell Bundy is my new love of the stage; so I got to looking at some interviews with her and then I found some great videos of performances. And in case you're wondering... Yes! I have seen the full production of Legally Blonde, but if it's good once--er--- six times, it's good for one more round! So I looked up some videos of her performance; here are some you can't miss:

My All Time Favorite:
This is a performance in San Francisco where one of Laura Bell's shoes flies off into the audience. It flies off during "I have not begun to fight!" Great recovery, and she just nailed it. She was handed an opportunity where she could sink or float... but she worked it. And then the audience applauds! (I know I'm a sap... but I love an encouraging audience!) Laura Bell gives a whole new meaning to thinking on your feet on stage...



Interviews That You Can't Miss:
This is not the peppiest Laura Bell you'll see, but you can see how sweet and fun (and pink) she is in this interview.



A wonderful and very very pink interview in Laura Bell Bundy's dressing room! Super cute. I have no words. Just watch it.



Just... Just Watch It:
She is precious, I laughed at this for about 8 years, there are no words:



And this is just some promotional appearance, but so cute. This is a great video to watch to see what true stage presence is! Plus, I wanted to see how this song was performed with no set-- er, um, or a Warner... It's fabulous. "So Much Better", Have a look!



I will probably follow up this post with my newest take on the Legally Blonde; Search for Elle Woods on MTV. I don't want to give you a novel here... yet, at least.

No more of the stupid stuff. Time to start cracking the whip.

Okay, this is the dawning of a new age! This is going to be the new Julia Tyler Blog. I am ready!

First, referring to the image in this post, that is me and this blog's relationship before now. There was some stuff to read... and information I wanted to share, but I couldn't get that accomplished with out showing you more when I shouldn't have! ... and not to mention disorganized. (sorry for that explanation... it will probably sound very stupid to me later. )

ALRIGHT! Now here's the new lowdown:
I feel... no, I KNOW, that I have close to zero readers right now. And by "close" I mean I'm sure I have that many.... zero. So I really want to get this blog out there. I'm going to be publicizing this blog like crazy! And you should, too! I am in the process of making a new logo... and many little "stickers" that you can "stick" right on your profile. Don't worry they'll be very attractive. I need readers, people! Help me out here! I will not disappoint!

There will not be any days dedicated to a theme. Meaning... we are doing away with Musical Mondays and Twilight Thursdays. Sorry if that made you cry for eight hours, but it's simply not reasonable. Why is it not reasonable you ask? Well, well, well! Let me tell you! I think a post should be something worth reading... something that you'll think back to during your day and remember favorably... and I think it would be unfair to you if I were to just slap some shitty post together and say "okay... that's not good at all, but I said I would post something today! I'm done till ___!" Right? That's not cool. So I would rather post when I have something to say rather than just because I have to. Oh! And this is not just some ploy for me to not update as often. Because you see; if I were to post something on a Thursday and it wasn't related to Twilight even remotely... I would feel terrible because you weren't given what you were promised. But now, I can post to my heart's desire... and it doesn't matter what day of the week it is!

This blog is going to serve a purpose. It will no longer be a "I have no idea what I'm writing about!" blog. This blog will have to do with something! There will be things to speak of!

So yes! That is my epiphany!

TELL ME STUFF!

^ Click that. Do it.