High school musical Bye bye Birdie? I REALLY need help and would desperately beg

Question:This is going to be our high school musical this year. I have some concerns. I don't know what part to try out for... I have some questions for those who know about it or have done it previously. All I know is that our version is more like the movie with Dick van Dike. DOES THE PERSON WHO PLAYS KIM HAVE TO BE A SOPRANO? How high are the songs with her? DOES ROSE HAVE TO BE AN ALTO? If you had to describe the person best suited for Kim, Rose and the Mother (eg. experience and talent) what would you want? My strength that NO one in our music department has is that I am a strong actress and I have good reactions and faces. Don't get me wrong- I am a great singer too- I have won awards as the choir member of the year. I don't know the musical too well- just saw the movie- and i feel that i need to know more about the what it takes to play the lead girl roles. SO my main question is WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE KIM, ROSE OR THE MOM. or any other part that u may suggest.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: This is going to be our high school musical this year. I have some concerns. I don't know what part to try out for... I have some questions for those who know about it or have done it previously. All I know is that our version is more like the movie with Dick van Dike. DOES THE PERSON WHO PLAYS KIM HAVE TO BE A SOPRANO? How high are the songs with her? DOES ROSE HAVE TO BE AN ALTO? If you had to describe the person best suited for Kim, Rose and the Mother (eg. experience and talent) what would you want? My strength that NO one in our music department has is that I am a strong actress and I have good reactions and faces. Don't get me wrong- I am a great singer too- I have won awards as the choir member of the year. I don't know the musical too well- just saw the movie- and i feel that i need to know more about the what it takes to play the lead girl roles. SO my main question is WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE KIM, ROSE OR THE MOM. or any other part that u may suggest.

Bye Bye Birdie is such a fun show! I was just in it as Mae Peterson and I originally had the part of Rosie.
Some of Kim's songs have a high note here and there. I think the highest note is in How Lovely to be a Woman right at the end of it. So she definitely needs to be able to reach those high notes. In stageagent.com, Rosie's part is listed as an alto, but I think her range should be pretty wide in general. As for Mae, she's also an alto. Her song is pretty much sung in the lower octave so if you can belt those notes right, then you certainly have a chance of playing her!

For Kim- Kim is the innocent teenager who adores Conrad. Think of all of the kids nowadays who scream their heads off whenever they see the Jonas Brothers or Zac Efron. She tries to act much older than her age, so keep that in mind when auditioning. Also, that soprano voice is pretty key for the part.

For Rosie- Rosie is the brains behind Almaelou. If it wasn't her, then their probably wouldn't be a show. Rosie is confident and independent in someways. In the beginning of the show, she starts off walking in with her papers stating that she's quitting! All she wants is for Albert to go to college, and she'll do whatever it takes for that to happen. She does have a fun side and that's shown in Spanish Rose. So make sure that you can keep a serious, professional look as well as showing off a fun side.

For Mae- I don't think there are any words to describe Mae Peterson. She's crazy. Like Rosie, she'll do anything for Albert. Most of the time she's walking in with different kinds of foods for him. She despises Rosie and is not willing to let go of her son. Mae is the comic relief, so if you're wondering talent wise what is needed, you need to be funny. She's does crazy things. I remember my director had me drop to the floor and start sobbing like a madwoman. She overreacts to little things that don't have to do with her so she can have the spotlight focused on her. In the end, you have to be quick and funny with this part. Oh, and a New York accent tops it off. =]

Hope that helps! And hope that you get one of these parts. If not, you'll still have fun with this show =]

The required range for the singers depends on the music director's willingness to change the key of some of the song. This is extra work for many and they will not do it. Others believe that the show should be performed as published. So do not worry about what part, audition for any part and follow the tips I gave the girl a couple of questions above about auditioning.

play the part you think you really want to do. follow your heart. if someone tells you to try out for a part you hate, then dont do it!