Musical Theatre Begins Duet Unit
By Hannah Kisser
Whether you’re sixteen going on seventeen or looking for something to believe in, you’re bound to have a favorite song from a Broadway show. It could be a solo, but let’s admit it: duets are way more fun. Even if you’re alone in the shower, quickly sliding from one voice part to the other is an invigorating experience matched only, perhaps, by having someone sing the song with you. For those in Mr. Skiles’s first period musical theatre class, you’re in luck; this month, the class is working on duets.
There’s been buzz about the duets for a while- partners were chosen before winter break- but most pairs began practicing their songs on Tuesday, January 7. The only rules: duets must be chosen from existing Broadway musicals (not upcoming shows, not movies), and everyone is also responsible for their own blocking, harmonies, and- if applicable- choreography. There’s already a variety of selections from a plethora of musicals. From The Sound of Music to Rent to SpongeBob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical, this project is already a melting pot of songs, dances, personality types, and vocal ranges. Mr. Skiles decided the “first showings-” when pairs will perform the musical equivalent of a rough draft for the class- were to be held on Thursday, January 24. Judging by the things seen and heard thus far, spectators are in for quite the treat.
Despite the fact that the class is starting with duets, continuing on to small group performances, and working their way up to solos, performing alone is still daunting to some students. “You’re with your partner the whole time,” says sophomore Katelyn Lopes about duets. “You’re used to someone doing half the work of the work for you.” Senior Chaz Deleon, Lopes’s duet partner, agrees that working with a partner is a more comfortable situation than working alone. “You get to talk more about what song you’re doing,’ says Deleon.
Lopes and Deleon are doing “You Love Who You Love” from Bonnie and Clyde, a musical based on the real-life Depression-era criminal couple. They’ve been working on harmonies and expanding their own vocal ranges. Lopes says that’s what she learned from this experience: “Singing out of range.” This is also the thing she’s most proud of from her work on this duet. Lopes is singing Clyde’s part, meaning she has to be comfortable singing a traditionally male vocal part. Deleon, on the other hand, has learned a less tangible lesson. “You have to work together,” she says, “to make it a good duet.” She’s most proud of the choreography.
All of the other pairs in the class have also been working hard, and the first showing is only the beginning; after working with the chorus teacher, Ms. Leaman, the class will continue to work on their duets. Final class showings should be coming up pretty soon; the exact date is to be determined, as Mr. Skiles is currently preoccupied with the theatre department’s production of Tuck Everlasting, which will be premiering this Thursday, January 30, at 7 PM. Eventually, Mr. Skiles will pick some of the pairs to perform at the end-of-year showcase, at which friends, family, and faculty can see the end result of all the students’ hard work. We wish all of the groups in Musical Theatre the best of luck- break a leg!
A Case of the Giggles! While trying to demonstrate their choreography for the camera, sophomore Katelyn Lopes tries to calm down senior Chaz Deleon, who can’t seem to stop giggling. The girls spent all of B Lunch together. “You have to work together,” said Deleon again. Photo by Hannah Kisser