My first Musical!

[marking]

Well, after a lot of transposing/rewriting, listening to the original and late night practices our small community theatre had our opening night of "Chicago".

Everybody did great. The stage looked nice. The audience responded well.

I'm really enjoying playing fun songs with a great group of musicians. I learned a thing or two, but realize there's much more to learn. I will likely never solo in an orchestra, but today I'm feeling pretty good about my new endeavor.

Asking a few questions and lurking in the background here at TubeNet has been illuminating, supportive and educational. So, thanks to all of you!
Mark

[Three Valves]

I’ll have to see that one, heard lots a great things.

[EdFirth]

Glad it was a good time all around. Is that a Martin Eb in the picture? Ed

[marking]

Ed,
Yes, that is my 1916-ish Martin

[mikebmiller]

Chicago is a hoot to play. I played it (on trombone) about 6 years ago with our local theater. The band was on stage, so the biggest challenge was to look at the music instead of all the ladies strutting around in lingerie. There are some great tunes in that show.

[The Brute Squad]

i'd love the chance to try my tuba out! it sounds like a lot of fun...

I've gotten the opportunity a couple times. My community orchestra did a semi-staged production of Carousel a few years ago, and I got to do Ragtime a couple years ago (tuba/euph double). Definitely a lot of fun.

Chicago would definitely be a fun one, too.

[Mike C855B]

Musicals can be fun, although I've never done one on tuba. Cut my musicals teeth with bassoon on Oklahoma!, then moved to oboe/English horn on Beauty and the Beast with two different productions. Some musicals, however, are more work than fun. Recently did Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which - frankly - was excruciating. There were maybe two or three lietmotifs in the entire play, so you got to do the same tunes over and over again, just in different keys and tempos. Meh.

[tbonesullivan]

It's been quite a while since I played a musical, but they are definitely fun. I played 1st trombone on south pacific in high school. Just so much fun, and some great playing. Perfect parts to bring out my King 3b for.

[mikebmiller]

I have done about a dozen shows with my local theater in the past 10 years or so on trombone. The best ones to play as far as good fun were Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Guys and Dolls, and Singing in the Rain. The snoozers were Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Willy Wonka, and Titanic. A good book can make it fun to show up every night and play your butt off.

We always have a great little band for our local shows. The lead trumpet player could be on Broadway. I don't think I have ever heard him crack a note.

[marking]

We played our final show Sunday to a sold out theatre. The cast and band got better with each performance. I had a lot of fun.

During the final "Bows" song, we got a really big response from the audience. It was difficult to play the last 20 or so measures because I was trying to stifle a huge smile!!

[The Brute Squad]

Just saw that a local group is doing Chicago in the spring. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to play in that pit.

The part appears to be a double with bass. I'm assuming that (with the lack of "guitar" in the name) that it's a string bass part?