So...
Since it was warm outside today, and since I was playing an audition at the casting office, I went ahead and dressed down: shorts, t-shirt, light jacket. Normally, we just do "pre-screens" at the office, so it's a very informal process and setting, well...
Due to a slight stall on the A-line this morning, I did not step foot into the casting office until right at 11:30. And upon stepping into the small studio, I was "greeted" by the musical director/conductor, the book writer, the lyricist, the composer, the director (who happened to be Richard Maltby, Jr.!), two (well-known) producers, the lead casting director and the casting associate. -Good Morning, To Me! Well...
"The guys coming in today will be singing two songs from the show. Why don't we go over them with you."
Of course, I was not sent the music in advance, neither was I advised to come in a couple of minutes early to go over the (new) music. I sit down at the piano, look at the music, the composer comes over to sing along, I start playing...
"That's great!" says the composer.
"Were you really just reading that for the first time?" asks the director.
The lead producer - whom I've worked for before - gives me a knowing wink and a smile - then says, "Hey, I think we've found our pit pianist!"
Whew!And then came the veritable parade of Broadway actors/stars. They all started off with their own selections, then read two scenes, then sang the two songs (which I was still basically sight-reading). I did end up playing the up-tempo song a bit fast for the first actor, but, all in all, I had a very good audition session. And playing for those amazing actors with their amazing voices was a true joy!
Best of all, I get to do it all again tomorrow.
*And, you can bet that I'm going to keep the producer to his 'word' about me in the pit!
