Singing with backing tracks

Todays's rehearsal was the first time we properly sung through the score using the official backing accompainment we have purchased. This very useful as so far w have just used the Original Cast Recording with the cast singing as well so we hadn't really had a strong feel for timing for vocals or how it actually sounds, minus someone else singing. I can confidently say that everything we sung (up to the end of act 1) went brilliantly and surprising really well. Everyone seemed to know timings, tunes and harmonies perfectly and it honestly sounded great. There were some bits inpaticular that I found challenging in terms of timing and tuning but I eventually was able to correct myself.
A target for myself would just be to make sure that i know all my parts inside out and really revise over any harmonies and timing issues i may be having, in order to get it perfect. I think singing with backing tracks rather than a live band is going to be a bonus, as it allows us to practise and rehearse with the accompainment we are sure to have on the night. It also saves time issues and any worries that may be come about if we were to have a live band - for example, speed changes etc.

working on 'What You Own'

'What You Own' is a duet between the characters of Mark and Roger after a massive falling. The song is done from different locations where the characters are almost assessing the recent events that have happened throughout the year. In order to show this effectively, the idea was to have myself and Ashley (playing Mark) on different levels to show a separation between the two characters, but to also have the other characters in the show presented to the audience. The reason for this is to try and resemble the others being in Mark and Roger's minds as they explore and assess the current situations going in the story. We also made it so that certain people would join on specific parts of the song depending on whose life they are more involved in, Roger's or Mark's e.g. Mimi would sing in the chorus, when Roger joins in. Doing this with the song, I feel really enforces the struggles that these two characters are undergoing because of everything that has happened as it allows the audience to not only listen to the lyrics but also have a visual display of the characters' state of mind - strengthening the meaning and purpose of the song.
Learning the song was surprisingly very challenging in terms the two part harmony that carries throughout. It was hard to maintain and myself and Ashley often had to ask others for help on getting it right.
It fit very well having the characters present during the song (as visions), particularly on the sections where Mark refers to seeing and hearing Angel, and where Roger refers to seeing and hearing Mimi. As he actor, this was a great visual effect for even myself as it aloud me to physically put my self in Roger's mind set and see what he sees - physically. Also, having particular characters sing at particular choruses during the song was a great effect in favour of the purpose of the song. It allows Roger and Mark to assess the events leading up til now - e.g. Angel dying; Roger and Mimi's growing, struggling relationship; and the group argument after the funeral, leading to Roger and Mark's falling out - the characters that have played vital parts to each of their lives accompanying them, supporting and highlighting the unforgettable lyric at the end of the song "You're/I'm not alone".