to anyone who's ever been in the ensemble of Jekyll and Hyde...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 6:13pm

HOW did you go about memorizing "Murder, Murder!"??? I guess I'm in the beginning stages of memorizing the song even though I've been a fan of the show for quite some time, and I've heard the song maybe hundreds of times, but I never set about memorizing those lyrics, and it's not until now that I'm realizing what a difficult task it must be. I dare say that I have the song memorized it's just the order that each verse comes in that I'm having a VERY hard time with...

the first two "murder, murders" for example:

MURDER, MURDER!
IN THE NIGHT AIR!
MURDER, MURDER!
IT’S A NIGHTMARE!
MURDER, MURDER!
IT’S A RIGHT SCARE!
BLOODY, MURDER!
IN THE NIGHT!!

MURDER, MURDER!
MAKES YOUR HEART THUMP!
MURDER, MURDER
MAKES YOUR NERVES JUMP!
MURDER, MURDER!
MAKES YOUR BLOOD PUMP!
BLOODY, MURDER!
IN THE NIGHT!!

I have that memorized, but it takes so much time to recall while singing it which comes first: "night air", "nightmare" or "right scare" and then for the second one I can never remember which is "thump", "jump" or "pump"... this kind of thing continues for the entire song.

does anyone have any tips on how to memorize something like this? if I just keep singing it over and over will I eventually get it??? any help would be greatly appreciated...

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 3:33am

Cats: you should join us over at the Global Vision board. Frank and Jeremy speak there too. I don't think anyone here really cares.. and when they do, most of the time they end up bashing Frank

[callitquits]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 3:39pm

I was in the show over the summer, and yeah, "Murder, Murder" caused a lot of trouble. We had the same problem with the song as you -- when each line comes, etcetera. All I can really say is to sing it over and over. Writing down the lyrics is what I did, and that seems to help too (sort of like if you copy something down, you're more likely to remember it). And also, don't listen to the CDs, since neither of the versions used on them are anything like the version that MTI uses and the different order will just throw you off. Try to record your part and listen to that. But yes, you will get it! When it's done well, it's actually a highlight of the show for the ensemble.

Good luck with the show!

[trpguyy]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 3:55pm

Repetition, repetition, repetition. It also helped that our choreography rehearsals were VERY meticulous/tedious, and we ALWAYS said the lyrics while memorizing the choreography.

It won't come automatically, but it will come in time.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 12:46am

I was in the chorus in a summer stock production several years ago, and we had only a WEEK to learn/rehearse. It was insane. I don't think I EVER did that song perfectly.

[MrBundles]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:14am

trouble? Ive never been in the show ans have that song memorized. hehe

[amiliablair]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:48am

yea...good luck with that one!! haha! I think I ended up singing "murder, murder,... la la la la" every time until the actual show. The only tip I can give you besides practicing, and it might be too late, is to do something with your movements that helps you with the words, or just think about what words you will sing when you do certain moves. It is a lot easier to just think about one thing, so make it secong nature to sing "nerves jump" when you do whatever with your had...etc. GOOD LUCK!! This was really a tough one to memorize!! It is especially bad when you think you are singing the right verse and sing very loudly only to realize EVERYONE else is singing soemthing different!! haha

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:19pm

once you get the blocking its easier to memorize the lyrics because you'll remember singing certain words on certain parts of the stage..don't worry, you'll get it...and i bet it will be perfect every time!