Take the World Away: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This folio captures ten songs from a show that has thrived in performance worldwide, offering vocalists material that works equally well in auditions and recitals. The variety of styles and character types means singers at different levels can find songs that suit their voices and interpretive instincts. Having comprehensive piano/vocal arrangements of the full score in one book removes the need to hunt down individual selections.

The collection spans intimate character moments and larger emotional gestures, with a sensibility rooted in classic musical theatre songwriting. Songs like Rainbows and Nocturne offer lyrical singing, while others capture the specificity and humor of character-driven comedy.

This book serves vocalists preparing audition material, students building a recital repertoire, and performers looking for contemporary musical theatre songs with substance. It's equally valuable for voice teachers seeking songs that challenge legit singing while remaining accessible to intermediate and advanced students.

• Study the original cast recording to hear how the songs function within the show's arc; the context shapes phrasing and emotional weight
• Treat the piano part as a partner, not a accompaniment; many songs rely on the interplay between voice and keys for their effectiveness
• Identify each song's dramatic moment and sing the text with specificity, since these pieces were written to advance character and story

Select individual songs for student recitals or voice juries; the variety of moods and tempos allows you to create balanced programming. Directors staging a concert version or cabaret-style event will find the collection provides enough material for a full evening, or you can program a string of two or three complementary selections.

• Legit singing in contemporary musical theatre idiom
• Character interpretation and dramatic phrasing
• Piano/vocal collaboration and score literacy
• Audition preparation and recital programming