Who Are You? (from the musical Tootsie): Piano Vocal

Yazbek's melodies sit beautifully in the voice while remaining rhythmically sophisticated; this song rewards singers who can balance the character's vulnerability with its comedic timing. The piano part is neither a throwaway accompaniment nor so complex that it overwhelms a developing musician, making it genuinely useful for voice students at multiple levels.

The song captures a moment of genuine self-questioning wrapped in theatrical charm. Singing it requires you to hold both the character's confusion and a kind of hopeful determination at once, creating an emotional complexity that feels fresh each time you sing it.

Voice students preparing audition material or building contemporary musical theatre repertoire; pianists accompanying voice lessons or rehearsals; singers working on character development and lyrical storytelling in a comedic context.

• Shape the vocal line with attention to the character's emotional arc rather than treating each phrase equally; the song moves from uncertainty to clearer self-awareness.
• Keep the piano accompaniment conversational and responsive to the singer's phrasing, resisting the urge to drive mechanically through the rhythm.
• Balance the humor in the lyrics with sincere vocal commitment; undercutting the comedy or overselling it both flatten the song's effect.
• Listen carefully to where the piano tacet or drops back, as these moments often carry weight and deserve space.

This works well in a musical theatre showcase or revue alongside other contemporary Broadway songs, particularly if you're building a program that highlights comedic character work. It also pairs naturally with voice studio recitals where students are exploring modern musical theatre repertoire.

• Navigating rhythmically sophisticated melodic lines in a contemporary musical theatre idiom
• Sustaining character voice while managing the technical demands of the melody
• Coordinating vocal phrasing with piano accompaniment that shifts between supportive and independent
• Communicating subtext and emotional honesty in comedic material