Preping for a role...

Go see a movie with me, and two things will probably happen:
1) I will look at an actress and start drooling like crazy over her costume. This happens often, and sometimes with regrettable consequences on my wallet...
2) I will, once the movie is over, immediately go across the street to the Borders, or go home to I-Tunes, and buy the soundtrack...

Costumes are important for an actor, especially in a period piece like "Sherlock Holmes". How you move, how you react, even how you speak can be affected by what you are wearing. You try talking a mile a minute when you are wearing a corset that gives you LOVELY posture, but kills your breath intake...

However, for me, music has, for a long time, played a very large role in getting ready for a part. A good soundtrack can make an OK movie better, and a good personal soundtrack can pump you up and get you into the right mood for whatever character you are getting ready to put under the lights and in front of an audience or a camera. Heck, I've even done soundtracks for big auditions...though having your I-Pod stay on all of the previous night and be out of juice the day of the audition and is never a good thing...

While not as extensive as some people I could mention, my music library is pretty varried, so it is fun to come up with a playlist for pre-show preping. Playlists with me are most often chronological within the plot of the play, though sometimes songs are just tossed in where they seem to fit. Also, doing a period piece doesn't ever, for me, preclude modern songs. If the mood it right and fit the character, I'd probably throw rap on a playlist...OK, maybe not, but you get my point. Sometimes, the very act of going through your music and picking out songs can help you connect with that character, and trace their journey.

There a few groups that I would reccomend to anyone looking for a good pre-show playlist. E.S. Posthumus is an absolute must. They are incredibly varied and good for both relaxing or getting your blood flowing. Two Steps From Hell just put out their first public release: previoulsy, they worked only with studios on fantastic music for just about every action-adventure trailer in the past two years. Loreena McKennitt is always a favorite, and usually makes it on.

To prep for Irene Adler, I went all over the place...she is a complex woman, and "Sherlock Holmes: The Last Adventure" definitely takes her on a wild ride.

1. Unstoppable by E.S. Posthumus: Probably best known as the trailer music for the Robert Downey, Jr. "Sherlock Holmes"...it kinda HAD to go on. Plus, it IS a good opener.

2. American Woman by Lenny Kravitz: I'm playing Irene Adler...how could this NOT be on there?

3. Black Velvet Band by Bully Ruse: The story of a man led astray by a bewitching woman...and I needed something calmer at this point...

4. You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi: "I play my part, and you play your game..."nuff' said.

5. In The Light by Full Blown Rose: This is just one of those songs that felt right..."lift me up, lead me from this place, let your love be mercy on my face..."

6. Mysterious Ways by U2: Next to "American Woman", this is another one that had to be on there. Irene is someone who "can never be solved"...

7. You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) by Josh Groban: Mr. Groban is another that makes it on more often than not, and sometimes more than once (see below). Simply because I am (most of the time) a hopeless romantic, this song had to go on the list.

8. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga: Hush a quiet all of you. After three slower songs, this gets me pumped and, let's face it, there is ALOT of not so good romantice choices Irene makes, and even when she does, it ain't the safest relationship...plus the video ROCKS!

9. What About Love by Heart: Because this SHERLOCK HOLMES, people. Someone who, felt that to the "softer passions" was "Grit in a sensative instrument, or a crack in one of his own high powered lenses, would not have been more disturbing than a strong emotion in a nature such as his." And because as Irene, I get to yell at him about that.

10. The Rocky Road To Dublin by The High Kings: It was in the movie. It is fun and up-tempo. That's all I need.

11: At The Beginning by Donna Lewis and Richard Marx: See hopeless romantic above.

12. Moonlight Sonata by E.S. Posthumus: Heard this once and instantly threw it on the list. Traditional tune, modern spin. Lots of violins, so something Holmes would know, but also very dramatic and grand.

13. Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright: What happens when we let our guard down...more Irene and Larabee

14. Breath No More by Evanesance: Who are we, really? This song just hits me the right way. I think it is the piano.

15. Now Or Never by Josh Groban: Once again, hopeless romantic. There is one scene that needs about six songs, including this one, running beneath it. I also like the reference to a "clockwork silence" playing on the "man vs. machine", the denial of things being black and white, and the urgency of the refrain in a still, calm way.

16. Let It Go by Cavo: The title says it all. "A chance to change, or stay the same, one night without, the blame, that'll never go away..."

17. Fill My Heart by Two Steps From Hell: Belongs to that same scene that needs all kinds of songs running beneath it. Grand, romantic, and a bit traditional.

18. Taking Chances by Celine Dion: Not. One. Word. The ultimate get over yourself and take a risk song.

19. After The Fall by Two Steps From Hell: Anyone who knows Holmes cannon knows that, for title alone, this gets a spot. That and it plays as a lovely mix of heartbreak and hope.

20. I'm Still Here by John Rzeznik: This may have to get shoehorned into all future playlists: I'll find a reason now that "Treasure Planet" FINALLY got loaded onto I-Tunes. I love the words, and the message behind them can be used for Irene easily. Also, anyone who knows Homes cannon knows that this, also based on title alone, gets a spot...

Well, that's it. Want to see these in action? Then you'll just have to come check out "Sherlock Holmes: The Last Adventure"

TaTa!