As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a penchant for biographical films and a soft spot for powerhouse actresses, I find myself thoroughly intrigued by the prospect of Angelina Jolie gracing Broadway’s stage. Her journey from Hollywood to opera singing for her latest role in “Maria” is nothing short of inspiring.


Angelina Jolie on Broadway?

Following her victory as a producer for the “Best Musical,” The Outsiders, at the Tonys in June, Jolie hinted to me that she might be considering her first Broadway acting appearance next.

She expressed to me at the AFI Fest screening of her new Maria Callas biopic “Maria,” that she’d certainly like to, but she’s quite timid. If you had asked her a year ago if she would be singing opera, she likely would have said no. She shared that she began with Strasberg and theater, so naturally she would enjoy it. However, deep within herself, she may not believe she’s talented enough.

I recommended that she might take up a musical role, given that she had completed seven months of rigorous vocal training specifically for the character named “Maria.

Jolie laughed, “I don’t know if anybody wants that.”

In the drama directed by Pablo Larraín, Jolie portrays Callas, depicting the final days of the renowned opera singer’s life before her passing due to a heart attack at age 53 in 1977. She reminisces about her initial singing lessons.

She stepped into the room containing the piano, and someone commented, ‘Alright, let’s assess your progress.’ However, she became deeply emotional. She inhaled deeply, released a sound, and began to weep. As she explained, “I believe most of us are unaware of the depths we carry within ourselves, and how much this burden impacts our musical expression, our voice, and even our capacity to produce sound.

Jolie expressed that she’s carried a great deal for quite some time, but when she started and the particular sound followed, and finally when that sound emerged, it was the best form of therapy she’s ever experienced. In essence, I believe I would advise many individuals to try singing classes before diving into traditional therapy and investing too much time there.

Jolie mentioned an unexpected healing aspect of singing, stating it held strong restorative power. She explained, “It provided me with immense assistance. There’s a raw, instinctive quality to discovering your own voice within your own physicality. It uncovers emotions you might have avoided acknowledging, and there’s no way to truly sing from the depth of your voice and emotion without facing those feelings and boundaries.

Opera singers spend years, sometimes even a lifetime, mastering not just their vocal tone but also breath control. As Jolie explained towards the end of filming, when she really gave it her all as Callas, she would often feel light-headed because she hadn’t fully grasped breath control yet.

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2024-10-29 18:16