On the Town revival asks actors to audition in costume...

[iluvtheatertrash]

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

A developmental lab for a possible revival of John Rando's well-reviewed production: http://theandersontab.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/29/

Have also had this confirmed by three friends who saw "sailors" at the audition venue.

I agree whole-heartedly with the author. Thought some of you might be interested to read this...

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/6/13 at 6:36pm

Def. girls and guys in costumes and wigs.

Posted: 11/6/13 at 7:03pm

I can't wait to see the opening night spreadsheet to see much much this saves them to cast people who fit the costumes.

[TheAndersonTab]

Posted: 11/6/13 at 7:10pm

Cheapest production ever. It is ushering in the BYOC (bring your own costume) clause in the Production contract.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 11/6/13 at 8:03pm

Do women auditioning for Hildy have to bring their own taxis?

Updated On: 11/6/13 at 08:03 PM

[theatreguy]

Posted: 11/6/13 at 8:18pm

It's pretty common to ask people to dress in something that fits the look/time period of the show (don't wear a suit for American Idiot, do wear a suit for How to Succeed, etc), but I've never heard of actors being required to come in an actual costume that they must provide. Did this blogger confirm that this is the situation? As in, "We'd love to see you for Gabey but you really HAVE to go out and buy yourself a sailor suit?"

[justoldbill]

Posted: 11/6/13 at 10:37pm

This seems to be a good time to recount something Carol Lawrence once shared- she decided for her audition and (many) call-backs for WEST SIDE STORY to wear the same outfit every time. She figured they would always remember her in remembering the outfit.
She always thought it helped get her the role. It's probably old-hat now, but the thought may have originated with her.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 11:54am

Not sure if the blogger confirmed it, but I know three different people who were at auditions and/or rehearsals at the same venue and saw lots of people dressed as sailors.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 12:04pm

So may "creative people" in the world truly aren't.

I agree with the sentiments in the blog post.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 12:04pm

NOWHERE in the casting notice does it say a costume is required. in fact, that seems like something Equity would possibly take issue with (isn't that effectively saying you have to pay money to audition for this production?).


On the Town: Equity Principal Auditions

Updated On: 11/7/13 at 12:04 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 12:09pm

If that Playbill.com link is the full notice, then I have no idea who told this guy "they were being asked to show up in costume."

Who asked? Where?

People often do show up with a suggestion of costume or an appropriate hairstyle, etc. But it's not mandatory, and it may or may not make any difference at all.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 12:18pm

Some folk just like being angry.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 12:19pm

Might be fake, but I found this circulating Facebook and heard the stories. Was mostly hoping for someone to confirm or hear thoughts.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 12:27pm

Entirely separate, but Kinky Boot (and I THINK Priscilla) was requiring boys to come in full drag... Um.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 12:35pm

i mean, for something like Kinky Boots/Priscilla- I can understand requiring the men to at least bring heels.

But this sounds to me like a FEW auditioners decided to try to make themselves stand out. And through this "I heard someone saw..." nonsense, it became fleet week at Ripley-Grier.

Again- that notice, which was the only publicly posted notice, does not mention any unusual requirements. Unless someone here auditioned, or is close with someone who had, that is the only hard evidence.

[TheAndersonTab]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 1:58pm

Direct from casting:

"WOMEN: 1940's CLASSIC PIN-UP GLAMOUR

Push up bra

1940's make-up (ex. red lip, eye shadow, eye liner 'wing')

Hair pinned up


MEN: 1940's CLASSIC SAILOR

The 1940’s New York Man. A Blue Collar worker"

[Kad]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 2:06pm

Again, those aren't exactly unusual or extraordinary requests.

[TheAndersonTab]

Posted: 11/7/13 at 2:09pm

Also, yes, it is exactly like telling an actor that they have to pay money out of pocket to compete for a role. And no, Equity does not step in to stop what is quickly becoming a very common and inappropriate part of the casting process. La Cage, Priscilla, and Kinky Boots all had actors come in in full drag as part of the callback process.