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Breakdown
2016 SEASON MUSICALS
BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
based on the bestselling novel by Robert James Waller.
music/lyrics: Jason Robert Brown
book: Marsha Norman
1st Reh: 8/22. Runs 9/14 - 10/23/16
Seeking:
FRANCESCA
Female, 30 – 40s, Bud’s wife, Carolyn and Michael’s mother, lived in Italy, meets a photographer who’s come to take pictures of the local bridges, soprano.
ROBERT KINCAID
Male, 30’s -40’s, a ruggedly, handsome, worldy visionary photographer finally getting his own life in focus. Classic folk balladeer, strong high baritone (belt G)).
CHARLIE
Male, 60’s, Marge’s husband, Francesca’s neighbor.
MARGE
Female, 60’s, Francesca’s neighbor, sassy and nosy.
CAROLYN
16+, to play 15. Francesca and Bud's son. Country/rock belter with fluid soprano.
RICHARD BUD JOHNSON
Male, Francescas's husband, mid 40's, an Iowa farmer, a nice guy, diligent, dependable. Country high baritone (belt F#) (e.g. Clint Black).
MICHAEL
18+ to play 16, Francesca and Bud's son, a strong farm boy that doesn’t want to be a farmer when he grows up. Country/rock tenor, goes up to a high A
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A CHRISTMAS STORY
music/lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
book/lyrics: Joseph Robinette
1st reh: 10/24. Runs: 11/9 -1/8/17
Seeking:
JEAN SHEPHERD/NARRATOR
Late 40s to early 50s. A great actor with charisma. Great speaking voice, who can tell an engrossing story and who has the quality to draw an audience in to his magical world and weave a spell. Has a twinkle in his eye. An actor with presence and spark. Of average height/weight or slightly larger; a good-natured curmudgeon. He’s omniscient, but not in an overpowering way. He’s the guy you’d like to have on your over-40s softball team and the one you’d go to the bar with after the game since he’s funny and spins a good yarn. He has a deadpan sense of humor. He MUST be a great storyteller with a tremendous presence.
THE OLD MAN
Late 30s-40s. A little younger than Jean. He has a good heart, but it is buried under a rough exterior. He can be a little acerbic and gruff. He usually expects the worst, but is capable of excitement if the situation warrants it (though it usually doesn’t); a devoted husband/father, who loves his family but does not overtly show it. Actor must be comfortable working with kids. VOICE: high baritone or tenor, must sing to a high G. *Please prepare a swing tune from the golden age that displays character, style and range.
MOTHER
30s-40s. Younger than The Old Man by a couple of years. She is more in charge than he is, but she would never let him know it; affable and warm, but not a pushover; strong willed, straight forward, no nonsense, likable, midwestern – a kind of every-mom. A vibrant woman with a personality that challenges the 1950s bland wife stereotype. She is a “real mom” with a warm sense of humor, though definitely not gooey. A more charactery Donna Reed. VOICE: contemporary mezzo with a strong mix, sings low G to high Db.
MISS SHIELDS
Mid 20s – 40s. Soprano 1. She is Ralphie’s (and friends') elementary school teacher. An actress with a flexible voice who is comfortable singing both legit and contemporary Broadway. Great with comedy. Character woman. VOICE: Fierce belter and vocal stylist.
RALPHIE
Age 9, going on 10. Caucasian boy. His voice must be UNCHANGED. MUST on the short side. Possibly a bit pudgy; a regular kid – cute but not handsome, winsome but not precious. He wouldn’t be lost in a crowd, but he wouldn’t stand out either. Bright, but not precocious; a kid you wouldn’t mind living next door to. Seeking a young kid who is comfortable on stage but real. Must be an excellent singer and able to carry a show. Must tap. VOICE: Boy’s unchanged voice. High belter, low F# to high D..Actor must be 4'11 or under.
RANDY
8-9. Ralphie’s younger brother. Smaller than Ralphie; the cuter the better. Can be a bit awkward and offbeat; admires his big brother Ralphie, but won’t admit it. Seeking a young kid who is comfortable on stage but real. Must tap. VOICE: Boy’s unchanged voice. High belter, low F# to high C#. Actor must be 4'11 or under.
SCUT FARCUS
12-14. A meanie – the bully; lean, taller than the other kids; there’s nothing about him you want to like. He’s that kid you always made sure to avoid in school. Must tap. Gruff character voice.Actor must be 5'0 or under.
ENSEMBLE: all characters types , vocal ranges and ages to play various characters in the show.
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SIDE SHOW
music: Henry Krieger
book/lyrics: Bill Russell
1st Reh: 2/13. Runs: 3/8 - 4/2/17
Daisy and Violet
Females, 28-35 years old, Caucasian. Sopranos Conjoined Twins. There is an incredible amount of stamina needed for both roles; physical, emotional and vocal. gifted actors that are incredibly vulnerable and real. You must move well
TERRY CONNER
Male, 35-40. (Baritone with strong upper range). A talent scout/agent for the Vaudeville circuit. Seeking an attractive and suave actor with a commanding presence and excellent rich voice. Daisy’s love interest. He is a man torn between what society deems to be “normal” and acceptable, and his emotions. He ultimately is a man out for his own interests and success. He is very charming and slick. He must be an excellent actor.
BUDDY FOSTER
Male, late 20s-35 (Tenor; big range, up to C with a strong sustained high A). He is an aspiring choreographer/performer; a song and dance man. Bright and energetic, but a bit naive. Full of genuine drive and heart. Violet’s love interest. He falls in love with Violet and the attention they are getting as they gain in success and fame.
JAKE
Male, African-American, 30-40. (tenor/baritone with strong top range). Sideshow Foreman. A large and very strong physical presence even when silent. Secretly in love with Violet. Must be a strong actor of great depth with a fantastic voice. He is a man of few words, but when he speaks it has great impact and he is heard loud and clear. He is an incredibly smart man and sees through Terry and Buddy’s intentions and wants only the best for the girls. He loves them both deeply and would do anything for them.
FEATURED & ENSEMBLE ROLES
** All ensemble actors must be strong actors that sing. The ensemble will double in a number of roles.. Everyone needs to be in good physical condition regardless of age, size, etc.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE
FORTUNE TELLER
Female. Any age (18 and up), sizes, and ethnicities. Exotic look. An extremely strong belter/gospel voice. She is a motherly type figure to the side show performers and should have a strong and earthy presence.
DOLLY DIMPLES
Female. Based on a real person, Dolly was listed as the classic “Fat Lady” in the various side shows she travelled with. She needs to be a large woman and preferably 30-45, but may cast as a character as young as 25 if the type is right. On stage she takes on the persona of a little girl in baby-doll type clothing, but backstage would be smoking a cigar and hanging with the guys. Crass and funny.
SNAKE LADY
Female. Snake Charmer. Dancer/strong mover. Strong technique a plus. Athletic/dancer’s body. Exotic. Any age (18 and up) and ethnicity. Revealing costume. Ok with live snakes is a plus, but NOT required.
HAREM GIRLS
3 Females. Dancers. Strong technique. Any age (18 and up) and ethnicity. Must be comfortable appearing partially clothed.
ADDITIONAL ENSEMBLE WOMEN
All types, vocal ranges, and ethnicities. Excellent actors with great voices.
MALE ENSEMBLE
GEEK
Male. Any age (18 and up), and ethnicity. A tightly wound and particular individual. He is a geek in the traditional and contemporary meaning of the word. He is extremely intelligent.
BEARDED LADY
Male. Any age (18 and up) and ethnicity. Strong tenor voice. Feminine, but strong. Has a very strong opinion and not afraid to speak up.
REPTILE MAN
Male. Any age (18 and up) and ethnicity. A sensitive and gentle soul among his friends.
SHEIK
Male. Body builder with an excellent body. Would be billed and “The Strong Man” that could do incredible things with his strength. Any age (18 and up), sizes, and ethnicity.
FAKIR
Male. Athletic build. Exotic type
ROUSTABOUTS
Dancers or strong movers that sing very well. Must be physically fit.
TODD BROWNING
This role is based on a real person; the director of the movie “Freaks” that the twins ultimately starred in; the film actually ended his career in Hollywood. He is charming, well spoken and must be a great actor. He is a typical Hollywood director/business man and has come out to offer the twins a part in his new film contingent upon the publicity from the marriage ceremony between Violet and Buddy.
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WEST SIDE STORY
music: Leonard Bernstein
lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
book: Arthur Laurents
1st Reh: 3/27. Runs: 4/19 - 6/18/17
Tony
Male. A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets, who has found a new lifestyle now. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love with Maria and meets an untimely death. Genuinely sweet and sincere. Tenor (Bb to Hi C).
Maria
Female. Hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. She falls in love with Tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Bernardo's sister. Puerto Rican. Soprano (Bb to Hi C).
Anita
Female. Feisty and assertive. She dispenses older sister advice to Maria and tries to shield her from the dangers of the gangs. Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's friend. Puerto Rican. Strong dancer. Mezzo-Soprano (F to F).
Bernardo
Male. A proud, strong, handsome Puerto Rican man. Bernardo seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for him and his friends. Maria's brother and Anita's boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks. Strong dancer. Baritone (G to E).
Riff
Male. A spritely, quick-tempered leader. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang's dominance. Tony's best friend, he is eventually murdered by Bernardo. Strong dancer. Baritone (A to G).
Anybodys
Female. A spunky tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Strong dancer.
Chino
Male. An angry and, at times, naive Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernardo's. Strong dancer.
Doc
Male, 50-65. Owner of the candy store where the Jets hang out. He tries to guide the Jets youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old fashioned and wise in his ways.
Krupke
Male, 30-60s. The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gang’s conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. Regularly mocked by the local gangs.
Lt. Schrank
Male. 40-60s. A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharks. Blunt, brash, and unapologetic.
Glad Hand
Male, 30-50s. Comic actor. Age and type very open – actor must just be able to make broad choices and have good timing.
The Jet Boys
Male, 18-20s. All-American male. Dancers with excellent ballet/jazz technique who sing. Action, A-Rab, Baby John, Snowboy, Big Deal, Diesel, Kiddo.
The Shark Boys
Male, 18-20s, Puerto-Rican. Dancers. All ethnicities strongly encouraged. Must be excellent dancers with strong ballet/jazz technique who sing well. Chino, Pepe, Indio, Inca, Tio, Bolo, Federico.
The Shark Girls
Female, 18-20s. Rosalia, Consuela, et al – Puerto Rican. Must be excellent dancers with strong ballet/jazz technique who sing well. All ethnicities strongly encouraged.
The Jet Girls
Female, 18-20s. Graziella, Velma,et al– All-American types. Must be excellent dancers with strong ballet/jazz technique who sing well.
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