BERGEN COUNTY PLAYERS ANNOUNCES OPEN AUDITIONS
FOR RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL ON FEBRUARY 15, 17 AND 18
Bergen County Players (BCP) of Oradell, one of
America's foremost theater groups, will hold open auditions for Ruthless! The Musical, the final production of its 2013-14 season. Auditions will take place at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, NJ on February 15, 17 and 18.
Directed by Steve Bell, Ruthless! The Musical is a hilarious musical comedy with music by Marvin Laird and book and lyrics by Joal Paley that spoofs Broadway musicals, like Gypsy and Mame, and movies such as The Bad Seed and All About Eve. This aggressively outrageous musical hit garnered rave reviews during its long Off-Broadway run winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical of 1993.
When
Open Auditions (in order of arrival):
Saturday, February 15 at 10:00am
Monday,February 17 at 7:30pm
Tuesday, February 18 at 7:30pm
Callbacks (by invitation only):
Monday, February 24 at 7:30pm
Performance Dates
May 3 to June 1, 2014
No performances over Memorial Day Weekend.
Where
Bergen County Players
298 Kinderkamack Rd, Oradell, NJ 07649
Breakdown
This is a very funny, fast-paced, and wickedly twisted musical comedy with eight distinct female roles each playing an honest yet comical character. There is no ensemble. With the exception of the non-singing role of Miss Block, all the characters have solo songs.
Tina: An 8-year old triple threat, loaded with talent and manipulative to the core, she is sickeningly sweet but underneath, is a remorseless psychopath. She will be required to tap quite proficiently, and should have a strong belt. 7-12 years old. Must be under 5' -- the smaller the better. Vocal range: F# below middle C to E one octave above middle C.
Judy/Ginger: Tina's mother, approximately 28-40, a simple June Cleaver-type housewife, who is transformed into Ginger, a Norma Desmond-type Broadway diva. Must be able to honestly portray both. Vocal range: F below middle C to B Flat one octave above middle C.
Sylvia St. Croix: (For this role, we are looking to cast a man in drag.) The stereotypical in-your-face talent manager, who is obsessed with making Tina a star. A combination of Rosalind Russell in Auntie Mame and Rosalind Russell in Gypsy. Vocal range: A one octave below middle C to E above middle C.
Miss Thorn: A wannabe actress who had to settle for teaching 3rd grade, she is the director of the school play. Her integrity in casting is questionable. This part doubles with Miss Block. Vocal range: E below middle C to B above middle C.
Louise Lerman: The student who beats out Tina for the lead in the school play, she has limited talent. The character is 7-13 years old -- played by an adult. This part doubles with Eve. Vocal range: Middle C to B Flat above middle C.
Lita Encore: Judy's adoptive mother, a theater critic with a poison pen. She hates musicals. An Ethel Merman-type with a strong belt. Vocal range: E below middle C to D one octave above middle C.
Eve: Efficient personal assistant to Broadway star, Ginger. She wants Ginger's life, and copies her every mannerism. This part doubles with Louise Lerman. Vocal range: F# below middle C to C above middle C.
Miss Block: A lesbian reporter who wants to do a story about Ginger's past. This is a non-singing role, and doubles with Miss Thorn.
WHAT TO PREPARE: Those auditioning should bring one up-tempo standard musical theater piece (in the style of Gypsy, Mame, Hello Dolly, Annie, etc.) in the correct key. A song from the show can be used. An accompanist will be provided. Please refrain from bringing recorded accompaniment for the singing portion of the audition. No a cappella auditions allowed.
All those auditioning should be prepared to do some cold reading from the script.
There is no dancing required for the initial audition, except for the role of Tina. Children auditioning for Tina should prepare a short tap combination, and bring taped accompaniment on a cassette or CD. A boom box will be made available.
All candidates should be familiar with the films, The Bad Seed, All About Eve, The Women, Mommie Dearest, Gypsy, and Auntie Mame.
For further information, please contact Steve Bell (
BCPSteve@aol.com).
Videos
