Auditions for The Scarlet Pimpernel Held at Grosse Pointe Theatre 1/29

Grosse Pointe Theatre will hold auditions for The Scarlet Pimpernel, a musical production based on the works of Baroness Emmuska Orczy, with music by Frank Wildhorn, book & lyrics by Nan Knighton. The show is directed by Susan Davis of Grosse Pointe Farms.

Audition dates are Saturday, January 29 from10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 30 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., or by special arrangement with the director. Auditions will be held at the
Grosse Pointe Theatre rehearsal studio, 315 Fisher Road in Grosse Pointe (near Maumee/Grosse Pointe Boulevard).

Scripts and audition CDs are available for a refundable deposit of $20 at 315 Fisher Road, Grosse Pointe (telephone 313-881-4004). For questions regarding the auditions or technical production matters, email producer Jon Lechner at thekid57@aol.com. For more information about roles and characterizations, call director Susan Davis at 313-882-2770. For more information about the music, contact musical director Jay Shaheen at 313-886-2208 or javshaheen(@hotmail.com.

Actors should come with personal calendars to note any conflicts they may have with the rehearsal schedule.

The performance dates for The Scarlet Pimpernel are May 8,12-15 and 18-21, 2011. The show will be performed in the Fries Auditorium of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. This is a community theatre production and actors are not paid. Grosse Pointe theatre will furnish head shots, costumes, makeup and refreshments.

ABOUT THE PLAY

In a tableau set amidst the excitement and glamour of the French Revolution, this whimsical tale is rich with characters and costumes. The storybook hero is an English lord who uses a secret identity to confront a sinister villain in an attempt to stop the excesses of the war. Swashbuckling heroes, beautiful heroines, bravery, intrigue, chivalry, loyalty and passion are wrapped in a beautiful and compelling musical score. Actors will perform sword fights, duels, dances and daring rescues in the telling of this passionate, thrilling and uplifting play.

CHARACTERS

Sir Percival Blakeney (lead, age 25-40), is the swashbuckling hero with two distinct personalities that require disguises and dialects: Sir Percy, an English Lord, is proper, haughty, opinionated, yet likeable - versus the Scarlet Pimpernel, who is a down-to-earth hero of the educated, common man; dashing, audacious, fearless and passionately in love with Marguerite. The actor must show the soft and swashbuckling sides of this complex character. This actor must command the stage. (audition song: "Into the Fire," "Prayer") Must be able to dance.

Marguerite (age 25-40), the heroine, is loved and pursued by two men, Sir Percy and Chauvelin. Having fled France, she met, fell in love with and married Sir Percy, but Chauvelin threatens to disclose her radical past unless she betrays her friends. (audition songs: "Storybook," "When I Look at You") Must be able to dance.

Chauvelin (age 30-50), the villain, joined the Revolution for its high principles, but lost them in his pursuit of position and power. Dark, clever and manipulative, he sometimes hints of his younger, more idealistic self. He still dreams of rekindling his youthful affair with Marguerite and is consumed with a desire to capture the Scarlet Pimpernel. (audition songs: "Falcon in the Dive," "Where's the Girl?")

Marie Grosholtz (age 18-30), a close friend of Marguerite, is an artist by profession; feisty, courageous, clever and bold. (audition song: "Madame Guillotine") (audition songs: "Storybook," "When I Look at You") Must be able to move well and dance.

Armand (age 16-25), Marguerite's younger brother. (audition song: "Madame Guillotine") Must be able to move well and dance.

Mercier (any age), an aide to Chauvelin, is a comic, bungling foil to Chauvelin's intense character. (no singing or dancing).

Prince of Wales (age 35-60), the reigning monarch, is stuffy, dignified, and easily persuaded to accept style and protocol over substance. (audition song: "Madame Guillotine") Must be able to dance.

Ozzy, Dewhurst, Elton, Farleigh, Hal and Ben - The Bounders (various ages 25-40), friends and fellow bounders of Sir Percy with distinct personalities. The actors have the opportunity to help create a unique ensemble of characters to surround Sir Percy. (audition songs: "The Creation of Man," "Madame Guillotine") Requires some dance and stage movement.

Robespierre (age 30-50), a dark, shadowy leader of the Revolution, has a small but powerful role. (no singing or dancing).

Townspeople, French Guards, Butlers, Maids, Lords and Ladies, all ages (14 separate individuals), chorus roles with some lines. (audition song: "Madame Guillotine") Requires some dance and stage movement.)

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