Butterell Begins Casting Seniors For THE LAST DANCE

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Jonathan Butterell will direct and choreograph the upcoming new musical THE LAST DANCE.  A casting notice out by J. Binder today reveals that he is seeking entirely seniors 65+ for the cast.  The show's concept involves featuring performers over the age of 65 singing current pop music.

 A reading, under a 60 hour reading contract, is planned for the week of July 26. Rehearsals begin July 12.  The reading is being produced by David Binder and Barbara Whitman. The entire cast of 10 will be over the age of 65. The creative team, as well as the book writer, are yet to be announced. Mary Mitchell Campbell will musical direct the reading.

The casting notice claims the show to be about "A group of senior citizens [who] find themselves in a waiting room. A luggage carousel turns and delivers their bags. They are strangers. Over the PA system a familiar rock song plays and the characters begin to interact through the vernacular of contemporary song. Tensions arise. Bonds are formed. And finally they are released into their last dance. This reading will be used to explore these characters, their relationships and the rock/pop syntax through which they communicate."

"Established veterans of stage and screen" are being sought for the project. As stated in the casting notice, the characters include:

The Showman:
Male or female 70s +. An elderly charmer. Still able to bring down the house. A show-stopper.

The Cross Dresser:
Male 70s +. A man who dresses in women's clothes.

The Hick:
Male 70s +. A rightwing, educated hick. Rough and opinionated. A conventional stick in the mud. Strong singer a must.

The Spinster:
Female 70s +. An elderly spinster. Tight, intelligent, withdrawn.

The Itinerant:
African-American Male 70s +. A down-and-out homeless man. Physically large. Rough around The Edges, he looks, smells and acts like he comes from the streets. A tough Rasta type.

The Boy:
Male, any ethnicity 8 - 11. An angelic boy with a beautiful choirboy soprano voice.

The following roles have been CAST. Actors auditioning may be considered for possible replacements if needed:

The Husband:
Male 70s +. Devoted husband, average, contented and humble. The most ordinary of husbands.

The Wife:
Female 70s+. Devoted and doting wife. Average, contented and humble. The most ordinary of wives.

The Mystic:
Female 70s +. Tiny, slight, mystical, HariKrishna. Has a divine insight that transcends human understanding.

The Soul Diva:
African-American Female 70s +. Grand, exuberant and expressive. Larger than life. Has sass and vigor.

The Elegant Man:
African-American Male 70s +. Very upscale, elegant, educated and authoritative.

The Truth-Teller:
Asian Female 70s. A no-nonsense, blunt, straight-talking woman.

Butterell's stage credits include: The Light in the Piazza (musical staging); Nine (choreography), Assassins (musical Staging); Fiddler on the Roof, Wise Guys and Electra starring Zoe Wanamaker. London: Nine, Company (West End), Into the Woods (co-director). Devised and directed Michael Ball in Alone Together (Donmar & Haymarket, West End). West End: Passion. Associate Director: Othello (Royal National Theatre); Hamlet (RSC).