The Mornington Players Host GODSPELL & CLOSER THAN EVER Auditions 12/22, 1/24

The Mornington Players will be holding auditions for Godspell and Maltby and Shire's Closer Than Ever on Saturday January 22nd from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. and Monday January 24th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, and featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Wicked), Godspell boasts a string of well-loved songs, led by the international hit, "Day By Day." As the cast performs "Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord," "Learn Your Lessons Well," "All For The Best," "All Good Gifts," "Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side," the parables of Jesus Christ come humanly and hearteningly to life.

Closer Than Ever is a two act musical revue by Richard Maltby, Jr. (Ain't MIsbehavin, Baby, Song and Dance) and David Shire (Starting Here, Starting Now, Baby) that was called "one of the half dozen finest American theatre scores of the last decade" by the New York Times. As with their earlier revue, each song in "Closer Than Ever" is a story: an intimate, insightful tale about love, security, happiness-and holding onto them in a world that pulls you in a hundred directions at once. Maltby and Shire bring their celebrated craft and contemporary sensibility to songs about aging, mid-life crisis, second marriages, and role reversals with parents, as well as wicked satirical jabs at working couples and unrequited love. The show requires top-notch singer/actors.

Godspell - April 8th to April 17th.

Character Breakdown:

JESUS - (Tenor High G#) Vocal Quality - Rich and warm; must be the most charismatic individual in the cast. High energy, charming, funny, gentle, but with strength. He is the sort of person others instinctively follow. Age 18-45

JOHN THE BAPTIST/JUDAS - (Baritone E) Vocal Quality - Legit/Rich Quality with vibrato. He has attributes of both Biblical figures: he is both Jesus' lieutenant and most ardent disciple and the doubter who begins to question and rebel. Like Jesus, he is also charismatic, but in more of an over revolutionary way. He is the most "serious" and intellectual of the group, though as with all the actors, he must still possess a good sense of physical comedy. Age 18-45

Man #1 - (Tenor High D (falsetto) Vocal quality- Pop Very high energy. Impish and playful. Age 16-
50

Man #2 - Vocal Quality - Pop (Tenor High A) Not the brightest in the bunch, he is a little slow on the uptake. But there is a great sweetness and innocence about him. Because he sings "All Good Gifts," he must be a very good singer. Age 18-50

Man #3 - (Baritone E - Does not sing any real solo, but should be able to carry baritone harmonies) The
comedian, the class clown. The guy who can do a hundred voices and imitations. This is also the role that sings the least, so casting will be based on comedic timing rather than vocal ability. Age 18-60

Woman #1 - (Alto) Vocal quality - Folk. A bit of a Tomboy, but basically open and sweet. She is the first
of the group to commit to following Jesus in the song "Day by Day." Age 16-55

Woman #2 - Vocal Quality - Pop (Soprano - High A in "Bless the Lord", High C in "We Beseech Thee") The confident one, the show - off. The first one to volunteer, sometimes she jumps in before she really understands what's going on. Age 18-40

Woman #3 - (Alto) Vocal quality - Pure Tone/No heavy vibrato. The shy one. Sometimes a little slow to get things, but when she does, she commits all the way. Has an "earth mother" kind of warmth to her. Age 16-55

Woman #4 - (Low Alto - D below middle C) Vocal quality - Blues/Lounge/Smoky Sassy and slightly
cynical, the most urban of the group. Also the "sexy" one, but her sexiness contains a large element of put- on, in the manner of Mae West or Madonna (who in fact once played this role) Age 25-60

Woman #5 - (Mezzo) Vocal quality - Blues or Gospel. The female equivalent of the class clown. Goofy
and a cut-up. This is the female role that sings least, and therefore should be cast with a strong
comedienne. Age 18-55

Closer Than Ever - July 15th to July 24th.

Looking for up to three men and three women who read in their 20's and 30's with solid singing and acting capabilities. Women should have strong belt and head voices. Men should be either a Baritone who can reach an F at the top of the staff or a Tenor who can reach a high B in full voice.

Please come to auditions with a photo and resume' as well as sheet music of an appropriate song in the style of the show. Those auditioning for Closer Than Ever are encouraged to sing a song from the show, but it is not required. Piano accompaniment will be provided. You may also be asked to do some light movement.

To reserve an audition slot, please send an e-mail to auditions@morningtonplayers.com or call 410-282-8337.

The Mornington Players are in residence at the Fellowship Hall Little Theatre of Dundalk United Methodist Church, 6903 Mornington Road, Baltimore, MD 21222. Entrance is located at the corner of Mornington and Dunmore Roads. All shows run on weekends, Friday to Sunday. Performance times are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 P.M, Sunday at 2:00 P.M

For more information, go to our website at www.morningtonplayers.com

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