Cumberland County Playhouse announces auditions for multi-cultural The King and I April 10 & 11

[JefinNashville]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 7:06pm

Cumberland County Playhouse will hold professional and volunteer auditions (adults/children needed), on Wednesday and Thursday April 10-11, 2013 for roles/ensemble in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I. Rehearsals will begin May 14 for a June 14 opening and the show will run in alternating repertory through August 30th. The King and I is sponsored by Cumberland Hospitality, LLC (Comfort Suites/Hampton Inn/Holiday Inn Express & Suites).

The musical's plot relates the experiences of Anna, a British schoolteacher hired as part of the King of Siam’s drive to modernize his country. The relationship between the King and Anna is marked by tension through much of the piece, as well as by a love that both struggle to admit. The show features such memorable songs as “Shall We Dance”, “Getting to Know You”, “I Whistle a Happy Tune” and “Hello, Young Lovers.”

The musical premiered on Broadway in 1951 and was an immediate hit, winning Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Actress and Best Featured Actor and enjoyed a Broadway run of 1,246 performances. A hit London run and U.S. national tour followed, together with a 1956 film for which Yul Brynner won an Academy Award.

The audition on Wednesday, April 10 will be for area professionals only and by appointment between 2p-5:30p. Please prepare 16 bars of a ballad and a 1-2 minute monologue. An accompanist will be provided, you must bring your own sheet music. Please also bring 2 copies of your headshot/resume.

We’re casting a strong multi-ethnic company, to help portray the cultural differences between East and West that are explored in this thoughtful, romantic and enchanting musical.

Roles are available for people of all ages, including children ages 5 and up. Particularly seeking two young preteen boys (approx. age 10-13) to portray featured roles of “Louis” and “Prince Chululongkorn”. Both sing. Also seeking many young children to portray the King’s children. Interested youngsters should enjoy singing and dance, though expertise is not required. Please dress in comfortable clothes/shoes for movement at the audition. Children should have a photo of themselves (does not have to be a professional headshot) that can be kept by the Playhouse staff. Children’s roles are sometimes double-cast by the Playhouse.

Children between the ages of 5-12, and adults who wish to audition for ensemble/small roles only, are asked to attend a group casting session on Thursday April 11, 2013, 3:30 to 4:30 PM. Adults and children who wish to present solo auditions may schedule individual appointments following the group session, from 4:30-6:00, and are asked to prepare 16 bars of a song and a 1-2 minute monologue . Dance background is a plus though not a requirement for adult ensemble members. Please bring a photo and resume with you if possible.

All planning to attend must register with Meka Doxtator Barrier at [phone], between the hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday - Friday. Some gas assistance may be available to volunteers cast in the show who must commute from outside Cumberland County.