Auditions Announced for WHITE CHRISTMAS at The Firehouse Theatre

The Firehouse Theatre is proud to announce auditions for WHITE CHRISTMAS, the Broadway musical based on the classic holiday film. WHITE CHRISTMAS is directed and choreographed by Kyle Christopher West and musically directed by John Norine Jr. Elizabeth Cantrell serves as stage manager with Lorens Portalatin as assistant director, Wendy Rene'e Searcy as scenic designer and Cassondra Plybon-Harbin as lighting designer. Guest choreographer Mandy Modic (of the 42nd STREET national tour) will stage the show's tap dances.

Auditions will be held Friday, October 5th from 6pm-10pm, Saturday, October 6th 2pm-6pm, with callbacks and dance call by invitation on Sunday, October 7th from 2pm-6pm at Amy's Studio of Performing Arts, located at 11888 Marsh Lane, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75234. Rehearsals for WHITE CHRISTMAS begin on Monday, October 22nd; the production runs November 30th-December 16th. A full performance calendar can be found at http://www.thefirehousetheatre.com/event/c47fe5a48d57c1da4a11b52c13fd580e

Auditions can be scheduled at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0948adad29a3f94-auditions

Please arrive with a headshot and resume, prepare 16-32 bars of standard musical theatre repertoire and be prepared for cold readings, dance and additional vocal auditions if invited to callbacks. Singing from the show is accepted, but not required. All auditionees will be contacted with casting results within 14 days of auditions.

Note: All young girls interested in the role of Susan Waverly should be familiar with the song "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy" and must attend auditions on Saturday, October 6th from 2:00pm-2:30pm.

All roles are available and open to actors of all age, size, ethnicity, and gender identity.

Character Breakdown:

Bob Wallace - (appears mid 30's to early 40's) - A major singing star, Bob is the guiding force behind the song and dance team of Wallace and Davis. He wears his fame easily, but has some trouble with social and romantic interactions. Despite occasional gruffness, he is a deeply kind and principled man who is searching for true love. Excellent singer with a crooning style who moves very well. Basic tap and jazz. Baritone.

Phil Davis - (appears mid 30's to early 40's) - The fun-loving song-and-dance partner of the team Wallace and Davis. An irrepressible clown, operator, and incorrigible ladies' man who is determined to see his friend happy, even if it requires scheming and outright deception. He has a boyish charm and sex appeal. Strong ballroom, jazz and tap-dancing needed. Baritone-tenor.

Betty Haynes - (appears mid-20's to late 30's) - Sensible, responsible half of the Haynes sisters act. Classic elegance. Destined to be a star, but hesitant to take the spotlight. Devoted to her sister. Hides a yearning for true love under a protective shell. Female singer of quiet beauty and charm with a rich chest mix and soprano extension. Must move well.

Judy Haynes - (appears mid-20's to mid 30's) - Younger, more ambitious and slightly scheming other sister. Wholesome and adorable, sexy and flirty. Strong jazz and tap dancer. Strong singer with a chest mix.

General Henry Waverly - (appears late 50's to mid 60's) - Retired Army general with a curmudgeonly military exterior, adjusting to retired life in post WWII America. Precise and orderly, struggling to run the Inn in Vermont. A man of integrity. Underneath a warm compassionate man in need of family and love. With the exception of one line, can be a non-singing role.

Martha Watson - (appears late 40's to mid-60's) - Once a Broadway star, now the General's housekeeper. The true force behind running the Inn. Very dry wit and frank with a wisecracking sense of humor. Big hearted, but unsentimental. Irrepressible meddler, believing she acts on everyone's best behalf. Strong singer and mover, Broadway belter.

Susan Waverly - (young girl to play 9 years old) - The General's granddaughter. Lovable and outgoing. A bit precocious, but wise beyond her years. Gets bitten by the stage bug and is great at it. Excellent belt voice, must move very well.

Ralph Sheldrake - (appears mid 30's to early 40's) - Jokester Army buddy of Bob and Phil's, now a major television executive. Fast talking, loud, brash New York professional with a good head on his shoulders.

Rita and Rhoda - (appears mid 20's to early 30's) - Bob and Phil's two star chorus showgirls. Brash, sexy and fun. Perhaps not the brightest. Standout singers and dancers.

Ezekiel Foster - (appears mid 40's to late 50's) - Practical, the ultimate laid back New Englander. A man of few words. Caretaker at the Inn. Takes life at a very leisurely pace.

Mike -(any age) - Bob and Phil's Stage Manager. Can be overly dramatic and often hysterical, but gets the job done. Works to attempt a sense of control and order for the company. Doubles as Mr. Snoring Man, Winter Tourist.

Tessie - (any age) Character woman to play Bob and Phil's secretary, also plays Head Seamstress and Mrs. Snoring Man, winter tourist. Mezzo-soprano, belter.

Male (4) and Female (4-6) Ensemble of Dancers - (appears early 20's to mid 30's) - to play assorted speaking roles as well as being a strong singing ensemble. Strong in ballroom, jazz and tap. Dance style is 1950's Hollywood movie musical style.

About the directors:

Kyle Christopher West (Director/Choreographer) is best known to DFW as a Senior Editor for BroadwayWorld.com, but has directed and choreographed over 60 productions across the country, including Hairspray, Cabaret, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph...Dreamcoat, RENT and many more. For his work, he has received the AriZoni Award, MET Award, Annie Award and BroadwayWorld.com Award, among others. Most recently, Kyle directed and choreographed EVITA at Music Theatre of Denton and choreographed GYPSY at The Firehouse Theatre.

John Norine Jr. (Musical Director) graduated from the University of North Texas with a Master's and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music (Orchestral Conducting) where he studied under Anshel Brusilow and Clay Couturiaux. Since 2007, he has been a member of the Pierre Monteux Music Festival in Hancock, ME where he works as an Orchestral Assistant, is in the roster of conductors, and plays cello in the orchestra during their six-week summer season. John frequently music directs for Music Theatre of Denton and several educational theatres in DFW. He recently served as musical director for The Firehouse Theatre's GYPSY and is currently in rehearsals with MTD's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.

Mandy Modic (Guest Tap Choreographer) recently traveled the country as Gladys in the national tour of 42ND STREET before joining the highly publicized reenvisioned production at Drury Lane Theatre in Illinois (where she played Lorraine), which is reportedly eyeing a Broadway transfer. She's performed professionally with The Marriot Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Paramount Theatre, Theatre at the Center, The Wick Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, and Little Theatre on the Square and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe, not to mention a co-starring role on NBC's short-lived The Playboy Club. Ms. Modic received her BFA from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts and trained in a variety of musical theatre, voice, and dance classes across the country, including The Joffrey Ballet School. She is currently creating musical theatre education programs in Shanghai, China. As a director and choreographer, her work includes SINGING IN THE RAIN, LES MISERABLES and an upcoming production of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE.

If you are unable to attend scheduled auditions or have questions that must be answered before auditions, you may email KyleChristopherWest@gmail.com.

 

---

Join Team BroadwayWorld

Are you an avid theatergoer? We're looking for people like you to share your thoughts and insights with our readers. Team BroadwayWorld members get access to shows to review, conduct interviews with artists, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow theatre lovers and arts workers.

Interested? Learn more here.

---