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Breakdown
2016-17 SEASON
Mertz Theatre LORT B
GUYS & DOLLS
music/lyrics Frank Loesser
book Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Dir: Josh Rhodes
1st reh: 10/11/16. Perfs: 11/15 - 1/1/17
NICELY-NICELY JOHNSON
Late 20s-Late 40s. Any ethnicity. High tenor up to B-flat. Funny character guy, likeable and somehow sweet, comedic. An eccentric gambler and one of Nathan’s closest associates.
BENNY SOUTHSTREET
Early 30s-Late 40s. Any ethnicity. Baritone up to high G. Funny character man. Abbott to Nicely’s Costello.
RUSTY CHARLIE
Early 30s-Late 40s. Any ethnicity. Baritone. Gambler, looking for action wherever he can find it. Actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
SARAH BROWN
Mid-20s-Late 30s. Any ethnicity. Soprano up to high A. Prim and proper Salvation Army officer. Has a hidden wild streak waiting to come out. An idealistic but sheltered missionary. Kind-hearted but like Sky, too categorical in her view of the world. Charisma, a natural beauty and a silky jazz voice are important attributes.
ARVIDE ABERNATHY
Late 50s-Early 70s. Any ethnicity. Lyric baritone. Salvation Army man and Sarah’s paternal figure. Kind, gentle, thoughtful. A reasonable old man with a warm heart that harbors only
the kindest intentions, even if he tends to be a little gullible.
AGATHA
Early 20s-Late 30s. Any ethnicity. Mezzo. Member of the Save-a-Soul Mission band. Must be able to dance because actress also plays a HOT BOX GIRL.
CALVIN/HAVANA WAITER
Early 20s-Late 30s. Any ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. Member of the Save-a-Soul mission band. Actor also plays HAVANA WAITER and may also play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
MARTHA
Early 20s-Late 30s. Any ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. Member of the Save-a-Soul Mission band. Must be able to dance because actress also plays a HOT BOX GIRL.
HARRY THE HORSE
Early 30s-Late 40s. Any ethnicity. Gambler; all talk and little action. Mouthpiece for Big Jule. Actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
LT. BRANNIGAN
Early 30s-Early 50s. Any ethnicity. Non-singing. Member of the police force trying to stop the floating crap games; tries to command respect, but the gangsters don’t really play along.
NATHAN DETROIT
Late 20s-Early 40s. Any ethnicity. Baritone up to high F. A rogue and a gambler but also a respected leader of his gang of ne’er do wells. Comedic and charming but a bit strapped for cash. A consummate businessman with divided loyalties. Adelaide’s fiancé.
ANGIE THE OX
18+ . Any ethnicity. A gambler. A bit of a bruiser, likes a good dice game. Actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
MISS ADELAIDE
Late 20s-Early 40s. Any ethnicity. Mezzo to A. A showgirl with a heart of gold and a perpetual, psychosomatic cold. Easy-going, electric, comedic tour-de-force. Smarter than she’s given credit for. Very aware of how very long she’s been engaged to Nathan.
SKY MASTERSON
Late 20s-Early 40s. Any ethnicity. Baritone up to E-flat. Smart, charming, handsome gambler. Romantic leading man with a bit of an edge. Able to adapt to any situation but ready to reel off pre-prepared anecdotes regarding his view of the world. Despite his failings, Sky is immensely likeable and oozes style.
JOEY BILTMORE
Early 20s-Early 40s. Any ethnicity. Owner of the garage where Nathan hopes to hold the crap game. Smart aleck with a bit of a smart mouth. Doesn’t take nonsense from anyone, not even Nathan. Actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
MIMI
Early 20s-Late 30s. Any ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. One of the Hot Box Girls – a dancer in Adelaide’s revue. Must have strong dance ability. Actress may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
GENERAL MATILDA B. CARTWRIGHT
Early 40s-Early 60s, All Ethnicities. Mezzo. Business like and in-control, but ready to cut loose. Actress may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
BIG JULE
Early 30s-Early 50s. Any ethnicity. Imposing, tough gangster from Chicago. An intimidating hustler. Temperamental. A sore loser. Although not necessarily a large man, he has undisputed stage presence.
HOT BOX GIRL/ENSEMBLE
Female Early 20s – Early 30s. Any ethnicity. Flexibly talented singer-dancer. Flexible voice part.
HOT BOX GIRL/ENSEMBLE
Female Early 20s – Early 30s. Any ethnicity. Flexibly talented singer-dancer. Flexible voice part.
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THE GREAT SOCIETY
by Robert Schenkkan
Dir:Nicole A. Watson
1st reh: 11/29/16. Perfs: 1/11 - 4/2/17
DR. JAMES Z. APPEL
50s, Caucasian. President of the American Medical Association from 1965-1966. Actor also plays RICHARD DALEY and GEN. WHEELER.
MAYOR RICHARD DALEY
60s, Caucasian. Mayor of Chicago and President of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee. From a working-class, Irish-Catholic Chicago neighborhood. Collaborated with Martin Luther King and the SCLC to foster open housing in Chicago and eventually pass the Fair Housing Art of 1968. A shrewd politician who looks out for his own. Actor also plays DR. APPEL and GEN. WHEELER.
GENERAL EARLE WHEELER
Late 50s-Early 60s, Caucasian. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s top military officer. Oversaw the expansion of the US military presence in Vietnam, and encouraged LBJ to strike North Vietnam harder. A military man, through and through. Actor also plays DR. APPEL and RICHARD DALEY.
STOKELEY CARMICHAEL
20s, African-American. Civil rights activist. Gradually develops more radical political stances and abandons his allegiance to nonviolent protest, becoming a leader in the Black Power movement. Actor also plays JOHN LEWIS.
JOHN LEWIS
20s, African-American. Civil Rights activist. Helped lead the march from Selma to Montgomery, and was attacked by troopers. Staunchly committed to civil rights, fearless, influential orator. Actor also plays STOKELY CARMICHAEL.
ROBERT “BOBBY” KENNEDY
Late 30s-Early 40s, Caucasian. Democratic Senator from New York, and later presidential candidate. Former President John F. Kennedy’s brother. US Attorney General from 1961-1964. Staunch rival of LBJ on the issue of Vietnam, the two have an antagonistic relationship. Actor also plays CHARLES ROBB.
EVERETT DIRKSEN
Late 50s-Early 70s, Caucasian. Senator from Illinois, Senate Minority Leader. Co–author of landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Open Housing Act of 1968. Staunch supporter of Vietnam War. Known as 'The Wizard of Ooze' for his oratorical style, he is a slick political operator, who sees Johnson as a kindred spirit. A very smooth operator, accustomed to wielding great power. Actor also plays DELOACH, COL. LINGO, and CLARK CLIFFORD.
DEKE DELOACH
Late 50s-Early 70s, Caucasian. Deputy Director of the FBI and Hoover’s right-hand-man. Actor also plays DIRKSEN, COL. LINGO, and CLARK CLIFFORD.
BOB MOSES
Late 20s-Mid 30s, African-American. Leader of Student Nonviolent Coordinating. Committee. Leader of the Freedom Summer Project and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Heavily involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement. Shrewd, eloquent, passionate, tactical. Actor also plays REV. DOBYNES, HOSEA WILLIAMS, and MARQUETTE FRYE.
HOSEA WILLIAMS
Late 20s-Mid 30s, African-American. Civil Rights activist, leader in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and trusted friend of MLK. Helped lead the first march from Selma to Montgomery. Soldier, minister, and politician. Actor also plays BOB MOSES, REV. DOBYNES, and MARQUETTE FRYE.
CORETTA SCOTT KING
Late 30s-Early-50s, African-American. Civil Rights activist and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s wife. Fierce, protective, loyal to her beliefs and her husband, protective of her family. Actress also plays SALLY CHILDRESS.
ROBERT MCNAMARA
Late-30s-Mid-50s, Caucasian. Secretary of Defense. Profoundly intelligent business executive forever marred by his architecture of the Vietnam War. Long accustomed to being the smartest kid in the room, a Whiz Kid hangover from JFK, not always comfortable with LBJ and his cronies. Actor also plays WILBUR MILLS.
PAT NIXON
Late 30s-Early 50s, Caucasian. Richard Nixon’s wife. Perfectly put together and composed at all times. Actress also plays other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
MURIEL HUMPHREY
Late 30s-Early 50s, Caucasian. Hubert Humphrey’s wife. Kind, warm-hearted, and supportive. Humphrey’s partner in everything. Actress also plays other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
RALPH ABERNATHY
Late 30s–Early 40s. African-American. Minister and close associate of Martin Luther King, Jr. Pragmatic, shrewd, an excellent strategist. Calculated, careful, self-contained, and cautious. Actor also plays ADAM CLAYTON POWELL.
REP. ADAM CLAYTON POWELL
Early 40s-Early 60s, African-American. Baptist pastor and Representative for Harlem, New York. National spokesman for civil rights and social issues, eventually rose to the position of chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, the most powerful position held by an African American in Congress. Actor also plays RALPH ABERNATHY.
JAMES BEVEL
Late 20s-Mid 30s, African-American. Leader with the SCLC, assisting with the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches and the 1966 Chicago Open Housing Movement. Actor also plays JIMMIE LEE JACKSON.
JIMMIE LEE JACKSON
Late 20s-Mid 30s, African-American. Deacon and Civil Rights activist in Marion, AL. Killed by troopers and shot by an Alabama State Trooper while peaceful protesting, inspiring the Selma to Montgomery marches. Actor also plays JAMES BEVEL.
ADAM WALINKSKY
Late-20s-Late 30s, Caucasian. Aide to Senator Robert Kennedy. Passionate and fiery. Actor also plays other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
GEN. WILLIAM WESTMORELAND
Late 40s-Mid 60s, Caucasian. United States Army General who commanded the US forces during the Vietnam War from 1964-1968. Stern and commanding, a force to be reckoned with. Actor also plays SEYMORE TRAMMELL, STANLEY LEVISON, and GARDNER ACKLEY.
REVEREND JAMES DOBYNES
Late 30s-Early 50s, African-American. Church minister in Marion, AL actively involved in the Civil Rights movement. Actor also plays BOB MOSES, HOSEA WILLIAMS, and MARQUETTE FRYE.
COLONEL AL LINGO
Late 40s-Late 50s, Caucasian. Alabama Highway Patrolman who served under AL governor George Wallace during the Selma to Montgomery marches. Conservative, staunchly racist, an enforcer. Actor also plays DIRKSEN, DELOACH, and CLARK CLIFFORD.
MARQUETTE FRYE
Late 20s-Mid 30s, African-American. His arrest as a suspected drunk driver started the Watts riots of 1965. Actor also plays BOB MOSES, REV. DOBYNES, and HOSEA WILLIAMS.
SEYMORE TRAMMELL
Late 40s-Mid 50s, Caucasian. Political advisor to George Wallace. Oily and a touch smarmy, a “yes man,” of the first order. Actor also plays GEN. WESTMORELAND, STANLEY LEVISON, and GARDNER ACKLEY.
GARDNER ACKLEY
50s, Caucasian. Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. Warned LBJ that a tax increase was needed to finance the war in Vietnam and the increased social spending. Actor also plays GEN. WESTMORELAND, SEYMORE TRAMMELL, and STANLEY LEVISON.
REP. WILBUR MILLS
Late 30s-Mid 50s, Caucasian. US Representative for Arkansas; chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Considered by some as “the most powerful man in Washington.” Helped create the Medicare program. Tax expert and leading architect of the Tax Reform Act of 1969. A penny pincher, he puts the squeeze on LBJ over the budget and spending on the Vietnam conflict. Actor also plays ROBERT MCNAMARA.
NORMAN MORRISON
Late 20s-Mid 30s, Caucasian. Baltimore Quaker who set himself on fire below Robert McNamara’s Pentagon office to protest the US’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Actor also plays other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
CLARK CLIFFORD
Late 40s-Mid 50s, Caucasian. Respected lawyer and Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board and later Secretary of Defense after Robert McNamara. An (unofficial) close political advisor to LBJ. Actor also plays DIRKSEN, DELOACH, and COL. LINGO.
SALLY CHILDRESS
Early 40s-Early 60s, African-American. Secretary to LBJ. Devoted, quiet, a steadying presence. Actress also plays CORETTA SCOTT KING.
STANLEY LEVISON
Late 40s – Early 50s. Progressive, liberal, social activist. Close advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr. Suspected communist. Actor also plays GEN. WESTMORELAND, SEYMORE TRAMMELL, and GARDNER ACKLEY.
LYNDA BIRD JOHNSON
Early 20s-Early 30s. LBJ’s oldest daughter, a pretty and vivacious debutante type. Actress also plays other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
CHARLES ROBB
Late 20s-Mid 30s. US Marine Corps, honor graduate of Quantico. Upstanding young man, devoted to serving his country. Met Lynda Bird while a White House Social Aide and became engaged to her shortly before deploying to Vietnam. Actor also plays RFK.
The roles of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Governor George Wallace, Richard Nixon, John McCone, Jim Clark, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Lady Bird, Hubert Humphrey, and J. Edgar Hoover have been cast.
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THE ORIGINALIST
by John Strand
Dir: Molly Smith
1st reh: 11/30/16. Perfs: 1/18 - 3/5/17
CAT
Mid to late 20s, a woman of color. A fiery, passionate young woman. A liberal lesbian, she is smart as a whip, a lawyer, and a quick thinker. She is deeply loyal, committed to her beliefs, and becomes increasingly confident in abilities over the course of the play.
The roles of Justice Antonin Scalia and Brad have been cast.
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BORN YESTERDAY
by Garson Kanin
Dir: Peter Amster
1st reh: 1/3/17. Perfs: 2/8 - 4/15/17
Mertz Theatre LORT B
BILLIE DAWN
Late 20s-Late 30s, any ethnicity. Former chorus girl and Brock’s girlfriend. Used to having her worth determined by her looks. Feisty and scrappy. A growing determination to better herself and separate herself from Brock.
HARRY BROCK
Early 30s-Late 40s, Caucasian. Junk yard salesman. A brute used to getting his way with money or force. Single-track mind with the inability to believe others could out maneuver him.
PAUL VERALL
Late 20s-Late 30s, any ethnicity. Staff writer for the New Republic. Personable, alert, energetic. Has a tendency to take things, and himself, too seriously, and he knows this. Fierce intellectual mind with a true passion for justice.
ED DEVERY
Late 40s-Early 60s, any ethnicity. Former secretary to a Supreme Court Justice; now Brock’s personal lawyer. A man formerly destined for greatness who lost his way – a burnt out shell of a great man. He uses alcohol to help him ignore Brock’s unscrupulous dealings and his own failures.
SENATOR NORVAL HEDGES
40s-60s, Caucasian. Washington Senator. Worried and worn down, though still possessing the bearing of a statesman. He is not a great man; he merely looks like one.
MRS. HEDGES
40s-60s, Caucasian. A typical Washington politician’s wife - a member of the “proper” social circles who knows just enough of all the right people and does just enough of all the right things. A standard Junior League member who is no longer “junior.”
The roles of Eddie Brock, Helen, the Assistant Manager, the Bellhop, the Barber, the Bootblack, and the Waiter have been cast.
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THE LITTLE FOXES
by Lillian Hellman
Dir: Frank Galati
1st reh: 2/9/17. Perfs: 3/15 - 4/15/17
ADDIE
Late 30s-Mid 50s, African-American. Intelligent, dignified, maternal. A servant in the Giddens’ household and Alexandra’s primary caretaker. She has seen it all but could say very little until now.
CAL
Late 30s-Mid 50s, African-American. A newer servant in the Giddens’ household, but trustworthy, reliable, and good-natured.
OSCAR HUBBARD
Late 30s-Late 40s, Caucasian. Second son and always playing second fiddle to older brother, Ben. A hot head with no poker face and little cunning, fighting for his fair share of the bounty. Abusive husband and father.
REGINA GIDDENS
Late 30s-Mid 40s, Caucasian. Smart, seductive, tenacious, no-holds-barred. Spent her whole life watching her brothers get what she wanted. A fierce competitor who uses all of her intelligence and sexuality to get what she wants. A force of nature.
WILLIAM MARSHALL
Early 40s-Mid 60s, Caucasian. Industrialist and philanthropist; likes making money and is good at it. Confident, pleasant, self-possessed, sophisticated, and sleekly handsome. A Harvard type.
HORACE GIDDENS
Mid 40s-Mid 50s, Caucasian. Patriarch of the Giddens’ family whose illness and absence has not stripped him of his influence on Regina’s life. A former romantic whose relationship with his wife has been broken down. Careworn, may appear older than his years due to his lengthy illness, but still quietly strong and willing to fight for his point of view.
The roles of Ben Hubbard, Birdie Hubbard, Leo Hubbard, and Alexandra Giddens have been cast.
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BEATSVILLE
music/lyrics Wendy Leigh Wilf
book Glenn Slater
Dir: Bill Berry
1st reh: 3/28/17. Perfs: 4/27 - 5/28/17
A world premiere musical, this work is still in development – information on all role offerings may change.
NATASHA
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. Imposing, sinister, seductive. Slithers rather than walks. A true Beatnik and the story’s unofficial narrator.
CLAUDE 1
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. As Natasha’s sidekick, he’s a true Beatnik – the hippest of the hip.
CLAUDE 2
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. As Natash’as sidekick, he’s a true Beatnik – the coolest of the cool.
NAOLIA
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. Commanding, seductive, but deeply swayed by the Beatnik culture and what it tells her to want in life. Not a leader, but a follower – a Beatnik groupie.
BROCK
Early 20s-Late 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. A Poet with a capital P. Has an oracular intensity that inspires an obsessive following. Aware of his talent and revels in the attention it brings him. Walks the line between confident and arrogant. An inspiration and mentor to other Beatnik artists.
LEONARD DESANTIS
Late 30s-Late 50s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. Owner of the Greenwich Village coffeehouse where the Beatniks gather. Is always surrounded by Beatniks but is of their parents’ generation – older, frustrated, mostly well-meaning and hardworking, but not the best businessman. Feels very conflicted when he discovers the truth about Walter’s art.
WALTER PAISLEY
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. Busboy at Leonard’s Greenwich Village coffeehouse. Desperately wants to be a Beatnik though he is most definitely the squarest of the square. Good-natured, well-meaning, but often puts his foot in his mouth. Klutzy and accident prone. An accidental artist…and murderer.
LOU KRIBNITZ
Any Age, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. A Beatnik…in disguise. Intense and driven, he is actually a Detective investigating a potential drug ring within the Beatnik community. Same actor also plays SERIOUS MAN.
CARLA GREENBERG
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. Waitress at Leonard’s Greenwich Village coffeehouse and new to the Beatnik scene. Fresh-faced and wholesome, but bold and passionate, especially when it comes to fulfilling her dreams. Still, she could not be more at odds with the louche, grungy Bohemians.
MR. GREENBERG
Early 40s-Late 60s, Any Ethnicity. Carla’s father. Suburban and sensible. Indulges his daughter’s fantasy of running away to be a Beatnik but doesn’t support it. This actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
MRS. GREENBERG
Early 40s-Mid 60s, Any Ethnicity. Carla’s mother. Like her husband, suburban and sensible. Indulges her daughter’s fantasy of running away to be a Beatnik but doesn’t support it. This actress may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
ALICE
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. A gorgeous but vain bombshell model who sees herself as the center of the Beatnik scene but is called “Alice the Awful” by the other Beatniks. In other words, her looks are what she’s got going for her, and she knows it and milks them for everything they’re worth.
BETTY
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. A Beatnik groupie. This actress may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
MRS. ZWICKER
Early 50s-Early 70s, Any Ethnicity. Walter’s neighbor. Frail but has a maternal warmth leavened with just a bit of tart spunkiness. Very fond of her cat, Frankie. This actress may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
THELONIOUS
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. A Beatnik. This actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
DETECTIVE BURKLE
Early 30s-Mid 50s, Any Ethnicity. A straight-laced detective. This actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
DIEGO
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Flexible vocal range. The most Beat of the Beatniks; an ultra-Beatnik. The kind of guy Walter wishes he could be. This actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
YOUNG MAN
Early 20s-Early 30s, Any Ethnicity. Fresh-faced and wholesome, but bold and passionate, especially when it comes to fulfilling his dreams. The “new Carla,” he could not be more different from the louche, grungy Bohemians. This actor may play other roles in the ENSEMBLE.
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Cook Theatre LORT D
THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY
by Kristoffer Diaz
Dir: Jen Wineman
1st reh: 3/7/17. Perfs: 4/5 - 4/30/17
MACEDONIO GUERRA (MACE)
Early 20s-Early 40s, Puerto Rican. Professional wrestler. Undersized, but good at what he does. Likeable and smart, but not a “star.”
EVERETT K. OLSON (EKO)
Early 30s-Early 60s, Caucasian. Owner of THE Wrestling. Brash, confident, ostensibly the villain. Focused on what sells – a keen, glib business mind wrapped in a smarmy package.
CHAD DEITY
Early 20s-Late 30s, African-American. Champion of THE Wrestling. Confident, handsome. A decent wrestler, but an excellent showman. Understands what his public wants and how to give it to them.
VIGNESHWAR PADUAR (VP)
Late teens-Early 30s, Indian-American. Brooklynite. Charismatic, natural, effortless, loquacious. Quirky and offbeat, has great potential to do or be anything – never expected to tumble into the world of professional wrestling.
THE BAD GUY (BILLY HEARTLAND, OLD GLORY)
Any age, all Ethnicities. A non-descript professional wrestler. Actor must be expert in professional wrestling techniques and/or fight choreography.
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Asolo Rep is also seeking mature men and women, young men and women, and children to fill understudy roles throughout the 2016-2017 season.
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