MEMPHIS Equity Principal Audition - National Tour Auditions

MEMPHIS – Equity Principal Auditions (Tour)

Short Engagement Touring Agreement (SETA) Expected minimum weekly salary: $741.

Producer: Junkyard Dog Productions

Music/Lyrics: David Bryan

Book/Lyrics: Joe DiPietro

Dir: Christopher Ashley

Choreo: Sergio Trujillo

Mus Sprvsr: Chris Jahnke

Mus Dir: Kenny Seymour

GM: Alchemy Production Group

Casting: Telsey + Company

1st tour reh: 9/8/11 (in NYC). 1st tour perf: 10/14 (in Memphis).

Equity Principal Auditions:

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 Telsey + Company

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 315 West 43rd Street, 10th Floor

Friday, March 25, 2011 New York City

10 AM - 6 PM all three days.

Lunch from 1:30 – 2:30.

Please prepare a brief pop/rock/r&b song. Bring sheet music in the correct key; accompanist is provided, but may not transpose.

Please bring a picture & resume, stapled back-to-back.

Fictional story of Huey Calhoun, one of the first white disc jockeys who dared to play rhythm & blues music for his white teenage listeners in the early 1950s.

Seeking, for the original company of the tour:

Huey:

Caucasian, 20s-30s. Our frenzied, bombastic, motor-mouthed hero, who talks his way into becoming a DJ at a local “white” radio station. Ignores race barriers and eventually falls in love with Felicia, a talented black singer, which causes a whole new set of problems for Huey in segregated Memphis. Tenor with a great feel for pop/rock/r&b styles.

Felicia:

African American, 20s-30s. Beautiful, wide-eyed. Fiercely gifted singer. Follows her heart and falls in love with Huey, despite knowing deep down that a relationship between a white man and a black woman in prejudiced Memphis is doomed. High r&b belt.

Delray:

African American man, 30s-40s. Felicia’s older brother. Owns the club on Beale Street where she sings. Realistic, cautious, protective, and aware of the realities of the segregation that exists in Memphis and the world beyond. Baritenor with great pop/rock/r&b voice.

Gladys:

Caucasian, 40s-60s. Huey’s stern, traditional blue-collar, Southern mother. Has worked her entire life to be able to support herself and her son, whom she loves but about whom she constantly worries. Strong singer with alto-belt mix; excellent actor with comic skills.

Gator:

African American man, 20s-30s. Bartender at Delray’s. Hasn’t spoken since age five, when he saw his father killed. As the story progresses, Gator finds his voice again. Requires an excellent actor and singer (great r&b baritenor); comic timing a plus.

Bobby:

African American, 30s-40s. Janitor at Mr. Simmons’s radio station. Full of personality and heart. Great gospel voice. Role requires an actor who is comfortable with physicality, as he has a dance break in his show-stopping number “Big Love”. Comic skills a plus.

Mr. Simmons:

Caucasian, 40s-60s. Conservative owner of the radio station where Huey gets his start. The strong, Southern, commanding businessman becomes willing to take a chance on Huey when he realizes the audience Huey reaches and the money he can command. Great actor who is comfortable singing.