SOUL DOCTOR Equity Principal Auditions - Florida Theatres TBA Auditions

SOUL DOCTOR - Equity Principal Auditions

Producers: Jeremy Chess & Daniel Wise LOA (approval pending) $887/week minimum.

Music/Additional Lyrics: Shlomo Carlebach

Book/Libretto: Daniel S. Wise

Lyrics: David Schechter

Dirs: Gerry McIntyre & Daniel Wise

Choreo: Gerry McIntyre

Mus Dir: Seth Farber

GM: Frankel Green Theatrical Management

1st reh: On/about 11/23/11. 1st perf: 12/24/11. Short runs in two Florida locations. Closing date TBD.

Equity Principal Auditions:

Monday, November 21, 2011 Ripley-Grier Studios

10 AM – 6 PM 520 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor

Lunch from 1:30 – 2:30 New York City

Please prepare a brief song. Recommended: Numbers that are soulful in tone OR lively and humorous. In the musical theatre canon, songs like “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “Bring Him Home”, “Summertime”, etc. In the folk/rock/soul area, think “Sinner Man”, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, etc. Bring sheet music in the correct key; accompanist is provided, but may not transpose.

Please bring a photo and resume, stapled back-to-back.

Producers describe SOUL DOCTOR as an “exuberant new Broadway-bound musical”. Tells the true story of the beloved and controversial father of popular Jewish music, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. A modern-day troubadour, he ignited the spirit of millions around the world with his soul-stirring melodies, transformative storytelling, and boundless love. SOUL DOCTOR takes us on a musical odyssey through the challenges and triumphs of this cultural phenomenon: his childhood escape from Nazi Germany, becoming a rabbinical prodigy in America; his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone, discovering Gospel and Soul music; his meteoric rise as a “rock-star rabbi” in the 1960s, performing with Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead; his struggle to reconcile his deep traditional roots with his desire to reach people of all backgrounds in the “free-love generation”, and his personal conflicts – trying to keep his family together while traversing the globe as a “Soul Doctor”, bringing joy and song to the lonely, the searching and the broken-hearted.

Seeking (Note: Producers state that, despite proximity of auditions to the first rehearsal, all roles are available. Check notice again for casting-status updates):

Shlomo:

Man, 25-40. Charismatic, soulful, warm, insightful, playful, loving, compassionate, passionate and generous dreamer, with a quest. Most of all, he believes in the power of joy. Starts out being a brilliant, shy, young Jewish scholar. Then, with many inner and outer struggles, moves past the boundaries of his Orthodox tradition to become a beloved, if controversial, rabbi / composer / folk-singer/ spiritual teacher / storyteller, known all over the world. Role requires an excellent singer (tenor/baritenor); sweet, strong, soulful, flexible voice – more soul/folk-rock feel than musical theatre. Think Cat Stevens. Ideally plays guitar enough to accompany himself.

Eli Chaim / Others:

Man. Character ages in the show from 25-60. Shlomo's non-identical, fraternal twin brother. Orthodox Jewish scholar. Intelligent, playful, passionate, earnest, warm, concerned. Deeply devoted to his brother’s welfare, and passionate about bringing non-practicing Jews back to their tradition. Baritenor. Playing an instrument is a plus.

Young Shlomo / Josh / Hippie Child:

Young Shlomo: Boy, 11-13. Jewish. Charismatic, playful, curious, adventurous, smart young boy from a cultured Vienna family (no accent necessary). Josh: Young American bar-mitzvah boy. Actor must be a good singer.

Young Eli Chaim / Ira / Others:

Young Eli Chaim: Boy, 11-13. Young Shlomo’s non-identical twin brother. Anxiety-prone, smart, young Jewish boy from a cultured Vienna family (no accent necessary). Ira: Young American bar- mitzvah boy. Also plays Ticket Seller Boy and Hippie Child. Actor must be a good singer.

Older Shlomo / Shlomo’s Father:

Male, 45-65. Father: Dignified, cultured Viennese (accent optional) Orthodox rabbi. Learned, urbane, erudite, kind. He was the chief rabbi of Vienna before having to flee the Nazis. Baritone/tenor. Playing an instrument is a plus.

Shlomo’s Mother:

35-55. Elegant, powerful, Viennese (accent optional) rabbi’s wife. Stern and dictatorial personality. Fiercely protective of her children. Definitely rules the roost. Alto or mezzo soprano. Playing an instrument is a plus.

Moishaleh / Others:

Male, 20-40. Moishaleh. Pied Piper of a Jewish mystical vagabond chasid, always ecstatically drunk on divine energy. He can see and hear other worlds, and teaches others how to do the same, using song, dance and parables. He is irresistible to children. Actor may also play Marvin: Hippie stoner in Berkeley, CA and/or Milt: Record producer/Shlomo’s manager; mover and shaker in the music biz; can really spot talent, and knows how to promote it. Good-hearted, NOT a user. Tenor or baritenor. Must move well. Playing an instrument is a plus.

Reb Pinchas (The Traditionalist) / Others:

Male, 35-60yrs. Pinchas: Pronounced “PINK-us”. Annoying, grandiose, obsessive/compulsive Orthodox Jewish tutor in Vienna (accent optional). Actor also plays Recording Engineer, Pritzky. Any vocal range. Playing an instrument is a plus.

The Wife / Shlomo’s Sister:

Female,18-30. Young, romantic leading lady-types. Wife: Radiant, smart, with a strong emotional core and a strong Jewish identity. Not a pushover. Sister: Younger, teenage version of this. Beautiful singer (soprano with strong mix/chest voice). Playing an instrument is a plus.

Ruth:

18-29. Emotionally fragile, spiritual seeker. Hippie. Vulnerable, loyal. Soprano (preferably folk-rock – contemporary pop voice). Playing an instrument is a plus.

Nina Simone:

African American, 20-35. Deeply soulful, insightful, with an edge and attitude. Smart, super-talented jazz/soul singer/pianist. Strong center. Somewhat angry about how hard it is for a young black woman to make it, but too spiritually connected to be really bitter. At her core, there is joy. Killer soul -singer. Actress does not actually have to play the piano.

Hippie / Others:

Man, 25-35. Actor also plays assorted other people in Shlomo's life, possibly including Marvin, the hippie stoner in Berkeley, CA. Strong guitar skills a big plus, though not necessary.