[NEohioPAL] Weathervane auditions/show opening

[Janis Harcar]

Weathervane

Playhouse

Auditions for

The Mystery of Edwin Drood – Musical by Rupert Holmes 

By Appointment (in 10-minute intervals)

Sunday, June 17

Monday, June 18

Starting at 6:00 p.m.

Call 330-836-2626 to schedule 

Rehearsals Begin: August 26, 2012

Run Dates: October 4 - 21, 2012 

Audition Preparation:

*This musical production requires 22 lively, energetic and entertaining actors who will portray members of an English acting troupe, circa 1873. As troupe members, they will portray other characters as they reveal the story. 

*Various English accents are sought as these characters range from upper class to gravedigger.

  (The ability to use more than one is preferable)

  (Please note that the characters Helena and Neville Landless are East Indian) 

* For the audition, please sing 32 bars in the style of the show (Two contrasting songs).

 *Songs from the show are fine

* If you are interested in a particular character, it is fine to sing 32 bars of that character’s song.

*All actors need to be comfortable with movement/dance 

* Reading sides from the script may be requested and will be provided at the audition.

Character Breakdown:

 Chairman William Cartwright/ Mayor Sapsea (Age Range 50 -65)                                   

             Is the leader of our show’s acting troupe and our emcee/guide through the story. He is quick witted with a dry sense of humor. A jovial character comfortable with addressing the audience directly. (Vocal range is Baritone)

 John Jasper/ Clive Paget (Age Range 30 – 35)

            A handsome leading man type with a dark side. He is burdened with complex hidden desires and emotions. Secretly in love with his vocal student. We must believe he is capable of violence. (Vocal range – Baritone)

 Rev. Crisparkle/ Mr. Smythe  (Age Range 35 – 45)

            A sincere, good natured and educated gentleman. (Vocal range – Lyric Baritone)

 Edwin Drood/ Alice Nutting (Age Range 25 – 35)

            A female actor who portrays male roles in the troupe. Educated, forthright and confident with a stubborn streak as Drood. A bit of a diva as Alice, prone to hissy fits.

Vocal range - Mezzo/Soprano)

 Rosa Bud/ Deidre Peregrine (Age Range 20 – 24)

            Innocent ingénue. Vocal student of John Jasper but afraid of him.  She has an outward vulnerability with an inner strength. (Vocal range – Soprano with a lower range)

 Alice/ Isabel Yearsley (Age Range 20 – 24)

            Schoolmate and friend of Rosa/ Ensemble

 Beatrice/ Florence Gill (Age Range 20 – 24)

            Schoolmate and friend of Rosa/ Ensemble

 Helena Landless/ Janet Conover  (Age Range 25 – 30)

            Portrays an East Indian woman in the troupe. Strong, smart character who is protective of the people she cares about and aware of her surroundings and situations. A woman on the ball. (Vocal range – Alto/Mezzo)

 Neville Landless/ Victor Grinstead  (Age Range 27 – 35)

            Handsome leading man type with a bit of a stubborn chauvinistic bent. He is prone to challenging others when he feels threatened or belittled. He portrays an East Indian character in the troupe. (Vocal range – Lyric Baritone)

 Durdles/ Mr. Nick Cricker (Age Range 50 – 60)

            Good comedic timing. Grave digger, tomb builder and father to Master Nick.

(Vocal Range – Bass/ Baritone)

 Deputy/ Master Nick Cricker/ Statue (Age Range 20 – 25)

            A young man with a sense of innocence. New to the acting troupe but wants to move up the ranks. (Vocal range – Tenor)

 Princess Puffer/ Angela Prysock (Age Range 45 – 60)

            Runs a brothel. Road and life weary but still has a sense of humor about it all. She has seen everything and been subjected to much. (Vocal range – Alto)

 Stage Manager/ James Throttle/Harold (Age Range 40 – 45)

            Dry sense of humor, efficient company man (Vocal range – Bass)

Philip Bax/ Servant/ Bazzard (Ensemble) (Age Range 40 – 45)

            Wants to be an actor very badly. Sings “Never The Luck”

(Vocal range – Lyric Baritone)

 Horace/ Brian Pankhurst/ (Ensemble) (Age Range 35 – 45)

            As Horace he leads a vigilante group

 Shade of Jasper/ Harry Sayle/(Ensemble) (Age Range 25 – 30)

 Shade of Drood/ Mantague Pruitt/(Ensemble) (Age Range 25 – 30)

 Alan Eliot/ Julian (Ensemble) (Age Range 20 – 30)

 Christopher Lyon (Ensemble) (Age Range 20 – 25)

 Gwendolyn Pynn (Ensemble) (Age Range 20 – 25)

 Sarah Cook (Ensemble) (Age Range 20 – 25)

 Violet Balfour/ Servant/ (Ensemble) (Age Range 25 – 30)

 Jim Weaver (Director/Choreographer) has mounted shows that range from the musical comedy styling of Gilbert and Sullivan to the drama of August Wilson. Included in his body of work are productions of Gilbert & Sullivan’s-The Mikado and The All Night Strut at The American Stage Festival, A Raisin in the Sun and The Hi-De-Ho Man, Cab Calloway for the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota, Florida, Five Guys Named Moe, Little Shop of Horrors, Floyd Collins and Once On This Island at the Weston Playhouse, Fences and A Soldier’s Play at The Historic Asolo Theatre in Florida, Ragtime for Kent State University, Junkanoo Drums at Lincoln Center (New York),Guys and Dolls for the Fine Arts Association of Willoughby and Ain’t Misbehavin at Maine State Music Theatre, American Stage Company, Bay Street Theatre, and Weston Playhouse. Internationally he has directed works seen in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and Austria. He is a member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers.


The Drowsy Chaperone
Weathervane Playhouse closes its 77th Mainstage season with the hilariously charming musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. This heartfelt spoof of old-time Broadway musicals is presented live on stage between June 14 and July 8, 2012. The production is directed and choreographed by Gwen Arment with musical direction by John Ebner.

The show begins when a lonely musical-theater fan – known only as Man in Chair – seeks to cure his "non-specific sadness" by listening to the original cast recording of his favorite Broadway musical from the late 1920s, a fictional smash hit called The Drowsy Chaperone. As the needle drops on his record player, the Jazz Age-era show and its wacky cast of characters suddenly come to life in his dumpy apartment! It’s a hilarious show-within-a-show packed with musical and comedic delights!

Winner of five 2006 Tony Awards – including best score and best book – The Drowsy Chaperone is a delightful valentine to Broadway musicals of old, complete with loveable stock characters.

The Drowsy Chaperone introduces us to Janet Van De Graaff, a young Broadway starlet about to be married. There’s her harried producer, Mr. Feldzieg, who’s eager to stop the nuptials. Attached to the producer is a dizzy chorus girl. We also meet the handsome and carefree bridegroom, his tap-dancing best man, two gangsters pretending to be pastry chefs, a conceited Latin song-and-dance man, an aviatrix, and a daffy rich woman and her foppish butler. And then there’s the vampish, slightly older – and slightly tipsy! – woman known as The Drowsy Chaperone, who’s supposed to be keeping an eye on the blushing bride!

Against this Roaring ‘20s backdrop, hilarity ensues as The Drowsy Chaperone serves up clever songs and a gleeful story about love and marriage – complete with all the witty post-modern asides interjected by Man in Chair, who comments on the action with witty asides as his favorite musical magically unspools in his apartment.

Weathervane’s The Drowsy Chaperone Performance and Ticket Information

 

The Drowsy Chaperone plays on the Weathervane Playhouse Founders Theater stage between June 14 and July 8, 2012.

 The low-cost preview performance is Thursday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.; the official opening-night performance is Friday, June 15 at 8 p.m.

 Between June 14 and July 8, 2012, the performance days and times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

 Tickets for the June 14 preview performance only (at 7:30 p.m.) are $18 each. Tickets for performances after June 14 are $24 each.

 $21 tickets for seniors are available for Thursday and Sunday performances. Tickets for children (ages 17 or younger) and college students are $5 each at all performances. Additional discounts for groups of 12 or larger are also available.

 The Weathervane Playhouse Box Office is open Mondays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and is also open beginning one hour before each performance. For tickets, visit or call the Weathervane Box Office at (330) 836-2626 during Box Office hours or connect online to www.weathervaneplayhouse.com.

 The Drowsy Chaperone Cast and their Ohio Residences

 

Patrick Michael Dukeman (of Copley) plays the role of Man in Chair
Amanda Davis (of Akron) plays the role of The Drowsy Chaperone
Molly Weidig (of Jackson Township) plays the role of Janet Van De Graaff

Scott Miesse (of Strongsville) plays the role of Robert Martin

Shane Hurst (of Stow) plays the role of George

Ryan Bergeron (of Broadview Heights) plays the role of Aldolpho

Karen L. Wood (of Creston) plays the role of Mrs. Tottendale

Al Klesh (of Akron) plays the role of Underling

Henry C. Bishop (of Creston) plays the role of Feldzieg

Michelle Rae Chaho (of Cuyahoga Falls) plays the role of Kitty

Sarah Elaine Bailey (of Cuyahoga Falls) plays the role of Trix
Jonathan Merechant (of Akron) plays the role of Gangster

Daniel O’Donnell (of Copley) plays the role of Gangster

Mike Groom (of Barberton) plays the role of The Superintendent

Brittany Dolinar (of Akron) is a member of the Ensemble

Johnny Luoma (Akron) is a member of the Ensemble

Katie O’Conner (of Uniontown) is a member of the Ensemble

Adam Vigneault (of Medina) is a member of the Ensemble

 

The Drowsy Chaperone Backstage Team and their Ohio Residences

Stage Manager – Jason Bryan Maurer (of Akron)

Sound Designer – Casey Jones (of Akron)

Lighting Designer – Brandon Davies (of Stow)

Properties Co-Designers – Todd Dieringer (of Wadsworth), Jen Draher (of North Canton) and Jamie Oriti (of Akron)

Costume Designer – Jasen J. Smith (of Akron)

Scenic Designer/Technical Director – Alan Scott Ferrall (of Cuyahoga Falls)

Assistant Technical Director – Kathy Kohl (of Akron)

 

About the Show’s Director and Choreographer

GWEN ARMENT did her undergraduate work at the Indiana University School of Music in piano and voice and her Masters work in Theater History at Hunter College. She also studied at London’s National Theatre. Based in New York City, she performed there as well as on tour and in regional theaters before starting a career in producing, directing and teaching. In the New York area, she has directed at the Abingdon Theatre, Theatre 315, The Theatre Arts Center, Ensemble Studio Theatre (associate producer 1995), Broadway Theatre Institute for Musical Mondays Theatre Lab (artistic director 2002-2003) and The Century Center. Nationally, she also has directed at the South Jersey Regional Theater; Arundel Barn Playhouse in Maine; Charles Playhouse in Boston; Pennsylvania Stage Company; Mishler Theatre in Altoona, Pennsylvania; and at the Royal Palm Festival Theater in Florida, where she received Carbonell nominations for choreography and performing. At Ohio Northern University in 2010 and 2011 Gwen had the pleasure of directing and choreographing Urinetown and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She has also given master classes in musical theater at both ONU and Indiana University. As a teacher of professional actors, alongside guest faculty instructors from the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, she produced and taught Shakespeare workshops in New York City and at Western Connecticut State University. In addition, she instructed in piano and voice at Valparaiso University as well as theater history at Hunter College. In 2004, she co-founded and currently remains the artistic director and producer for Hell’s Kitchen Musicals (HKM), a company that develops new works with readings, staged readings and showcases. Most recently, HKM produced the new musical Peg O’ My Heart for New York City's 2011 Midtown International Theatre Festival. It won the award for best musical. Among the many celebrated artists with whom Gwen has worked are Gower Champion, Peter Gennaro, Donald Saddler, Christopher Hewitt, Bob Herget, Tommy Tune, George Faison and Ron Lagomarsino. When performing the role of Lola in Damn Yankees, Gwen danced Bob Fosse’s original choreography, having been taught and supervised by the original Lola, Gwen Verdon. When not directing or producing, Gwen teaches voice privately.
 
About the Show’s Musical Director
JOHN EBNER is glad to be back at the Weathervane Playhouse. In past seasons, he directed Ragtime and Putting it Together, receiving a Chanticleer and YACTA Marque Award for Ragtime. John has worked extensively in a variety of ways as music director, keyboardist and accompanist for Canton Cabaret, Carousel Dinner Theatre, Coach House, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Player’s Guild of Canton and Voices of Canton. He has performed with Arthur Fiedler of the Boston Pops Orchestra, Academy Award-winning Paul Williams and a Billy Joel Tribute band at Cleveland’s House of Blues. John is a retired music teacher and continues to work with local schools in Stark & Summit counties. “It is great to be working with Henry, Karen and Mandy again. Special thanks to Nancy, Terry, Ron and Jim for giving me the opportunity to do what I truly love as well as Gwen, Scott, Jason and our fantastic cast, orchestra and crew.”

 About the Show’s Production History and Adaptations
In 1997, several theater artists in Canada – Don McKellar, Lisa Lambert, Greg Morrison and several of their friends – created a satire of old musicals to present as a skit at the bachelor party for their fellow theatrical pal, Robert Martin, who was soon to be married. They called their show The Drowsy Chaperone. This first version of the show did not include the character of Man in Chair, but Martin was so enchanted by the spoof that he encouraged his friends to reshape it for a performance at the Toronto Fringe Festival. He also signed on as a co-writer of the show and he created the role of Man in Chair, which he played on stage at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 1999.

After the Fringe Festival, the creative team got a call from Canadian theatrical producer David Mirvish, who secured funding for an enlarged production of the show at Theatre Passe Muraille, a Toronto not-for-profit theater company with 160 seats. After good reviews and strong box office sales, the creative team and producers then mounted a full-scale production in 2001 at the 1,000-seat Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto. By then, a team of Broadway producers had heard about this quirky little “show within a show” and they eventually secured the rights to produce the show in New York City. In 2004, the producing team arranged for a workshop reading of the show under the auspices of New York’s National Alliance for Musical Theatre – the success of which opened the door for additional funding to mount the show on Broadway.

After a pre-Broadway try-out at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in 2005, The Drowsy Chaperone opened on Broadway at the Marriott Marquis Theatre on May 1, 2006, where it would play for 674 performances before closing on Dec. 30, 2007. The New York production was nominated for 13 Tony Awards and won five of them – including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. A London production – also starring Bob Martin as Man in Chair – opened in 2007, but closed after less than 100 performances. Across the globe, the show has been produced in Japan and Australia. Back home in America, two national tours of the show traveled from city to city across the United States between 2007 and 2009.

About the Show’s Creators

LISA LAMBERT (music and lyrics) is an actress, writer and composer who received the Tony Award for Best Original Score, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for The Drowsy Chaperone. Her Canadian credits include Honest Ed: The Bargain Musical and Mirth at the Poor Alex Theatre in Toronto; Ouch My Toe at the Toronto Fringe Festival; The Irish Musical and People Park at the Rivoli, also in Toronto; An American in Harris at the Toronto Second City; and An Awkward Evening With Martin and Johnson at Toronto's Tim Sims Playhouse. On Canadian television, she has appeared on Slings & Arrows.

GREG MORRISON (music and lyrics) for his work on The Drowsy Chaperone received the Tony Award for Best Original Score, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music, the Outer Critics Circle Award and Backstage West Garland Award. In Canada, his credits include Hello...Hello at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto; Pochsy's Lips, Citizen Pochsy and Pochsy Unplugged at the Toronto Fringe Festival; Mumps and Smoot in Something Else and Mumps and Smoot in Flux for Toronto's Canadian Stage; An Awkward Evening with Martin and Johnson at the Tim Sims Playhouse and The Age of Dorian at the Atword Theatre also in Toronto. His television songwriting credits include Slings & Arrows and Getting Along Famously.

BOB MARTIN (book) is a Toronto comedian, actor and writer. He has performed in and also written many Canadian television shows. He performed the voice of "Cuddles," the comfort doll, on Puppets Who Kill, a TV show that aired from 2002 to 2006 on Canada’s Comedy Network. In addition to collaborating with Don McKellar on the book for The Drowsy Chaperone, he also starred as the Man in Chair in the Broadway production and also in the London production. For The Drowsy Chaperone, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as Man and Chair and won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. Martin was one of the creator’s of Canada’s award-winning TV series Slings & Arrows.

DON McKELLAR (book) received the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for his book for The Drowsy Chaperone. He began his theatrical career when he co-founded Toronto's Augusta Company, with which he co-created six experimental plays. He has also worked in the realm of independent Canadian cinema. As screenwriter, he is credited (or co-credited) for Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, Thirty-two Short Films About Glenn Gould and The Red Violin. For television he wrote and starred in the CBC-TV series Twitch City. As an actor he has appeared in a number of films, including Exotica, eXistenZ, When Night Is Falling, Clean, Waydowntown, The Red Violin, The Event and Monkey Warfare. He was also a regular on the Canadian TV series Slings & Arrows.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Weathervane Playhouse and its dedicated volunteers offer vital performing arts resources for the people of Northeastern Ohio. We create exciting and thought-provoking shows with impressive production values. Through educational programs and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, Weathervane serves the theater community, our patrons and our volunteers.

 

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Janis Harcar
Director of Advancement
Weathervane Playhouse
330-836-2626 X16
jharcar at weathervaneplayhouse.com



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20120530/55e2840a/attachment-0004.htm>