Auditions for "BARNUM"

Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by Michael Stewart, Book by Mark Bramble

Auditions to take place Saturday afternoon May 2, 1-3 PM and Sunday evening May 3, 7-9 PM
Callbacks Monday May 4, 7 - 9 PM.

Production dates July 17 thru August 15. Fridays/Saturdays at 8, selected Sundays at 2.
Rehearsals begin May 24th and take place Sunday thru Thursday evenings.

This is a rarely performed, unusual musical that traces the career of P.T. Barnum from 1835 to 1880, the year he joined with James Bailey to form the Greatest Show on Earth.

Director: Michael J Rogan (440-781-9235),
Musical Director: Kristen Johnson
Choreographer: Pamela LaForce
Producer: Julia Wolff
Costumer: Harold Crawford
Stage Manager: Helen Rizi

Please contact the director with any questions.

Director is looking to create a circus onstage. Looking for Adults/Older Teens with one (or more) of the following talents: Singers, Actors, Circus performers of all types, Gymnasts, Acrobats, Stiltwalkers, Unicyclists, and Clowns. Children/Younger Teens will be considered if they have any Circus skills including Gymnasts, Acrobates, Unicyclists, Stilt Walkers, or Clowns. Also, looking for individuals who can play banjo, harmonica, fiddle, concertina, or accordion for onstage roles.

For singing roles, please prepare 16 - 32 bars of music in the style of the show (you can see portions of Barnum on YouTube) and/or be prepared to show your circus or musical skill. Cold readings will be from the script if needed. Please come dressed for movement.

Roles:

• Phineas Taylor Barnum: Baritone (plays 25-50). Legendary showman who is a charming, idealistic dreamer, who tends to exaggerate.
• Charity (Chairy) Barnum: Mezzo (plays 25-50). Practical, grounded in reality wife, who has a strong disposition, but retains a sweet, teasing sense of humor.
• Ringmaster: Baritone (plays 25-50). This character is the “story-teller”.
• James Bailey: Baritone (plays 25-50). Character at the end of the show who convinces Barnum to go back into the circus business. Role can be combined with the ringmaster.
• Jenny Lind: Coluratura Soprano (plays 25-40). Beautiful operatic singer who is Barnum’s romantic interest.
• Joyce Heth: Alto/Belt (plays elderly woman). Plays the “Oldest Woman Alive”.
• Blues Singer: Alto/Belt. Role may be combined with Joyce Heth.
• General Tom Thumb: Tenor (plays age 15-30). A small framed male—may also consider a small female.
• Other named roles: (Also doubles with the ensemble)
  • Amos Scudder : Owner of the American Museum
  • Julius Goldschmidt : introduces Barnum to the idea of Jenny Lind
  • Chester Lyman: Joyce Heth’s manager
  • Edgar Templeton: A political party boss
  • Mr. Stratton: Tom Thumb’s father
  • Mrs. Stratton: Tom Thumb’s mother
  • Wilton: Barnum’s assistant on the Jenny Lind tour
• Ensemble will be VERY active in many scenes, in between scenes, and before the show.

http://www.CVLT.org/auditions

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