AUDITIONS Aurora Community Theatre’s Production of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Music by Mary Rodgers Lyrics by Marshall Barer Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer Directed by Art Suskin Produced and Choreographed by Marc C. Howard Musical Direction by Tim Shaffer Audition Times: Sunday, January 17 at 6:00pm Monday, January 18 at 6:00pm Callbacks on Thursday January 21 at 6:00pm (by invitation only) Aurora Community Theatre 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH 44202 Auditions will consist of voice, dancing and readings from the script. Bring the sheet music of 16 bars of your song to give to the accompanist. No appointment necessary. Please be prepared to stay for a few hours. PLEASE BRING ALL YOUR CONFLICTS BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND MAY 21. ABOUT THE PLAY: If you thought you knew the story of 'The Princess and The Pea,' you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that Lady Larken's love for Sir Harry provided a rather compelling reason that she reach the bridal altar post haste? Or that, in fact, it wasn't the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again. And if you think you know Once Upon a Mattress, you will be surprised and delighted by the energetic approach that this company takes to that wonderful story! Rehearsals (5 per week on weekday evenings and weekends) will commence on March 6, 2016. Performances (10): Fridays and Saturdays, and Sundays (Matinées), April 29 through May 21 ROLES: WE ARE LOOKING FOR A COMPANY OF 26-28 ENERGETIC ACTORS, SINGERS, AND DANCERS. • Winnifred (Lead-20-30)—Princess from a swampy kingdom far away. If she passes the Queen’s test, she will marry Prince Dauntless which in turn allows everyone else in the kingdom to get married. No pressure. She is a bundle of energy with a huge belt, but also can be warm and sweet. Definitely has an edge to her. Must be a triple threat: singer, dancer, actor. Originally played by Carol Burnett. Again, no pressure. We want a unique Winnifred. A fearless performer with lots of personality. • Prince Dauntless (Lead, 20-30)—Good looking, but under his mother’s thumb. Clueless, but game. Must sing and dance. • Queen Aggravain (40s-50s)—Think the Evil Queen in Snow White. Must sing, dance (a bit), and act. • King Sextimus the Silent (40s-50s)—Mute until a prophecy is fulfilled. (One line at end of play) Dominated by the Queen. Constantly dashing off to catch wenches and ladies of the court but never succeeds. Think Harpo Marx. Many scenes with lots of pantomime including two songs. Non-singing role. • Lady Larken (20s-30s)—Sweetly beautiful with a beautiful voice, in love with Sir Harry. • Sir Harry (20s-30s)—Herald of the Courts, a bit of a prig with less than modern thoughts about the role of women. Big, handsome, sweet, stolid, with a terrific singing voice. • Jester (20s-30s)—Dancer and singer with a terrific solo and many scenes. • Minstrel (20s-40s)—Opens the show with a story. Nice if he plays the lute, mandolin or even guitar. Some dance. Many scenes. • Sir Harold and Lady Beatrice—Dance leads • Ensemble (20s-60s)—Many good smaller roles (named Ladies and Knights, the Wizard [non-singing], specialty dancers [with some ballet?] with good scenes and a line here and there, both dialogue and singing. We will create an original experience of a sweetly powerful play in a modern way. Everything Old is New Again! FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE DIRECTOR (ART SUSKIN) AT 816-210-6266 OR ART@THEATREGYM.ORG