Mercury Theatre Company Announces 2016 Season Auditions Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: June 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 Finian’s Rainbow: July 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 27, 28, 29 Disney’s The Little Mermaid: August 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 My Mercury!’s High School Musical: July 15 DATES/TIME: Friday, March 11 6:00 (My Mercury! Teens Only) Saturday, March 12 10:00-12:00 (Children 8-12 Season Auditions Only) 1:00-5:00 (Adult Season Auditions by Appointment Only) Sunday, March 13 Callbacks by appointment after 3:00 LOCATION: Notre Dame College 1851 South Green Road South Euclid, OH 44121 Auditions will be held in the PAC, basement of Admin. Building. NOTE: Main entrance is at 1851 South Green Road (the old Regina High School driveway). The current listed college address is: 4545 College Drive. Regina High School is now part of Notre Dame College. The theatre is located inside the old Regina High School building (now called Regina Hall) – to your left as you enter the driveway. All performances will be held in Regina Hall. APPOINTMENTS: Audition appointments will be accepted starting Monday, January 25 at 9:00 am. If you are unable to attend the audition dates scheduled, recorded auditions are accepted by March 11, 2016. Video links may be emailed to info@mercurytheatrecompany.org<mailto:info@mercurytheatrecompany.org>. Call: 216.771.5862 For further information, or with questions. AUDITION PREPARATION: Please prepare two short (16-bar) musical selections of contrasting styles in your key; bring sheet music in the correct key; an accompanist will be provided. You may be asked to sing only one selection as time permits. Headshots and resumes will be accepted at the audition. COMPENSATION: All 2016 Company Member over the age of 18 are paid. Salaries range from per-show stipend for non-Company Member actors to full season competitive salaries for 2016 Interns/Company. College credit is available where applicable. CASTING REQUIREMENTS: Non-Equity only. Please email info@mercurytheatrecompany.org<mailto:info@mercurytheatrecompany.org> if interested for details. Mercury Theatre Company is committed to non-traditional casting. Actors will be cast solely on the basis of talent, except in cases where age, race or physical ability are essential to a role. Ages listed in breakdowns are "character ages" not actor ages. Actors selected for casting may be cast in more than one production for the season. FOR DESIGN AND TECHNICAL EMPLOYMENT: Please email pierre@mercurytheatrecompany.org<mailto:pierre@mercurytheatrecompany.org>. _____________________________________________________________________________________ BREAKDOWNS _____________________________________________________________________________________ Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice Book by Linda Woolverton Be enchanted all over again by the story of Belle and the Beast in this brand new production. Based on the classic 1991 Disney animation, the show tells the story of an arrogant Prince, who is cursed to spend the rest of his life as a frightening monster. To save himself he must gain the love of a beautiful young woman Belle, and soon learns that real change must come from inside. One of modern musical theater's biggest hits, this musical first premiered in New York in 1994 and became Broadway's ninth longest-running production ever! A fantastically enjoyable adventure, this classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Mercury Theatre Company! Rehearsals begin May 23. All rehearsals are Monday through Friday 6:30-10:30 and Saturdays 11:00-4:00. Sundays are Days Off. Performances are June 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24. All roles are open. SEEKING: Belle: to play 18, classically beautiful face, her eyes shine with intelligence, seems entirely unaware of her looks, strong-willed, adventurous, and noble, a true heroine, sensitive and smart, should move very well, vocal range: lyrical pop theatre voice to an E with a very strong and clear belt. Beast: this role requires an exceptional actor (classical training helpful) who is also a major singer, a tortured soul trapped in the body of the Beast, angry, volatile, and hopeless, when he meets Belle, she awakens his warm, loving human side and is able to overcome his bestial nature to break the spell, should be handsome and well-built, vocal range: baritone to an F. Maurice: Belle's father, eccentric inventor, comic, warm, sincere, and immensely lovable, devoted to his daughter, short and stout is good, not obese, vocal range: character voice to a D. Gaston: must be 6'0" or taller, very handsome, muscular build, sexy with a larger-than-life chiseled face, actor must be a strong comedic farceur capable of playing a larger-than-life style, rude, self-centered bully, egomaniacal, narcissistic, should move very well, vocal range: big Broadway baritone with a solid F. Le Fou: Gaston's adoring hanger-on buddy, a true fall guy, buffoon, must be able to handle physical comedy and move well, seeking an accomplished stage comedian/stage clown, must be able to sing and be able to do a character voice, vocal range: to a G. Mrs. Potts: plump sweet-faced English teapot, kind-hearted maternal cook, sings the title song, vocal range: lyrical alto down to a low F sharp with a convincing English accent. Lumiere: a candelabra, very charming, very suave, very French, maitre D' who fancies himself as a ladies' man, passionate, prone to dramatic displays of emotion, the Beast's coach in the love department, must have a credible French accent, must move well, vocal range: baritone to a G. Cogsworth: manic, officious English major domo, someone wound him up way too tight and he has never wound down, slightly snooty Brit, with a heart of gold, English accent required, vocal range: character voice--baritone, not much singing. Babette: beautiful feather duster, continually teases Lumiere, must dance, not too bright, voluptuous, tall with a show-girl body, French accent required, vocal range: Broadway belt with a legit soprano. Wardrobe: warm, friendly, comedic, vain old girl, very theatrical, had pretensions to an operatic career, should have an ample build, but not obese, loud laugh, the life of the party, vocal range: legit operatic mezzo to G or B flat. Chip: ages 8-12, pre-adolescent boy, to play an adorable, inquisitive, eight-year-old teacup. Ensemble: Seeking 6 females and 6 males strong dancer/singers or singer/dancers with strong ballet and jazz technique. _____________________________________________________________________________________ FINIAN’S RAINBOW Music by Burton Lane Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg Book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy This version of Finian’s Rainbow was originally produced by the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York. Book revised in concert form by Charlotte Moore. With a sparkling score of beloved standards and a whimsical story that dances between romance, satire, and fairy tale, Finian's Rainbow is a musical theater treasure. Set in the mythical southern state of Missitucky, Finian's Rainbow pits a charming Irish dreamer and his headstrong daughter against the host of complications that await them in their newly adopted land: a bigoted southern Senator, a credit crisis, a pesky leprechaun, and, of course, a complicated love affair that gives birth to some of the most witty, charming and heartfelt songs ever written for the stage. The musical's score boasts such classic songs as "Old Devil Moon," "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?," "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love (I Love the Girl I'm Near)," "Look to the Rainbow," and "If This Isn't Love." Rehearsals begin June 13. All rehearsals are Monday through Friday 6:30-10:30 and Saturdays 11:00-4:00. Sundays are Days Off. Performances are July 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 27, 28, 29. All roles are open. SEEKING: Narrator/Mr. Robust: A well-spoken gentleman and businessman. Finian McLonergan: Completely Irish, father of Sharon. He is traveling America seeking his fortune by looking for a place to invest some gold, which he has “borrowed” from leprechauns at home in Glocca Morra. Sharon McLonergan: A lovely young Irish colleen traveling with her father and wise to his ways. Susan Mahoney: Woody’s mute sister, a dancer. Woody Mahoney: A young American, recently returned to Rainbow Valley from a stint in the Merchant Marines. Og: A semi-mortal leprechaun following Finian’s trail to recover the “borrowed” pot of gold. Senator Billboard Rawkins: The prototypical southern politician, orator and barbershop baritone. Buzz Collins: A dapper, cigar-smoking character with a derby hat and nervous manner. “Stooge” for Senator Billboard Rawkins. Sheriff (Chick): A small, plump man who wears a ten-gallon hat and speaks with a show, whining delivery. Henry/Gospeleer: A sharecropper’s kid who “reads” Susans dance steps and The Passion Pilgrim Gospeleers, a African American male quartet minus one baritone. Maid/Gospeleer: African American woman and The Passion Pilgrim Gospeleers, a African American male quartet minus one baritone. Howard/Gospeleer: An African American college student employed by Senator Rawkins and The Passion Pilgrim Gospeleers, a African American male quartet minus one baritone. Mr. Shears: Businessman, tall. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater Book by Doug Wright Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements. Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions In a magical kingdom fathoms below, we meet Ariel, the little mermaid who is tired of flipping her fins and longs to be part of the fascinating world on dry land. Joining her are Sebastian, Ariel’s crabby sidekick; Ursula, the evil sea witch; Triton, King of the Sea and the handsome and human Prince Eric. Based on the Disney animated film and hit Broadway musical, The Little Mermaid is making its Mercury debut. So dive on in! Life is the bubbles, under the sea! Rehearsals begin July 11. All rehearsals are Monday through Friday 6:30-10:30 and Saturdays 11:00-4:00. Sundays are Days Off. Performances are August 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26. All roles are open. SEEKING: Ariel: A mermaid and King Triton's youngest daughter. She is obsessed with everything about the human world, and dreams of becoming a part of life above the water. Hardheaded, naive, and emotional, but also kind-hearted. King Triton: King of the Sea and Ariel's father. Beneath his imposing presence and commanding nature lurks a harried single father who will do anything to protect his daughters. Experience has taught him to have a strong distrust of humans. Ursula: The banished Sea Witch and sister of King Triton. She will use whatever method necessary to steal the kingdom and claim it as her own. Malevolent, calculating and deceptive. Sebastian: A crab and advisor to King Triton. A musical virtuoso who is tasked with taking care of the rebellious Ariel. He is paranoid about anything happening to her and yet can’t bring himself to stand in her way. Born with the sounds of calypso ringing in his ears. Prince Eric: Heir to the throne, Eric is a handsome, affable lad with a buoyant, adventurous nature who has no interest in becoming king. After Ariel saves his life, he becomes obsessed with finding her and hearing her voice once more. Scuttle: Should play up the unpredictibility and dynamics, he is benevolent; strong character actor and strong dancer; tap dancing a plus. Strong character voice; an eccentric seagull and friend of Ariel’s; a self-proclaimed human expert, though in reality he knows very little and is often making up words. Flounder: 12-15 teenage boy; a fish and smitten with Ariel, his best friend. Rambunctious but cautious, fearful of the dangers that lurk in and above the water. Chef Louis: The French palace chef. A diabolical, culinary perfectionist with an affinity for blades and seafood in particular. Grimsby: lanky and self-proclaimed; excellent comic actor. Role is almost talk-sung. Prince Eric’s faithful servant, right hand man, and friend; while he is earnest, he is also gentle and clumsy; serves as the prince’s moral compass and almost worships Eric. Flotsam and Jetsam: Eels and Ursula's lackeys. Oily and spineless, they will say anything you want or need to hear. Heely experience a plus. Flotsam range: E3 - C5 Jetsam range: B2 - A4 Ensemble: Singers who move very well and dancers who sing well for various roles including: Crew members (Pilot, Sailors); Sea Creatures; Mersisters (Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana); Gulls; Maids; Chefs; Animals; Princesses. Tumbling a plus. Children Ensemble: Casting 6 extra children in the production to play a variety of different parts within the story. ______________________________________________________________________________________ My Mercury!’s Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Mercury Theatre Company is now accepting applications for My Mercury!’s musical: Disney’s High School Musical! Explore all aspects of the theatre with other teens who love the stage as much as you do! My Mercury is the arts camp that is more than a traditional summer camp. Designed for students 13-19, the program is a comprehensive, one-week 9:00am-4:00pm intensive July 11 through July 16, 2016, in which students get a chance to hone their skills in a fast-paced, creative environment. Each student will not only STAR onstage in the production, but also will also contribute to the direction, choreography, set, lighting and costume design of the production. Students will be assigned a mentor from the Mercury Theatre Company 2016 Staff and will work as assistants on a specific “behind-the-scenes” area of their interest. My Mercury! is designed to instill in aspiring thespians a deeper understanding about producing and participating in a first-class musical with working professionals. Tuition for My Mercury! is $125.00 and space is limited. All interested campers must audition for placement. Tuition includes one ticket for the teen night of each musical. Scripts will only be handed out at the first teen night for Beauty and the Beast (June 16th). Each of the teen nights will incorporate team building as well as parties. Each teen night will be a required attendance as well as participation in the South Euclid Memorial Day Parade. The tuition cost of $125.00 is non-refundable and due at the time of auditions. Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Book By David Simpatico Songs by Bryan Louiselle, Faye Greenberg, David N. Lawrence, Greg Cham, Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Ray Cham, Andrew Seeley, Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn, Adam Watts, Jamie Houston, Andy Dodd Music Adapted, Arranged and Produced by Bryan Louiselle Based on a Disney Channel Original Movie written by Peter Barsocchini Disney Channel's smash hit movie musical comes to life on your stage! Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends, and family while balancing their classes and extra curricular activities. All roles open. Mercury Theatre Company 216.771.5862 www.mercurytheatrecompany.org