Lakeland Civic Theatre

                           Auditions for

Merrily We Roll Along

Music and Lyrics by

Stephen Sondheim

 Book by

George Furth

 Directed by Martin Friedman 

Musical Direction by Jordan Cooper

Sound Designed by Eric Simna

 

The Play:

Merrily We Roll Along, written in 1981, is based on a 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The musical (with a book by George Furth) was first produced in November of 1981, where it ran for 17 performances. Not very successful eh? It tells of the disintegration of the friendship of successful songwriter Franklin Shepard, his lyricist and best friend Charlie Kringas, and novelist Mary Flynn. The action moves backward through time, from 1976 to 1957.

This is one of Stephen Sondheim’s most accessible and difficult scores. It is most certainly about friendship and its importance in the lives of three people.  This show has great personal meaning to me. And while the book is problematic; I am confident that our production team and the actors that are cast can overcome this. This is one great play. 

And the roles; did I mention the roles? Each one of these six folks are wonderful roles with fully realized characterizations and motivations. It will take special actors/singers to breathe life into these people.

Audition Information:

Auditions will be held on Monday and Tuesday, October 23 and 24 at Lakeland Community College in Building D at 7:15pm. NO APPOINTMENTS ARE NECESSARY.   Please: One 32 bar cut in the style of the show. A Sondheim piece is preferred. A strong command of musical styles and vocal athleticism is greatly needed for this show. 

 You need only come to one of the audition dates. YOU DO NOT NEED AN AUDITION TIME. JUST SHOW UP AT 7:15 AND WE WILL HAVE YOU SING and then READ.

CALLBACKS will be held on Wednesday, October 25 between 7:15 and 9:00pm.

ALL ROLES ARE COMPENSATED.  Sorry, no EQUITY contracts for this show.  

The Roles:

 Frank: Mid to late 30’s. Male. Piano playing experience is a bonus. Range: A2 –Bb4.

Charlie: Mid to late 30’s. Male.  Range: A#2- G#4.

Mary: Mid to late 30’s. Female.  Range: G3-Gb5.

Beth: Mid to late 30’s. Female.  Range: A3-G5.

Joe: Mid to late 40’s. Male. Range: A2-F#4.

Gussie: Early 30’s. Female.  Range: G3-C5.

The ENSEMBLE: 6-8 individuals (male and female) that will play a multitude of characters and will have much to sing. Mid 20’s to mid 40’s. This is not a chopped liver ensemble.

 

Production and Rehearsal Dates:

Merrily We Roll Along will open on Friday, February 2, 2018 and run through February 18, 2018. There will be nine (9) shows; that is three (3) weeks of performances. There will be two performances at a Nighttown on Monday, January 8 and Monday January 23. Rehearsals will begin in early November based upon your schedules. Rehearsals will be regularly scheduled beginning on January 2 and will run Monday thru Sundays according to your schedules. 

 For more information please feel free to contact me, Martin Friedman at martinfriedman98@gmail.com or at 216/233-5441. Please also feel free to contact Jordan Cooper at jcooper27@me.com.