Near West Theatre announces AUDITIONS for CARNIVAL! Youth Cast (Ages 7 & UP) Auditions - September 4, 5 & 6 Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Ages 7-12 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ages 13 & up from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Come ONE of these times, and plan to stay for the entire time specified. Arrive 15 minutes early to register. Anyone arriving after the starting time will not audition that day. (See list of roles below) LOCATION St. Luke's Episcopal Church|1349 West 78th St., Cleveland, OH 44102 ABOUT THE AUDITION · Seeking an expansive, multicultural cast. All roles are open. · No experience or prepared material necessary. · A group audition in a relaxed, playful and friendly atmosphere. · Wear comfortable clothing & shoes for dancing so you can move easily. · Actors are led through multiple improvisational exercises including acting, movement and singing. Can't make it to these auditions? Call Near West Theatre's Office at 216-961-9750 DIRECTOR'S NOTE We are so thrilled to be ANNOUNCING AUDITIONS for our upcoming Fall/Holiday Show 2018, CARNIVAL!, the "Love Makes the World Go 'Round" musical. This show is a nearly forgotten Broadway treasure dear to my heart, filled with endearingly human characters looking for place, purpose and, yes, love. The score is vibrant, melodic and instantly captivating with heart-wrenching ballads and show-stopping chorus numbers that just keep coming at you. ALL ROLES ARE OPEN, and require actors of diverse age, race, size, physicality and experience. This is a BIG-TOP SHOW needing a large singing/dancing/circus troupe of performers. We will be turning the whole theatre into a carnival of color and light. There is magic, acrobatics, puppets and illusion. Complex themes include mental and physical woundedness, the inability to discern truth from hypocrisy and life's call for change, healing and re-definition. A show perfectly aligned with Near West Theatre's mission!!! Please help us spread the word far and near, Carnival! is coming......step into a fantastic world where anything is possible and love is found where you least expect it. ABOUT THE SHOW Naïve orphan Lili happens upon a failing carnival troupe in the south of France and meets puppeteer Paul, a former ballet dancer and a war hero, now lame and unable to ever dance again. Paul forms a puppet act with Lili as the main attraction, and the carnival is changed forever! Acclaimed for its simplicity and compassion, Carnival! is an endless parade of color, magic, and dance - and four special puppets sure to win your hearts and imaginations! Based on the 1953 film Lili, Carnival! boasts a charming Bob Merrill score, including the hit song "Love Makes The World Go Round," which will lift your spirits long after the final bows. This bittersweet fairy tale is our Holiday Spectacular, sure to delight audiences of all ages! Rehearsals begin Sunday, September 23, 2018 The show runs November 16-December 9, 2018 with performances on November 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, December 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 & 9 Music & Lyrics By Bob Merrill Book by Michael Stewart Based on Material by Helen Deutsch Carnival! will be Directed by Bob Navis Jr, Choreographed by Josh Landis & Musically Directed by Butch Marshall CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS JACQUOT - Paul's friend and assistant. Jacquot constantly encourages Paul to stick with the carnival and not give up on his puppetry. He is extremely sympathetic towards Lili and helps her adjust to her new life. B. E. SCHLEGEL - The owner of the Grand Imperial Cirque de Paris. Schlegel can be harsh at times, but he ultimately cares for the well-being of the circus and its performers, including Lili whom he hires, fires and then rehires. MARCO THE MAGNIFICENT - A womanizing magician with a long-standing, but rocky relationship with Rosalie. Marco easily seduces Lili with his magic and is able to manipulate and entice her to join his act and fall in love with him. THE INCOMPARABLE ROSALIE - Marco's assistant and love interest. Rosalie is constantly jealous of Marco's relationships with other women - especially the innocent Lili. She is almost engaged to her long-distance suitor, Dr. Glass, but comes to her senses and runs away with Marco to perform their act in fine hotels across Europe. LILI - A young optimistic orphan who comes to the circus in hopes of finding a job. Lili is not the brightest girl and is easily influenced by the people who surround her, especially Marco the Magnificent. After a few failed attempts at other jobs, she ends up becoming the star of Paul's puppet show and must suffer through his biting insults and jealousy. PAUL BERTHALET - A lonely and bitter puppeteer whose dance career was shattered after suffering a crippling war injury. Paul's misanthropic nature alienates him from everyone, including his love, Lili. Paul uses his four puppets: Carrot Top, Horrible Henry, Marguerite and Renardo the Fox to communicate with others, but without the puppets, he struggles to personally communicate with real people. Other roles include: Strongman<https://stageagent.com/characters/14057/carnival/strongman>, Dog Trainer<https://stageagent.com/characters/14058/carnival/dog-trainer>, Gladys Zuwicki<https://stageagent.com/characters/14059/carnival/gladys-zuwicki>, Cyclist<https://stageagent.com/characters/14060/carnival/cyclist>, Greta Schlegel<https://stageagent.com/characters/14061/carnival/greta-schlegel>, Miguelito<https://stageagent.com/characters/14062/carnival/miguelito>, Princess Olga<https://stageagent.com/characters/14063/carnival/princess-olga>, Grobert<https://stageagent.com/characters/14064/carnival/grobert>, Gypsy<https://stageagent.com/characters/14065/carnival/gypsy>, Dr. Glass<https://stageagent.com/characters/14066/carnival/dr-glass>, Aerialist<https://stageagent.com/characters/14067/carnival/aerialist>, Stilt-Walker<https://stageagent.com/characters/14068/carnival/stilt-walker>, Wardrobe Mistress<https://stageagent.com/characters/14069/carnival/wardrobe-mistress>, Juggler<https://stageagent.com/characters/14070/carnival/juggler>, Gloria Zuwicki<https://stageagent.com/characters/14071/carnival/gloria-zuwicki>, Margueritte<https://stageagent.com/characters/14072/carnival/margueritte>, Renardo<https://stageagent.com/characters/14073/carnival/renardo>, Horrible Henry<https://stageagent.com/characters/14074/carnival/horrible-henry>, Carrot Top<https://stageagent.com/characters/14075/carnival/carrot-top>, Mr. Schlegel<https://stageagent.com/characters/14076/carnival/mr-schlegel> and more, to be cast from the company.