AUDITIONS NOTICE:
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
Directed by Carla Zackson Heller
WHEN: Sunday January 15, 2 to 4 PM; Monday, January 16, 7 to 9 PM; Call backs February 21, if necessary
WHERE: Edison Valley Playhouse, 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison
Rehearsals to start 3/11
(Auditions are being held early due to Director's schedule)
Performance Dates: May 11 through May 26, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday at 2 PM;(possible matinees both May 13th and May 20th)
Please prepare two contrasting 16-bar excerpts but be ready to sing the entire song if time allows. While we prefer that you bring sheet music for the accompanist provided, a CD player will also be available if you would like to bring a non-vocal “karaoke style” track.
Be prepared to take direction on your excerpts and we may ask you to add some movement to your presentation. Please keep in mind that every song in Jacques Brel is a story and we will be looking for performers who can communicate the emotion of the story with words, music and movement.
CAST:
- Woman #1 Adult Female Soprano -- seeking to cast F 20-30
- Woman #2 Adult Female Mezzo Soprano/Alto -- seeking to cast F 35-55
- Man #1 Adult Male Tenor -- seeking to cast M 20-35
- Man #2 Adult Male Baritone/Bass -- seeking to cast M 30-55
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris is a Parisian musical cabaret revue, each actor/singer plays a handful of different characters; each song is a solo vignette... They are fantastic songs about love & loss & sex & heartache... requiring experienced solo performers with a stylistic versatility.
The revue consists of 25 songs performed by four vocalists, two male and two female. Belgian songwriter Jacques Brel contributed most of the music and French lyrics; English translations were provided by Eric Blau, and Mort Shuman, a Brill Building songwriter responsible for such hits as "This Magic Moment," "Viva Las Vegas," "Teenager In Love" and others.
The poignant, passionate and profound songs of Jacques Brel are brought to vivid theatrical life in this intense musical experience. Brel's legendary romance, humor and moral conviction are evoked simply and directly, with four actors, four musicians and four stools. The result is a powerful, intimate, bold and emotional evening of theatre. Brimming with flair, attitude and European sophistication, these rich compositions bring to mind the groundbreaking work of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, creating a universe all their own that consistently startles with its daring, candor and insight. The sheer musical poetry of each song supports many layers of interpretation, giving the show a new and unexpected meaning with every new cast and production team that takes it on.
To learn more about the show:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Brel_is_Alive_and_Well_and_Living_in_Paris
Karaoke Tracks & song preview:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=brel+is+alive&x=16&y=11
Libretto & song preview: http://dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=3158
If you have a question please contact the director, Carla Zackson Heller, at CompanyCreative@aol.com
