AUDITION NOTICE:
GYPSY
Directed by Gerry Appel
Musical direction by Rory Chalcraft Choreography by Nancy Takacs
WHEN: Monday, February 20, and Tuesday, February 21, with callbacks on the 23rd. All starting at 7:00 PM
WHERE: East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
The show dates are April 27 – May 13, 2012. All shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM
Cast Requirements: All ages approximate, depending upon other casting. Age ranges are guides to the playable age of the characters, not necessarily the physical age of the actor. This will be a color-blind production–all races are encouraged to audition for all roles. If actor possesses any special skills which might be performed in a vaudeville act (juggling, ventriloquism, plate-spinning, tumbling, etc.), please list on audition form.
- Rose: 35 to 50, the classic stage mother on a quest for fame in vaudeville, regardless of what her kids want. (Alto with strong belt) Dance requirement: mover
- Louise: 18 to 24, daughter of Rose, an awkward child/woman, who never knows her true age, and later blooms into the stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee. (Mezzo) Dance requirement: experienced dancer if possible.
- Herbie: 40 to 60, a doormat of a boyfriend of Rose and agent for the act. (Baritone) Dance requirement: mover
- Dainty June: 16 to 20, Rose’s younger daughter, a capable singer/dancer who is trapped playing a sickening sweet lead in a bad vaudeville act. (Mezzo) Dance requirement: experienced dancer a must
- Tulsa: 18 to 25, a standout dancer who shows Louise (and the audience) his idea for a dance team act in “All I Need is the Girl” (High Baritone) Dance requirement: experienced dancer a must
- Tessie Tura: 30 to 50, a burlesque dancer who combines ballet with her bumps and grinds. (Mezzo) Dance requirement: some experience would be great
- Mazeppa: 30 to 50, a stripper dressed as a gladiator who plays the bugle. Belligerent, as the stage directions tell us. (Alto with belt) Dance requirement: mover to some dance experience
- Electra: 30 to 40, another stripper who lights up, literally. Bulbs attached to her costume light up with each pelvic thrust. (Mezzo) Dance requirement: mover to some dance experience
- Baby June: 8 to 12, a singer/dancer who is the essence of cute. (Belter) Dance requirement: experienced dancer a must
- Baby Louise: 8 to 12, Baby June’s older, less talented sister. Dance requirement: experience a must (not necessarily as much as Baby June)
- Newsboys: 8 to 12, Baby June’s backup singer/dancers. Dance requirement: some dance experience a must
- Farmboys: 15 to 20, Dainty June’s backup singer/dancers, Dance requirement: some dance experience a must.
- Hollywood Blondes: 15 to 20, Louise’s backup singer/dancers, Dance requirement: some dance experience a must.
- Child Auditioners for Uncle Jocko: 8 to 10, includes a boy clarinet-player and a girl completely covered with balloons, among others.
- Looking for non-singers, as well. Character actors and actresses of all ages needed for the ensemble which includes a myriad of vaudeville and burlesque theater folk such as a kiddie show emcee (Uncle Jocko), a sarcastic secretary (Miss Cratchitt), the rear end of a cow and many, many more.
Singers should be prepared to sing 32 bars from musical theater in the style of the show (no songs from the show, please), that reflect their vocal range and shows their personality. (No Disney show, country, pop or rock shows, if possible). No a capella. An accompanist will be provided. Must bring your sheet music.
Performers auditioning for non-singing character roles should come prepared with a short comic monologue (one minute or less—memorized or not).
Questions can be emailed to gypsy@playhouse22.org or by calling 732.254.3939. For more information about Playhouse 22, please visit www.Playhouse22.org
