Audition
information for...
Curtains
Directed by Trina Williamson
Monday-Tuesday, February 6 & 7 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Performance dates: April 13 - May 13
For most roles: Prepare a
Broadway song (2 minutes or less). Please bring sheet music for
the accompanist or bring a Karaoke CD. NO a cappella singing
please. You will be asked to do cold readings from the script.
No monologues required.*
Dance auditions will be from 7:30-8:30pm both evenings so bring
comfortable shoes, and appropriate dance clothing. Most of those
auditioning will be asked to participate in the dance audition.
Additional requirements:
For the NON-singing role of Sidney Bernstein: Have a short comic
monologue and/or be prepared to cold read from the script.
If you only want to be considered for the roles of Sidney
Bernstein, you will not be required to do the dance audition.
For the role of Christopher Belling: a proper clipped British
accent will be required.
If you have any questions contact the director, Trina Williamson
at
triwill@gmail.com.
*Please
note: The age minimum for this production is 14. There is a
bit of foul language and innuendo in the script which will not
be altered due to copyright laws. Be prepared. Thank you.
CAST information (all ages are
approximations only):
LIEUTENANT FRANK CIOFFI (30's - 40's):
Sweetly endearing local Boston detective who idolizes the world
of musical theatre and has reveled in the thrill of performing
in community theatre. Called upon to solve the murder of the
star of "Robbin' Hood" (a musical intended for Broadway that is
currently out of town in Boston), Cioffi is very good at his job
and, lamentably, married to his work. He is instantly smitten
with ingénue Niki Harris. The undisputed central character of
the musical. Requires deft and charming comedy, good singing,
solid dancing in one extended "Fred and Ginger" number.
NIKI HARRIS (20's-early 30's) Pretty,
almost too innocent ingénue, a local performer in a small role
hoping "Robbin' Hood" will be the Boston production that at last
takes her to Broadway. Love interest for Lieutenant Cioffi,
apparently reciprocated. Requires a legit soprano and strong
dancing in an extended "Fred and Ginger" number.
GEORGIA HENDRICKS (30's - mid-40's,
similar age to AARON) Female half of our show-within-a-show's
songwriting team on the lyric-writing side. Ends up taking on
the leading lady role. Must sing and dance extremely well.
CARMEN BERNSTEIN (45-65) Brash and
brassy Broadway producer. Terrific comedic actress with a belt.
AARON FOX (30's - 40's, similar age to
GEORGIA) The composer of the show-within-the-show. His
songwriting partner, Georgia, is also his wife, from whom he's
separated but for whom he still pines. He's a handsome,
intense, somewhat tortured artist-type. Requires a strong
vocalist with comedy.
SIDNEY BERNSTEIN (Late 50's-Mid 60's):
The always-angry, sleazy, philandering producer of the
out-of-town flop. Sidney is rough around the edges and
completely self-serving. Requires a cartoon-like character actor
who is funny on arrival. No singing required.
CHRISTOPHER BELLING (40-60) English
director. Very camp. Very droll. Noel Coward meets Addison
DeWitt meets Clifton Webb. Requires a superb comic actor.
BAMBI "BERNÉT" (Early 20's-early 30's)
Performer in the chorus, daughter of Carmen, step-daughter of
Sidney. Genuinely brassy and artificially blonde. Hungry to work
her way out of the chorus; many think she was only hired because
of her mother. She surprises everyone, however, when she shows
genuine dancing and singing talent when at last called upon.
Requires great dancing, strong "street-smart dumb blonde"
comedy, and singing.
OSCAR SHAPIRO (45-65): from the garment
district and sole investor in "Robbin' Hood." A likeably gruff
man who knows nothing about theatre and frets over every dime of
his that's spent. Requires good "rough around the edges" comedy
and singing.
BOBBY PEPPER (30's to early 40's,
similar age as Georgia and Aaron) The Gene Kelly of "Robbin'
Hood," its choreographer and male star, and a handsome rival to
Aaron for Georgia's affection. Requires strong dancing, singing,
comedy.
DARYL GRADY (30's-40's): Caustic and
smug theatre critic for the local Boston newspaper.
Patronizingly pompous, enjoys using his power to make or break
shows during their Boston tryouts. Does not require strong
singing or dancing.
JOHNNY HARMON * (30's-60's) Stage
Manager of the show-within-the-show, and both drill sergeant and
mother hen to the cast. Barks orders but has a pleasant side as
well, he keeps the company in line and on their toes throughout
the rehearsal process. Comic actor who can sing.
JESSICA CRANSHAW (40's-60's) Faded
Hollywood star, a grand diva with no right to be one, and a
plague to the show-with-the-show and to her cast. An absolutely
dreadful singer and inept actress who stars in the
show-within-a-show and gets murdered on its opening night in
Boston. Must be skillful enough to sing hilariously out-of-tune
and ineptly, and adroit enough to dance perfectly out of step
with the rest of the cast. Appears only in the first minutes of
the musical; on Broadway, this performer then adopted a
different look and became part of the ensemble.
RANDY DEXTER (20's - 30's) a member of
the singing & dancing ensemble featured in "Kansasland,"
pleasant but with a sensitive side.
HARV FREMONT (20's - 30's) a member of
the singing & dancing ensemble who bears a bouquet.
ROBERTA WOOSTER (20's - 30's) a member
of the singing & dancing ensemble who speaks from experience.
ENSEMBLE (20's-60's) play variety of
characters throughout the show. Dancers, singers, crew members,
etc.
*Note: the role of JOHNNY HARMON can be
played by a woman using the name JENNY HARMON, with all the same
character traits as described.
