Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Audition Announcement - A Christmas Story, the Musical

A Christmas Story the Musical
Audition Notice

Imagination Theater is pleased to announce auditions for our 2016 holiday production of
A Christmas Story the Musical.  In 1940’s Indiana, a bespectacled boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas, a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun.  A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink pajamas, a cranky department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream.

Based on the classic 1983 movie, A Christmas Story the Musical captures holiday wonder with funny and heartfelt songs, show stopping dancing, delicious wit and a heart of pure gold.  After triumphant sold-out seasons on Broadway, this hilarious musical makes its Placerville debut!  With direction by Brenda Lindley, vocal direction by Dale Wallerstein, and choreography by Paul Bott, this production will be fun for the entire family.

Audition Information
May 14, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
·         9:00 am - 9:15 am – check in complete, complete and turn in audition forms
·         9:15 am – 11:30 am – vocal auditions
·         11:30 am – 1:00 pm – dance group auditions, tap solos

May 15, 10 am – 1:00 pm, callbacks 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (as needed)
·         10:00 am – 1:00 pm - Improv and readings from the script
·         4:00 pm – 6:00 pm - Call backs as needed for singing harmonies and for the roles of Mother and The Old Man, Ralphie and Randy.

Imagination Theater (located on the El Dorado County Fair Grounds)
100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, CA 95667

Show Dates:  November 25 – December 21, 2016
Rehearsals:  Starts August 20, 2016 running Monday-Thursday and Saturdays through tech/dress rehearsal.  Additional rehearsals will be added as needed.

Do not audition if you are not available two weeks prior to the opening of the show or are unable to perform at all show dates.
                                  
Cast Breakdown:
JEAN SHEPHERD (non-singing part) – Radio personality/Narrator (also plays Red Ryder, Mailman, Delivery Man).

RALPHIE PARKER (Alto) – Principle (playing age 9-10).  A regular kid, cute but not handsome, winsome but not precious; a kid you wouldn’t mind living next door to.  Seeking a young kid who is comfortable on stage but real.  Must be an excellent singer and able to carry a show.  Ralphie needs an unchanged voice.  High belter, low F# to high D. *Please prepare an up-tempo Broadway belt song that displays range, personality, and strong lyric interpretation.

MOTHER (Mezzo-Soprano) – Ralphie’s mother.  Pretty, warm, funny, wonderful expressive singer, contemporary mid-range mix-belt, with some soprano.  Must be a truly great actress as well as a great singer.  Subtle real, genuine, and truthful sense of humor, with a bit on the "quirky" side.

THE OLD MAN (Baritone) – Ralphie’s father.  Genius comic actor who sings and dances.  Uptight, fuss-budget, flawed.  Humorously “terrifying” dad with a heart somewhere.

RANDY (Alto) – Ralphie’s younger brother (playing age 7-9).  Smaller than Ralphie; the cuter the better.  Can be a bit awkward and offbeat; admires his big brother, Ralphie, but won’t admit it.  Seeking a child who is comfortable on stage but real.  Voice must be unchanged.  Higher the belter, low F# to high C#.  *Please prepare an up-tempo Broadway belt song that displays range, personality, and strong lyric interpretation.

MISS SHIELDS (Alto) - School teacher.  Not a stick-in-the-mud, she is sassy.  Funny musical comedy belter and must be an excellent tapper.

SANTA CLAUS (Tenor) – Singer and comedic actor.

The Children (ages 10-13) - all children should come prepared to audition with a “belt” song and to sing harmony):  SCHWARTZ, FLICK, ESTHER JANE, MARY BETH, SCUT FARKUS (the bully, bigger than the other kids), GROVER HILL,  and a FEATURED CHILD TAPPER to perform a big tap number with Miss Shields (must be an excellent tapper)

ENSEMBLE (adults and children) - The chorus has many opportunities for complex, fun, and harmony singing.  We are looking for singers from all voice parts who are dedicated to learning these thrilling and challenging songs.

Vocals - Please come prepared to sing 16-32 bars of a song from a musical.  An accompanist will be available or you may bring accompaniment on an electronic device.  No singing with a soundtrack.

Those interested in the role of Ralphie, Mother, Old Man, or Randy must come prepared to sing one of the following songs from the show:
Ralphie – Red Rider Carbine Action BB Gun and Before the Old Man Comes Home (w/Randy)
Mother – What a Mother Does
The Old Man – The Genius on Cleveland Street
Randy – Before the Old Man Comes Home (with Ralphie)

Dance - All auditioners must come prepared to learn and perform a simple choreographed dance number that will be taught during the audition process.

Anyone interested in the role of Miss Shields or the featured child tapper must come prepared with a 1 minute tap number that features their best tap moves.

Acting - There will be improv and cold readings from the script.

Volunteers will be needed to act as House Parents during rehearsals and the run of the show.


For additional information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/174033382977873/ or contact Brenda Lindley at lindley.brenda@gmail.com.