Auditions for main stage shows generally occur approximately 8-10 weeks prior to the opening date of any production with a 7-8 week rehearsal process with five weeks of performance, some of which may be doubles on the last two Saturdays of the run, depending on the show. Auditions for main stage shows are by appointment only and for anyone who feels they have the necessary skills to participate. Check back regularly for audition notices. These notices can also be found in Backstage West, the nationwide stage, film and screen industry newspaper, as well as local newspapers; the Ventura County Star, The Simi Valley Acorn and Happenings Magazine.
Auditions for ARTSpace Black Box Theater productions are generally a week prior to beginning of rehearsals with either open calls, or by appointment depending on production. The rehearsal process for a Black Box theater production is generally 6 weeks with four weekends of performance.
ACTORS’ REPERTORY THEATRE OF SIMI PROUDLY PRESENTS
DISNEYS
NEWSIES
Music by ALAN MENKEN, Lyrics by JACK FELDMAN, Book by HARVEY FIERSTEIN
Directed by David Ralphe, Musical Direction by Gary Poirot, Choreography by Becky Castells
NEWSIES will perform over FIVE weekends, JUNE 21 – JULY 20 Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm – NOTE: THREE SATURDAY MATINEE PERFORMANCES ARE INCLUDED ON JULY 5, 12 AND JULY 19, ALL THREE ARE DOUBLE PERFORMANCE DAYS. NO PERFORMANCE ON JULY 4.
In person auditions are by reservation only, and will be held at ARTSPACE BLACK BOX THEATER, 2956 School St., Simi Valley 93065 (about 50 yards south of the corner of Deodora and School St.) on Monday and Wednesday, April 21 and 23, between 7pm-10pm. Prepare to sing 16-32 bars of a Broadway show tune of a similar genre or by the same composers. An accompanist will be provided, or you may use an instrumental backing track. Callbacks will be on Saturday, April 26 from 10am-2pm. Rehearsals begin on or about April 28.
NOTE: If cast, a total of five (5) rehearsal conflicts will be allowed. No rehearsal conflicts allowed during tech week; the week of June 15-20, and no performance conflicts.
Email jgartdept@sbcglobal.net to make an appointment. Video submissions for the preliminary audition are acceptable, however, callbacks are in person, and mandatory.
SYNOPSIS
New York City, 1899. Jack Kelly and his ragtag team of newsboys make a meager living selling newspapers on the city streets. But when the prices of “papes” are hiked and the newsies are hung out to dry, there is nothing left to do but “open the gates and seize the day!” Led by charismatic Jack and independent, young newspaper reporter Katherine Plummer, the Newsies form a union and organize a strike against the greedy publisher of the New York World. Can a group of idealistic newsboys win against a foe as powerful as acclaimed publisher Joseph Pulitzer? Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is an ebullient, joyful, and entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together and stand up against injustice. With a funny, poignant book by Harvey Feirstein and stunning music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman — including the show-stopping Seize the Day, power ballad “Santa Fe” and lovely songs like Katherine’s “Watch What Happens” — Newsies is a classic with the power to inspire.
Cast Size: Large (21 or more performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Heavy – Particulary for the NEWSIES
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
JACK KELLY – Caucasian
The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an oprhaned dreamer and artist who yearns to get out of the crowded streets of New York and make a better life for himself out West. Fiercely protective of his best friend, Crutchie, and strongly loyal, Jack isn’t afraid to use his voice to attain better conditions for the working kids of New York City. Though living on the streets has given him a tough-guy exterior, Jack has a big heart and can demonstrate a sweet vulnerability – especially when it comes to bantering with a certain female reporter. Must have a great pop tenor voice and sense of physicality.
Gender: MALE
Age: 20 to 26
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
CRUTCHIE – All ethnicities
A dedicated newsie with a bum leg that’s painful, but helps sell more papes. Though he walks with the assistance of a crutch, Crutchie doesn’t let it define him; when in a jam, Jack Kelly’s best friend relies on a goofy- sweet sense of humor and optimistic resilience. Crutchie is the heart of the resistance. Though his movement will suggest his bum leg, Crutchie should still be included in the dance numbers.
Gender: MALE, MALE PRESENTING
Age: 18 to 24
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3
DAVEY – Caucasian
Les’s straight-laced, bright big brother starts selling newspapers to help his family earn a living, but becomes swept up in the fervor of the strike. A leader in his own right who is learning to use his voice to uplift others, Davey is the brains of the resistance.
Gender: MALE
Age: 18 to 22
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3
LES – Caucasion
Davey’s cheeky younger brother, is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle. A precocious and natural newsie, Les is an intuitive salesboy and a pint-sized charmer. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
Gender: MALE
Age: 10 to 14
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: Db3
NEWSIES – All ethnicities
Including Albert, Buttons, Elmer, Finch, Henry, Ike, Jo Jo, Mike, Mush, Race, Romeo, Specs, Splasher, and Tommy Boy, are some of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.
Gender: MALE, MALE PRESENTING
Age: 15 to 25
SCABS – All ethnicities
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Gender: MALE, MALE PRESENTING
Age: 16 to 25
SPOT CONLON – Caucasian
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
Gender: MALE, MALE PRESENTING
Age: 18 to 25
KATHERINE PLUMBER – Caucasian
An ambitious young reporter, works hard to make a name for herself as a legitimate journalist in a time when women aren’t taken seriously. Quick, funny, and resourcesful, she boldy captures the voice of a new generation rising in her coverage of the newsies’ strike. While she generally has no time for cocky, streetwise young men, she makes an exception for Jack Kelly. Though she only has a brief dance solo in “King of New York,” Katherine should have a great contemporary pop voice with a high belt – diction is key.
Gender: FEMALE
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
DARCY – Caucasian
The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: MALE, MALE PRESENTING
Age: 18 to 25
BILL – Caucasian
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: MALE
Age: 18 to 25
WIESEL – Caucasian
Or “Weasel,” runs the distribution window for the World and knows most of the newsies by name. Assisted by the intimidating Delancey brothers, who keep order by any means necessary, Wiesel is Pulitzer’s disgruntled paper- pusher.
Gender: MALE
Age: 35 to 60
OSCAR AND MORRIS DELANCEY – Caucasian
Tough brothers who work at the distribution window for the World, take the side of the publishers in the strike and are known to use their fists to make a point.
Gender: MALE
Age: 18 to 25
GOONS – All ethnicities
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
Gender: MALE
Age: 20 to 25
JOSEPH PULITZER – Caucasian
A pompous businessman through and through, owns the World and is concerned solely with the bottom line. Katherine’s no-nonsense father, Pulitzer doesn’t sympathize with the strikers, but he does eventually – and grudgingly – respect Jack.
Gender: MALE
Age: 45 to 60
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C3
SEITZ – Caucasian
Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Gender: MALE, MALE PRESENTING
BUNSEN – Caucasian
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Gender: ANY
Age: 35 to 50
HANNAH – Caucasian
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: FEMALE, FEMALE PRESENTING
Age: 25 to 40
NUNZIO – Caucasian
Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: MALE
Age: 30 to 50
GUARD – Any ethnicity
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: MALE, MALE PRESENTING
Age: 20 to 60
SNYDER – Caucasian
The crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge, a filthy and horrible orphanage, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep his government checks coming.
Gender: MALE, MALE PRESENTING
Age: 45 to 65
MEDDA LARKIN – African American
Inspired by vaudeville performer Aida Overton Walker, this big-voiced saloon singer and star of the Bowery offers her theater as a safe haven for the newsies. An astute entertainer with great comic delivery, she’s a good friend to Jack and stands firmly behind the newsies in their fight for justice.
Gender: FEMALE
Age: 25 to 45
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
THE BOWERY BEAUTIES – All ethnicities
Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Gender: FEMALE
Age: 18 to 30
STAGE MANAGER – All ethnicities
Introduces Medda’s act.
Gender: ANY
Age: 25 to 55
NUNS – All ethnicities
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Feel free to cast additional nuns.
Gender: FEMALE
Age: 20 to 60
PHOTGRAPHER – Any ethnicity
Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Gender: ANY
Age: 15 to 25
Woman
A NEWSPAPER CUSTOMER – Any ethnicity
Gender: ANY
Age: 20 to 45
MR. JACOBI – Caucasian
Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
Gender: MALE
Age: 35 to 55
POLICEMEN – Caucasian
Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
Gender: MALE
Age: 20 to 60
MAYOR – Caucasian
The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
Gender: MALE
Age: 45 to 60
GOVERNOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT – Caucasian
A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Gender: MALE
Age: 50 to 65
ENSEMBLE – All ethnicities
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1 – Nun / Hannah / Bowery Beauty / Katherine understudy
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2 – Nun / Woman / Bowery Beauty / Medda understudy
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 3 – Nun / Medda Larkin
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 – Wiesel / Stage Manager / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor / Pulitzer understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 2 – Seitz / Roosevelt understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 3 – Bunsen / Male Ensemble 1 understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 4 – Nunzio / Guard / Policeman / Roosevelt
MALE ENSEMBLE 5 – Snyder / Pulitzer understudy
ACTORS’ REPERTORY THEATRE OF SIMI PRESENTS
LEND ME A TENOR
By KEN LUDWIG
Directed by Beth Stockton
LEND ME A TENOR will perform over FOUR weekends, JUNE 27 – JULY 20 Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm
NOTE: There will be no performance on Friday, July 4
In person auditions are by appointment only, and will be held at ARTSPACE BLACK BOX THEATER, 2956 School St., Simi Valley 93065 (about 50 yards south of the corner of Deodora and School St.) on Monday and Thursday, May 12 and 15, between 7pm-10pm. Please prepare a short (1-3 min.) comedic monologue and provide resumé and head shot if available. Callbacks will be on Saturday, May 17 from 10am-2pm. Rehearsals begin on or about April 28.
To make an audition appointment please email jgartdept@sbcglobal.net
Synopsis
On a very important night for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, Tito Mirelli, the world-famous Italian tenor, is set to perform the starring role in Pagliacci. Henry Saunders — General Manager of the company — is beyond stressed about everything turning out right, and insists that his assistant, Max — a nervous, young fellow and secret tenor extraordinaire — watch over Tito’s every move to ensure smooth sailing. After a huge fight with his fiery, Italian wife Maria, Tito receives a double dose of tranquilizers through a series of mishaps. Throw in Diana, an ambitious, female co-star; Maggie, Max’s giddy girlfriend; Julia, a flirty head of the opera guild; and a meddling bellhop fighting for Tito’s attention, and together, you have a recipe for comedic disaster. Max navigates the company through one catastrophe after the next — an angry wife, a presumed death, crazy costumes, secret sex romps, and loads and loads of slamming doors and mistaken identities — and, ultimately, takes on the role of Pagliacci to great effect. Together, Max and Saunders find a way to save the Opera Company’s big night in grand, farcical fashion.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
MAGGIE – Age 23-28
Maggie is the idealistic, young daughter of Henry Saunders, the blustery General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. She is almost affianced to Max, Saunders’ flustered assistant, but has not outright accepted him, yet. Maggie loves Max, but is a huge fan of Tito Mirelli, the world-famous Italian tenor, and has been dreaming about having a fling with him during his short stint with her father’s opera company. Her dream prompts Maggie to turn down Max’s marriage proposal. Maggie wants a magical sexual experience, replete with bells ringing, and doesn’t think she’ll experience this in bed with Max. With steely determination, and stars in her eyes, Maggie doggedly pursues alone time with Tito. She succeeds, and believes that she has had a mind-blowing sexual fling with Tito after seeing him in the opera company’s production of Pagliacci. She is floored to find out that it wasn’t Mirelli, but Max, who provided the fireworks she experienced both onstage and in bed. After getting over the shock of the night’s mistaken identities, Maggie gains a newfound respect for Max, and decides she not only loves Max, but is very happily in love with him — she has fallen head over heels, complete with ringing bells.
TITO MIRELLI – Age 35-45
Must sing well/Tenor, Italian Accent. Tito Mirelli is a famous, Italian tenor, known to his fans as “Il Stupendo”. He is hired by Henry Saunders, the General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera House, to perform the title role in their high profile production of Pagliacci. Tito arrives at his hotel late for his only rehearsal before the big show and feeling unwell, with his fiery wife Maria in tow, and proceeds to wreak havoc upon Saunders’ plans by irresponsibly eating and drinking too much and — after instigating a huge fight with his wife — devolving into an emotional mess. After accidentally ingesting too many sedatives, sleeping through his performance, and being mistaken for dead, Tito awakes, concerned and clueless, and tries unsuccessfully to make it to the opera house in time. The quintessential high-maintenance star, Tito is spoiled by attention from his fans, and is driven by whatever brings him pleasure, making him an easy target for the charms of Diana — his sexy, would be co-star — whom he beds in the midst of a very farcical case of mistaken identities. In the end, Tito runs back into the arms of his wife, without whom he can’t live, begging forgiveness for his serial infidelity. After his crazy, horrible, very bad night in America, Tito and his wife can’t wait to get back to Italy.
MAX – Age 25-32
Must sing well/Tenor. Max is the overworked, underappreciated assistant to Henry Saunders, the high-strung General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Saunders is also the father of Max’s almost-fiance, Maggie. Max has proposed to Maggie, but hasn’t gotten a definitive “yes” to his proposal — she is anticipating one last, dreamy fling before settling down. Max is disappointed by Maggie’s rejection, but still loves her and aspires to be impressive in her eyes. He has always dreamed of being a famous tenor, and has learned the opera Pagliacci by heart, but has never had the confidence to showcase his singing skills. After some coaching by the incredible Italian tenor, Tito Mirelli, Max is able to unleash his inner talent and, fueled by the desire to prove himself to Maggie, he goes on to save the day by taking on the lead role in Pagliacci, while in disguise. During the course of the play, Max grows from a mousy, hapless errand boy, into a man brimming with bravado and confidence. While dressed in costume as Mirelli in order to perform in Pagliacci, Max gives the operatic performance of a lifetime, both onstage and in bed with Maggie, bringing him the respect for which he has always longed.
HENRY SAUNDERS – Age 45-60
Henry Saunders is the self-centered General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. He is the mastermind behind hiring the world-famous Italian tenor, Tito Mirelli, to perform the lead role in the opera company’s grand production of Pagliacci. Hoping to bring in loads of cash in ticket sales, and plenty of adulation for himself, Saunders is frantic to ensure that the evening goes as planned. When the tenor is late and, then later, incapacitated, Saunders takes out his comedic fits of rage upon his hapless assistant Max, as Saunders tries to control the zany characters around him, including his giddy, young daughter Maggie, who is angling for a fling with the famous tenor. In a hail-mary effort to save the production and his reputation, Saunders hatches a plot to disguise Max as Mirelli, and fool the audience into thinking they’ve just seen the famous Italian give a spectacular performance. Scheming with Max until the end, Saunders is finally forced to give him the respect he deserves after his triumphant role in saving the production and saving Saunders’ job and reputation.
MARIA – Age 30-40
Italian Accent. Maria is the wife of the famous Italian tenor, Tito Mirelli. She is fiery and emotional, equal parts devoted to Tito and disgusted by his narcissism and his infidelity. She serves as the play’s catalyst for mayhem when she decides to leave Tito before his American debut performance in Pagliacci. She is driven by her love for Tito and her need for grand, emotional drama. Maria is over-the-top in everything she does, whether she’s babying Tito, scolding him for eating and drinking too much, or raging at him in a fit of jealousy, her actions are as grand as the operas in which her husband stars.
DIANA – Age 28-35
Non-Singing. Diana is the sexy, star soprano in the Cleveland Grand Opera Company’s production of Pagliacci, and will stop at nothing to advance her career. It’s no secret among the company that she is willing to sleep with anyone to get what she wants: fame and fortune. She sees co-starring with the legendary Italian tenor, Tito Mirelli, as her big opportunity to break out of Cleveland and use his contacts to build herself an international career as an opera diva. Diana pursues alone time with Tito after the big performance, not knowing that Max, the hapless assistant to the General Manager, was the one she played opposite that night. She finally corrals the real Tito, who is clueless as to what is going on, and seduces him into bed. When other women, wives, and mistaken identities are revealed, she’s been there, done that, and is relatively unphased. Onward and upward might be her motto.
BELLHOP – Age 28-40
American, can speak/sing Italian. The Bellhop works at the hotel where Tito Mirelli, the famous tenor visiting from Italy, is staying. He is a huge fan of Mirelli, and is extremely and comically persistent in trying to get his autograph. He dislikes Saunders, General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, who gives him a cheap tip for bringing up the bags at the beginning of the play. The Bellhop pops in and out of scenes throughout the show and adds to the general mayhem when he delivers an order of champagne to Mirelli’s room, ordered by Diane, Mirelli’s sexy co-star, but mistaken by Maggie, Saunders’ daughter, as a gift from Mirelli. He desperately wants to meet Mirelli, and runs after him at the end of the play in one last attempt to get that autograph. Must be a strong comedic actor, and active listener with stamina who can inject energy into the scene with each of his entrances.
JULIA – Age 40-55
Julia is the chairman of the Cleveland Opera Guild, and acts as the right hand to Saunders, General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. She also serves as a confidant for Maggie, Saunders’ daughter. Julia is over the top in mannerism and dress, and loves to be a part of all the goings on at the opera — including any backstage drama. She is a huge fan of Tito Mirelli, the famous Italian tenor who has come to Cleveland to star in the company’s production of Pagliacci. She would love to sit alone with Mirelli and have a long, flirty conversation that led to more (wink, wink). Julia is in charge of planning the reception after the production, and makes it clear that Tito’s privileged treatment is of primary import. His willingness to make an appearance at the reception after the show would reflect well on the company and on her. She is distraught that her plans for the reception go awry, starting with a case of bad shrimp, and she continues to hound Saunders throughout the play to make sure nothing else goes wrong, calling him at Tito’s hotel suite at numerous inopportune times.
If you have any questions please contact the producer at jgartdept@sbcglobal.net
.