AUDITIONS

Sunday April 20th, 2008 2-4 and 6-8 pm

Location: Cape Rep Indoor Theatre, 3299 Rte. 6A, Brewster

Ragtime Book by Terrence McNally •Music by Stephen Flaherty • Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Based on the novel "Ragtime" by E. L. Doctorow •

Directed by Elizabeth Lucas • Musical Direction by Scott Storr

Rehearsals begin on or about June 9. Show opens July 24 and closes August 23. It runs Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8 pm

At the turn of the 20thC the lives of an upper class white anglo-saxon family, a Jewish immigrant and his young daughter, and black musician, his love, and their newborn son are brushed by the icons of the day: Houdini, Emma Goldman, J P Morgan, Henry Ford, Eveyln Nesbit and Stanford White. They are all intertwined in an unforgettable story about the great themes of the American experience: equality, freedom, race, and economic opportunity ---an epic story of American life set to some of the most thrilling music in Broadway theater history in the intimate setting of Cape Rep’s indoor theater.

The Knight of the Burning Pestle

by Natalie Ross Miller and Rick Longley and adapted from the 1607 farce of the same name by Francis Beaumont.

Directed by Maura Hanlon

Rehearsals begin on or about June 2. Show opens July 13 and runs through July 20th and every Sunday and Monday through August 18.

This is a wonderful opportunity for actors to be a part of the new play process.

A troupe of 17th century players are set to perform when they are interrupted by tourists from the 21st century who reduce their instructive and uplifting play to a hilarious shambles. Will the lovers ever get to their happy ending? Will the young hero manage to fulfill his quest? And will the mysterious lady be revealed? Very freely adapted from Beaumont’s 1607 comedy, this happy, rowdy farce has maidens, morons, good clean lust and only a few redeeming social values.

Instructions: You will be auditioning for the Artistic Director, Janine Perry and the director of The Knight of the Burning Pestle, Maura Hanlon. You are welcome to audition for both productions at this time. Everyone will be seen on a first come first serve basis. Headshots and resumes are preferred but not required. Instructions for each show are as follows:

Ragtime audition instructions: If you already attended musical theater auditions for us in March, you do not need to re-audition for Ragtime at this time. However, we may ask you to attend a callback to be held on Tuesday, April 22nd for Elizabeth Lucas, the director of Ragtime. Please prepare a ballad and an up tempo piece. Children: one male, one female age 8. We will be looking for a racially and ethnically diverse cast with strong singing/acting skills. Most roles will be double cast. Some, but not all of the roles are as follows:

COALHOUSE WALKER, JR. [African American Male, Age 25-35, Baritone-Tenor 2 (Ab2 to E4)]: Star pianist and the father of Sarah’s child. Proud, confident, stubborn. Becomes militant and violent for his cause.

SARAH [African American Female, Age 18-30, Alto (G3-F5)]: Coalhouse’s love interest and mother of Coalhouse’s child. She is shy and naïve. Challenging role based upon range of emotions required to portray.

MOTHER [White Female, Age 30-50, Alto (G3-F5)]: Upper middle-class New Rochelle housewife. Gentle, compassionate, optimistic. Main character questioning her complacency in life and the re-definition of own beliefs.

FATHER [White Male, Age 30-50, Baritone (up to F4)]: Upper middle-class businessman and explorer. He wants to do the right thing, but is traditional, cautious, and resistant to change.

LITTLE BOY (EDGAR) [White Male, Age 7-13, Tenor]: Son of Mother and Father. Precocious, observant, curious and sometimes clairvoyant.

GRANDFATHER [White Male, Age 45-85, Baritone]: Little Boy’s Grandfather. Outspoken, cranky, cantankerous.

YOUNGER BROTHER [White Male, Age 19-30, Tenor (up to F#4)]: Mother’s younger brother, a bit withdrawn and an anarchist. He is a lost soul and in search of self. He is in love with Evelyn Nesbitt.

TATEH [Male, Age 30-50, Tenor (up to F#4)]: Jewish immigrant and father in search of the American Dream. Intelligent, compassionate, creative. Key character of the show who grows with his story line to success.

LITTLE GIRL [Female, Age 8-13, Soprano]: Tateh’s daughter. She is quiet and shy.

WILLIE CONKLIN [White Male, Age 25-45, Tenor]: New Rochelle’s fire chief who represents prejudice of the time. Obnoxious and cruel.

EVELYN NESBITT [Female, Age 25-35, Soprano (Bb3 to D5)]: Lovely Vaudeville showgirl. Sexy starlet loved by all.

EMMA GOLDMAN [Female, Age 30-50, Alto (A3 to D5)]: Outspoken feminist and radical anarchist.

HARRY HOUDINI [Male, Age 25-45, Tenor (up to G4)]: World-famous magician and escape artist.

HENRY FORD (Male, Age 30-55, Baritone (up to D4)):Founder of Ford Motor Company & inventor of the Model T.

J.P. MORGAN [Male, Age 40-65, Baritone]: Banking mogul and millionaire.

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON (African American Male, Age 35-55]: Harlem educator and black leader. Founder of the Tuskegee Institute.

The Knight of the Burning Pestle audition instructions: If you already attended open auditions in March, you do not need to re-audition for this show. We are looking for four women, aged 15-60, and nine men, aged 15-60. A classical monologue is preferred but not required. All Roles available:

The Earl of Rochester's Players, c. 1664, performing "The Rich Apothecary"

MASTER PETER, the Principal of the players--classic theatre manager, plays various roles are required, playwright, practical, businessman. This is not art to him, but income. Also plays, as Peter, Venturewell (the Rich Apothecary), Tapstero (Proprietor of the Bell Inn and Tavern)

ROBIN, apprentice to and child of Master Peter. This is a breeches part, as she is revealed to be a lovely young woman in the end. Very smart, also practical. A clever boy who does everything that needs doing for the company.

ANNE/LUCE, the leading lady of the company. Luce is Venturewell's daughter in "The Rich Apothecary". Will/Jasper's former lover. Shrewd, driven, she will do whatever is necessary to retain her status within the Players despite the fact that she's getting to be a bit too old.

WILL/JASPER The Company's leading man. Arrogant, haughty, egotistical, snide. Also driven.

HUMFREY, a fop and a Molly. Luce's suitor in "The Rich Apothecary". Fancies himself a poet and milks his role for all it's worth, including padding his lines with his own verse.

MASTER MERRYTHOUGHT, a drunken old player. Just wants to have a good time, a tankard of ale, and a merry song. Jasper's father.

MISTRESS MERRYTHOUGHT, his wife; a shrew. Jasper's step-mother.

MICHAEL, their son. A boy.

Audience Members at "The Rich Apothecary", c. 2008

JACK, a tourist; nouveau riche. First-time theatre-goer

NELL, his wife. Ditto

RALFIE, their nephew and ward. He is our true Knight and the quest is his.

GEORGE, his buddy.

Also looking for actors with musical ability! If you can play an instrument, please let us know!