Guys and Dolls Open Auditions

by Jim Dittmann
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Guys and Dolls Open Auditions:

May 24 & 25 from 6:30 pm – 9:00pm

Callbacks: May 26

At the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre located at 219 N. Spring St.

Performances:

July 29, 30, 31, August 4, 5, 6 & 7

Overview

Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre (BDACT) is holding open auditions for its upcoming production of the musical Guys and Dolls on May 24th and 25th with callbacks on Thursday, May 26th.

The show will be directed by Diane Lutz, choreographed by Jena Berg, with vocal direction from Marcia Paul and music direction from Tom Patterson. The production crew is rounded out by set designer Patrick Lutz and producer Jennifer Tunks. The show will feature classic songs like Luck Be a Lady Tonight, A Bushel and a Peck, Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat and many more. Don’t miss out on a chance to be a part of this classic musical.

Frank Loesser’s celebrated musical comedy about rolling the dice and falling in love under the bright lights of Broadway.

Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys And Dolls ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950. It received nearly unanimous positive reviews from critics and won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks, and Oliviers. Frequently revived, the show has been done with numerous all-star casts including productions or concerts featuring Ewan McGregor, Jane Krakowski, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Jessica Biel.

Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys And Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend, nightclub performer Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for 14 years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown. Guys And Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.

Frank Loesser’s brassy, immortal score makes Guys And Dolls a crowd pleaser. The large cast features both a variety of ensemble and star roles.

Audition process

The audition will be made up of three parts – acting, dancing and singing. All auditioners will participate in all areas of the audition.

Acting You will be asked to participate in several acting activities. You will also be working with scenes from the script. There is no need to prepare a monolog for this audition.

Dancing You will learn a short routine and then be asked to perform in small groups. Please remember to wear comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes – tennis shoes or dance shoes.

Singing You should come with a 1 to 2 minute section of one the suggested songs prepared. There are many resources available on line – you should be able to listen to and find lyrics/music for the songs easily. You will be singing with a piano accompanist. You do not need to provide sheet music. No a cappella and no prerecorded music.

If you are interested in auditioning for a specific role, please take note of the recommended audition song in the character descriptions. If no specific song in mentioned, choose from the list below.

Men’s song Choices:

Luck be a Lady (solo audition)

Fugue for Tinhorns (solo audition)

Guys and Dolls (solo or group audition)

Women’s song Choices:

I’ll Know (solo audition)

Adelaide’s Lament (solo audition)

Guys and Dolls (solo or group audition)

*The audition form asks you to list your audition song. It is alright if you change your mind before auditions. Just let us know when you audition and you may update your form.

** Those who choose to audition for a role in the ensemble/Hot Box girls (meaning, no solo singing throughout the show), have the option of singing the ensemble song, Guys and Dolls, in small groups. Alternately, you may choose to sing a solo from the list above. If you are unsure about how you would like to be cast, it is better to audition with a solo, which gives the director the option to cast you in a non-ensemble role.

What you need to know

1. You can now use our online audition Sign-up sheet.

Go to www.mysignup.com/bdactauditions2016 and sign up for the night you plan on auditioning.

If you can’t access the website or if you have any problems signing up, you can email bdactguysanddolls@gmail.com for more information.

2. Signing up ahead of time is not required. We will gladly accept walk-ins.

3. Auditions will be held at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre, 219 Spring St., Beaver Dam, WI 53916.

4. Audition Information Sheets and rehearsal calendars can be completed and returned to bdactguysanddolls@gmail.com or completed and brought to the audition.

Forms will also be available and can be filled in at auditions. Be prepared to list all scheduling conflicts from June 1st through August 7th.

5. Rehearsals will begin Wednesday, June 1st. Rehearsals will run Sunday – Thursday evenings; however, not all actors will be needed for every rehearsal. All cast members must be available for rehearsals during tech week.

6. All cast members will be required to assist with striking the set after the last performance.

7. If you have questions, please contact the producer (Jennifer) at bdactguysanddolls@gmail.com.

Now casting for the following roles:

Note: Minimum age to audition is 17 years old. All ages listed below represent the general age the actor will portray on stage.

Sky Masterson: Male. Baritone B to Eb. Playing age 26 – 38. Lead role

Audition song: I’ll Know Charismatic, cool and charming. Sky is a suave, intelligent and confident gangster who naturally commands others’ respect and attention. Handsome, with buckets of stage presence and sex appeal, he is familiar with attracting the attention of the ladies but finds himself falling in love with the one woman who brushes off his advances. He surprises himself by discarding his spontaneous, freewheeling lifestyle for a conventional romance. Some dance/movement ability would be useful (though not essential) for the crap shooting sequence.

Sarah Brown: Female. Soprano to High A. Playing age 18 – 35. Lead role.

Audition song: I’ll Know Conventional, respectable and principled, Sarah is initially a little too buttoned-up for her own good. She has genuine passion for her calling and compassion for her ‘fold’ but gives Sky an initial frosty response. The actress playing this role has to play convincingly drunk, when under the influence of alcohol she allows her straight-laced persona to slip and falls exuberantly and madly in love. She goes on a journey of reconciling her feelings with her beliefs, and changing some of her prejudices so that her head can follow her heart.

Nathan Detroit: Male. Baritone to High F. Playing age 35 – 50. Lead role.

Audition song: Any of the men’s choices. Organizer of the floating crap game. With a tendency towards neuroticism Nathan is a lovable rogue who is always struggling to stay one step ahead of the pack and looking for the big break he never seems to get. Funny, frustrated but romantic his heart is torn between the camaraderie of his gambling circle and the woman he loves.

Adelaide: Female. Mezzo to A. Playing age 30s to 40s. Lead role

Audition song: Adelaide’s Lament Lead performer at the ‘Hot Box’ a somewhat tacky and dodgy cabaret joint. Strong comic actress required with dancing ability. She spends the whole show with the symptoms of a cold, acting through sneezes and congestion. She adores Nathan, but is driven crazy by his gambling antics and having been engaged to him for 15 years.

Nicely-Nicely Johnson: Male. Tenor to high B flat. Playing age 30 to 50. Supporting role

Audition song: Fugue for Tinhorns or Guys and Dolls Best pal to Nathan Detroit. With a voracious appetite and boundless enthusiasm, Nicely is ‘nice’ by nature and name. Comic, cheerful and likeable he delivers hilarious one-liners and a big, Broadway showstopper (‘Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat’) with equal aplomb.

Benny Southstreet: Male. Baritone. 25 – 55 supporting role.

Audition song: Fugue for Tinhorns or Guys and Dolls Nicley’s pal with whom he sings the duet ‘Guys & Dolls’ and trio ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’. Upbeat, sometimes nervy, he is more of a novice in the gangster business and further down the pecking order. Characterful.

Harry the Horse: Male. Supporting role.

Audition song: Any of the men’s choices, including group option Another gangster. Has come into money by collecting the reward on his father. Sidekick and mouthpiece to Big Jule, so, though a pleasant rogue, is more on the ball and can be a cool customer who is able to stand his ground when necessary. Sings with ensemble but not alone.

Big Jule: Male. Speaking role. Playing age 35+. Supporting role.

Audition song: Any of the men’s choices , including group option. Powerful, intimidating, high status gangster from out of town, whose reputation precedes him. A man of few words but much clout. There is comedy in his straight-talking bluntness. Usually played by an actor of large height and stature to match his name, but can be played a diminutive actor as an ironic and comic gesture. Enters the story part way through the first act. Sings with ensemble but not alone.

Arvide Abernathy: Male. Baritone 60 – 90 supporting role.

Audition song: Any of the men’s choices. Sarah’s grandfather and significant member of the Salvation Army mission. Wise, warm and caring. Strong acting focus. Sings More I Cannot Wish You.

Minor roles

Rusty Charlie: Male. Baritone 20s and above. Cameo

Audition song: Fugue for Tinhorns Sings the trio ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’ with Nicely & Benny.

Lt. Brannigan: Male. Primarily speaking role. Playing age 35+. Minor Role Audition song: Any of the men’s choices, including group option. Member of the local police force, wise to the gangsters’ exploits and trying to keep them in order. Commands respect from Nathan and the guys.

General Matilda B. Cartwright: Female mezzo 40 – 65 cameo

Audition song: Any of the women’s choices. Regional representative of the Salvation Army. Powerful, matronly, no-nonsense with a formidable presence and, it transpires, a sense of humor.

Hot Box Girls: female 17 – 35 chorus, dancers

Audition song: Any of the women’s choices, including group option. We are looking for females to make up this chorus of performers who back-up Adelaide in her nightclub act. Strong dancing, singing and character performance required. They will double into other aspects of the female ensemble.

Ensemble: male and female 17 +

Audition song: Any of the men’s or women’s choices, including group option. The ensemble make up the characters of Times Square, gangsters and their molls, Salvation Army personnel and other cameos. We are looking for strong performers who can create individual, well-drawn characters. Other very minor roles include Joey Biltmore, Agatha, Angie the Ox, Liver Lips Louie, Waiter, etc.

***Male & female dancers: Featured male and female dancers will be required for the Havana Sequence and male dancers for the Crapshooters Dance. They will all double into the ensemble.

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