AUDITIONS: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical.
The recording comes to life and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on.
Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight.
Hailed by New York Magazine as "The Perfect Broadway Musical", The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize the musical theatre genre.
AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held on both:
Saturday, July 13 from 1:30pm – 6:00pm,
& Sunday, July 14, from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Callbacks will be held on Tuesday, July 16 from 7:00pm – 11:00pm (on the stage).
You will be informed if you are required for callbacks.
This is an open call! No appointment needed.
Actors only need to attend one day of auditions.
All auditions, and any necessary callbacks, will be held at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre.
Street parking available.
Venice Family Clinic’s parking lot is available on weekends and on weekdays after 6 p.m. Do not park at our neighbors AAMCO/Viking Motors or SGI or you will be towed.
PREPARE
All actors should prepare two 16-32 bar contrasting songs – one contemporary musical theater, and one classic musical theater (pre-1960s).
Please bring sheet music in the key you will be singing.
Piano accompanist will be provided.
Actors auditioning for Man in Chair, please also prepare a one-minute comedic modern monologue in addition to your songs.
There will be no dancing in the first auditions.
Dance auditions will take place only at callbacks.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals begin August 10 and are held
Monday through Thursday evenings from 7:00pm to 10:30pm,
Saturdays from 1:00pm to 6:00pm and
Sundays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
Actors are only called to rehearsals when they are needed.
Tech rehearsals will be September 15 – 19. Preview performance September 20.
Please be prepared to list any scheduling conflicts at the audition.
PERFORMANCE DATES
Preview: September 20
The show opens September 21 and runs through October 13,
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.
Please note that actors MUST be available for all performances. This is non-negotiable!
BRING
Picture, resume, sheet music in appropriate key, and list of all conflicts for the rehearsal period.
All conflicts must be submitted prior to callbacks.
If additional conflicts arise after casting, it may result in an actor being replaced.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
The Morgan-Wixson Theatre is a volunteer organization which welcomes people from all walks of life. If specific to the character, we have listed race, ethnicity, sex, age, identity, and disability with character names below. Otherwise, we are seeking and encourage actors of all races (Arab, Asian, Black, Caucasian, Latino, Native, and Multiracial), sex, age, sexual orientation, identities, and abilities to audition for all roles. The age ranges that are listed are suggested guidelines.
Man in Chair
40-60s, Vocal range: Bass/Baritone (G2-C4)
Musical theatre aficionado and recluse who mourns the end of the Golden Era. He narrates the entire show peppering it with his own commentary as he listens to the Broadway recording of "The Drowsy Chaperone” on vinyl to cure his blue mood. Role includes very minimal singing, but must have incredible comic timing, strong acting skills and an excellent ability to interact with the audience. His mannerisms and tics should be amusing and charming while grounded in reality.
Janet Van de Graaff
20s-30s, Vocal range: Alto/Mezzo with both a big belt and a strong head voice (G3-A5)
Feldzieg’s Follies Star and bride-to-be who is conflicted about giving up her life on the stage to marry Robert Martin. Attractive, vivacious, loves being the center of attention. Must be a true triple threat performer.
Requires strong movement; special skills (acrobatics, juggling, playing an instrument etc.) a plus.
Robert Martin
20s-40s, Vocal range: Tenor (G2-A4)
Dashing groom-to-be, head over heels in love with Janet. He is the matinee idol of the time – debonair, dashing, charming, and ever-cheerful. He is cheesy and optimistic.
Must be able to tap dance and roller skate.
The Drowsy Chaperone
30s-50s, Vocal range: Alto with strong belt (F3-E5)
Janet’s alcoholic confidante and friend. Care-free, often because she is intoxicated. An indulgent, melodramatic diva to be reckoned with, she couldn’t care less what the world thinks; she gleefully chews the scenery and steals just about every scene she is in.
Great comedic role.
Aldolpho
20s-40s - Latino / Mediterranean / Italian preferred), Vocal range: Baritone/Tenor with strong falsetto (A#2-A4)
“Latin lothario” - a womanizing cad who is very impressed with himself. Believes himself to be quite the ladies man, he is confident, and vigorous, but somewhat of a buffoon. Requires vaudeville-style acting and fake Spanish/Italian accent, great comic timing, and some flexibility for stage movement and physical comedy.
Mrs. Tottendale
45-60s, Vocal range: Alto character voice (F3-Db5)
A wealthy widow and host of the wedding. Charming, bubbly, flighty, eccentric, often times forgetful, and funny. Delightfully oblivious to the confusion her behavior generates in other people.
Underling
40s-60s, Vocal range: Baritone character voice (G2-Gb4)
Mrs. Tottendale’s unflappable butler and manservant. He is stoic, dry and sarcastic.
Mr. Feldzieg
40s-50s, Vocal range: Baritone (Db3-F4)
Harried producer and man on a mission, he will do anything to stop the wedding in order to keep Janet in Feldzieg’s Follies. He is blustering, nervous, sarcastic, impatient, and overbearing.
Kitty
20s-30s, Vocal range: Soprano/Mezzo with comedic belt (Bb3-Eb5)
Mr. Feldzieg’s dim-witted brassy companion, a chorus girl with bold aspirations to be a leading lady. Must have impeccable comedic timing.
George
20s-40s, Vocal range: Tenor (C3-Bb4)
Robert’s incredibly anxious best man. He is loyal, sincere, and very VERY nervous. He makes looking out for Robert’s interests his top priority so that the wedding will come off without a hitch.
Must be able to tap dance.
Gangsters / Pastry Chefs
20s-40s, Vocal range: Baritone/Tenor (Db3-G4) or Alto/Mezzo (C4-Eb5)
Two jovial gangsters who are posing as pastry chefs. Must work together as a single comedic unit adept at wordplay and puns in the spirit of Abbott and Costello; requires stylized physical comedy schtick and dancing skills.
Open to any gender.
Trix the Aviatrix
20s-50s - African American, Vocal range: Alto with strong belt (Ab3-Eb5).
The brave and brash female aviator. She presides over the wedding. She is sassy, sleek and a take-charge kind of gal.
Ensemble
Seeking 4-8 dancers/singers to play maids and butlers, reporters, nightmare monkeys and more!
Understudies for the principal roles will be cast out of this group.
Non-Equity. There is some pay.
Questions? Please email the director, Kristie Mattsson at kristierutledge@gmail.com.