BABY IT’S YOU Equity Principal Audition - Broadway Theatre TBA Auditions

BABY IT’S YOU – Equity Principal Auditions

Broadway/Production Contract Currently $1,653/week minimum.

Producers: Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and American Pop Anthology

Dir: Floyd Mutrux and Sheldon Epps

Book: Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux

Music: Various Artists (songs listed below)

Mus Sprvsr: Rahn Coleman

Choreo: Birgitte Mutrux

GM: Alan Wasser Associates

Casting: Telsey + Company

1st reh: Early February 2011. 1st perf/opening: Spring 2011. Open-ended run.

Equity Principal Auditions:

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Telsey + Company

Thursday, November 11, 2010 315 West 43rd Street, 10th Floor

Monday, November 15, 2010 New York City

10 AM - 6 PM all three days.

Lunch from 1:30 – 2:30.

Sides will be provided at the audition for the role of Marvin only. All other roles: Prepare a song from or in the style of the show (show’s songs are listed in this notice). Bring sheet music; accompanist provided.

Please bring a current picture & resume, stapled back-to-back.

In the stifling conformity of the early 1960s, Florence Greenberg, a New Jersey housewife, started one of the most successful record companies of all-time. Her first act, the Shirelles, captured all the headlines, but the real story was backstage. Florence left her husband and her house in the suburbs to share her life with her producer, Luther Dixon, who was African American. BABY IT’S YOU is the story of that love affair, the"Brill Building" sound and the magic of the music they all made.

Seeking (all roles are available (i.e. not yet offered and accepted)):

Note: Casting Director states that all actors will be on principal contracts.

Luther Dixon:

African American man, early 30s–early 40s. An African American in what was then a white-dominated industry, and we must sense the keen intelligence, talent, charm, and charisma that enabled him to succeed in what was, in many ways, a hostile environment. Produced and wrote many huge hits for the Shirelles, and his relationship with the woman who"discovered" them, Florence Greenberg, forms the sensational core of the story. Seeking excellent actor, who must be able to sing (tenor OR baritone range).

Florence Greenberg:

Caucasian Jewish woman, 30s–mid 40s. Brunette. Attractive more than glamorous. New Jersey housewife who, with no experience, started a record company (Scepter Records) that became one of the all-time most successful independent labels. She launched one of the top girl groups (The Shirelles) as well as Dionne Warwick and many others. Her anguished childhood led her to accept and then reject the stability offered by her husband Bernie, and led her to a scandalous affair with Luther Dixon, her partner in Scepter Records. Actor should be good singer (alto or soprano) – she will sing parts of"Don't Make Me Over" and"Walk On By".

Marvin Schlachter:

Caucasian man, 30s. Vice president, Scepter Records. Actor must be able to portray a dynamic, Runyonesque, New York record industry man. Marvin’s lack of sentimentality must be an effective foil to Florence, but we must also sense his strength in the way he keeps the label afloat in the face of Florence’s personal turmoil. No singing required.

The Shirelles:

Four African American women, 20s. Attractive. The famous girl group, whose hits include"Tonight's the Night","Dedicated to the One I Love","Soldier Boy,""Baby It's You," and"Mama Said." These four actresses will play multiple roles in the show, including Dionne Warwick (singing"Don't Make Me Over”), Maxine Brown, Ruby & The Romantics (singing “Our Day Will Come”) and The Bobbettes (singing “Mr. Lee”). Seeking great singers (altos and sopranos – should be very comfortable with harmony); must move well.

Bernie Greenberg:

Caucasian Jewish man, late 30s-early 40s. Should not be especially good-looking, because his appearance is part of the reason Florence was attracted elsewhere. Moved Florence and their family out of New York City for a better life in Passaic NJ, only to see her grow antsy, start up a record label, and ultimately leave him. In addition to being good with comedy, actor must convincingly portray this betrayal. Actor also plays the Milt Gabler, producer at Decca Records. Basic singing skills preferred (baritone or tenor), but does not have to be an excellent singer.

Jocko Henderson:

African American man, late 20s-40. Early 1960s radio DJ, and the actor must able to talk in the DJ speed-rap of the day. Must be a singer (baritone or tenor) who can convincingly perform gospelized early 1960s R&B and move to the music. Actor will also be singing as several other roles, performing “Any Day Now” as Chuck Jackson, “Shout” as Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers, etc.

Mary Jane Greenberg:

Caucasian woman, early 20s. The daughter of Florence and Bernie, she introduces her mother to the Shirelles. Performer must be a strong singer, as she will also play Lesley Gore singing"It's My Party".

Stanley Greenberg:

Caucasian man, early-mid 20s. He’s your average, young Jewish kid from NJ. Blind. Son of Florence and Bernie. Suggests that the Shirelles record"Dedicated to the One I Love". Performer must be a strong pop singer (tenor). Plays multiple characters including the Lead Singer of the Kingsmen (singing"Louie Louie"), Johnny Cymbal(singing “Mr. Bass Man”) and Burt Bacharach. Also sings the lead on “Rhythm of the Falling Rain” by The Cascades.

Song List:

By The Shirelles: “I Met Him On Monday”, “Mama Said”, “Dedicated To The One I Love”, “Tonight’s The Night”, “Big John”, “Soldier Boy”, “Foolish Little Girl”, “Baby It’s You”.

By Dionne Warwick: “Don’t Make Me Over”, “Walk On By”, “Say A Little Prayer”.

By The Isley Brothers: “Shout”, “Twist And Shout”.

By Chuck Jackson: “Since I Don’t Have You”, “Any Day Now”.

Other songs include “Yakety-Yak” (The Coasters), “Get A Job” (The Silhouettes), “Sixteen Candles” (The Crests), “He’s So Fine” (The Chiffons), “Mr. Bass Man” (Johnny Cymbal), “It’s My Party” (Lesley Gore), “Our Day Will Come” (Ruby & The Romantics), “Duke Of Earl” (Gene Chandler), “Rhythm Of The Rain” (The Cascades), “You’re So Fine” (The Falcons), “Hey Paula” (Paul and Paula), “Louie Louie” (The Kingsmen), “Iko Iko” (The Dixie Cups), “You Really Got A Hold On Me” (Smokey Robinson), “Stop In The Name Of Love” (The Supremes), “Mr. Lee” (The Bobbettes), “The Book Of Love” (Monotones), “Rockin’ Robin” (Bobby Day), “Hushabye” (The Mystics), “The Dark End Of The Road”, “The Stroll” and “Our Love’s Becoming A Thing Of The Past”.