NIGHTMARE ALLEY Submission - The Development Wing Auditions

NIGHTMARE ALLEY - Photo/Resume Request

The Development Wing Showcase (approval pending)

Book/Score/Dir: Jonathan Brielle

Based on the William L. Gresham novel.

Mus Dir: Steve Landau

CD: Jeffery Passero

1st reh: 3/21/11. Runs 3/25-4/10 (twelve performances, concert style).

NYC appointment auditions will be held 2/19 – 2/22/11.

To be considered, send photo/resume and brief cover note to

passerocasting@gmail.com

New musical. Stan Carlisle, a charming, small-time grifter, wanders into a failing carney sideshow during the Great Depression. Although at first chased out by Clem, the show's owner and protector, Stan saves the show. He then accidentally kills Pete, the wise man of the show and falls in love with Molly, the electrocution girl. Stan then, using his carney knowledge and childhood experience, develops into a spiritualist with his own traveling revival tent show. Ultimately, Stan must choose between his old ways and the woman he loves before it is too late. Cautionary tale about how we choose our own fate. Musical style: Somewhere between Kurt Weill and Randy Newman.

Seeking:

Stan:

Late 20s - late 40s. Played by Tyrone Power in the movie. Charming, out-of-luck salesman, not beaten. As a Vaudeville star, he is a mind reader. Later becomes a reverend of a spiritualist church. The thing that gets him through life is his sense of showmanship, confidence and charisma. Tenor/high baritone.

Molly Cahill:

18-30. Daughter of a gambler. Not naïve. A survivor. Able to see the hope and goodness in everyone. As a sideshow performer, her act involves electrocution. A country kid, not too sophisticated, tough. Soprano w/strong belt or very solid mix.

Zeena / Lilith:

Zeena: 40s. Played by Joan Blondell in the movie. Sexy. Former showgirl. Pete's wife. Doing a broken-down mind-reading act in the sideshow. Lilith:Tight, buttoned-down psychiatrist of the 1930s. The darker side of Zeena's earth mother. Terrific singer. Lead.

Pete / Sheriff / Woman:

Late 40s - late 50s. Former mind-reading Vaudeville star. Actor also plays a small-town Sheriff and a rich, elderly Woman at the séance. Role for a song-and-dance man. High baritone.

Clem / Mr. Ezra Grimble:

40s or 50s. Clem: The barker and carney boss. Grimble: One of the wealthiest and most powerful men in America. Full, rich high baritone.

The Tarot Ladies:

20s-40s. Two attractive but unusual women; they perform as assistants for Molly, Zeena and Stan. They constantly reinvent themselves, but always with a wink. Seeking strong character actor/dancers with a wide vocal range. They are slightly broken-down chorus girls. Great singers.