THE TOTAL BENT Equity Principal Auditions - Public Theatre/Public Lab Auditions

THE TOTAL BENT – Equity Principal Auditions

Public Theater/Public Lab Off-Broadway Salary level TBA.

Music: Stew and Heidi Rodewald

Book/Lyrics: Stew
Dir: Joanna Settle

Casting: Jordan Thaler & Heidi Griffiths

1st reh: 1/17/12. Runs 2/14 – 3/4/12 in the Anspacher Theater.

Equity Principal Auditions:

Friday, November 18, 2011 Actors’ Equity Association Audition Center

10 AM – 5:30 PM 165 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor

Lunch from 1:30 – 2. New York City

Equity Monitor begins sign-up at 8:30 AM.

For the non-singing roles of Joe and Your Imaginary Friend, please prepare a contemporary monologue (2 minutes or less).

For all other roles, please prepare a brief pop or R&B song. Bring sheet music in the correct key; accompanist is provided, but may not transpose.

All: Please bring a photo and resume, stapled back-to-back.

From the creators of PASSING STRANGE comes a new musical about an African American gospel prodigy from down South and a Caucasian music producer from South London who meet in a recording studio south of the Twilight Zone, as they both desperately seek their own versions of transcendence, salvation, and a hit record.

Seeking:

Casting directors’ note: “As much of the action of the piece takes place inside a recording studio during sessions, in addition to singing, we are particularly, but not exclusively, interested in actors with strong instrumental musical ability to convincingly play band members.”

Joe Roy:

AVAILABLE ROLE. African American, 40s-50s. A music visionary, and the engineer behind his son’s early success as a gospel singer. A bold, brash personality with a gift for descriptive language and a penchant for fire-and-brimstone speeches. A Christian sinner with a weakness for women and gambling, he is relentless in his desire to return Marty to the fold and employ his instrument as a “lightning rod” for worship and profit. Non-singing.

Abee Epps:

AVAILABLE ROLE. African American man, mid 20s - early 30s. Marty’s long-time friend, a former church-bus driver who has joined the band. Acts as Marty’s “psycho-social valet”, aka Marty’s liaison to the outside world. He is the glue that holds the ensemble together. Loyal and eager to please, he is the first to recognize and diffuse conflict. Would take a bullet for Marty.

Your Imaginary Friend:

AVAILABLE ROLE. African American, 40s. A woman unseen. A live, but offstage, voice. Hip, omniscient blend of the Virgin Mary and a radio DJ. Functions as a disembodied observer and narrator throughout the piece. Billie Holliday when speaking, her voice sounds like the pain she has lived. Non-singing.

Two Deacons:

AVAILABLE ROLES. African American men, 20s-30s. Joe’s two bodyguards. Shape-shifting church soldiers who follow Joe wherever he goes, and do what they are told. Intimidating and physically imposing. They sometimes join the band. Particularly seeking actors with strong musical skills (keyboards (Hammond B-3 organ), etc.).

The following roles are cast. Auditioning performers will be considered as possible (emergency) replacements, should any become necessary, and as understudies.

Marty Roy:

CAST. African American, 20s. “The Singing Jesus of Montgomery”. Gospel prodigy who is fed up with the controlling influences of his father, gospel and the hypocrisy of religion that dominated his childhood, and is ready to make the transition from gospel star to rock-and-roll star. A born showman and occasional prophet, he projects an air of cocky confidence, but below the surface he is perpetually engaged in a fierce struggle with his past and his own internal demons.

Byron Blackwell:

CAST. Caucasian, 50s. Flamboyant, eccentric, mad-scientist of a music producer. Originally from South London, he finds himself a bit out-of-place in the Deep South. A long-time fan and a believer in Marty’s talent, he has come to try his hand at helping Marty and his new band produce a hit record.

Andrew Oldham:

CAST. African American, 40s. Another one of Marty’s friends, turned band-mate. Smart, competitive and not afraid of confrontation. Sore at always having to play second fiddle to Marty’s genius. Doubtful as to whether or not Marty and the band can make it without Joe.