Open Calls Set for Bway-Bound Aretha Franklin Musical

Aretha Franklin, known internationally as the Queen of Soul, is currently searching for stars of a musical stage production of her autobiographical book, From These Roots. 

Pre-production procedures are now taking place in her hometown of Detroit, MI.  Franklin is planning to produce and open the production in her hometown of Detroit, MI., and then to a string of select major cities headed for Broadway. The auditions will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday May 1, 2 and 3 at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel in Southfield, MI.

Auditions will be held on: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday May 1st, 2nd and 3rd, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. daily at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel (25100, Northwestern Highway) in Southfield, Michigan.

Among her many accolades as one of the most revered artists in the music industry, Franklin has earned an irrefutable 17 Grammy awards, 17 No. 1 R&B singles, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Kennedy Center Honor, a National Medal of Arts, and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Her long list of hits includes "Chain of Fools," "You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)," "Think," "Baby I Love You," "The House That Jack Built," and of course "Respect" her most famous hit song, which became a symbol of both feminine and black pride in the 1960s. Franklin's last studio album, "So Damn Happy," was released to critical acclaim in 2005. Her debut release on her very own Aretha's Records, "A Woman Falling Out of Love," is currently being readied for a March/April release date.

Franklin also received the United Negro College Fund's prestigious Award of Excellence at the taping of its annual television special, "An Evening of Stars." The three-hour concert tribute was taped at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California on Sept. 8 and 9, 2006, and will air nationwide on January 27th and 28th 2007.  Check your local listing for exact times and stations.  Franklin was the first female artist to receive the award. 

"Like the book, From These Roots will chronicle Aretha's early beginnings from the New Bethel Baptist Church to the top of the gospel circuit, to the forefront of the soul revolution after signing to Atlantic Records, to the top of the R&B and Pop charts!  Aretha's is an inspirational and illustrious story of one woman's survival that is filled to the rim with musical crescendos and zenith summits.  From These Roots, the play, will make for an irresistible reflection on one of our greatest living legends, the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin," as production notes describe.

Those interested in auditioning should refer to the photographs in Aretha's book, From These Roots, to make sure there is a resemblance between the auditioner and the character.  Also, please have a non-returnable resume, 8" by 10" photograph, CD, DVD or video tape to leave behind with the producers and designated reps.  Auditioners may bring their own DAT/CD or cassette, or use the piano accompanist if personally-owned sheet music is brought. 

The parts being auditioned are listed below. 

Aretha – 10-years-old – The gospel years – Please prepare 3 gospel selections, two slow - one uptempo

Aretha – 15 to 20-years-old – The late gospel/early R&B years – Please prepare both a gospel selection as well as an R&B selection

Aretha – 23 to 29-years-old – The foxy R&B years – Please prepare an R&B selection

Reverend C.L. Franklin (Aretha's father) – 40 to 50-years-old

Vaughn Franklin (Aretha's brother) - 19-years-old, 30-years-old, 40-years-old

Cecil Franklin (Aretha's brother)

Erma Franklin (Aretha's sister) – 14-years-old, 24-years-old, 33-years-old

Carolyn Franklin (Aretha's baby sister)

Cousin Brenda (Aretha's cousin) – 30 to 37-years-old

Ruth Bowen (Aretha's longtime manager) – 23 to 30-years-old

Ruth Bowen (Aretha's longtime manager) – 43 to 50-years-old

LaRue Mann (Aretha's longtime wardrobe mistress) 23 to 30-years-old

LaRue Mann (Aretha's longtime wardrobe mistress) 43 to 50-years-old 

If you are interested in auditioning or participating in From These Roots, and are not available on the audition dates, please send a non-returnable resume, 8" by 10" photograph, CD, DVD or video tape to:

From These Roots C/O
Crown Productions
P.O. Box 1070
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
248-745-9778

Call (248) 350-2400 for more information.