Queen City Theatre Company Announces Non-Equity Auditions for GREY GARDENS and EVITA, 11/15 & 11/16

Queen City Theatre Company announces auditions for the musicals GREY GARDENS and EVITA to be held on Sunday November 15th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Monday November 16th from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This is an oportunity for actors/singers to be cast in two of the most succesfull shows of all times in one unified audition for botH. Grey GARDENS (book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel and lyrics Michael Korie) and EVITA (music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice) are the award winning Broadway hit musicals and now will be produced in Charlotte by Queen City Theatre Company. GREY GARDENS will be receiving its Charlotte and regional debut with this production.

GREY GARDENS is based in part on Albert and David Maysles legendary documentary about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' eccentric aunt and cousin. This musical adaption explores the relationship between former socialite Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, Little Edie. Covering both their earlier days at the center of high society and the later years languishing in their derelict East Hampton, New York, manor. Propelled by a witty book, gorgeous score, intricate lyrics, and tour-de-force roles, GREY GARDENS has become an instant and well-loved classic.

Argentina's controversial First Lady is the subject of the dynamic musical masterpiece, EVITA. As an illegitimate fifteen year old, Eva escaped her dirt-poor existence for the bright lights of Buenos Aires. Driven by ambition and blessed with charisma, she was a starlit at twenty-two, the president's mistress at twenty-four, First Lady at twenty-seven, and dead at thirty-three. Eva Peron, saint to the working class, reviled by the aristocracy and mistrusted by the military was destined to leave a fascinating political legacy unique to the 20th century. Told through a score that fuses haunting chorales with exuberant Latin, pop and jazz influences, EVITA creates and arresting theatrical portrait as complex as the woman herself. Queen City Theatre Company's production will include the song "You Must Love Me" as well as cultural elements from the Rio de la Plata, including some spanish lyrics and dialogue to add authenticity and realism to this production.

Auditions will take place Sunday, November 15th from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the Education Studio at Spirit Square and on Monday, November 16th, from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the Cokesbury United Methodist Church. Performances for GREY GARDENS will take place January 28th through February 13th, 2010 and EVITA will run April 29th through May 16th, 2010. Both productions will be directed by Glenn T. Griffin with musical direction by Marty Gregory and choreography by Alyson Lowe. The production coordinator will be Kristian Wedolowski.

The cast breakdowns are as follows:

GREY GARDENS -1 woman, 2 girls aged 12-16, and 4 men ages late 20's to early 60's

George Gould Strong - Edith Bouvier Beale's accompanist. George is a dapper fellow with pomaded hair and an ascot, a drink and a lit cigarette always nearby. The role of George Gould Strong MUST be played by a male who is able to play the piano as he plays for a large portion of the show.

Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr. and Jerry - Joe Kennedy is a fiercely attractive man and Edie's intended. The role of Jerry in Act Two is a teen slacker in a painter's cap and an unruly mop or curls. He is friends to both Big Edith and Little Edie and a sort of handy-man/Jack of all trades.

Brooks Sr. and Brooks Jr. - The African-American butler. He is youthful with an efficacious gait. Brooks Jr in Act Two is the dedicated gardener of Grey Gardens, most likely helping and not getting very well paid, but still dedicated to the women that his father worked for and cared about.

J.V. "Major" Bourvier and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale - Father to Edit Bouvier Beale. He is a lion-like scion of business in his early seventies. Major Bouvier does not agree with his daughters lifestyle. Peale was a Protestant preacher and a believer in the theory of "positive thinking." Edith Bouvier Beale listens to him on the radio.

Young Little Edie Beale - Referred to as Body Beautiful Beale. She is to be engaged to Joseph Kennedy, Jr. She is young, full of life, and can't decide whether she wants a life of fame or family.

Jacqueline "Jackie" Bouvier - Edith's young niece. She is around the age of 15

Lee Bouvier - Edith's young niece. She is around the age of 13

EVITA - 2 women, 1 man. Chorus of 7 women and 7 men (all ages)

Eva Peron - Throughout the musical we watch the character of Eva rise from a girl of 15 with stardom in her eyes to a woman of 33 who dreams of freedom for her people and aspirations of political power for herself. She is a woman with a strong will and desire, yet still very human.

The Mistress - The young mistress of Juan Peron. She is being kept by Peron until Eva arrives on the scene.

Agustin Magalid - Tango singer who began a brief affair with Eva. Agustin, against his will, brings Eva to Buenos Aires and starts her rise to fame.

Chorus (all ages) - An extremely important part of the musical, Evita. The chorus play mourners, Eva's family, Eva's lovers, Generals, aristocracy, soldiers, and descamisados

Auditions are held by appointment; however, walk-ins are welcome for any slot. Each auditionee will sing first and then stay for cold readsings from the script if they are interested in auditioning for GREY GARDENS. The slots available are as follows:

1) Sunday November 15th from 2 pm to 4 pm - Singing and cold readings
2) Sunday November 15th from 4 pm to 6 pm - Singing and cold readings
3) Monday November 16th from 6 pm to 8 pm - Singing and cold readings.
4) Monday November 16th from 8 pm to 10 pm - Singing and cold readings.

Please come prepared with two songs: a ballad and up-tempo, and please bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Music in the style of the shows is preferred but not mandatory. A headshot and current resume are required. Early submission of resume by email is encouraged but not required.

For more information or wanting to submit audition information, please contact Queen City Theatre Company at musicals2010@queencitytheatre.com or contact Kristian Wedolowski at 202-255-7074.

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