BTG Presents GYPSY: A Musical Fable

The Beverly Theatre Guild

ARTISTIC STAFF
Director: Patrick Tierney
Choreographer: Sarah Beth Lipsman
Musical Directors: Sharon Mason & Michael Barr-Schinzel
Producers: Katie Duffy Regalado & Joe Mackinac

LOCATION
Morgan Park Academy
Baer Theater
2153 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60643

SYNOPSIS
Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart and sophistication.

The celebrated score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim boasts one glorious hit after another, including “Everything's Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “You'll Never Get Away from Me,” “If Momma Was Married,” “All I Need Is the Girl,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick,” “Small World” and “Together Wherever We Go.”

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Rose (40-50 years old) The ultimate stage mother. Lives her life vicariously through her two daughters, whom she’s put into show business. She is loud, brash, pushy and single-minded, but at times can be doting and charming. She is holding down demons of her own that she is afraid to face. Strong Mezzo/Alto with good low notes and belt. Vocal range: F3 to C5.

Herbie (40-50 years old) Agent for Rose’s children, Rose’s boyfriend and a possible husband number 4. He has a heart of gold, but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength. Baritone. Vocal range: B2 to B3.

Louise (18-25 years old) Baby Louise as a teenager, who grows up to be Gypsy Rose Lee. Still pushed aside by Rose in favor of June, until she herself becomes her mother’s new pet project. Should be able to move well. Must be able to portray both the awkward teen and a sophisticated woman we know now as Gypsy Rose Lee. Needs light sound for “Little Lamb” and belt for “Let Me Entertain You.” Vocal range: F#3 to Eb5.

Dainty June (16-24 years old) Baby June as a young teenager. The older she gets, the less she enjoys being her mother’s trained monkey. Strong Alto, must be able to belt a song and have strong dancing skills. Vocal Range: G3 to C5.

Tulsa (16-24 years old) Boy-next-door type. Strives to break out of the troupe with an act of his own. Strong dancer/singer, charming and athletic. Tenor. Vocal Range: E3 to G5.

Tessie Tura (40+) A burlesque dancer that shares her dressing room with Louise. She was once a ballerina and still has some of the moves. A course broad who’s been around the block. Mezzo. Vocal range: C#4 to Db5.

Mazeppa (40+) A burlesque dancer who’s tough and physically intimidating. Trumpet playing skills would be outstanding but not required. Alto. Vocal range: G3 to Bb4

Electra (40+) A burlesque dancer. Quieter than her counterparts, but her costume is wired with lights, allowing her to “shine” without working up a sweat. Ditzy and sweet. Alto/Mezzo. Vocal range: Bb3 to Db5.

Baby June (8-10 years old) is a Shirley Temple-like up-and-coming vaudeville star, and Madam Rose’s youngest daughter. Her onstage demeanor is sugary-sweet, cute, precocious and adorable to the nth degree. An adorable character – Mama Rose’ s shining star. Strong child singer/dancer. Vocal range: C4 to E5.

Young Louise (10-12 years old) She is Madam Rose’s brow-beaten oldest daughter, and has always played second fiddle to her baby sister. She is shy, awkward, a little sad and subdued; she doesn’t have the confidence of her sister. Vocal range: C4 to E5.

Children’s Ensemble (8-12 years old) a small group of young children who sing and dance backup for Rose’s act “Baby June and her Newsboys”. Ability of one child to play accordion, clarinet or violin- a plus! All must sing and dance.

Women’s Ensemble (18+ to play late teens-20s) singer/dancers who act as both the back up dancers for Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee and perform in the large burlesque numbers in the second act. A few have minor expanded roles.

Young Men’s Ensemble (15+ to play teens-20s) a small group of young men who sing and dance backup in Rose’s act “Dainty June and her Farmboys”. Also featured in “Mr. Goldstone”. All must sing and dance.

Adult Male Ensemble (18+ to play 20s-60s) a small group of men to play a variety of ensemble roles including CIGAR, a burlesque theater manager in Wichita; PASTEY, a burlesque stage manager in Wichita; GEORGIE, Uncle Jocko’s assistant; PHIL, a press agent; BOURGERON-COCHON, a famous French photographer; and POP, Rose’s father

AUDITIONS (Attend ONE day only)
CHILDREN UNDER 18 ONLY
Sunday February 23 - 1PM to 4PM
ADULTS OVER 18 ONLY
Sunday February 23 - 5PM to 9PM
Monday February 24 - 6PM to 10PM

CALL BACKS
Thursday February 27 - 6PM to 10pm
Call back information will be emailed out after all auditions have taken place.

THIS WILL BE A SINGING AND DANCING AUDITION.

Be prepared to sing a song (not exceeding 32 bars or 1 minute in length) in the style of the show. You may also sing from the show. Bring sheet music (accompanist provided) or accompaniment of your own. No a cappella singing allowed. Also, there will be a brief dance call at the end of each hour- dress accordingly.

If you cannot attend auditions, video submissions can be uploaded to a Google drive (Turn sharing ON) or YouTube and sent to btgauditions@gmail.com

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Rehearsals Begin March 2
Sunday's from 1PM - 5PM
Tuesday's from 7PM - 10PM
Thursday's from 7PM - 10PM

PERFORMANCES
Friday May 2 @ 7:30PM
Saturday May 3 @ 2:00PM
Saturday May 3 @ 7:30PM
Sunday May 4 @ 2:00PM

COME WITH A LIST OF YOUR CONFLICTS.
We will not accept conflicts AFTER the show has been cast. We cannot cast those with multiple conflicts, or conflicts during tech week through performance dates.

If you have any questions about auditions, you can email the Beverly Theatre Guild President, Wayne Wendell, at btgauditions@gmail.com