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Breakdown
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
This is a co-production between Portland Center Stage (Portland, OR) and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (Cincinnati, OH)
To be considered for both productions, actors requesting an appointment please only submit only ONCE
Portland Dates
Reh.: August 16, 2016
Opens: September 16, 2016
Closes: October 16, 2016
Cincinnati Dates
First Reh.: TBD
Tech: January 17, 2017
Opens: January 27,2017
Closes: February 19, 2017
Note from the Author: Little Shop of Horrors satirizes many things: science fiction, ‘B’ movies, musical comedy itself, and even the Faust legend. There will, therefore, be a temptation to play it for camp and low-comedy. This is a great and potentially fatal mistake. The script keeps its tongue firmly in its cheek, so the actors should not. Instead, they should play with simplicity, honesty - even when events are at their most outlandish. The show’s individual “style” will evolve naturally from the words themselves and an approach to acting and singing them that is almost child-like in its sincerity and intensity. By way of example, AUDREY poses like Fay Wray from time to time. But she does this because she is in genuine fear and happens to see the world as her private ‘B’ movie - not because she’s “commenting” to the audience on the silliness of her situation. I can vouch for the fact that when Little Shop is at its most honest, it is also at its funniest and most enjoyable.
Seeking:
The Ronnettes:
Ronnette, Chiffon and Crystal: Females, African American, Latina, or Asian (late teens, early to mid 20’s) Female street urchins who function as participants in the action and as a Greek-Motown Chorus outside it. They are young, hip and smart. These girls must be exceptionally strong singers who can hold tight harmony, as well as strong, playful actors who move very well.
Seymour:
Male, any ethnicity, (mid to late 20’s or early 30’s). An insecure, naïve, put-upon florist clerk. Above all he is a sweet and well-meaning little man. He is not a silly nerd. Seeking a very strong actor and singer with good physical comedy skills. Looking for a good musical theatre tenor who also possesses a rock sound.
Audrey:
Female, Caucasian, (mid to late 30’s) The bleach-blond, Billie-Dawn like, secret love of Seymour’s life. If you took Judy Holiday, Carol Channing, Marilyn Monroe, and Goldie Hawn, removed their education and feelings of self-worth, dressed them in spiked heels and a low cut black dress, and then shook them up in a test tube to extract what’s sweetest and most vulnerable – that’d be Audrey. Seeking a very strong musical theatre voice with solid mix/belt and access to a strong rock quality as needed.
Mr. Mushnik:
Male, Caucasian, (early 50’s to early 60’s) A failure of an East Side florist. His accent is middle class New York not Eastern European. He seldom smiles but often sweats; and he is not above making a quick buck, when the opportunity presents itself. Seeking a strong character actor who can sing and move well; looking for a baritenor who can hold harmony.
THE DENTIST TRACK: (plays all of the following)
The Dentist Track: Male, Caucasian, (30’s to 40’s) A very strong and transformative character actor/singer. Seeking a comic actor who can sing and move very well. Must be skilled with grounded, dark, odd-ball comedy. This actor will play men and women of all ages, types and sizes. Looking for a strong singer with a solid falsetto.
Orin: A tall, dark, and handsome dentist with a black leather jacket and sadistic tendencies. He is not, however, a leftover from the movie Grease. Think instead of an egotistical pretty-boy – all got up like a greaser but thinking like an insurance salesman, and talking like a radio announcer. Seeking a very strong actor who can sing well.
Wino #2: A homeless person
Customer #1: A super curious MALE customer.
Customer #2: A disenchanted FEMALE passerby
Bernstein: A smooth-talking, hard working, NBC TV executive.
Mrs. Luce: The flamboyant, socialite, wife-of-the-editor of LIFE Magazine.
Skip Snip: A bottom feeding, opportunistic William Morris Agent.
Patrick Martin: An executive from World Botanical Enterprises, a fast-talking sleazy opportunist.
THE PLANT
The Voice of the Plant: Male, any ethnicity, any age (VOICING ACTOR) The sound is a cross between Otis Redding, Barry White and Wolfman Jack. Think of the Voice as that of a street-smart, funky, conniving villain – a Rhythm and Blues answer to Richard the Third. Seeking a very strong actor/singer. You will work closely with your other half, the Puppeteer of the Plant at all times, to bring Audrey II to life. Looking for a classic Motown Bass-Baritone.
Wino #1: A homeless person. The Actor who is the Voice of the Plant will also play Wino #1.
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