The Warner Stage Company will hold auditions for a Main Stage Musical production of A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER on Sunday, November 4th and Monday, November 5th, by appointment. The production is directed and choreographed by Sharon W. Houk with music direction by Dan Ringuette. It will be presented at Torrington's Historic Warner Theatre beginning February 2, 2019 for 5 performances.
This is a high-style, British romantic farce set in the Edwardian era. It requires highly trained actors who sing beautifully and have great comic skills. All roles are open to audition and are similar stylistically to characters in Oscar Wilde plays. British accents are required for all roles. There is also an ensemble of six to eight, all of whom play important roles throughout the play; solo singing required by all. All auditioners must be at least 18 years old.
Those auditioning will be asked to sing up to one minute of an uptempo musical theatre song, in the style of the show. Think: comedy, patter songs, Gilbert & Sullivan, Julie Andrews/MY FAIR LADY, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, etc. The song should show off character, different voices, facial expression, physicality & range. No ballads please!
Auditioners should mark their selection with a highlighter. An accompanist will be provided. A cappella singing or recorded accompaniments will not be allowed
Auditioners should also prepare a short, engaging paragraph, no more than 3-5 lines, which is from a published work such as a play, novel, or even a children’s book, that shows off word play, comedy, satire, and good rapport with an audience, etc. No monologue length speeches. We would just like something quick that can act as an intro or narration to a character or situation. There will be no dance call at the initial audition. The movement/dance call will be held at callbacks.
Rehearsals will be held three times per week on Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings (7:00-10:00pm) with two Wednesday evening rehearsals on December 26 and January 2. Some performers may be called for additional rehearsals which will be determined once we review all schedule conflicts from those cast in the production. Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Tech week rehearsals will be Sunday through Thursday, January 27 – 31, 2019. We do ask that Friday, February 1, 2019 be held in case an additional tech week rehearsal is needed. The pickup rehearsal will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019.
Please note: Audition appointment spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first served basis.
Please have all conflicts for the rehearsal period available and note on your audition form. If you are unable to make the mandatory tech week rehearsals and/or midweek pickup rehearsal, we will be unable to cast you in this production.
CALLBACKS: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 7:00pm
The Warner Stage Company is a regional community theatre company and does not offer compensation or housing for performers.
AUDITIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
An audition confirmation e-mail will be sent with full details on what will be expected at your audition. Audition appointments requested on-line or by e-mail are preferred, but if you do not have access to e-mail call the Warner Theatre Audition Line at 860-489-7180 ext.151. Please be specific as to the date you would like to schedule your appointment.
If you are unable to attend the scheduled auditions, please send your resume and headshot to
swhouk@warnertheatre.org. If additional auditions are needed, you will be contacted.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 8:00pm
Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 2:00pm
Friday, February 8, 2019 at 8:00pm
Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 8:00pm
Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 2:00pm
ABOUT THE SHOW
A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDERis the knock-'em-dead, uproarious hit and the most-nominated show of the 2014 season. With ten Tony nominations and four wins, including Best Musical, Book, Direction and Costumes, it also earned seven Drama Desk Awards (including Best Musical), four Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Best Musical) and one Drama League Award (Best Musical).
When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he's eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D'Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn't the only thing on Monty's mind....
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is a murderous romp filled with unforgettable music, non-stop laughs and a scene-stealing role for one actor playing all eight of the doomed heirs who meet their ends in the most creative and side-splitting ways.
AVAILABLE ROLES
All ages are just a suggestion and will be adjusted to fit the needs of our casting.
PRINCIPALS:
THE D’YSQUITH FAMILY(30s – mid 50s). Must be an experienced, skilled, and transformational comedic actor who has a superb grasp on British farce. Physical comedy and stamina is a necessity. Does not necessarily need to be a phenomenal singer, but must be able to carry a musical comedy without an ounce of hesitation. Plays the following range of characters from the same family, ranging from an off-kilter priest to a closeted bee enthusiast to a lowly custodian (each of them intrinsic “English types”). Vocal range B2-F4.
- Asquith D’Ysquith, Jr., a dandy
- Lord Adlabert D’Ysquith, Eighth Earl of Highhurst
- Reverend Lord Ezekiel D’Ysquith, a clergyman
- Lord Adlabert D’Ysquith, Sr., an elderly banker
- Henry D’Ysquith, a country squire
- Lady Hyacinth D’Ysquith, a benefactress
- Major Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith, a bodybuilder
- Lady Salome D’Ysquith Pumphrey, an actress
- Chauncey D’Ysquith, a janitor
MONTY NAVARRO (Mid 20s –30s). Handsome and effortlessly charming, clever and charismatic, vulnerable and endearing, with a highly developed appreciation for life’s ironies. Monty is the engine of the plot; must be able to command attention and draw the audience in. Discovers he is in line to become the Earl of Highhurst, and intends to kill off the family that stands in his way. While he is intent on killing off the entire family tree, he must have a winning charm that would garner anybody’s trust. Must have excellent comedic timing, vocal variation, and physical skills. Legit Baritone. A2-A4.
SIBELLA(20s –mid 30s).Sexy, flirtatious, narcissistic, willful girl that Monty loves - calculating, and irresistible. A social climber, yes, but also truly loves Monty, and in the end would do anything to protect him. Tremendous wit and high style. Strong mover. Character mezzo, F#3 to A5, belting not required.
PHOEBE (Early 20s –early 30s).Beautiful, virtuous, forthright, romantic, comically earnest, with a backbone of steel. Monty’s young poised virtuous cousin (and potential wife). She is not your typical ingénue, though. Actress must have a sense of irony and humor, in addition to a youthful innocence behind her sophistication. Coloratura soprano, range B3 up to a high sustained C#6 with an optional high Eb6. Very flexible and agile. Also open to performers from a strong operatic background.
ENSEMBLE:
PLEASE NOTE – The character breakdowns are subject to change.
Voice types: Legit soprano, Tenor, High/Low Baritones. All should have decent to great movement/character physicality.
WOMAN #1(30s – 50s).Plays MISS SHINGLE, a Cockney housekeeper/governess who has served a wealthy, titled family for 30 years. She informs Monty that he is indeed a D’Ysquith. Storytelling is paramount for her role. Also plays TOUR GUIDE, as well as PUB OWNER’S WIFE, MRS. PEBWORTH, 3RD NEWSBOY. Seeking a character woman. Mezzo soprano, G3 to A5.
WOMAN #2(30s –late 40s). Plays LADY EUGENIA, an unhappily married countess. Overbearing and mean spirited at times, but comically so. Must be highly adept at the biting quip and the withering glare. Also plays MISS HETHERINGTON, and 4TH NEWSBOY. Vocal range F#3-A5
WOMAN #3(Mid 20s – mid 30s). Plays MISS BARLEY, an alluring artist model. Also plays SIBELLA’S MAID, HYACINTH COLLEAGUE, PHOEBE’S MAID, HILDA. Vocal range G3-C6
FEMALE SWING(Mid 20s –early 40s).Must have a wide vocal range, F#3 – A5. Covers all three on-stage female ensemble tracks. Must be able to play everything from an English aristocrat who despises her husband all the way to a flighty, young, lower-class girl with higher aspirations. Strong movers needed. Versatility is paramount.
MAN #1(20s – mid 30s).Appealing and attractive. Plays TOM COPLEY (aka FARMER), as well as 2ND CLERK, HYACINTH COLLEAGUE, 2ND NEWSBOY, ACTOR, ANCESTRAL BUST, DR. PETTIBONE, and GUARD. High baritone with a strong top; solid A2-A4.
MAN #2(Early 30s –40s).A versatile and appealing character man. Plays DETECTIVE PINCKEY, who has a featured number. Also plays 1ST CLERK, PUB OWNER, MR. CROSS, 1ST NEWSBOY, 1ST ACTOR, PHYSICIAN, and 2ND ANCESTRAL BUST. Bass, C2 to G#4.
MAN #3(Mid 20s –40s).A character man. Plays THE MAGISTRATE, as well as MR. GOODSALL, ACTOR, and MR. GORBY. THE MAGISTRATE has a featured number with DETECTIVE PINCKEY. True tenor. Bb2 –Bb4
MALE SWING(Mid 20s – early 40s). Must have wide vocal range, C2-Bb4. Covers all three on-stage male ensemble tracks. Must be able to play everything from a not-very-bright, middle-class magistrate all the way to a working-class farmer.
