Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for the Tony Award winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof” with book by Joseph Stein, lyrics by Jerry Bock, and music by Sheldon Harnick on Saturday, January 11, 2014 from 11am-5pm (please arrive no later than 3pm) and on Sunday, January 12, 2014 from 6-10pm (please arrive no later than 8pm). Callbacks will be held on Monday, January 13 from 7-10pm. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045.
Performance dates are March 14 to April 19 with 20 performances on Fridays / Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, and Thursdays on April 3, 10, and 17 at 8pm. This is a non-equity, non-paid production produced by Rocky and Victoria Miller, directed by Harold Dershimer, with musical direction by Catherine Rahm, and choreography by Isabella Olivas, produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
“Fiddler on the Roof” is the heart-warming musical about the milkman Tevye and his family eking out a living in the Jewish community of Anatevka in Tsarist Russia. Tevye strives to keep up the traditions of his faith, race and culture against the backdrop of discrimination and prejudice in addition to the love, conflict and humor of finding husbands for his three eldest daughters. One of the most successful and long-running musicals of all time, "Fiddler" includes such favorites as "If I Were a Rich Man," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "Tradition" and "Sunrise Sunset."
Those auditioning should arrive early to sign-in and must prepare 16-32 bars of a song from the character for which you are auditioning. An accompanist will be provided. No CD’s, tapes, or acapella. Come dressed comfortably as you will also be asked to learn a basic dance/movement routine. Those auditioning for one of Tevye’s daughters must have some BALLET. These roles, as well as those auditioning for one of the Russian dancers, will learn a separate routine at callbacks. Most roles will be a part of the ensemble.
Please bring a current headshot and resume with you as well as your calendar. A tentative rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions. Rehearsals begin January 14 unless additional callbacks are necessary and will typically be scheduled on Mondays through Thursdays from 7-10pm, Saturdays from 10am-4pm, and Sundays from 6-9pm. Not everyone will be required to attend all rehearsals.
CASTING FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLES:
TEVYE, the dairyman. Tevye is a likeable, hard-working, pious man who sees thepositive side of life. Strong patriarch but gentle father of 5daughters he has raised according to the Scriptures. He is humorous and relaxed, but when pushed, can show stubbornness and rage. Strong actor who must carry the show and have a good connection with the audience. Baritone (45-65)
GOLDE, Tevye’s wife. Golde is the real strength behind Tevye, the one who keeps the household going. She is very concerned that her daughters make good matches and have easier lives than she & Tevye have had.Good comic timing for very funny lines. Mezzo (40-55)
YENTE, the matchmaker. Yente is the middle-aged widow who matches up the young people of the village in the hopes that they will marry. She is the village busybody and knows all the news of the town. She is the comedienne of the show. Alto (50-75)
LAZAR WOLF, the butcher. Lazar is the town’s wealthiest citizen & is the same age, if not older, than Tevye. He wants to marry, by traditional parental agreement, Tevye’s daughter, Tzeitel. Promising to give her a good & secure life. A feisty, comic role. Baritone (45-65)
TZEITEL the eldest daughter. Tzeitel is the first daughter to marry and the first to challenge the traditions. She has a desperate crying scene with Tevye when faced with marrying Lazar Wolf instead of Motel, who she really loves. A strong dramatic actress. Ballet a MUST… Mezzo(18-25)
MOTEL, the tailor. Motel is a rather meek & poor tailor who seeks the hand of Tzeitel, and comes into his own in the process! This is a terrific character role needing a sensitive, nervous but loveable portrayal. Tenor (18-27)
HODEL the 2nd eldest daughter. Hodel becomes intrigued with the radical, young student,Perchik. She eventually leaves Anatevka to join him in Siberia where he is imprisoned for his reform activities. Hodel sings a haunting solo as she says goodbye to her father at the train station. Ballet a MUST. Mezzo (17-24)
PERCHIK, the student. Perchik is a visitor to Anatevka, and therefore, an outsiderHe brings with him radical new ideas that challenge the traditions. He falls for Hodel. This role requires an actor capable of showing intensity and an unfailing commitment to his beliefs. Tenor (21-30)
CHAYA, the 3rd eldest daughter. Chava is the scholarly daughter who loves to read. She falls in love and runs off with Fyedka, a Russian soldier, and breaks her father’s heart. This role requires a capable dramatic actress who can perform an emotional dance. Ballet a MUST. Mezzo (16-23)
FYEDKA, a Russian soldier. Fyedka, a strong young soldier, sees past his military obligations and falls in love with Chava. He challenges Tevye’s imposed silence towards him. Fyedka has a solo in “To Life” and dances a Russian dance with his fellow soldiers.
HIGH Tenor to A (21-32)
SHPRINTZA and BIELKE. The two youngest daughters of Tevye & Golde. They take lessons at home from Perchik & appear in several scenes with some speaking lines. Ballet a MUST (10-16) AND (8-14)
THE CONSTABLE. This Russian military official stationed near Anatevka, knows the villagers well, and even likes some of them, particularly Tevye. But these superficial relationships don’t prevent him from carrying out violence against the people. (30-45)
THE RABBI. Anatevka’s Jewish spiritual leader. Baritone (45-75)
MENDEL, the Rabbi’s son. The Rabbi’s son. He is uncertain of the presence of Perchik in the village. Baritone (16-25)
MORDCHA, the innkeeper. Runs the bar in town and is a friend of Tevye. (30-60)
AVRAM, the bookseller. Runs the bookshop in town and keeps the town advised of all of the news in the area. Baritone (30-60)
GRANDMA TZEITEL. Grandma Tzeitel is a ghost figure who appears in the Dream Scene and has a wonderful solo, endorsing the marriage of Tzeitel to Motel. It is a very entertaining & memorable role. This actress will also appear as a villager. Mezzo (65-85)
FRUMA-SARAH. Fruma-Sarah is a ghost figure who appears in the Dream Scene. She portrays Lazar Wolf’s departed wife & becomes enraged that her husband plans on marrying Tzeitel. It is a show-stopping scene requiring a strong singer to carry a challenging solo. This actress will also appear as a villager. Mezzo (30-45)
NACHUM. The town beggar. Ensemble (40-65)
YUSSEL. The town Hatter. Ensemble (25-60)
SHANDEL. The mother of Motel. Ensemble (40-60)
SASHA. Fyedka’s Russian friend & fellow soldier. (18-30)
PRIEST. Christian spiritual leader. Ensemble (30-50)
VILLAGERS, RUSSIANS, DANCERS. These additional ensemble members will portray the people of the village as either Mamas (2), Sons (4) or Daughters (2). Also, Russian soldiers and featured dancers. There may be double casting in these areas as needed. Some smaller speaking roles & solos will be determined during rehearsals.
For more information about Kentwood Players including our current productions or upcoming auditions, and our Kentwood Kids Children’s Theatre classes and productions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook and Twitter.
To meet the “Fiddler on the Roof” production team and learn more about Kentwood Players and what goes on at the Westchester Playhouse, the public is invited to attend our general membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.
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