SYNOPSIS: Based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime tells the story of three groups in the United States in the early 20th century: African Americans, upper-class suburbanites, and Eastern European immigrants. Historical figures including Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, Booker T. Washington, J. P. Morgan, Henry Ford and Emma Goldman are represented in the stories.
SEEKING: Male and Female excellent legit singers who move well for ensemble/principal understudies. Ensemble members play a variety of featured and smaller roles.
PRINCIPAL ROLES:
MOTHER - Beautiful Victorian housewife and mother. As events unfold, she begins to question everything and finds her inner strength and voice. Mezzo to a low G with a strong mix. Age range 30s-40.
FATHER - Genteel Victorian WASP husband and father. He is moral, but rigid and clings to the status quo. Tenor. Age range 40s.
LITTLE BOY - Mother and Father's son. He is open-hearted and curious with inexplicable clairvoyance. Never passes judgement on others. Male, 8-12 yrs old. Range: E4 - D5
YOUNGER BROTHER – Mother’s younger brother. Passionate, romantic searching for a cause to give his life some meaning. These causes range from pursuing Evelyn Nesbitt to anarchism. Caucasian tenor. Age range 20s.
SARAH - African American girl who is in love with Coalhouse Walker. An innocent, she wants nothing more than to marry Coalhouse and raise their son together. Soprano with a powerful mix. Age range early 20s
COALHOUSE HOUSE WALKER, JR - Charismatic, proud African American ragtime piano player. He later becomes militant and violent after his property is vandalized and his love Sarah is murdered. Baritone who is a strong dancer/ showman. Age range 30s.
TATEH - Latvian immigrant in search of the American Dream for his young daughter. Through his creativity and resourcefulness he eventually becomes a successful entrepreneur. He is in his 30s but appears much older. Tenor.
LITTLE GIRL - Tateh's daughter. A confused and vulnerable child in a brand-new home, she is guarded and shy. Loves her father very much. Latvian-American. Female, 7-10 yrs old. Range: C4 - Bb4
FEATURED ROLES:
EMMA GOLDMAN - Fiery Lithuanian anarchist. She is the voice of the oppressed and the disenfranchised. Must have a commanding voice and presence. Alto. Age range 40s. Alto.
EVELYN NESBITT - Regarded as “the most beautiful woman in the world”. An artists' model turned chorine, she became infamous when her husband murdered her lover. Soprano who dances. Age range early 20s.
HOUDINI - The world's greatest escape artist. He stands as a symbol of escape and freedom for immigrants, but he is plagued by self-doubt, as he know all of his stunts are merely illusions. Tenor. Age range 20s to 30s.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON - Orator, civil rights pioneer. He rejected activism and violence as means by which to gain equality. He believed that cooperation with supportive whites was the only way in the long run to overcome pervasive racism. Baritone. Age range 40s to 50s.
HENRY FORD - Automaker who pioneered the modern assembly line. He is the symbol for Midwestern ingenuity-little education, but plenty of gumption. Baritone. Age range 40s to 50s.
JP MORGAN - Elitist banking mogul and art collector. Imposing in stature and persona, he secretly believed he was reincarnated from the Egyptian Pharaohs. Baritone. Age range 50s to 60.
GRANDFATHER - Mother's aging WASP father. He is crotchety and complains constantly. Baritone. Age range late 50s to 60s.
WILLIE CONKLIN - Irish-American fire chief. He is a racist thug. Baritone. Age range 30s-40s.
WHAT TO PREPARE: 32 bars of music in the style of the show. Music from the show is acceptable. Bring music for the accompanist that will be provided.
Big Noise offers all cast members participation in its CAST (Comp Assisted STipend) program. Each cast member will be provided with ticket vouchers, which may be sold at full value of $28.00 each. The proceeds from
the tickets may be kept by the performer providing a potential stipend.
To sign up for an audition appointment, visit
www.bignoise.org. For additional audition information, please contact Daiva Paulis -
(312) 371-9945.
Big Noise Theatre Company, a division of Winnetka Theatre, celebrates their 12th anniversary of top-notch, live entertainment at the Prairie Lakes Theater in Des Plaines. Big Noise strives to produce high-quality shows that stretch the creative talents of their actors and staff as well as surpass the expectations of their audience. Big Noise continues to be known for bringing downtown quality to the suburbs at reasonable rates.
