Front Row Centre Players will be holding auditions for Gypsy
from February 8 – 10, 2012 from 6:30 – 10:00pm.
Callbacks will be held on Sunday, February 12 from 1:00 – 4:00pm. Auditions and callbacks will be held at the
Community Arts Centre, 2633 Hochwald Avenue SW. Please see the Front Row Centre Players website
(www.frontrowcentre.ca)
to book your audition. Space is limited
so please book soon! Gypsy will be
directed and choreographed by Angela Woodard with musical direction by Brian
Holiday.
Audition Details:
Auditioners are asked to prepare an up-tempo musical theatre song that
showcases their vocal abilities. A
cappella song auditions will not be considered.
Please bring the sheet music or backing tracks for your song. Auditioners are asked to come in comfortable
attire to move in. Each auditioner will
be asked to perform a short choreographed dance in their audition time slot
which will be provided by the choreographer.
Gypsy will be performed at the Pumphouse Theatres from
May 25 to June 9. Rehearsals will be
held at the Community Arts Centre, 2633 Hochwald Avenue SW, starting February
16 and will run up until the show opens on May 25. Rehearsals will be on Tuesday and Thursday
nights from 7:00pm to 10:00pm and Sunday afternoons from 1-4pm.
Synopsis: Gypsy is based on the story of how Louise
Hovick rises from behind her little sister's shadow, Dainty June, and becomes
the 1930's burlesque queen, Gypsy Rose Lee.
While the title suggests that this musical is about the famous stripper
Gypsy Rose Lee, it is really more about her hard-driven and determined stage
mother, Mama Rose. In the beginning,
Rose concentrates on her talented younger daughter, June, whom makes it on vaudeville
but soon tires of being cute, marries, and runs off. Rose, determined to fulfill her Broadway
dreams, turns to her less obviously talented daughter, Louise. Louise eventually does become
"Gypsy", and Rose is left by herself, her aspirations for her kids
realized, but her own show-business aspirations still unrealized.
Roles:
Note: All main/support/chorus characters must be able to
harmonize.
Mamma Rose - Lead (F), age range – 35-45 years, voice
type - alto The playwright describes this character as the 'musical theatre
female equivalent of King Lear'. Rose is quintessential stage mother and a
three time divorcee single mother of two.
Mamma is charming, ambitious and ruthless. Need a strong actor/singer who
can move and command the stage. Ability to demonstrate a huge emotional range
is a must.
Baby June - Featured (F), age range - 7-10 years, voice
type -belt The All-American 'blond hair, blue eyed' girl. Baby June is a combination of Shirley Temple
cuteness and talent and Rachel Barry stage presence. This little bundle of dynamite is Rose’s
youngest daughter and is the star in Roses vaudeville act. Ability to do the splits, high kicks,
cartwheels, tap/jazz dance and baton twirling is an asset. Baby June must be able to belt out a song.
Young Louise - Featured (F), age range - 9-12 years,
voice type - ability to sing in tune.
This mousy, shy and meek little girl is Rose’s oldest
daughter. She lives in the shadow of her
prettier, talented and favoured sister, June. Young Louise lacks self esteem
and self confidence. She finds solitude in books and poetry. She is constantly competing for her mother’s
admiration and recognition. Basic Jazz
dance ability required.
Herbie - Lead (M), age range - young 35+, voice type -
baritone Herbie is a single ex-talent agent turned candy salesman. He is a true
gentleman with a heart of gold and a soft spot for children. He is charismatic,
caring, compassionate and genuine. Herbie avoids confrontation and therefore
internalizes his real emotions. He often hides his angst by smoking
cigarettes. This character requires a
solid actor with a good emotional range and basic dance ability.
Dainty June - Support (F), age range - 16-25 years, voice
type - alto Abilities as per Baby June (please read above). The character now loathes her Shirley Temple
cuteness and has developed the determination of Rachel Barry. Trapped in the perpetual Baby June 'act',
June longs to actually be the young woman she has become. Ability to belt out a song and master a dance
routine required. Actor needs to
demonstrate emotional aspects of the character’s rebellion and resentment.
Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee- Support (F), age range - 18-25
years, voice type – mezzo-soprano Character requires ability to emote and
physically transform from mousy and meek Young Louise, into the burlesque
'Queen of the Striptease', Miss Gypsy Rose Lee.
Actress must demonstrate ability to belt and whisper her song, have
strong jazz dance ability, musicality, a sense of humour, be able to ad-lib
dialogue, command the stage and control the audience. Louise is seductive and
witty. Be prepared to show your figure.
Tulsa (plus Pastey/Phil) Featured Support (M), age
range-18-25 years, voice type - Tenor This talented 'triple threat' character
exudes charisma and charm. Tulsa is a dreamer who wears his heart on his sleeve
and supports his friends emotionally. While he falls for Dainty June, Louise is
falling for him. Ability to demonstrate
emotional nuances and mime is an asset.
Tessie Tura (plus stage mother) Featured (F), age range -
40 +, voice type - belt Tessie is an aged burlesque stripper who dances with
finesse. With her Texas twang, this former ballerina displays a less than
finesse persona. Tessie takes Louise under her wing and helps navigate Louise
through her burlesque debut. Comedic timing, an annoying spoken voice, basic
dance and ballet (to a mild extent) required. Be prepared to show your figure.
Mazeppa (plus stage mother) Featured (F), age range -
40+, voice type -alto Mazeppa is a big, bold and brassy bugle-playing burlesque
stripper. She is the Nemesis of Tessie. She
has a threatening “hard as nails” exterior and a voice made of gravel.
Mazeppa has a bugle and she's not afraid to use it! Must play the bugle and
have basic dance skills. Be prepared to
show your figure.
Electra (plus Miss Cratchitt) Featured (F), age range-
35+, voice type - belt She is a light-headed, whimsical burlesque
stripper. Forever in an inebriated
state, Electra literally has her “lights on” but nobodies home. Be prepared to
show your figure.
Uncle Jocko/Mr.Kringelein/Bourgeron-Cochon(plus other
small roles) Featured (M), age range - 35+ Uncle Jocko is the vaudeville master
of ceremonies. Mr.Kringelein is Hotel
Manager in Akron. Bourgeron-Cochon is
the photographer from Vogue magazine. A talented character actor required to
perform these important and pivotal roles.
Pop/Weber/Mr.Goldstone/Cigar(plus other small roles)
Featured (M) , age range – 50+ Pop is a retired, bible reading, crusty old
man. He is Rose’s father. Mr. Goldstone is the pleasant booking agent
for the Orpheum Circuit. Cigar is the stressed out and loud theatre manager in
Wichita. A talented character actor required to perform these important and
pivotal roles.
Older chorus boys/ LA, Yonkers and Angie (and other
smaller roles), age range - 18-25 years, voice type – Tenor & Bass Several
males required for these roles. Require
strong vocal and jazz dance ability. Tap dancing an asset but not essential.
Older chorus girls/Toreadorables/Hollywood Blondes (plus
other smaller roles), age range-18-25 years, voice type – Soprano & Alto
Several females required for these roles. Vocal and jazz dance ability
required. These girls need to be able to demonstrate their talents in order to
show that they have none.
Young chorus cast (Newsboys/Kiddie show auditionees (male
and female) – Featured, age range - 7-10 years, voice type - ability to sing in
tune.
Ability to play the clarinet is an asset for young chorus
males. Dance ability/movement coordination is a must.
Chowsie - Featured Animal actor
Chowsie is a small sized fluffy dog and Rose’s pride and
joy. This dog must like being handled by
people and have a good temperament. Animal must be kept in a caged kennel or
similar while not on stage. Must be available for call time each show and taken
home after each nightly show. Chowsie
plays a very important part in the show.
Please call 403-828-8568 if you think you have our Chowsie!
NO ROLES WILL BE DOUBLE CAST.
Please note that if you are offered a role in Gypsy you
must be available over the Catholic and Public School Spring Breaks as we will
not be breaking from rehearsals in April.
Please also note that there will be fog, strobe lights
and animals used in the production.
Jenifer (Pope) Snell
Co-Producer
Gypsy
Front Row Centre Players
403-828-8568
