WHO:
Gateway Playhouse 2011 Season, Part 2
Producer: Paul Allan
Artistic Director: Robin Joy Allan

SEEKING:
Theatre’s casting note: “Looking for strong actor/singers-actress/singers (character and ingénue). All roles are open. Performers of all ethnicities are encouraged to attend.”

SPAMALOT Music: John Du Prez and Eric Idle. Book/Lyrics: E. Idle. Based on the screenplay “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. Dir: Keith Andrews. Contract dates: 6/28-7/30.

King Arthur:
30s-60s. King of England, on a quest to find the Holy Grail. Easy comedic manner. Baritone.

Patsy:
Male, 20s-40s. Arthur's “horse”, servant and constant companion. Actor also plays Mayor of Finland and Guard 2. Baritone.

Sir Robin:
Male, 30s-40s. “Not-quite-so brave as Sir Lancelot”, Sir Robin “the Brave”, as he is ironically called, is actually quite cowardly. Loves musical theatre, and has joined the knights for the glory of singing and dancing, not fighting. Actor also plays Guard 1 and Brother Maynard. Baritenor.

Sir Lancelot:
Male, 30s-40s. The “homicidally brave knight” who reveals a “closeted” softer side. Actor also plays the French Taunter, Knight of Ni and Tim the Enchanter. Excellent at character voices and accents. Should move well. Baritenor.

Sir Dennis Galahad:
Male, 30s-40s. After being knighted, the previously low-clas, “mud-gatherer” becomes Galahad “the dashingly handsome”. Actor also plays Black Knight and Prince Herbert's Father. Strong comedic actor. Tenor with falsetto.

Sir Bedevere:
Male, 30s-40s. Strangely flatulent knight. Actor also plays Dennis's Mother and Concorde. Baritenor.

The Lady of the Lake:
Late 20s-40s. The diva. Gets angry easily. Sings everything from opera and pop to scatting. Belter with large upper range. Strong comedic timing.

Prince Herbert:
Male, 20s-30s. Flamboyant prince forced to marry a girl he has no interest in; falls in love with Sir Lancelot instead. Actor also plays the Historian, Not Dead Fred, a French Guard, and a Minstrel. Tenor.

SUNSET BOULEVARD Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber. Book/Lyrics: Don Black & Christopher Hampton. Dir TBA. Contract dates: 7/19-8/20.

Norma Desmond:
50s. Once a great silent film star, Norma’s time in the spotlight has come and gone. Living alone in her decaying mansion has led her to exist in a world of fantasy, where she still believes she is at the height of her fame. She is dramatic and ego-driven; entitled. A commanding presence, still very beautiful, sensual and charismatic. Strong belt, mix and legit soprano.

Joe Gillis:
30s. Masculine leading man-type. Cynical, down-on-his-luck screenwriter. Aware of his sex appeal and uses his good looks to get what he needs, yet he is charming and ultimately sympathetic. Strong lyric baritenor.

Betty Schaffer:
20s. Aspiring screenwriter. Intelligent go-getter with a good sense of humor. Attractive, kind-hearted and idealistic. Soprano with easy mix.

Max:
Late 50s-60s. Austrian-born. Norma’s butler, caretaker and preserver of her fantasies. Polite, quiet, yet commanding presence. He was once a director who lost his fortune. Rich bass/baritone.

Cecil B. DeMille:
60s. Legendary Hollywood director. Strong singer/character actor.

Artie:
Late 20s, 30s. Joe’s best friend, and Betty’s fiancé. Role for a singer/actor.

Actors at the EPA may also be considered for the following two Ensemble positions:

Sheldrake:
Male, 50s. Hollywood producer. Role for a character actor. Sings. ENSEMBLE.

Manfred:
40s. Expensive tailor at an exclusive men’s clothing shop. Strong character actor and singer. ENSEMBLE.

SWEENEY TODD Score: Stephen Sondheim. Book: Hugh Wheeler. Dir: Dominick Ruggerio.
Contract dates: 8/9-9/11.

Sweeney Todd / Benjamin Barker:
40s. Dark, cynical; consumed by revenge, which turns him into a murderous barber, thirsting for the blood of all his enemies. Demon barber indeed. Must be a strong experienced actor. Bass/baritone.

Mrs. Nellie Lovett:
40s. Unscrupulous seller of meat pies. Cheery, but warped by many lonely years of hardship. Becomes Todd’s partner in crime, while simultaneously lusting after him. Very high-energy role; comic skills a must. Alto/mezzo.

Joanna Barker:
Seeking actress 18+ to play late teens. Judge Turpin’s ward; daughter of Benjamin Barker. Falls in love with Anthony. Beautiful and naïve. Searing soprano. Must have amazing vocal chops. Theatre is only interested in seeing classically trained singers for this role.

Anthony Hope:
20s. Good-natured, optimistic and innocent sailor. Becomes obsessed with Joanna. Tenor. Must have amazing vocal chops and classical voice training.

Beggar Woman / Lucy Barker:
Late 20s – 40s. Barker's wife, who he believes to be dead. “Schizophrenic” personality; has gone mad from life on the streets. Soprano.

Judge Turpin:
Man, 40s+. Responsible for Todd’s fall into disgrace. Corrupt, immoral and lustful. Manipulates the law to satisfy his own selfish desires. Bass/baritone.

Beadle Bamford:
Man, 30s-50s. Judge Turpin’s right-hand man. Status- and power-hungry. Baritenor.

Adolfo Pirelli:
30s-40s. Low-class, dodgy, showman barber who hails himself as “the king of the barbers, the barber of kings”, but is really a sleazy scam artist. Very high tenor.

Tobias:
20s. Orphan. Pirelli's simple but kind-hearted apprentice. His innocence is taken by those he trusts. Tenor with a sweet melodic voice.

Theatre’s statement: “Performers of all ethnicities are encouraged to attend.”

Equity Chorus Calls for singers and dancers were held in March 2011, as were Equity Principal Auditions for the remaining productions in Gateway Playhouse’s season.

WHEN:
All dates are in 2011.

PAY:
Bellport NY LOA (approval/salary level pending; 2010 minimum weekly salary: $450).

HOW TO APPLY:
Equity Principal Auditions:
Friday, April 22, 2011
11 AM – 7 PM
Lunch from 2:30 – 3:30.

Ripley-Grier Studios
520 Eighth Avenue, 10th Floor
New York City

Please prepare a brief song in the style of one of the shows in which you are interested. Choosing a song by the composer is not necessary. Bring sheet music in the correct key; accompanist is provided, but may not transpose.