FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Joyce, 503-485-4300 ext. 20
UPDATED Oct. 8, 2105
Sept. 14, 2015 [email protected]
Pentacle Theatre to hold open auditions for winter fundraiser Mary Poppins
What: Open auditions for Mary Poppins, a musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert Sherman.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
NEW LOCATION: Howard Street Charter School, 710 Howard St. SE, Salem OR 97302
Who: Anyone and everyone, old and young! The show has a large cast consisting of numerous featured roles with speaking parts and solos, not to mention the familiar characters! The stage musical is different from the movie and includes many new roles.
Important: Those auditioning are asked to please prepare one minute of a Broadway show song, not from the Mary Poppins musical or the Disney movie, and be ready to learn a short dance routine. There will be a piano accompanist and a CD player at the audition. Please come prepared with music or a CD. NO A CAPELLA SINGING WILL BE ALLOWED.
Callbacks: Sunday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Callbacks will consist of reading from the script and auditioning dance and song selections from the show.
Read-through: Monday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m., with the entire cast at Pentacle Theatre’s rehearsal space, downstairs at 145 Liberty St. NE, in downtown Salem.
Show dates: Jan. 8, 9 and 10, 2016.
Rehearsals: Please bring a list of rehearsal conflicts for Oct. 19 through Jan. 10 with you to the audition. The director will create a rehearsal schedule based on the conflicts received at auditions. Audition forms are available on the Pentacle Theatre website: www.pentacletheatre.org. Audition forms will also be available at the theater on Oct. 17.
For more information: Contact the director, Deborah Johansen, at [email protected] or 971-241-4912.
Casting Call:
Mary Poppins has more than 30 speaking parts including many featured roles with lines and solos:
Bert: Age 30-45, vocal range B-F sharp: Cockney accent/song and dance man/narrator of the story.
George Banks: Age 35-50, vocal range B flat-E flat: No-nonsense, demands precision and order.
Winifred Banks: Age 30-45, vocal range A-D: Warm, sweet, nurturing.
Jane Banks: Age 11 (will cast an actor who LOOKS 11-ish), vocal range A-F sharp: Precocious, willful, sings and dances.
Michael Banks: Age 9 (see above), vocal range A-E: Excitable, cheeky, naughty tendencies, sings and dances.
Mrs. Brill: Age 40-60, vocal range F sharp-D sharp: Housekeeper and cook for family/strong singer.
Robertson Ay: Age 20-30 vocal range F-G sharp: Houseboy to the family.
Mary Poppins: Age 25-40, vocal range G-High C: Practically perfect in every way.
Miss Andrew: Age 45-65, vocal range soprano with an alto belt: Overbearing and scary boyhood nanny of Mr. Banks.
Admiral Boom: Age 45-65, neighbor to Banks, booming loud voice/speaking role.
Miss Lark: Age 25-45, neighbor to Banks, speaking role.
FEATURED ROLES:
Katie Nana
Policeman
Park Keeper
Neleus (statue that comes alive and sings and dances)
Bank chairman
Miss Smythe
Von Hussler
Northbrook
Bird woman
Mrs. Corry
Fannie
Annie
Valentine
William
Mr. Punch
Glamorous Doll
The entire cast is part of a chorus as well as playing individual characters. There are chimney sweeps, townspeople in the park, officers and clerks of the bank that all double as other roles.
For a synopsis of the musical, go to the Music Theater International website at www.mtishows.com and enter Mary Poppins in the show category. Do not be surprised by the changes and additions compared to the movie!
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