What: Open auditions for Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. Directed at Pentacle Theatre by Chris Fletcher.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29.
Where: Pentacle Theatre lobby, 324 52nd Avenue NW, Salem, Oregon
Casting Call: Casting actors of all abilities, genders and ethnicities for the following roles:
- Robert, age 35+ — Male lead character.
- Five males able to play characters aged 35-50 — male characters will also double as Company
- Eight females able to play characters aged 30-50 — female characters will also double as Company
Things to know: Lobby doors open at 12:30 p.m. Open auditions for all roles begin promptly at 1 p.m. and may run as late as 5 p.m.
- Plan to arrive early to fill out an audition form. We encourage you to download a copy at pentacletheatre.org and complete it in advance. Please write clearly, especially your contact information. Headshots and resumes are not required, but always appreciated.
- Please bring your calendar and provide a complete list of your conflicts through June 13.
- Please prepare a song from a Broadway musical other than Company. Limit your selection to 32 bars — about 1 minute.
- An accompanist will be available, or you may provide your own. Please bring sheet music for the accompanist.
- Using a CD or smartphone recording of your accompaniment is OK. A CD player and Bluetooth speaker will be provided.
- Absolutely no A Cappella singing will be allowed.
- Please dress comfortably and be ready to learn and perform a basic movement combination.
Callbacks: March 2, 6 p.m. at the Pentacle Theatre rehearsal studio. 145 Liberty St. NE, in downtown Salem.
Rehearsals: Generally, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays beginning March 2, at Pentacle Theatre’s rehearsal studio in downtown Salem.
- Cast members may be required to make special appearances for marketing purposes in the weeks before the show opens.
Show dates: Friday, May 22 to Saturday, June 13.
About the show: In a series of playlets by George Furth, Company explores the complications of marriage, friendship, love isolation and loneliness in 1970s New York City.
Company was one of the first American “concept” musicals. It has a story but not a chronologically linear plot. Rather than serving to advance a plot, Stephen Sondheim’s songs comment on the action and analyze it as it happens. The sets provide atmosphere rather than physical locations.
Although Company is considered a period piece, its exploration of the complications of relationships in a fast-paced environment remains a contemporary theme. We face today the consequences of depersonalization in our lives as we increasingly communicate with one another through social media and technology rather than face-to-face.
2020 is the 50th anniversary of the New York premier of Company in 1970. In 1971, Company scored 15 Tony Award nominations and won seven. In 1978, Company was produced at Pentacle Theatre.
Company is generously sponsored by The Compton Family Foundation.
Information: Contact director Chris Fletcher.
Pentacle Theatre is Salem’s premier community theatre, celebrating 66 years of professional-quality productions staged in an intimate setting. Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or socioeconomic status.
