Audition Notices
Theatre Ancaster, in preparation for its Fall 2013 season, will be holding auditions in May for two shows.
"Side by Side by Sondheim"
Some auditions have been previously held and parts have been cast for 4 to 5 women and 3 to 4 men in the 25-50+ age range with strong, resilient solo voices and good ranges.
Still required is one female solo singer, preferably an alto, and one male solo singer with tenor-baritone range. Both to play 30-50 age range.
Audition Date: Thursday May 23 starting at 7:00 p.m.
To book an appointment, contact Gord Conroy at gordconroy@cogeco.ca or 905-648-6786
The Old Firehall Arts Centre, 334 Wilson St. E., Ancaster
Map »
Please come prepared with both an up-tempo song as well as a ballad which together show off the range and colour of your voice.
One of the prepared songs may be from the show, but not both.
An accompanist will be provided, or you may use a “music minus one” type recording (i.e. accompaniment only).
This is primarily a musical revue and the majority of the show is sung. Therefore, the audition will not require a dramatic reading or a dance audition.
Please bring your resume.
Performances will be held at the Old Firehall:
Evenings, September 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8:00 p.m.
Matinee September 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Director: Andy Blackwood
Producer: Gord Conroy
About the show:
Side by Side by Sondheim is a celebration of Sondheim's early work in landmark shows that revolutionised musical theatre….Send in the Clowns, Broadway Baby, Losing My Mind, I'm Still Here, West Side Story andGypsy.
The original production of Side by Side by Sondheim began in London in 1976 to overwhelming success and ran for four years. The Broadway production opened in a year later in 1977, and enjoyed an incredible run of 390 performances - largely unprecedented for a revue. The show started a trend for sophisticated revues that persists today.
About Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim is the most acclaimed composer on Broadway. He has won eight Tony Awards (more than any other composer), eight Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and an Oscar. His phenomenal legacy includes lyrics for the musicals West Side Story and Gypsy, as well as music and lyrics for Follies, Company, A Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Sweeney Todd.
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 from 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Thursday, May 30, 2013 from 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Callbacks: Monday, June 3 at 8:00 pm
Book an appointment with Gord Conroy: gordconroy@cogeco.ca
or 905-648-6786
If you are unable to schedule in advance, please come at 7:00 p.m on either audition night to receive an appointment time if available.
Dance auditions:
Monday, June 3 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm for solo dancers* (Courtesans)
Monday, June 3 from 8:00 - 10:00 pm for leads and ensemble (by invitation after May auditions)
*Solo dancers should arrive at 7:00 prepared with music and dance routine.
The Old Firehall Arts Centre, 334 Wilson St. E., Ancaster
Map »
Those auditioning for an ensemble role (Proteans) should sing the ensemble part from Comedy Tonight.
Download sheet music »
There will be a pianist present or you can sing with a karaoke track in the correct key. No a capella auditions.
Those auditioning for a lead should prepare the song listed below for your character, plus a second song that showcases comedic interest.
Pseudolus: Free
Senex: Everybody Ought to Have a Maid
Domina: That Dirty Old Man
Hero: Love I Hear
Hysterium: I'm Calm
Miles Gloriosus: Bring Me My Bride
Lycus: The House of Marcus Lycus
Philia: Lovely
Leads should also be prepared to read. Download sides »
Character Descriptions:
| SENEX | The patriarch of his family. A wealthy man, past his prime, who longs for the opportunity to exercise some youthful pleasures, away from the eye of his controlling wife. Shrewd, though beginning to to deal with a failing body. Male, 45-60 yrs old Range: Bb3 - G5 |
| DOMINA | Senex’s wife. A shrewish woman who dominates to the point of answering herself the questions she asks of others. Loves her husband deep down, but is outwardly controlling, demanding, and manipulative. Female, 40-50 yrs old Range: B3 - F5 |
| HERO | The young son of Senex and Domina. He falls in love with Philia and agrees to give Pseudolus his freedom if he can help Hero woo her. Practical, privileged, and hopelessly romantic to the neglect of all else. Male, 20-30 yrs old Range: B3 - G5 |
| HYSTERIUM | The chief slave in the House of Senex. Believes he is in control, but is actually Pseudolus’ puppet to carry out his schemes. Anxious, conservative, loyal. He desperately wants everything to be in order. Male, 40-55 yrs old Range: D4 - G5 |
| LYCUS | The owner of the house of Courtesans. Always out to make a profit, preserve his own hide, and turn situations to his own advantage. Male, 40-50 yrs old Range: A3 - F5 |
| MILES | The archetype of the braggart soldier. A captain in the Roman army to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia. Commanding, boastful, manly and strong. Male, 25-35 yrs old Range: B3 - F5 |
| PHILIA | A virgin in the House of Lycus whom we also find out is Erronius’ daughter. She is promised to Miles and vows to give him bodily what he has paid for, but loves Hero and promises he will always have her heart. Young, pretty, devoted. An archetypal ingénue. Naive to the point of foolishness. Some dance training preferred Female, 18-21 yrs old Range: B3 - G5 |
| PSEUDOLUS | A Roman slave, owned by Hero, who seeks to win his freedom by helping his young master win the heart of Philia. Quick-witted, scheming, childlike spirit. Male, 30-50 yrs old Range: A3 - A5 |
| ERRONIUS | An agonizingly old man, who has dedicated his life to finding his lost children, stolen from him in their infancy by a band of pirates. Half blind, mostly deaf, but remarkably resilient for a man in declining years. Male, 75-no longer plausibly alive yrs old |
| PROTEANS | A trio of clownish chorus members who play a multitude of roles. Playful and fun-loving. Probably Male, 18-30 yrs old |
| COURTESANS | Must have dance ability. |
Performances will be at Theatre Auditorium at Ancaster High School:
November 22, 23, 29, 30, December 6 & 7 at 8:00 pm
Matinees November 24, December 1 at 2:00 pm
Director: Sam Frisk
Music Directors: Mark and Janice Reese
Choreographer: Tina Rath
Producer: Gord Conroy
About the show:
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based on the plays of Plautus
Two Acts, Book Musical, Rated PG. Tony Award Winner. Ran for three years on Broadway.
Broadway's greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. This is the first musical Sondheim wrote both music and lyrics for.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is a non-stop laugh-fest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan named Philia, for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. But there's a problem – not only is Philia owned by Marcus Lycus, an infamous courtesan dealer, but she's also already promised to swaggering soldier Miles Gloriosus... and neither of them are keen to give her up. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors, and a showgirl or two. This unforgettable, hysterical musical allows a terrific ensemble of comedic actors to shine--"something for everyone, a comedy tonight!"
Check the MTI Official Website for more information.