The Merry Widow – VLOG Spring 2006

The Merry Widow – VLOG Spring 2006

Audition Information

Production Staff

Stage Director

Music Director

Pre-Production Coordinator

Phillip Sprayberry

Ronald W. Noll

JC Lindstrom

(212) 627-8586 (Home)

Dates: Tuesday, January 3 / Wednesday, January 4 (MEMBERS ONLY) / Thursday, January 5

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (arrive no later than 9:30 p.m.)

Places: The Dewar Residence/ The Dewar Residence (MEMBERS ONLY)/ First Presbyterian Church

If you are unable to audition on any of these dates or wish to participate behind-the-scenes (i.e. set construction, stage crew) but cannot come on any audition day, notify JC Lindstrom at the number above prior to January 3 or e-mail at jc_lindstrom@hotmail.com. VLOG Members are strongly encouraged to audition on Wednesday, January 4.

Audition Highlights

· Those auditioning should prepare a song that best shows vocal range and proficiency. If you are auditioning for a principal role, you should select a song which best shows the directors your suitability for the role(s) for which you would like to be considered.

· Keep your audition material to under two-minutes. You may prepare a selection from The Merry Widow.

· Bring a copy of the sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided.

· You may also be asked to read dialogue. There will be no dance audition.

· Please bring a resume and headshot (or other recent picture).

· Be prepared to disclose any and all scheduling conflicts you have between January 3 and May 7. If you wish to perform in the show, you must be available for ALL PERFORMANCES.

· If you are interested in a non-performing position (backstage or offstage), come on any of the above dates for an interview and introduction to the group.

· Callbacks for principal roles will be held the evenings of Monday, January 9 and Tuesday, January 10. If you are auditioning for a principal role, please keep these dates free, as we may not be able to consider you for a principal role if you cannot attend your designated callback date(s).

Rehearsal Schedule

Company rehearsals will be held on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. The entire cast may not be called for every rehearsal. There will also be two Saturday rehearsal days for the full company during the rehearsal period. Principals will also rehearse at additional times to be determined. The read-through rehearsal and kick-off party will both be on Saturday, January 14 – please set aside this date if you intend on participating in the production.

Mandatory Participation Dates

First Read-Through and Kick-Off Party: Saturday, January 14

First Regular Rehearsal Monday, January 16

Load-In (full company): Friday, April 21 – Sunday, April 23

Production Week Rehearsals (full company): Monday, April 24 – Friday, April 28

Performances: Saturday, April 29, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 30, 2:00 p.m.

(Brush-Up - Thursday, May 4)

Friday, May 5, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 6, 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 7, 2:00 p.m.

Strike: Sunday, May 7, after the performance

THE MERRY WIDOW by FRANZ LEHAR (Richard Leighton Translation)

Principal Women's Roles

HANNA (ANNA) GLAWARI: Lyric Soprano (middle C - high D). The Merry Widow. The richest, most beautiful woman in all of Paris. Gorgeous, with matured elegance in every sense, gracious wit and charm, despite her peasant origins. In love with Danilo. Extremely demanding vocally.

VALENCIENNE: Soprano or High Mezzo (low B - high A). Wife of Baron Zeta. A young, vivacious soubrette, who flirts with Camille, but doesn’t plan on losing her husband over it. Leads the "Can-Can" in Act III. Major singing role

Featured Women's Roles

MATILDA MASTIFF: Soprano or Mezzo (low B - G). Wife of Sir Montague; a silly swooning wife all agog at the glitter and attention of Paris. Has a flirtation with St. Brioche. Primarily a character role with ensemble singing.

COUNTESS FLORA CAMEMBERT: Soprano or Mezzo (low B - G). Wife of Count Camembert; a former Showgirl with no limits to her ability to shock and please. Flirtation with Cascada. Primarily, a Character role with ensemble singing.

GERTA GUSTAFFSON: Soprano or Mezzo (low B - G). Wife of General Gustaffson; she is Birgit Nilsson. Has a secret yearning for Danilo. Primarily a character role with ensemble singing.

QUEEN MYRNA: Queen of Petrovedia. A cameo role in Act III. To be cast from the chorus.

GRISETTES - LOLO, DODO, JOU-JOU, FROU-FROU, CLO-CLO, and MARGOT: Brassy, belt, singers/dancers (low B – F#) Maxim’s dancing “can-can” girls in Act III. Companionable “ladies.” (Splits, cartwheels, etc. are a plus.) These roles will be cast from the chorus -- If interested, indicate on the audition sheet.

Principal Men's Roles

COUNT DANILO DANILOVICH: High Baritone/Tenor (low B - high A). Attractive "Playboy-about-town," clever, life loving with romantic nature. First Secretary and Attaché to the Petrovedian Embassy; ex-Lieutenant of the Cavalry. Once in love with the Merry Widow.

CAMILLE DE ROSILLON: Lyric Tenor (low D - high C). Handsome, amorous Frenchman ardently in love with Baron Zeta’s wife, Valencienne. The romantic tenor.

BARON MIRKO ZETA: Baritone (low B - high G). The Petrovedian Ambassador in Paris. Husband of Valencienne. A comic role. A lovable, occasionally pompous and blusterous aging dignitary, blind to his wife’s flirtations.

Featured Men's Roles

NJEGUS: Baritone (low B - E). Embassy Adjutant, sidekick and personal secretary to Baron Zeta. An Important character-acting role, a comic. No vocal solo work.

VISCOUNT CASCADA: Baritone/Tenor (Db - F). A French diplomat entangled with a married lady, and also after Hanna and her “millions.” Somewhat conceited and a bit shallow. Character type or straight man.

RAOUL DE ST. BRIOCHE: Tenor/Baritone (Db - A). A French diplomat, enamored of a married lady, also after Hanna and her “millions.” Rather pompous. Character type or straight man.

SIR MONTAGUE MASTIFF: Baritone/Tenor (low B - G). A British industrialist; your central casting English, mutton-jowled, up-from-the-masses gentleman. A character actor married to Matilda.

COUNT JULES CAMEMBERT: Tenor/Baritone (low B - G). A 6^th generation Normandy nobleman; should be Charles Aznavour…possibly even greasier. A character actor, married to Countess Flora.

GENERAL LARS GUSTAFFSON: Baritone/Tenor (low B - G). A military attaché from Finland; he is Max Von Sydow. A character actor, married to Gerta.

ENSEMBLE: Guests, aristocracy and members of the Petrovedian Embassy, ornaments of Parisian society, Grisettes, maids and servants, Petrovedian and gypsy dancers.

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES:

ACT I: The Petrovedian Embassy in Paris

ACT II: A Garden Party at Madame Glawari's Villa outside Paris, early evening a week later

ACT III: At Maxime's, later that night

AUDITION LOCATIONS

Tuesday, January 3^rd

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Please do not arrive before 7:00 p.m.

Home of Robert and Karin Dewar

73 Fifth Avenue (corner of 5^th & 15^th)

Apartment 11B

Closest Subway Stations:

Union Square Station (456NRL)

Wednedsay January 4^th

VLOG MEMBERS ONLY

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Please do not arrive before 7:00 p.m.

Home of Robert and Karin Dewar

73 Fifth Avenue (corner of 5^th & 15^th)

Apartment 11B

Closest Subway Stations:

Union Square Station (456NRL)

14^th & 6^th (1,2, F, L & Path)

Thursday, January 5^th

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church

Corner of 5^th Avenue & 12^th Street (enter on 12^th)

Basement

Closest Subway Stations:

Union Square Station (456NRL)

14^th & 6^th (1,2, F, L & Path)