OnStage Uxbridge invites you to auditions for our 2019 fall musical:
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Show dates – November 14 – 23, 2019
Auditions:
Auditions will be by appointment (video submissions notwithstanding) and any singer wishing to be considered for a principal role should prepare a memorized song that is similar in style to the show, or they may sing something appropriate from the show, if desired.
Any singer who wishes to be considered for the ensemble (lots to do for everyone) should prepare the song “Off to the Races” from the show. Open the Acrobat Document link below for the music.
No one will be asked to prepare a monologue, but certain people may be asked to read from the script at their initial audition. Connect to the following link for Off to the Races on You-tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFZu-2l68yk
Everyone asked to attend call-backs will prepare sides from the show, which we will provide online. Movement auditions will be conducted in small groups at the initial audition, so please be prepared to stay if requested.
To book your audition time, please contact Krystyne Elliott at one of the following:
Email: krystynee@yahoo.com
Phone: 647-294-8130
Facebook: https://facebook.com/OnStageUxbridge
Ages:
The show calls for a medium to large cast of men and women aged 18 and up, with several roles requiring mature, experienced actor/singers. There are no opportunities for children on stage in this production.
Accents:
Most of the company will be asked to act with an accent from some region of the UK or Europe. Many characters speak with some degree of Cockney dialect. Two speak with an East Indian dialect.
Character Breakdown: (All actors play two characters; one in the Music Hall Royale and one within the story of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. All actors spend some time speaking directly to the audience and invite their participation; the most confident actors will be involved in the pre-show audience warmup and the vote-taking at the end of each performance)
Male Characters:
Chairman/Mayor Thomas Sapsea: The leader of the music hall troupe. The Chairperson carries the majority of the dialogue and must be quick with a joke and able to improvise. He is in charge of keeping the pace of the show moving. This part can be played by any age over 40ish. Baritone (D#3 – F#4 – can pop octaves if needed). Actor must be capable of articulating rapid patter lyrics.
Clive Paget/John Jasper: The Royale’s male lead, a devilishly attractive cad, and he knows it. In Drood, he is the antagonist. Choirmaster of Cloisterham Cathedral, and uncle of Edwin Drood. In love with Rosa Bud. Madness lurks beneath his smooth exterior. 35 – 50ish. Bari-tenor (A2 – A4). Actor must be capable of articulating rapid patter lyrics.
Victor Grinstead/Neville Landless: Victor is enjoying his premier performance with the Music Hall Royale. His character, Neville, is Helena’s twin brother. Very passionate and often angry. 25 – 50ish. Bari-tenor (C3 – G4), strong ensemble singer.
Cedric Moncrieffe/Reverend Crisparkle: This troupe member is a bit of an open book who plays an archetypal vicar, who is also a bit of a lurker, and was in love with Rosa’s mother. Must be significantly older than Rosa. Baritone (C3 – G4), strong ensemble singer.
Phillip Bax/Bazzard: Devotee of the theatre, the everlasting understudy, who finally gets his moment. May have quite a major part if the evening turns out that way. Any age. Bari-tenor (A2 – Eb4 [opt G4 or Bb4]).
Nick Cricker, Sr./Durdles: “Clown Prince of the Royale” who makes the most of every line and plays the drunkard sexton in Drood. Over 30, probably older. Baritone or Tenor (B2 – F4) – ensemble singer.
Nick Cricker, Jr./Deputy: Boy, any age younger than Cricker, Sr. As the Deputy, lowest in the pecking order, and very funny. Any voice range – ensemble singer. (Dance/movement ability a bonus)
Men’s Ensemble: Looking for 2 – 4 additional men to sing/dance in the Ensemble. Some may have lines. All will need to be comfortable speaking directly to the audience.
Female Characters:
Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood: Prima donna and London’s leading male impersonator, charming but, as you might expect, with determination and a lot of ego. Must command the stage. As Edwin Drood, she is an attractive, rich, and popular young man who has everything. 25 – 45ish. Mezzo (B3 – E5).
Deirdre Peregrine/Rosa Bud: The not-so-innocent ingenue of the Music Hall Royale, Deirdre portrays the love interest of Drood, the young, beautiful and apparently fragile Rosa Bud. Appears 16 – 30ish. True soprano (A3 – B5), with a high B natural that can’t be avoided.
Angela Prysock/Princess Puffer: Angela has been a favorite of London audiences forever, a staple of the stage. As the mysterious Princess Puffer, Madam, opium dealer and general purveyor of vice of all kinds, she is glamorous in her ruin. Over 50. Serious low alto (F3 – D5) – must have a big chest voice and lots of rapport with the audience.
Janet Conover/Helena Landless: Janet is a long-standing member of the acting troupe, asked to play the mysterious Helena Landless who hails from a mysterious foreign colony not unlike India. 25 – 50ish. Mezzo (G3 – D5 [optional E5])
Wendy and Beatrice: Drawn from the company, these characters are contemporaries of Rosa Bud. (C4-D5)
Women’s Ensemble: Looking for 4 – 6 additional women to sing/dance in the Ensemble. Some may have lines. All will need to be comfortable speaking directly to the audience.
Rehearsal Schedule:
Drood (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) is a very busy and complicated show so, in order to achieve the best possible rehearsed show, we anticipate scheduling 10 hours of staging rehearsals every week starting in early August. The suggested days and times would be Sundays from 1:30 – 5:30 and 6:30 – 9:30, and one weeknight (likely Wednesday) from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. One month from opening night we will evaluate whether we’re achieving our rehearsal goals and, if necessary, we may add additional rehearsal time as needed. Director’s note: It is my policy to not call people if they are not going to be well used so, not everyone will be called to all rehearsals. If you have a conflict, or planned absence during August, September or October please let us know at your audition. All participants must be available for all rehearsals and performances in the month of November.
Rehearsal Priority:
Music Rehearsals will be given priority for the first few weeks, and the Music Director will schedule all music rehearsals and then, when we’ve learned enough music to begin staging musical numbers the priority will shift to Staging Rehearsals. Some non-musical scenes may be staged during music rehearsals pending availability of space and actors.
Audition Dates and Times: Sunday, July 14 1:30-5:30 pm and 6:30-9:30 pm. Appointments every 12 minutes.
Wednesday, July 17 7:00-10:00 pm
Location: St. Andrew’s-Chalmers Presbyterian Church, 40B Toronto Street South (Use Church Street entrance)
Video Submissions: Anyone unable to attend the Auditions may submit by video. Please sing to live or recorded accompaniment rather than singing a capella. Please submit your videos with a short cover letter in your email. Please name your video with your full name and provide contact information. Send all video submissions to krystynee@yahoo.com with a C.C. to scott.hurst@sympatico.ca and cyndiejacobs1@gmail.com
Questions: Please feel free to communicate directly with Krystyne, Scott or Cyndie. The Director is Scott Hurst and his email address is: scott.hurst@sympatico.ca
