January 2010
 Issue No 266
Overtones Masthead
Please join us for the Pre-Audition Tea
 
tea cupThe annual pre-audition tea will be held Sunday, February 14 at 2:00 at QCMG.  This is your opportunity to learn more information from the directors of our summer shows and to hear songs from the productions.  Refreshments will also be served.  All are welcome!
 
Congratulations to the Cast, Staff, and Crew of Babes in Toyland!
 
All Shook Up 1
 
 
Congratulations to everyone involved in our December production, Babes in Toyland.  Thank you for a wonderful show!
 
Thank you!
 
Thank you to all of the volunteers who worked to make our 2009 season a success!  Our total attendance for the season was 13,493
Coming Soon!
All Shook Up 1
March 2010

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June 2010

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July 2010

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August 2010

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December 2010
Pajama Game Auditions - January 15-17 2010
All Shook Up 1
 Directing Staff
Director/Set Designer: Kevin Pieper 762-6667/796-7546; kpieper@dhcu.org
Assistant Director: Jen Sondgeroth
Music Director: Heather Pieper
Asst Music Director: Randin Turner
Choreographer: Jayne Ploehn
Props: Cherie Lyman 
Costume Designer: Deb Holmes
Sound Designer: Mark McGinn
Lighting Designer: John Weigandt
Make Up:  JoAnn Parmley 
Producer: Mike Millar
 
AUDITION DATES: January 15th 6-8pm; January 16th 1-4pm; January 17th callbacks as needed
SHOW DATES: March 25-28, 2010 
Rehearsals will begin on or about February 8th.
AUDITION NOTES:    
·    The minimum age to audition for this production is 16 years old at time of auditions
·    There will be a cast of approximately 25
·    Female Dancers:  Please wear appropriate dance attire and dance shoes to audition.  (There is no tap in this show.)
·    Bring complete sheet music (or vocal selections, etc.) that has piano accompaniment included  (No tapes or CD's) You will be asked to sing approximately 16-24 measures of your song,  Songs from the show are welcome.
·    Please select your music with the knowledge the accompanist will be sight reading your piece.  Avoid overly-complicated selections.
·    Relax....we will be very happy to see you!

Roles  in THE PAJAMA GAME :

Adults will be cast in all principal roles for this production, however, I prefer not to list specific ages for key roles.  How individuals look opposite one another and portray their characterizations will be the main focus.

Sid Sorokin - The Sleep Tite Pajama Company supervisor.  He's the new man at the factory and serious about making his career a success.  He is opposite Babe Williams. Sid has good comedic timing, is able to dance well with solos/duets including Hey There, Once-a-Year Day, Small Talk and There Once was a Man.  Voice range: High baritone/Tenor to G flat Below Middle C.
 
Babe Williams  -  A plant worker and Grievance Committee Chair.  Babe is a strong-willed, confident woman not afraid to be assertive in a 'man's world'.  Playing opposite of Sid, Babe also has good comedic timing, needs to be able to move well and has solos/duets including I'm Not at All in Love, Once-a-Year Day, Small Talk, Hey There, and There Once Was a Man. Voice range:  Alto/Mezzo Soprano; B flat below Middle C to F above Treble C.

Vernon Hines -  the plant's 'time-manager.'  He plays opposite Gladys and must have good comedic ability.  Hines has a funny solo/duet (I'll Never Be Jealous Again) with Mabel. He has a great deal of dialogue and is featured in several scenes.  Voice range: Baritone to F Below Middle C.

Gladys - the plant President's executive secretary.  Gladys has strong comedic skills and must be able to dance.  She is featured in the songs Her Is, Steam Heat, and Hernando's  Hide-Away. (Ole'!)  She plays opposite Vernon Hines.  Voice range: Alto/Mezzo Soprano; B flat below Middle C to Treble C

Prez  - the local Union President.  A bit of a nerd, he still lives with 'mom,' although he thinks he has a way with the ladies.  Prez has good comedic skills and needs to be able to move well.  He plays opposite Mae for the most part, and has a scene with Gladys.  He has solos/duets in Her Is and Seven-and-a-Half Cents.   Voice range: Baritone to F Below Middle C. 
 
Mae - a plant worker who is looking for Mr. Right...and finds Prez instead!  Mae is also a little nerdy on the outside, but inside burns the soul of a featured dancer!  Mae has strong comedic skills and needs to be an accomplished dancer. Songs include Her Is and Steam Heat.   Voice Range: Alto/Mezzo Soprano; A flat below Middle C to Treble C.

Mabel - Sid Sorokin's secretary.  Mabel  also has good comedic skills and preferably is able to move well on stage.  She has the very funny duet I'll Never be Jealous Again with Vernon Hines.   Vocal range: Alto/Mezzo Soprano; B flat below Middle C to F above Middle C.

Mr. Hasler - the Sleep Tite President.  A hard-nosed, self-centered executive who is fighting the workers request for a 7-1/2 cent raise.  Hasler requires comedic timing.  This is a non-singing, non-dancing role.

Pops - Babe's warm-hearted, loveable, and somewhat odd father.   Pops has no solo songs, but we have included him in the company picnic scenes and also has two scenes he shares with Babe and Sid.  Voice Range - tenor, baritone or bass

We will cast a balanced SATB ensemble of approximately 8 men and 8 women.  There are MANY roles that will be filled from the Ensemble, some with a significant number of lines. We will be looking for those that can dance well for Hernando's Hide-away, although all Ensemble members will need to be able to move well on stage.

The Ensemble will be in several production numbers including:, Racing With the Clock, I'm Not at all in Love, Once-a-year Day, Slow Down, Hernando's Hide-Away, Seven-and-a-Half Cents, and The Pajama Game Closing.

From the Ensemble we will also select a featured SATB Quartet who will sing a jazzy version of the Sleep Tite factory theme song at the company picnic.

Guys and Dolls Auditions - February 19-21, 26-28 2010
All Shook Up 1
 Directing Staff
Director: Jason Platt - jason@plattinumpictures.com
Assistant Director: Susan Granet
Music Director: Chuck DCamp
Asst Music Director: Dianna McKune
Choreographer: TBA
Props: TBA
Costume Designer: Mary Bouljon
Set Designer: TBA
Sound Designer: Korey Thomas
Lighting Designer: TBA
Make Up:  TBA
Producer: Tom Swegle

AUDITION DATES: February 19-21, 26-28 2010.  Check our website or the next e-version of Overtones for specific times.
SHOW DATES: June 11-13, 17-20, 2010 

Synopsis:
In this staple of musical theatre comedy,Guys and Dolls ( music by: Frank Loesser and book by: Jo Swerlilng and Abe Burrows), we are thrust into the world of 1950's New York.  And here we find Nathan Detroit- who arranges spots to house illegal dice games- a bit more nervous because he can't secure the next spot for his gambling friends, as his nemesis; Lt. Brannigan, seems to be continuously on his heels.  Not only is the Lieutenant always one step behind him but his long term fiancé, Adelaide, is also on his heels and getting anxious about finally getting married.  Nathan is at the end of his rope and doesn't know  how he will be able to raise enough money to house the next dice game, when suddenly, as if a prayer has been answered, Nathan runs into Sky Masterson.  Sky Masterson, who is known as a high stakes gambler and for making crazy bets, feels that his luck has finally run out when Nathan bets that he cannot take Sara Brown-mission officer to the extreme-on a date to Havana, Cuba.  Will Sky win the bet, and take Sara to Havana?  Will Sara let her Mission Doll status down enough to fall in love?  Will Nathan get the money to hold the new dice game?  Will Adelaide finally get her fourteen year old wish and marry Nathan?  With songs like, "Guys and Dolls", "Luck Be a Lady", "A Bushel and a Peck" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat", this show has it all. 

Additional information: Be prepared to sing 16 measures from a musical (you may feel free to sing something from the show if you would like), you might also be asked to show your range as well.  For dancing, please wear something that you feel comfortable moving in.  If you have any questions feel free to email Jason Platt at Jason@plattinumpictures.com

Character Breakdown:

Sky Masterson (age 20's - early 30's):  A well respected gambler in his mid to late 20's.  A handsome love interest who has spent his life avoiding the 'big heart throb'.  Baritone: B-E Flat

Sara Brown (age 20's):  a Salvation Army officer who tries to convince those who drink or gamble to change their ways and refuses to fall in love with one.  Soprano: B-High F

Nathan Detroit (age 30's - early 40's):  The anxious organizer of the all gambler's locations, and "long" time fiancé of Miss Adelaide.  Baritone/Tenor: D-High F

Miss Adelaide (age 30's):  The star attraction at the Hot Box, and is constantly fighting her psychological cold from never being married to Nathan.  Alto: A-D

Nicely-Nicely Johnson:  Fellow gambler and one of Nathan's right hand men.  High Tenor D Flat-High C

Benny Southstreet:  Fellow gambler and one of Nathan's right hand men.  Tenor

Rusty Charlie:  A neighborhood gambler. Tenor

Arvide Abernathy (age 50's or higher):  Sara's Grandfather and fellow Salvation Army officer.  Baritone: D-High F

General Cartwright:  A stuffy Salvation Army Matron.  Mezzo-Soprano: E-High A or C

Harry the Horse:  A neighborhood gambler

Big Jule:  A big wig gambler from Chica-gah

Angie the Ox:  A neighborhood gambler

Lt Brannigan:  The Neighborhood cop who is trying to chase down Nathan Detroit's newest dice game location.

Joey Biltmore:  Owner of the Biltmore Garage, one of Nathan's choice locations to use.

Mimi:  one of Miss Adelaide's fellow dancers at the Hot Box.

Master of Ceremonies:  The MC at the Hot Box.

Agatha, Calvin, Martha:  Members of the Mission Band

Also:  Assorted other gangsters/gamblers, Hot Box dancers, Salvation Army evangelists and Cuban night club attendants

Grease Auditions - February 19-21, 26-28 2010
All Shook Up 1
 Directing Staff
Director/Set Designer: Harold Truitt
Assistant Director: TBA
Music Director: Joe Miller
Asst Music Director: Deb Swift
Choreographer: Susie Adams
Props: Sue Woodard
Costume Designer: Michelle Heaton
Sound Designer: TBA
Lighting Designer: TBA
Make Up:  TBA
Producer: Tom Swegle

AUDITION DATES: February 19-21, 26-28 2010.  Check our website or the next e-version of Overtones for specific times.
SHOW DATES: July 9-11, 15-18, 2010 

FROM THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR - GREASE, 2010!!!!

 With book, music, and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, this successful 8 year Broadway hit with recent revivals and a hit movie, features Rydell High School's spirited class of 1959. It captures the look and sound of the 1950's in a rollicking musical that salutes the rock and roll era. With gum-chewing, hub-cap stealing, hot rod loving boys with D.A.'S and leather jackets and their wise-cracking girls in teased hair, bobby sox, and pedal pushers, this gang sings and dances it's way through such scenes as a pajama party, the prom, the burger palace, and a drive-in movie along with a high school campus and a garage.
 
Performers in this show are portraying high school students, so an age range of 14 and above to mid 20's are encouraged to audition. Also, there is an older role of MISS LYNCH (teacher/principal) as well as VINCE FONTAINE (radio disc jockey). All auditioning should dress comfortably including shoes, (not flip flops or sandals) for stage dancing. Be prepared to sing a cutting of your choice from a Broadway score about 16 measures and please bring a COPY for the accompanist. (music must have accompaniment). You will be asked to sing and dance and readings will be determined if necessary. Please come out to audition for a powerful show with high energy and great music that will take you back to a simpler time of teen idols, rock and roll music, and high school dreams....
 
CHARACTERS TO CONSIDER:
 DANNY: The leader of the "Burger Palace Boys". Well built, nice looking with an air of cool easy-going charm.
Strong and confident with a strong stage voice.
SANDY: Danny's love interest. Sweet, wholesome, naive, cute,like Sandra Dee of the "Gidget" movies. Also, a
strong stage voice, and presence.
RIZZO: Leader of the "Pink Ladies" She is tough, sarcastic, and outspoken but vulnerable.
FRENCHY: A dreamer. Good-natured and not too smart. She can't wait to finish high school and be a beautician.
MARTY: The beauty of the "Pink Ladies". Tries to act sophisticated
JAN: Compulsive eater. Loud and pushy with the girls, but shy with the boys.

KENICKIE: Second in command of the "Burger Palace Boys". Tough-looking, surly, avoids any show of softness.
Has an off-beat sense of humor.
DOODY: Youngest of the guys. Small, boyish with a disarming smile and a hero-worshipping attitude toward the
other guys He also plays the guitar and should have a smooth voice.
ROGER: The anything for a laugh kind of guy. Full of mischief, and enjoys putting people on.
SONNY: Italian looking, with shiny black hair. A braggart who thinks he's a real lady killer.
 
OTHER ROLES:
 PATTY: A typical cheerleader type. She can also twirl a baton.
CHA-CHA: A blind date. Takes pride in being the BEST DANCER at St. Bernadette's.
EUGENE: The class Valedictorian. An apple polisher, smug and pompous but gullible.
VINCE FONTAINE: A typical teen audience "DISC JOCKEY". A former "greaser"
JOHNNY CASINO: A "greaser" student at Rydell High who leads a rock and roll band .
TEEN ANGEL: A good looking falsetto voiced, Fabian look-alike. A smooth singer who would have caused girls to
scream and riot in 1958.
MISS LYNCH: A typical high school English teacher.

Curtains Auditions - February 19-21, 26-28 2010
 
All Shook Up 1 Directing Staff
Director: Wayne Hess - hook_3_3_3@hotmail.com
 Assistant Director: TBA
Music Director: Cindy Ramos Parmley
Assistant Music Director: Mary Carroll
Choreographer: Kathy Schutter
Props: TBA
Set Design: TBA
Costume Design: Peggy Freeman
Light Design: TBA
Sound Design: Korey Thomas
Makeup: TBA
Producer: Tom Swegle
 

 AUDITION DATES: February 19-20, 26-28 2010.  Check our website or the next e-version of Overtones for specific times.
SHOW DATES: August 6-8, 12-15, 2010 

 This play within a play has been called a tribute to all of the grand musicals of Broadway!  From the same musical team that brought us Cabaret and Chicago, Curtains is a comic murder mystery that begins when the leading lady mysteriously dies onstage during the pre-Broadway tryout of a new musical.  The entire company and creative team become immediate suspects, and fun-filled mayhem ensues.  Their various motives must be sorted out by a local detective (a musical theater fan) who finds himself as dedicated to finding out whodunit as he is to making sure that the show will go on!
 
Auditions:  To audition for this production you must be at least 16 years old at the time of auditions.  For the audition you will need to prepare 16 bars of music from any Broadway musical, including songs from the show.  An accompanist will be provided, no pre recorded music will be allowed, also no a capella.
 
Some people auditioning will dance, and some will not.  Please be prepared to move.Some people auditioning might be asked to read, some will not.
 
 In the character breakdown the ages listed would be the ideal age, this can and most likely will change.
 
The cast will consist of no more than 30.
 
If you have any questions about auditions, schedule, the show, anything, please contact Director Wayne Hess @ hook_3_3_3@hotmail.com
 
If you cannot make the auditions for some reason or need to send an audition tape we are willing to schedule a private audition and we will be accept taped auditions, (we would really like to see you in person); please contact Wayne Hess to discuss\schedule either.
 
There are many parts that need to be covered, we are really hopeful to see as many people as possible. 
 
LIEUTENANT FRANK CIOFFI (40s): Local Boston detective who is also a musical theatre aficionado. Aside from being exceptionally good at his job, he has also aspired to be a musical theatre performer his entire life. He falls in love with Niki.  Must move and sing well.  Vocal Range Ab-E.  Sings one solo and sings solo lines in several songs.
 
NIKI HARRIS (20s-early 30s): Pretty, naïve ingénue. Niki is a chorus girl/understudy in the chorus of the show-within-the-show during its Boston tryout. She aspires to make it as a performer on Broadway. She meets and falls in love with Dt. Frank Cioffi who is investigating a murder at the theatre. Actress must have legit Soprano and good comic timing.  Must move and sing well. Vocal Range  Soprano C-E.  Sings solo lines in six songs.
 
GEORGIA HENDRICKS (30s): Female half of our songwriting team. Ends up taking on the leading lady role. Must sing and dance well. Vocal Range G-E. Sings solos in ten songs.
 
CARMEN BERNSTEIN (45-65): Brassy Broadway producer. Terrific comedic actress who sings well. Vocal Range Low Eb-E.  Sings solo lines in four songs.
 
AARON FOX (40s): The composer of the show-within-the-show. His songwriting partner, Georgia, is also his wife from whom he's separated. He's a sexy, charming ladies man. Vocal Range Bb-Gb.  Sings Solo lines in five songs.
 
SIDNEY BERNSTEIN (Late 50s-Mid 60s): The producer of an out of town flop. Sidney is tough and self-serving. Seeking a character actor with good comic timing.  Does not sing solo at anytime.
 
CHRISTOPHER BELLING (40-60) English director. Very camp. Very funny. Requires a good comic lead actor. Vocal Range: B-E.  Sings solos in three songs.
 
BAMBI BERNÉT (Early 20s-early 30s) Performer in the chorus and daughter of Carmen, the lead producer. Hungry to work her way up to leading performer many think she was only hired because of her mother. Bambi is a good dancer/comedienne who sings well. Vocal Range C-C.  Sing solos in three songs.
 
DARYL GRADY (30s): A Theatre critic for the local Boston newspaper, he enjoys using the power he has to make or break shows during their out of town tryouts. Non-singing.
 
JOHNNY HARMON (40s-50s) The Stage Manager of the show-within-the-show. Johnny is a character man who is gruff but lovable. He keeps the company in line and on their toes throughout the rehearsal process.   Sings solo lines in 2 songs.
 
OSCAR SHAPIRO (45-65): The general manager. An agreeable if slightly gruff man. He is always looking for any angle to find money. Seeking a good comic actor who sings. Vocal Range Bb-E.  Sings solos in three songs.
 
BOBBY PEPPER (20s to early 30s) The choreographer and lead dancer. Seeking a strong singer who dances well.  Vocal Range A-E.  Sings solos in five songs.
 
JESSICA CRENSHAW (30s-40s) Fading Hollywood star. A diva, who has no right to be one, she is a terrible singer and actress who stars in the show within a show and gets murdered on its opening night.   Only in the show for 5 pages, could double as an ensemble member.  Vocal Range:  G-D.  Sings one solo.
 
SASHA ILJINSKY The show's pit conductor.  He\She sings the opening of Act II and leads the orchestra. Vocal Range:  B-C.  Sings one solo, will double as an ensemble member.
 
Ensemble roles - The ensemble will play a variety of roles throughout the show.  They will be rehearsal members, stage hands, saloon patrons, mermaids etc..  We are hoping to cast many strong dancers in this group to be featured throughout the show
Randy Dexter - Ensemble member that sings solo lines in 3 songs.
Harv Fremont  - Ensemble  member that sings solo lines in 3 songs.
Detective O'Farrell - A police detective
Mona Page, Roberta Wooster, Marjorie Cook , Arlene Barruca , Roy Stetson, Brick Hawvermale, Jan Setler, Connie Subbotin, Peg Prentice,Ronnie Driscoll, Russ Cochran,
Questions about Overtones or need to update your email address?  Please contact Jen Sondgeroth at boxoffice@qcmusicguild.com.  Just put 'Overtones' in the subject line.