February 2010
Issue No 267
Overtones Masthead
A Message from Our President.........
 Please accept my personal invitation to attend Quad City Music Guild's annual "pre-audition tea" on Valentine's Day at Prospect Park Auditorium.  "Pre-audition tea" is a highfalutin description of a friendly annual gathering where we try to entice folks to audition for our summer season. Join us Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. in our theater lobby and you'll:
 
  --Meet the directors and directing staffs of Guys and Dolls, Grease and Curtains, and hear their descriptions of the actors and actresses they need for their shows;
 --Learn their individual plans for auditions, which are scheduled the latter part of February;
 --Hear a vocal selection from each of the summer season shows; 
--Be urged to get involved in Music Guild in a variety of capacities, regardless of whether you can sing or act or dance (a lot of us do none of the three). We can use people with all sorts of skills, semi-skills and just plain desire to help. You'll hear about  opportunities to get involved as little or as much was you want to. You'll be able to discuss possibilities with any or all of our 30 committees.
 
You'll also be able to sample some of the town's best cookies, punch and other refreshments, or purchase a variety of Music Guild t-shirts, sweatshirts and dress shirts. You could buy one to surprise your Valentine.  And, of course, you'll be able to buy season tickets to save some major bucks over individual show tickets. You won't want to miss our 2010 season.
 
I hope you'll accept my invitation. Music Guild needs your involvement.
--jerry taylor
Volunteer Opportunity
 
The Music Guild auditions season is rapidly approaching, and we are in need of some friendly faces to greet the auditioners that will bring their talents through our doors.  It is an easy assignment, and we usually have a pretty good time.  Volunteers can work as little as 2 hours and up to as many as you would like to spend helping.  Please contact Jamie Bauschka at jamiebauschka@hotmail.com or 309-269-4909. 
 
Thanks so much for giving us the gift of your time! 
Congratulations to the Cast of the Pajama Game!
 
tea cup
 
 Directing Staff
Director/Set Designer: Kevin Pieper
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
 

The Cast
Sid Sorokin - J Adam Lounsberry
Babe Williams - Shana Lavino
Vernon Hines - Joe Urbaitis
Gladys - Kelly Thompson-Reyes
Prez - Dan McGinn
Mae - Michelle Steen
Mabel - Chris Castle
Mr. Hasler - John Donald O'Shea
Pops - Mark  Holmes
Poopsie/Quartet/Ensemble - Jodi McGinn
Virginia/Quartet/Ensemble - Heather Roman
Max/Quartet/Ensemble - Kevin Pierce
Charley/Quartet/Ensemble - Greg Golz
Brenda/Ensemble - Heidi Pedersen
Mary/Dancer/Ensemble - Christine Goodall
Mara/Ensemble - Cindy Ramos-Parmley
First Helper/Ensemble - Darin Turner 
Ensemble - Dave Bailey
 
Show Dates are March 25-28, 2010.  Call 309-762-6610 to reserve your tickets!
Coming Soon!
All Shook Up 1
March 2010

All Shook Up 1
June 2010

All Shook Up 1
July 2010

All Shook Up 1
August 2010

All Shook Up 1
December 2010
QCMG Alumni Lunch

QCMG alumni will meet for lunch at 12 noon on Wed. March 17 at Johnny's Steak House in Moline on the Commons. Please call Cathie Anderson-762-3259 if you plan to attend. Everyone is welcome.
Pre Audition Tea

Don't forget to join us for the tea on Feb 14 at 2:00 pm!
Guys and Dolls Auditions - February 19, 20, and 27 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: Ann Mormon
Props: Bob Williams
Costume Designer: Mary Bouljon
Set Designer: Chris White
Sound Designer: Korey Thomas
Lighting Designer: Kevin Pierce
Producer: Tom Swegle

AUDITION DATES: Friday, Feb 19 6:30-8:45; Saturday, Feb 20 3:00-5:15; Saturday Feb 27 12:30-2:45
Callbacks will be Sunday Feb 28 as needed.
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 20, 21, and 27 2010
All Shook Up 1
 Directing Staff
Director/Set Designer: Harold Truitt
Assistant Director: George Swift
Music Director: Joe Miller
Asst Music Director: Deb Swift
Choreographer: Susie Adams
Props: Sue Woodard
Costume Designer: Michelle Heaton
Sound Designer: Darin Turner
Lighting Designer: Steve Parmley
Producer: Tom Swegle

AUDITION DATES: Saturday, Feb 20 10:00-12:15; Sunday Feb 21 3:00-5:15; Saturday Feb 27 10:00-12:15
Callbacks will be Sunday Feb 28 as needed.
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 20, 21, and 27 2010
 
All Shook Up 1 Directing Staff
Director: Wayne Hess - hook_3_3_3@hotmail.com
 Assistant Director: Sarah Ormsby
Music Director: Cindy Ramos Parmley
Assistant Music Director: Mary Carroll
Choreographer: Kathy Schutter
Props: Dave Bailey
Set Design: TBA
Costume Design: Peggy Freeman
Light Design: Steve Parmley
Sound Design: Korey Thomas
Producer: Tom Swegle
 

 AUDITION DATES: Saturday, Feb 20 12:30-2:45; Sunday, Feb 21 12:30-2:45; Saturday Feb 27 3:00-5:15
Callbacks will be Sunday, Feb 28 as needed.
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.