January 2012
Overtones Masthead
2013 Play Selection Committee
 

Quad City Music Guild show selection meetings for the 2013 season (our 65th year!) will be held Thursday, January 5, and Tuesday, January 17, at 6:30 pm, in the lobby of the theater.

 

We invite your participation and input on which shows QCMG should consider for the 2013 line-up.   We will be searching for shows which:

 

  • provide wide audience appeal and financial success for QCMG
  • will be a balanced season of show styles, periods, cast/set/costume requirements
  • will have interest to the various audition age groups and be well balanced between men and women cast needs
  • will have interest to potential directing/production staffs
  • are available for licensing
  • have produced, available and complete orchestration, scripts and librettos
  • can be produced within our operating budget
  • include new productions to QCMG and QC area, if possible
  • include previously successful revival production(s) [other than the holiday show, revivals should not have been produced at QCMG for a ten year period or longer.]

 

If you are interested in being a part of the selection process, please come prepared to discuss your shows and how they will satisfy the above criteria.  Potential staff members are important to the selection process and discussion, and are encouraged to attend.

 

If you are unable to attend either meeting, please feel free to forward your suggestions and comments via email to me and I will be happy to share them with the group.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me at kpieper@dhcu.org, 390-796-7546 or 309-762-6667.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing you on the 5th and the 17th!
Kevin Pieper

 

Please join us for the Pre-Audition Tea
 
The annual pre-audition tea will be held Sunday, February 12 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 Scrooge!
 
scrooge logo


Congratulations to everyone involved in our December production, Scrooge.  Thank you for a wonderful show!

Season Tickets Now Available!
Season ticket packages for our 2012 season are now on sale.  Three-, four- and five-show packages are available.  Orders must be received by January 31, 2012 in order to request the same seats as last year.  New orders are also being accepted.  For more information, please visit our website, www.qcmusicguild.com or call our box office at 309-762-6610.  A volunteer will be happy to return your call!
Coming Soon!
spellingbee
March 2012

stlouis
June 2012

scoundrels
July 2012

dolly
August 2012

wonderfullife
December 2012
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Auditions - January 13-14 2012
 
spellingbee 
Directing Staff
Director: Ben Holmes
Assistant Director: Tom Morrow
Music Director: Dave Blakey
Assistant Music DIrector: Patrick Downing
Choreographer: Beth Marsoun
Costume Designer: Deb Holmes
Set Designer: Mark Holmes
Props: Bob Williams
Sound Designer: Sean McGinn
Light Designer: John Weigandt
Producer: Bill Marsoun
 
AUDITION DATES: January 13th 5:30-8pm; January 14th 1-5pm; January 15th callbacks as needed
SHOW DATES: March 29-31, April 1 2012
 

 

Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser.

 

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is a hilarious tale of overachievers' angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The audience gets a glimpse into lives of our spellers, each having the own individuals quirks that make us fall in love with each of them.

 

Spelling Bee calls for at least nine strong character actors. Each character plays their own unique role in the running of the show. Individuality is key. Some characters double and depending on the auditions will depend on how many actors will end up doubling. Actors should come prepared with something that showcases who they are as performers not just singers. Each character has at least one solo and all characters will be expected to sing harmony well.

 

Spelling Bee is also unique in that it uses audience volunteers each nights, which means, each show has it's own unique twist.

 

CHIP TOLENTINO   A boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. C3 - B4 Tenor 

 

LEAF CONEYBEAR   The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark: the winner and first runner-up had to go to the winner's Bat Mitzvah. Leaf comes from a large family of former hippies and makes his own clothes. He spells words correctly while in a trance. In his song, "I'm Not That Smart", he sings that his family thinks he is "not that smart," but he insinuates that he is merely easily distracted. Most of the words that he is assigned are South American rodents with amusing names. A2 - G4 Baritone or Tenor 

 

LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUNENIERRE (SCHWARTZY)   Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures, with two overbearing homosexual fathers. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year. C4 - D5 Soprano 

 

MARCY PARK    A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year's nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is the poster child for the Over-Achieving Asian, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry. B3 - E5 Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano 

 

MITCH MAHONEY     The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. E3 - A4 (B4) Tenor 

 

OLIVE OSTROVSKY     A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. She made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. B3 - F#5 Soprano 

 

RONA LISA PERETTI     The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch, who has feelings for her that she most likely does not return. It is implied that she sees much of herself in Olive Ostrovsky. Her favorite moment of the Bee is in the minutes before it starts, when all the children are filled with the joy of competition, before they begin to resent each other. She later declares that she likes how everyone has an equal chance of winning, citing as an example that last year's winner can be this year's loser and vice versa. Another favorite moment is when the last winners go head to head for the top spot because it is so suspenseful and filled with hope. Ms. Peretti herself won the Third Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by spelling "syzygy," which she recounts at the very beginning of the opening number. C#4 - Ab5 Soprano 

 

WILLIAM BARFEE       A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts. His famous "Magic Foot" method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy personality. He has an often-mispronounced last name: it is Bar-FAY, not BARF-ee ("there's an accent aigu," he explains with some hostility). He develops a crush on Olive. Eb3 - Bb4 Tenor 

 

DOUGLAS PANCH    The Vice Principle. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in "a better place" now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.

 

Possible Double Roles are, Logainne's two dads (hence SwartzANDgrunierre), Jesus, and Olive's Mother and Father.

Meet Me In St Louis Auditions - February 18-19, 25 2012
 stlouis
 Directing Staff
Director: Tom Swegle
Assistant Director: Eric Fields
Music Director: Colleen Callahan
Assistant Music Director: Andrea Gonzalez
 
Choreographer: Sara Laufer
Costume Designer: Michelle Heaton
Set Designer: Kevin Pieper
Props: Jody Leiby
Light Designer: Kevin Pierce 

AUDITION DATES: February 18 10:00a-12:00p; February 19 4:00p-5:30p; February 25 12:15p-2:15p
Callbacks February 26 as needed
 
SHOW DATES: June 8-10, 14-17 2012

   For the first time since 1994, Music Guild is presenting the classic musical "Meet Me in St. Louis", which will forever be associated with the name and legend of Judy Garland. With songs like "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", this musical tells the story of the Smith family of St. Louis during the year leading up to the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904.
 

Characters

The Smith family:

Mr. Alonso Smith - fortyish father and lawyer, range A-flat to B

Mrs. Anna Smith - fortyish, good and loving mother, range A-flat - D

Lon Smith - good-looking nineteen-year-old Princeton freshman, range B-flat to G

Rose Smith - beautiful and chic daughter; about eighteen, range B-E

Esther Smith - lively and attractive daughter (Judy Garland's role), range G-D

Agnes Smith - tomboyish, twelve-year-old, range A-E

Tootie Smith - Bright six-year-old girl, range A-D

Grandpa Prophater- Mrs. Smith's father, a Civil War veteran, range B-flat-F

Katie - the Smith's cook and housemaid, Irish and about fifty, range F-C-sharp
 

Others:

John Truitt - handsome, athletic boy next door; about nineteen, range B-flat to F

Warren Sheffield - Rose's suitor, an eligible man from a rich family, range A-flat - E
 

The following roles will double in the ensemble:

Lucille Ballard, a sophisticated and charming young lady

Eve - Lon's date at his going-away party

Postman - middle-aged Irish man

Motorman - trolley car driver

Clinton Badger, Peewee Drummond, Sidney Purvis - three awkward, bumbling young men


Men and Women of the Ensemble:

Trolley passengers, Guests at Lon's Party, Ballroom couples and carolers
 

   We are looking to cast about 30 people. With the exception of Tootie and Agnes, the minimum age to audition is 14 at the time of the auditions. All those auditioning will need to prepare 16 bars of a Broadway show tune. Auditioners may prepare a song from the show, but must sing with piano accompaniment; cd's and a cappella singing are not acceptable.    All those auditioning for the roles of the Smith children, their boyfriends or the ensemble should come to auditions prepared to perform a choreographed dance.

 

 

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Auditions - February 18-19, 25 2012
 scoundrels
 Directing Staff
Director/Set Designer: Greg Bouljon
Assistant Director: Craig Woodard

Music Director: Bob Manasco
Assistant Music Director: Deb Swift
Choreographer: Carol Jameson
Costume Designer: Mary Bouljon
  Lighting Designer: Steve Parmley
Sound Designer: Darin Turner
Props: Sue Woodard
 Painting: Matt Ressler

AUDITION DATES: February 18 12:15p-2:15p; February 19 12:30p-2:00p; February 25 2:30p-4:30p
February 26 Call backs as needed
SHOW DATES: July 6-8, 12-15 2012
 
  Two Acts, Book Musical, Rated PG


Based on the popular 1988 film,
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS centers on two con men living on the French Riviera. The first is the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson, who makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. The other, a small-time crook named Freddy Benson, more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health.

After meeting on a train, they unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn't big enough for the two of them. They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, heiress Christine Colgate, wins and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues, that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end!

 

 

 

Cast Size: Medium (20-25), Flexible 6 leads, 8 dancers, 8 ensemble

Cast Type: Ensemble Cast - Many featured roles, Older Role(s), Strong/Large
Dance requirement: Standard Musical Staging, Some Dance All - Strong Dance 6-8
Cating Notes: 3 Men, 3 Women, Med Ensemble
  

 

 

 

Character Breakdown

Andre Thibault - Lawrence's French Assistant, F2-F4, Baritone/Tenor
Christine Colgate - An American heiress vacationing on the French Riviera, and the target of Lawrence and Freddy's bet, A3-F#5, Mezzo-Soprano
Freddy Benson - a young crude, aspiring con-artist, A2-B4, Tenor
Jolene - An heiress from Oklahoma, A3-D5, Alto
Lawrence Jameson - an older, wiser, sophisticated con artist, G2-Bb4, Tenor
Muriel - A wealthy socilated, one of Lawrence's victims and Andre's love interest, E3-C5, Alto
 

 

 

Hello, Dolly! Auditions - February 18-19, 25 2012
 dolly
 Directing Staff
Director: Erin Lounsberry
Assistant Director: Deb Shippy

Music Director: Curtis Fisher-Oelschlager
Assistant Music Director: Cheryl Bolt
Choreographer: Karen Lasley
Costume Designer: Peggy Freeman
  Set Designer: Harold Truitt
Sound Designer: Sean McGinn
Props: Cherie Lyman
 

AUDITION DATES: February 18 2:30p-4:30p; February 19 2:15p-3:45p; February 25 10:00a-12:00p
February 26 Call backs as needed
SHOW DATES: August 3-5, 9-12 2012
 
 

 

Synopsis (from Tams-Witmark):

"Hello, Dolly!" is an ebullient and irresistible story of the joy of living, glittering with happy songs, shining with loving scenes, alive with the personality of one of the most fabulous characters on the musical stage - Dolly Gallagher Levi! Classic musical numbers include Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Ribbons Down My Back, Before the Parade Passes By, Elegance, It Only Takes A Moment, So Long, Dearie, and of course, Hello, Dolly.

 

The musical is the story of Mrs. Dolly Levi's efforts to marry Horace Vandergelder, the well-known half-a-millionaire, and send his money circulating among the people like rainwater the way her late husband, Ephraim Levi, taught her. Along the way she also succeeds in matching up the young and beautiful Widow Molloy with Vandergelder's head clerk, Cornelius Hackl; Cornelius' assistant, Barnaby Tucker, with Mrs. Molloy's assistant, Minnie Fay; and the struggling artist, Ambrose Kemper, with Mr. Vandergelder's weeping niece, Ermengarde.


What happens in the end? Dolly gets her man, of course. Even makes him glad she caught him. Dolly leaves the stage at the end of Act II with a wink to the audience as she takes a peep into Vandergelder's bulging cash register, and promises that his fortune will soon be put to good use. She quotes her late husband as she says, "Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow."

 

Roles available:

 

Dolly Levi: Matchmaker, widow, meddler, opportunist, life-loving, commanding, strong stage

presence. Stage age: 35-50. Vocal range: alto-soprano. Dance ability: some, although ability to tap is preferred.

Horace Vandergelder: Well-known half-a-millionaire, widower, owns the Feed Store, gruff, set

in his ways, authoritative. Stage age: 45-60. Vocal range: baritone. Dance ability: some.

Cornelius Hackl: Head clerk at the Feed Store, energetic, enthusiastic, and adventurous. Stage

age: 30-35. Vocal range: baritone. Dance ability: strong.

Barnaby Tucker: Assistant to Cornelius at the Feed Store, naïve, energized, follower. Stage age:

17-20. Vocal range: baritone. Dance ability: strong.

Irene Molloy: Owns the Hat Shop, widow, beautiful, smart, fun-loving. Stage age: 30-35.

Vocal range: soprano. Dance ability: strong.

Minnie Fay: Irene's assistant, naïve, straight-laced, fresh, follower. Stage age: 17-20. Vocal

range: mezzo-soprano. Dance ability: strong.

Ambrose Kemper: Struggling artist, good-natured, accommodating, wants to marry Ermengarde.

Stage age: 19-23. Vocal range: tenor. Dance ability: strong.

Ermengarde: Horace's niece, whining, high-strung, wants to marry Ambrose. Stage age: 17-20.

Vocal range: any. Dance ability: strong.

Ernestina: Accommodating, good-time girl. Stage age: 30-45. Vocal range: any. Dance ability:

none.

Rudy: Maitre'd of the Harmonia Gardens, proper, commanding. Stage age: 30-60. Vocal range:

bass. Dance ability: some.

Mrs. Rose: Street vendor (will be cast from the chorus). Stage age: 35-60. Dance ability: none.

Miscellaneous character parts: will be cast from the chorus.

7-11 waiters: Stage age: 18-60. Vocal range: even split of tenors/basses. Dance ability: strong, particularly if can tap.

7-11 female chorus members: Stage age: 18-60. Vocal range: even split of sopranos/altos.

Dance ability: strong.

3-5 children: Stage age: 8-12 (real minimum age: 10). Vocal range: melody. Dance ability:

strong.

 

 

 

 

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.