Calling all talent! This year’s musical production is GYPSY. Auditions will be taking place in July. For more information and an audition schedule, click the link below!
GYPSY
Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Arthur Laurents
Director: Larry Reitzer
Choreographer: Michael Misita
Musical Director: Armando Mendoza
Vocal Director: Lisa Katherine Taylor
The show is being directed by TV writer/producer, Larry Reitzer who recently directed the Center Stage Dance Alliance Production of ALADDIN. It is being choreographed by Broadway veteran, Michael Misita who appeared in the Broadway companies of PIPPIN, APPLAUSE, FOLLIES and EQUUS. He also choreographed the Hilo productions of LA CAGE, MARY POPPINS and 9 to 5! The Musical Director is Armando Mendoza who Musically Directed and Conducted the Hilo productions of MISS SAIGON and EVITA.
GYPSY is considered by many to be the greatest American Musical of all time. It takes place in the world of burlesque but is actually a big old-fashioned family-friendly show.
Opening Night: October 11th
Closing Night: October 27th
Please check back often as audition dates and times are subject to change.
Schedule:
AUDITIONS DAY #1
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
AUDITIONS DAY #2
Thursday, July 25, 2019
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
AUDITION DAY #3 (KIDS ONLY)
Saturday, July 27, 2019
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
CALL BACKS/CHEMISTRY READS
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Feel free to email questions through this page or send additional questions to: larryreitzer1@gmail.com
Subject Line: GYPSY AUDITIONS
All people called back for Rose, Louise, Mazeppa, Tessie, Electra, Tulsa (older) and June (older) – please expect to be called into a preliminary work-session with Larry Reitzer (Director) and/or Michael Misita (Choreographer) to work on character, delivery, movement, etc prior to the call-back.
Auditions will consist of singing, dancing (if the role requires it) and reading from the script. Scenes (to read) will be distributed at the audition. If you would like the scene emailed to you prior to the audition, please send a request to: larryreitzer1@gmail.com.
Please bring a current resume.
Bring comfortable shoes in case you are asked to dance. Anyone auditioning for a role that requires them to dance – MUST WEAR SHOES. If you are barefoot or in flip-flops, you will not be allowed to audition. If you are auditioning for Louise, Mezeppa, Electra or Tessie: PLEASE BRING HEELS!
Check below to see what song we would like to hear based on the role(s) you might be auditioning for.
If no song (for the character you are auditioning for) is listed below – please prepare a standard Broadway song (no more than 32 bars) in the correct key for your voice. An accompanist will be provided.
NO recorded music or accapella singing unless you are under sixteen.
Bring your calendar and be prepared to list all rehearsal conflicts. Conflicts not listed at time of audition may not be honored. Conflicts during HELL WEEK 10/4-10/10/2019 will NOT be honored.
GYPSY is being produced by The Palace Theatre. It is not being produced in association with any of the Island Dance Schools however please note that rehearsals that involve dancers will be 100% scheduled around Center Stage Dance Alliance’s class schedule. Except for HELL WEEK 10/4-10/10/2019 – dance rehearsals will never conflict with Center Stage dance classes and we will make sure dancers have enough time to get to and from classes.
Make sure to bring all dance class conflicts with you and make us aware of them at the audition to ensure we schedule accordingly.
Video submissions accepted. Please mail to larryreitzer1@gmail.com by July 22, 2019 at midnight. No exceptions.
Also seeking crew, assistants, etc. if interested… please email the director at:
larryreitzer1@gmail.com
ROLES:
Momma Rose (ages from 35 – 50) The ultimate stage mother. Lives her life vicariously through her two daughters, whom she’s put into show business. She is loud, brash, pushy and single-minded but at times can be doting, comedic and charming. She is holding down demons of her own that she is afraid to face. Her voice is the ultimate powerful Broadway belt. Minimal dance but must move well. Comic timing a must. Strong Mezzo/Alto with good low notes and belt.
Please prepare: SOME PEOPLE and EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSES for audition. If called back: Please prepare ROSE’S TURN.
SOME PEOPLE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgUgNXTYIVc
EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXl10a9gJwA
Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee (18 – 25) Baby Louise as a teenager, who grows up to be Gypsy Rose Lee. Still pushed aside by Madam Rose in favor of June, until she herself becomes her mother’s new pet project. Should be able to move well. Actress must be 18 or over to play this role. Minimum actual dance but must have very strong movement skills, strong acting skills needed. Must be able to portray both the awkward teen and a sophisticated woman we know now as Gypsy Rose Lee. The worlds most famous burlesque queen. Mezzo (needs light sound for “Little Lamb” and belt for “Let Me Entertain You.” Please prepare: Gypsy’s Burlesque version of LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU. Be prepared to dance at audition. Bring heels.
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMxkNXYp2x8
Herbie (Lead): Male, 40-60
An agent for Rose’s children and a possibly her “husband number 4” – he has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength; baritone, strong actor. Some movement required.
Please prepare a musical theatre ballad.
If called back: Please prepare: YOU’LL NEVER GET AWAY FROM ME.
YOU’LL NEVER GET AWAY FROM ME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xAlp7Hyciw
YOU’LL NEVER GET AWAY FROM ME (VOCAL ONLY)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_p8ZwGA5nI
June (Supporting): Female, 16-24
Baby June as a young woman, the older she gets, the less she enjoys being treated like a child, must dance very well, ballet and tap a plus, and be a strong performer with a strong belt, mezzo; ability to do splits. Twirling a baton a big plus. Please prepare: BROADWAY, BROADWAY. Be prepared to dance at audition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWOYvpinB0
(BROADWAY, BROADWAY starts at 5:30/Please watch full clip)
Tulsa (Supporting): Male, 16-24
Boy-next-door type, charming, handsome and endearing, dreams about breaking away and becoming a star, strong vocals and dance, tap dancing a big plus; tenor.
Please prepare: ALL I NEED NOW IS THE GIRL. Be prepared to dance at audition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRqbKXWI-mA
Baby June (Supporting): Female, 6-12
Rose’s daughter who is constantly being groomed to be the next Broadway star, cute, blonde, high-energy performer with a fantastic belt, who dances well, has gymnastic skills; baton twirling a plus. Tap and ballet a plus as well. Please prepare: Baby June’s version of: LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEwhNquGueU&list=RD3qwNTW-JELY
Young Louise (6-12) She should look a couple years older than Baby June. She is Madam Rose’s brow-beaten oldest daughter, and has always played second fiddle to her baby sister. She is shy, awkward, a little sad and subdued; she doesn’t have the confidence of her sister. Strong acting skills needed. The character always dances slightly out of step but the actress playing this part must be able to dance. Mezzo singer. Please prepare: Baby June’s version of: LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU. Be prepared to dance at audition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEwhNquGueU&list=RD3qwNTW-JELY
L.A. (Supporting): Male, 16-25
Sweet, loving, kind hearted, must sing and dance well, strong actor who plays one of Dainty Junes Newsboys/Farm boys; baritone.
Please prepare a musical theatre up-tempo or ballad. Be prepared to dance at audition. Bring heels.
Do not prepare anything from the following clip, but please watch to get a sense of the dancing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWOYvpinB0
Yonkers (Supporting): Male, 16-25
Cute, devoted, compassionate, must sing and dance well, strong actor who plays one of Dainty Junes Newsboys/farm boys; baritone. Please prepare a musical theatre up-tempo or ballad. Be prepared to dance at audition. Bring heels.
Do not prepare anything from the following clip, but please watch to get a sense of the dancing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWOYvpinB0
Angie (Supporting): Male, 16-25
Engaging, affectionate, thoughtful, must sing and dance well, strong actor who plays one of Dainty Junes Newsboys/farm boys; baritone. Please prepare a musical theatre up-tempo or ballad. Be prepared to dance at audition.
Do not prepare anything from the following clip, but please watch to get a sense of the dancing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWOYvpinB0
Tessie Tura (Supporting): Female, 45-65
A burlesque stripper just past her prime with a big Broadway voice and strong movement/dance skills, once dreamed of being a ballerina but went into burlesque, mezzo with a belt, comedic timing a must. Be prepared to dance at audition. Please prepare comedic show-tune that shows off your belt.
The following number does not have to be prepared for the audition but please watch it to get a sense of the tone of the show. Bring heels.
YOU GOTTA GET A GIMMICK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jxDWLSHVNI
Mazeppa (Supporting): Female, 45-60
a burlesque dancer who’s tough, bawdy and physically intimidating, a course broad who’s been around the block a few times, any size, alto with strong belt, must move well. Should be able to play trumpet or learn to play trumpet. Be prepared to dance at audition. Please prepare comedic show-tune that shows off your belt. Bring heels.
The following number does not have to be prepared for the audition but please watch it to get a sense of the tone of the show.
YOU GOTTA GET A GIMMICK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jxDWLSHVNI
Electra (Supporting): Female, 50-75
A burlesque stripper way past her prime, a ditzy, sweet endearing woman who partied too hard in her past and has probably been hung over for 2 years, thin, gaunt, tall with terrific comedic timing; mezzo. Be prepared to dance at audition. Please prepare comedic show-tune that shows off your belt. Bring heels.
The following number does not have to be prepared for the audition but please watch it to get a sense of the tone of the show. Bring heels.
YOU GOTTA GET A GIMMICK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jxDWLSHVNI
Cratchitt (Supporting): Female, 20-65
production assistant for the Grantzinger theater, N.Y.C.; strong comedic timing a plus.
Non-singing role.
MALE “YOUNG” CHORUS/Newsboys – 10-16
8 singers/dancers – Boy-next-door types, charming, and endearing; must sing and dance well. Please prepare a musical theatre up-tempo or ballad. Be prepared to dance at audition.
The following song does not have to be prepared for the audition but please watch it to get an idea of the male chorus tone:
BROADWAY, BROADWAY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWOYvpinB0
FEMALE CHORUS/Toreadorables (Supporting): Females, 16-25
8 singer/dancers who act as both the backup dancers for Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee but may also play showgirls in the Louise’s final performance. Strong comedic timing a must. Must dance well. Please prepare a musical theatre up-tempo or ballad. Be prepared to dance at audition.
Agnes (Supporting): Female, 18-30
Kind, awkward, silly, strong comedic actress, lead Toreadorable. Be prepared to dance at audition. Please prepare comedic showtime that shows off your voice.
Kringelin (Supporting): Male, 30-40
Mean, grumpy, fed up, the put upon manager of a hotel. Non-singing role.
Mr. Goldstone (Supporting): Male, 30-60
Lovable, fragile, booking agent for the Orpheum Theater Circuit, strong comedic skills; non-speaking/singing role.
Cigar (Supporting): Male, 20-50
Rough, rather aggressive owner of a burlesque theater, strong character actor; non-singing role.
Pasty (Supporting): Males & Females, 18-35
Smart ass, impatient, condescending assistant to Cigar.
Pop (Supporting): Male, 50-80
Rose’s father, kind, loving, fed-up, a strong actor; non-singing role.
Set during the vaudeville era, Gypsy is about a relentless stage mother, Rose, who travels the country with her two daughters, June and Louise, and their manager, Herbie. While June and Louise wish their mother would settle down and marry Herbie, Rose continues to pursue dreams of stardom for her girls. When June deserts the act, Rose turns her attention to the shy Louise, whom she hopes to fashion into a star. When the act is booked into a burlesque house by mistake, Louise is forced into the spotlight and Gypsy Rose Lee is born. Suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, this legendary musical features “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” “If Momma Was Married,” “All I Need Is the Girl,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” and “Together Wherever We Go”. Considered by many to be the best book and score of any American musical.
Schedule:
AUDITIONS DAY #1
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
AUDITIONS DAY #2
Thursday, July 25, 2019
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
AUDITION DAY #3 (KIDS ONLY)
Saturday, July 27, 2019
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
CALL BACKS/CHEMISTRY READS
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
