AUDITIONS

1776 and Merrily We Roll Along Auditions

1776 - Book by Peter Stone, Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards, Directed by Barb Nichols and Darren Sextro, Musical Direction by Todd Gregory-Gibbs

Merrily We Roll Along - Book by George Furth, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, Directed by Kevin Bogan, Musical Direction by Delano Mendoza-Holt

OPEN CALL AUDITIONS

Saturday, March 15, 11am-3pm
Sunday, March 16, 2:30pm-5pm
Auditions will be held at Prairie Baptist Church, 75th and Roe Blvd. in Prairie Village, KS, Fellowship Hall (lower entrance, west side).

WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

When you arrive at the church, please park in the north parking lot. There will be signs to direct you to the proper building entrance.

AUDITION PREPARATION:

Before the audition dates, please...
1) Fill out THE ONLINE AUDITION FORM
1a) If you are auditioning for both or just 1776, plase select A MONOLOGUE ON THIS LIST TO PREPARE IN ADDITION TO YOUR SONG
(1a doesn't apply if you're only auditioning for Merrily We Roll Along)
2) and SCHEDULE A FIVE MINUTE TIME SLOT for your audition from the times available on the 15th and 16th of March.

PLEASE NOTE, you'll be auditioning for both shows, but you'll only be cast in one or the other, due to overlapping schedules. There'll be a spot on the form for you to express a preference of which show you're auditioning for, or a "both/either" option.
- Bring a headshot and resume (if available).
- Prepare 32-bars of a musical theatre song in the style of the shows. No songs from the actual productions, please.
- Bring marked sheet music for the provided accompanist. Absolutely no acapella vocals or music tracks allowed.
- You will also be asked to learn a short section of choreography, so please wear proper attire.

VIDEO AUDITIONS:

For those unable to attend in-person auditions, video vocal auditions may be submitted. These should be submitted to jcbekc@gmail.com for 1776 NO LATER THAN Saturday, March 15th at 5:00pm.

CALLBACKS (by email invite only):

1776 - Monday night, March 24, 6pm-10pm
Merrily We Roll Along - Thursday, March 27, 5pm-10pm

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals for 1776 will begin Sunday, July 6. A typical schedule will be Sunday afternoon 2-5:30, Mon-Thurs 6:30-10:00. Rehearsals are held at Prairie Baptist Church, 75th & Roe (same location as auditions). On August 4, the productions moves to The Black Box at The Arts & Heritage Center. No conflicts will be accepted during dress/tech week of August 4.

Rehearsals for Merrily We Roll Along will begin Monday, August 4. A typical schedule will be Sunday afternoon 2-5:30, Mon-Thurs 6:30-10:00. Rehearsals are held at Prairie Baptist Church, 75th & Roe (same location as auditions). On September 1, the productions moves to The Black Box at The Arts & Heritage Center. No conflicts will be accepted during dress/tech week of September 1.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Cast members are required to assist with strike following the final performance.
Cast members may also be asked to assist with costume pieces.

PRODUCTION DATES:

1776: Aug. 8-17 (Eight performances)
Merrily We Roll Along: Sep. 5-14 (Eight Performances)

Schedule for both productions:
WEEK ONE: Friday, Saturday & Monday (Industry Night) @7:30pm and Sunday @2pm
WEEK TWO: Thursday, Friday & Saturday @7:30pm and Sunday @2pm
All performances will take place in The Black Box Theatre @The Arts & Heritage Center in Overland Park, Kansas

SYNOPSIS:

1776

The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.

It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.

Merrily We Roll Along

The authors of the landmark Company reunite to turn the traditional showbiz musical on its head in this thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success. Stephen Sondheim and George Furth expertly blend the excitement and energy of a backstage musical with a poignant and emotional contemporary story about the importance of staying true to one's ideals.

Merrily We Roll Along begins in the present and moves backwards, tracing the lives of wealthy, jaded composer, Franklin Shepard, and his two estranged friends through each milestone of their personal and professional lives (good and bad). The show ends with a touch of rueful irony, as the three best friends at the start of their careers face a bright future: young, talented and enthusiastic about the worlds waiting to be conquered.

Merrily We Roll Along is a modest-sized show that crackles with the wit, humor and intensity that embody the spirit of New York City. With a brilliant "Broadway-style" score and that deep insight one expects from any Sondheim endeavor, Merrily We Roll Along is a spirited and moving cautionary tale for anyone who has ever pursued a dream.

CAST BREAKDOWNS:

1776

"1776" casting will be open to all genders and will seek to cast the best performers who can embody the roles. Vocals will be adjusted for cast.

John Adams

Delegate from Massachusetts. John is a dutiful husband. Opinionated, passionate, and a bit boisterous, he wears his age with pride. Starving for independence from England. Age: 41, F#4-C3

Stephen Hopkins

Delegate from Rhode Island. Hopkins' drinking has led to an appearance befitting of the 2nd oldest in the Continental Congress. He has a dirty old man playfulness about him. Age: 70, Eb4-C3

Roger Sherman

Delegate from Connecticut. A coffee drinker with a penchant for hyperactivity, Sherman is a simple and balding cobbler. Age: 55, Bb4-C3

Robert Livingston

Delegate from New York. Recently a father, Livingston's disposition has become one of humility and graciousness. He has changed considerably over the years. Age: 30, F4-Bb2

Benjamin Franklin

Delegate from Pennsylvania. Franklin is intelligent, well-traveled, and pleasantly cunning. A jolly and admirable fellow with whom one would desire to have a friendship. Age: 60 to 70, Eb4-Ab2

John Dickinson

Delegate from Pennsylvania. A thin, hawkish gentleman. He is sharp-tongued and a touch detestable. Age: 44, E4-A2

Col. Thomas Mckean

Delegate from Delaware. McKean is florid and likable with a charming, yet commanding, Scottish Brogue. Age: 42, Eb4-C3

Richard Henry Lee

Delegate from Virginia, Lee is a willowy aristocrat. His flamboyancy is intoxicating and borderline infuriating. Age: 45, G4-C3

Thomas Jefferson

Delegate from Virginia. Though noticeably tall, Jefferson is mild-mannered and sweet. Along with being a well read man, he is very much in love with his wife. Age: 33, G4-C3

Edward Rutledge

Delegate from South Carolina. Despite his good looks, Rutledge is haunting and somewhat ominous as the youngest member of the Continental Congress. There is a serpent-like quality to him. Age: 26, A4-C3

Abigail Adams

Loving wife to John Adams. Intelligent, quick-witted, and talented with a pen, Abigail is a radiant and shapely beauty. Every bit as bright as her husband. Age: 32, F5-Db4

Martha Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson's very-much-in-love wife. Her looks are striking, her dancing delightful, and her humor appealing. She doesn't shy away from a good time. Joy radiates from her. Age: 27, D5-Bb3

Courier

The message runner between General Washington's army and the Continental Congress. He has witnessed the hardships of war firsthand, although his innocent disposition and appearance may imply otherwise. Age: 15 to 20, Db4-C3

Ensemble

Merrily We Roll Along

Franklin Shepard

His character ranges from an influential songwriter and film producer to an innocent, bright-eyed optimist in NYC. Talented and handsome but misled, tragic, and tormented. Age: 25 to 40, Vocal range Bb4-A2

Charley Kringas

A stubborn, intense man with average looks. He ranges from a successful lyricist and Frank's long-time friend to a bright-eyed optimist creating his own opportunities in NYC. Age: 25 to 40, G#4-A#2

Mary Flynn

A middle-aged theatre critic. Her character arcs to the youthful, gorgeous 20-something living in NYC with best friend Frank. Sardonic, bitter, and witty. Age: 30 to 45, Gb5-G3

Meg Kincaid

Starry-eyed starlet who is naive and ambitious. At the start of the show, she is Frank's newest fling. Age: 18 to 25, Gb5-D4

Gussie Carnegie

The flamboyant, self-invented actress. Her character begins at the end of her relationship with Frank, but throughout the show we see her grow more and more helplessly in love with him. Greedy and seductive. Age: 25 to 35, C5-G3

Joe Josephson

Big-talking Broadway producer and husband to Gussie. He later becomes pathetic and poor. Age: 35 to 50, F#4-A2

Beth

A naive and insecure middle-American who is the mother of Frank's son. She arcs from a down-trodden housewife at her wits end to a hopeless romantic at the beginning of her engagement to the man of her dreams. Age: 25 to 35, G5-A3

Ensemble

Party Guests; Artists; Students

For more information, please contact Artistic Chair Darren Sextro at darrendseb@gmail.com