[Capdist-auditions] Next to Normal Auditions @ Schenectady Light Opera Company

[Jonathan Pate]

This family is out to face the music: Next to Normal Auditions at SLOC


SLOC Musical Theater is delighted to present the new dramatic rock musical
“Next to Normal” as the season opener for the SLOC 2012-13 season, helmed
by Director Michael Mensching.

Auditions will be held May 21 and May 22 at the SLOC Performing Arts
Center, 427 Franklin Street in Schenectady.

Sign in will be at 6:30, with a start for auditions at 7 pm.  Rehearsals
will begin in Mid-August, M-W-F and Sunday at 7 pm. SLOC Musical Theater
will present “Next to Normal” October 12-14 and 18-21, 2012.


Next to Normal, a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and
music by Tom Kitt is the latest Broadway hit to be released for general
production. It is a powerful musical with a story that concerns a mother
who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her
illness has on her family.    The musical opened on Broadway in April
2009.  It was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and won three. Lead
actress Alice Ripley won the Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress
in a musical and her performance had the audience leaping to its feet as
the final notes were sung. The Broadway production also won Tony awards for
Best Original Score and Best Orchestration.  Additionally, the play was
only the eighth musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2010).  In
awarding the prize to Yorkey and Kitt, the Pulitzer Board called the show
"a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban
family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals."  The play has
resonated greatly with audiences of all ages, but has rapidly become a
favorite cult favorite of the younger members of the theater community.


The production will be guided by Michael Mensching, who helmed this
season’s presentation of Elton John’s “Aida”.  Mensching has brought many
critical and commercial successes to the SLOC stage including “The Full
Monty”, “Kiss of the Spider Woman”, “Songs for a New World” and “ Jane
Eyre: The Musical.”  He is joined by a proven and experienced production
team that includes Musical Director Jason Dashew, Choreographer Greg Marsh,
Set Designer Doug Peek, Lighting Designer Michael Gatzendorfer, Costume
Designer Debbie Lummis and Producers Joanne Peal and Michael McDermott.


All roles are available for casting and there will be no double casting.
Additionally, there is no tuition fee for younger actors who audition and
are cast in this production.  We are seeking four Men and two Women (aged
16 and older).

 ·Diana - Thirties or forties.  Sexy.  Sharp.  Delusional bipolar
depressive.

 ·Dan, her husband - Thirties or forties.  Handsome.  Genuine.  Constant.
Tired.

 ·Natalie, her daughter- Sixteen and trying to be perfect. It's not going
well.

 ·Henry - Seventeen.  Musician, romantic, stoner, slacker, philosopher king.

 ·Doctor Madden - On the young side of ageless.  Assured.  A rock star.
Also plays the role of Doctor Fine.

 ·Gabe- Nineteen.  Energetic and enthusiastic, must move well, not afraid
of heights.


Please come prepared with 32 bars from 2 contrasting songs (up tempo and
ballad) from a Broadway Rock Musical.  Singing songs from the show is
preferable.  No a cappella singing please.  An accompanist will be
provided.  Please bring sheet music; no pre-recorded music. Musical
auditions will be held first, not all actors will read.  Actors auditioning
for the roles of Diana and Gabe should come prepared for a dance audition.
The actor playing Gabe must be able to move actively through all levels of
the set.


“This show presents a great opportunity for local actors to perform
something new and different. It also is a great opener for the SLOC season,
as it will allow the season subscribers to see one of the hottest shows
currently on tour before it has a professional appearance in this area,”
says Mensching.  “I have to admit, it was one of the most emotional and
moving shows I have seen on Broadway in the past several years. And the
dramatic surprises…well, the audience is in for quite a roller coaster that
has a pay-off at the end that will leave them talking about the play for
some time.”


Call the director, Michael Mensching, at 477-2256 for more information.

-- 
Jonathan Pate
jonathanrpate at gmail.com
(518) 953-7055 Cell
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://capdisttheater.org/pipermail/capdist-auditions/attachments/20120414/3ea435f5/attachment.html>