[Capdist-auditions] GODSPELL Auditons Announcement

[Michael Gatzendorfer]

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GODSPELL
Music and New Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by John-Michael Tebelak
Produced by Marcia Marra
Music Direction by Peter Darling
Choreographed by Laura Marra
Direction by Michael Gatzendorfer
Auditions: Monday, March 10 and Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Callbacks (by Invitation): Friday, March 14 -6:30pm
Where: Clifton Park Senior Community Center- 6 Clifton Common Blvd, Clifton Park NY 12065
REHEARSALS: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. There may be some Sunday rehearsals as well – TBD (All Rehearsals located at Clifton Park Senior Community Center)
PERFORMANCE DATES: May 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at 8 p.m. | May 11 and 18 at 2 p.m.
Location: Edison Club 891 Riverview Road, Rexford, NY 12148
WHAT TO BRING: Headshot / Resume
Prepared 16-32 bar cut of a modern musical theatre song. An accompanist will be provided. Please be prepared to read one of the following monologues.
SYNOPSIS:
Godspell opened off-Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals since, including the 2011-2012 Broadway revival, the version of the show we will be producing. The musical is based on the Gospels in the Christian Bible, primarily the book of Matthew. It tells the story of Jesus mostly through parables interspersed with modern music and lyrics primarily taken from traditional hymns. The first act is driven by Jesus’ parables and songs from multiple cast members, as the eclectic group following Jesus begins to form a cohesive community of love, based around Jesus’ teachings. Act two follows the story of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion, ending with his followers going out into the world to continue his’s message of love and justice.
NOTE:
In the script, other than the characters of Jesus and John the Baptist/Judas, the characters are called by the first names of the original cast members. While the original cast was broken down into 5 male and 5 female actors, the production will be open to casting differently than those gendered roles. The descriptions below provide an idea of the differences between the personalities and arcs of each character, much of each character’s personality is developed by the actor and director and are based around the song each character sings. **Also, looking to cast a small youth ensemble (ages 10-16) to join the cast.

Character Breakdown:
Anna Maria (Alto): A bit of a tomboy, but basically open and sweet. Perhaps the youngest of the group. She is the first of the group to commit to following Jesus in the song “Day by Day.”
Celisse (Mezzo-Soprano): The female equivalent of the class clown. Goofy and a cut-up. In the 2012 Broadway revival, she played several instruments, including conga, ukulele and guitar. She sings “Learn Your Lessons Well.”
George (Tenor): The comedian, the class clown. The guy who can do a hundred voices and imitations. He sings “Light of the World.”
Jesus (Tenor): Must be the most charismatic individual in the cast. High energy, charming, funny, gentle but with strength. He is the sort of person others instinctively follow.
John the Baptist/Judas (Baritone): He has attributes of both Biblical figures: He is both Jesus’ lieutenant and most ardent disciple and the doubter who begins to question and rebel. Like Jesus, he is also charismatic, but in more of an overt revolutionary way. Usually played by someone handsome and masculine, with an undertone of sexuality. He is the most “serious” and intellectual of the group, though as with all the actors, he must still possess a good sense of physical comedy. He sings “Prepare Ye,” “All For the Best,” and “On the Willows.”
Lindsay (Soprano): The confident one, the show-off. The first one to volunteer, sometimes she jumps in before she really understands what’s going on. She sings “Bless the Lord.”
Morgan (Alto): Sassy and slightly cynical, the most urban of the group. Also the “sexy” one, but her sexiness contains a large element of put-on, in the manner of Mae West or Madonna. She sings “Turn Back, O Man.”
Nick (Tenor): Very high energy. Impish and playful. In the original, he played several musical instruments, including concertina, recorder and guitar. He sings “We Beseech Thee.”
Telly (Tenor): Not the brightest in the bunch, he is a little slow on the uptake. But there is a great sweetness and innocence about him. Because he sings “All Good Gifts” he must be a very good singer.
Uzo (Alto): The shy one. Sometimes a little slow to get things, but when she does, she commits all the way. Has an “earth mother” kind of warmth to her. She sings “By My Side.”
Ensemble roles may be added at director’s discretion.

AUDITION EXTRACTS
Please select ONE of the monologues below to perform. Does not need to be memorized.
Monologue 1
(Quieting the OTHERS) Shhh! (And they begin to “preach” in a revivalist meeting style) Gather ‘round, brothers and sisters! Because two men — I said two men went off to the temple to pray. One, a Pharisee, …and the other a tax gatherer. The Pharisee, why he just stood right on up, and pra-a-a-a-a-yed thus: “I thank thee, O God, that I am not like other men, greedy, dishonest, adulterous, or, for that matter, like that tax gatherer. I pray twice a week — get that? Twice a week!! And pay taxes on all that I get.” But the other kept his distance and would not even raise his eyes to the good Lord in Heaven, I said the good Lord in Heaven, Child! But beat upon his breast, saying: “Oh, God, have mercy on me, sinner that I am!” And it was this man, I tell you and not the other who went off and was acquitted of his sins. For every man who exalts himself…shall be humbled: But… every man who humbles himself, shall be exalted!
Monologue 2
There once was a king…Who decided to settle accounts with the men who served him. Well, at the outset there appeared before the master a man whose debt ran into the millions. I said the millions! Since the man had no means of paying the money, the master ordered him to be sold to meet the debt with his wife…And his child…And everything he had. Well, the man threw himself down at the master’s feet and went: “Oh, be patient with me and I will pay you in full.” And so moved with pity was the master, that he decided to
free the man and remit the debt. No sooner had the man gone out than he met a fellow servant who owed him a few dollars. He gripped him by the throat and said: “Pay me what you owe me!” The man threw himself at his fellow servant’s feet and begged him, saying: “B-b-b-b-b-be patient with me and I shall p-p-pay you.” But he refused and had him jailed until he should pay the debt.
Monologue 3
A man on his way to Jericho was set upon by robbers. They beat him. Stripped him and knocked him on the head, and when they left, they left him for dead. Now it so happened a priest came by and the poor broken man he spied. He said... (as PRIEST) “Meh, you're not in my congregation”... and he passed on the other side. So too a judge happened on the man, but he barely broke his stride. He said...Sorry, important case, Donald Trump ... again! And he passed on the other side. But then there happened upon the man, a poor and lowly...Samaritan. First, he took pity, then he took time, he bathed the man's wounds in oil
and wine. He bandaged his wounds and carried him right to the nearest Premier Inn. And there he paid the Man's room and board with two pieces of silver he couldn't afford, and said to the innkeeper…”Look after him, and if you spend anymore, I will repay you on my way back.” Now which of these three was a neighbor to the man? The priest, the judge, or..? The Samaritan!
Monologue 4
Now, what is the greatest commandment of them all? Thou shalt love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul. This is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. All the rest of the law, and all the prophets have written, is based on these first two. The doctors of the law and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses, therefore, listen to what they say, pay attention to their words, but do not follow their practices. For they say one thing and do another. They make up heavy packs and pile them on men’s shoulders and they don’t raise a finger to lift the load themselves.
Everything they do is done for show. Oh, they go about wearing broad phylacteries with large tassels on their robes. They like to have their places of honor at feasts and at the synagogues and to be greeted respectfully in the streets and to be called “teacher.” But you must not be called “teacher” for you have one teacher: The Messiah,…and you must not call any man on earth “father” for you have only one Father and you are all brothers,…And you must call no man on earth “rabbi” for you have one Rabbi and he is in Heaven.


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