Auditions for GYPSY:
“GYPSY: A Musical Fable”
Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Ian Galligan, Music Direction by Chris Coffey
PERFORMANCE DATES: JULY 26-AUGUST 10
AUDITION DATES:
KIDS: SUNDAY, MAY 5 from 6-8pm
ADULTS: MONDAY, MAY 6 & TUESDAY, MAY 7 from 7-10pm
WHAT TO PREPARE:
Please prepare a song from the breakdown below, based on the role(s) you’re interested in. Links to download the sheet music with appropriate cuts are provided. Please also be prepared to read from the script, and learn a short movement/dance combination (dress comfortably – and bring dance shoes, if you have them). Bring a resume & headshot or recent photo of yourself.
SCHEDULING AN AUDITION:
Please email CastleCraigPlayers@gmail.com to schedule an audition time slot. Be sure to state which evening you prefer to attend and attach your resume & headshot, if possible. Walk-ins will only be seen if time permits.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
(Please note that the ages listed are the “playing” age – not necessarily the age of the actor.)
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 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. Audition Song: Some People (measure 138–end)
BABY JUNE (about 10) is a Shirley Temple-like up-and-coming vaudeville star, and Madam Rose’s youngest daughter. Her onstage demeanor is sugary-sweet, cute, precocious and adorable to the nth degree. An adorable character – Mama Rose’s shining star. Strong child singer, strong dancer and taps. Mezzo. Audition Song: Let Me Entertain You (measure 57–76)
YOUNG LOUISE (about 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. Audition Song: Let Me Entertain You (measure 57–76)
HERBIE (about 45) agent for Rose’s children and Rose’s boyfriend and a possible husband number 4. He has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength. Minimum dance. A Baritone, sings in one group number, two duets and trio with Rose and Louise. Strong acting role. Audition Song: Together Wherever We Go (measure 144–end)
DAINTY JUNE (ages 16-24) Baby June as a young teenager. The older she gets, the less she enjoys being her mother’s trained monkey. Strong Alto, must be able to belt a song and have decent dancing skills. The ability to do the splits and twirl a baton a big plus, but not a requirement. Must dance very well, taps, strong Broadway teen singer, close harmony skills preferred. Audition Song: Broadway (measure 89–122)
LOUISE/GYPSY ROSE LEE (ages 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. Must dance inside a dancing cow costume, must be comfortable with the character’s profession – stripping. The character is very scantily clad but never actual appears in the nude. Mezzo (needs light sound for “little Lamb” and belt for “Let Me Entertain You.”) Audition Song: Let Me Entertain You (measure 10–32 AND 93–end)
TULSA (early-mid 20s) Boy-next-door type. Strives to break out of the troupe with an act of his own. Sings and dances “All I Need Is the Girl.” Extremely strong dancer in all styles of show dance including tap. Good singer, charming, very athletic and handsome young man. High Baritone. Audition Song: All I Need Is The Girl (measure 32–68)
TESSIE TURA (30s-50s) a stripper just past her prime. Big Broadway voice (Mezzo Belt), strong movement/dance, ballet training helpful. A burlesque dancer that shares her dressing room with Louise. She was once a ballerina and still has some of the moves. A course broad who’s been around the block. Very funny. Audition Song: You Gotta Get A Gimmick (measure 5–28)
MAZEPPA (30s-50s) a stripper just past her prime. Big Broadway voice (Alto Belt), strong movement/dance, powerful character. A burlesque dancer who’s tough and physically intimidating. Trumpet playing skills would be outstanding but not required. Audition Song: You Gotta Get A Gimmick (measure 5–28)
ELECTRA (30s-50s) a stripper just past her prime. Big Broadway voice (Mezzo Belt), strong movement/dance. Quieter than her counterparts but her costume is wired with lights, allowing her to “shine” without working up a sweat. Ditzy and sweet. Audition Song: You Gotta Get A Gimmick (measure 5–28)
POP (50s-60s) Rose’s father. He does not believe that she or the girls will ever amount to anything. NON-SINGING ROLE (will read from script – no need to prepare a song).
YOUNG WOMEN’S ENSEMBLE (ages 20-30) singer/dancers who act as both the back up dancers for Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee and perform in the large burlesque numbers in the second act. Strong dancers. Some comic skills very helpful. Very minimal singing. A few have minor expanded roles. *Will double as feature speaking roles* Audition Song: Any from above
YOUNG MEN’S ENSEMBLE (ages 16-20) Six young men sing and dance backup for teenage June, plus join in the number “Have an Eggroll, Mr. Goldstone.” Should be strong singers and dancers. Will double as small parts in Act I and Act II, plus some backup dancing in Gypsy’s strip routine. Must be very strong dancers and singers. Comic time preferred. *Will double as feature speaking roles* Audition Song: Any from above
CHILDREN’S ENSEMBLE (8-12 years old) 3 boys or girls. Baby June’s back up dancers and singers. Ability of one child to play accordion or clarinet a plus. Must sing and dance. Audition Song: Girls – Let Me Entertain You (measure 57–76), Boys – Baby June and Newsboys (Measure 17–43)
ADULT ENSEMBLE (20’s-50’s) – to play numerous roles, both SINGING and NON-SINGING, including Miss Cratchitt, Mr. Kringeline, Mr. Goldstone, Cigar, Stage Mothers, Strippers, Stagehands, Backstage Figures, Showgirls, etc. Audition Song: Any from above (Non-singers will read from the script).