AUDITIONS FOR POWERFUL SUMMER DRAMA: 33 VARIATIONS
Auditions for Moises Kauffman’s contemporary drama 33 VARIATIONS will be held soon, announced Hamilton-Gibson Productions’ Artistic Director Thomas Putnam. Open auditions will be held on April 1 and 3 at 6:30 in the Black Box of the Deane Center for the Performing Arts, Main Street, Wellsboro.
The play centers on the obsession of a strong-willed musicologist who seeks to understand why Beethoven was obsessed with writing 33 variations on an insignificant little waltz theme by his contemporary Diabelli. The action of the play moves back and forth from the present to 1819. Besides the musicologist Dr. Katherine Brandt and the composer Beethoven, other characters include Katherine’s daughter and the daughter’s boyfriend, the music producer Diabelli, and Beethoven’s assistant Anton Shindler. Another character, Gertie, is an archivist of Beethoven’s writings. All characters are adults.
Auditions for the play are open to the public. No experience is necessary. Audition sessions are April 1 at 6:30; and April 3 at 6:30. If you are unable to attend either of these, please contact the HG office at hamgib@gmail.com or 570.724.2079. Performances of the play will be in late July and early August in conjuction with the Endless Mountain Music Festival.
Character Descriptions
Dr. Katherine Brandt: 60s, an obsessive scholar, sharp-witted, passionate, and at times vulnerable
Clara Brandt: 30s, fashionable, well-educated, sensitive, at times volatile
Beehoven: 50-60, temperamental, brilliant, struggling with deafness, a passionate genius (slight accent)
Schindler: 25-50, loyal to Beethoven, bright, shrewd, diplomatic
Diabelli: 40-50, businessman, impatient, interested in the bottom line
Mike: 30s, fiancé and in love with Clara, compassionate, bright
Gertrude: 40-70, librarian, bright, scholarly, compassionate, (slight accent)
Note about ages: the ages listed indicate approximate age the character should look, not actual age of actor.
FOUR YOUNG MEN NEEDED FOR SUMMER MUSICAL
Click below to download the audition song, "Three Coins In a Fountain"
Sheet Music:
Download Three Coins in The Fountain - Forever Plaid
All those auditioning should come prepared with their voice part to Three Coins in the Fountain and a short a capella excerpt that best shows off their solo vocal ability. The short excerpt can be anything ranging from Amazing Grace to a modern pop tune.
Mp4 Song:
Download Three Coins In The Fountain
Hamilton-Gibson Productions will hold auditions for its summer production of FOREVER PLAID, announced director David Wert. Four talented young male vocalists will be needed for this cast of 1950’s doo-wop performers. Roles include Frankie (the leader of the group and second tenor), Smudge (the worrier who sings bass), Jinx (the shy tenor), and Sparky (the clown who sings baritone). Auditions will take place on Monday, March 12th and Wednesday, March 14th from 6-8PM at the Hamilton-Gibson office at 29 Water Street (diagonally across from the Native Bagel); and on Sunday, March 18th from 6-8PM in room 102 in the Butler Music Building on the Mansfield University campus. Audition materials can be picked up at the Hamilton-Gibson office or online at www.hamiltongibson.org. Performances will take place during the last two weekends of June. Questions? Call Hamilton-Gibson Productions at (570)724-2079.
CHARACTERS:
FRANCIS: The leader and caretaker of the group. He has the most confidence. He takes care of his fellow PLAIDS and makes sure that everyone knows where they're supposed to be and what is supposed to happen next. He is also the connection between the audience and the guys. He has asthma which acts up whenever numbers are too fast or the choreography too energetic. He has a great deal of compassion for the music and the group. He is always saving the guys from embarrassment. He feels obliged to keep the show moving and is always apologizing to the audience when it's not going as he hopes. When he does his speech as the end he must not preach or pause during it. FRANCIS must be as humble as they come, or else there is a danger that he will seem like a "lounge lizard" and the audience will tire of him. Despite his humility, he is "Romantic Crooner". In "Chain Gang" he sings his heart out like a great spiritual singer.
Second Tenor-Lyric Baritone
JINX: The shy one. He is terrified. He doesn't always remember what song comes next or what the next move is. He is Sparky's step-brother and there is little step-sibling rivalry going on between them. He occasionally gets a nose bleed when he sings above an A. He lives his life terrified. He was abused and beaten. He is only in the group because he sings great and high. The others are very protective of him. He transforms during "Cry" and sheds his fears to be the star we always thought he could be. After "Cry" her has metamorphosed from being a timid boy to a more confident man.
Tenor
SMUDGE: The worrier. He worries about the props, about the running order and always assumes that the audience won't like him. He has a chronic nervous stomac. He is very reluctant to perform. He is also dyslexic when it comes to telling his left foot from his right. His name is Smudge because he is left-handed and he would smudge the page every time he wrote. Smudge never enjoyed or appreciated what he had. He always worried about what was coming up and regretted what had passed. He was stuck in the "would've, should've, could've" syndrome. At "Rags to Riches" he lets go of this and just "is." - He bowls us over with sheer stage presence and musical prowess. His glasses are accidentally thrown off and he is gorgeous. At the top of the play he wanted to skip the whole event and leave. At the end he's the last one to want to leave. SMUDGE wears glasses which hides his good looks and sex appeal.
Bass
SPARKY: The clown-the imp-the scamp. The "cut-up" of the group. He is always looking for ways to crack jokes. He is very sharp and loves singing his tailor-made solos. He wears a retainer and has a slight speech impediment or lisp. Even though he is energetic and clever, he cares for his step-brother. He sings with a joyous bravura and loves to perform. He loves to tell stories and relishes every word. He is the comic engine of the show. He often speaks so fast that he repeats himself. ("It's time for Crazy 'Bout You", It's time for "Crazy 'Bout You". I love this number. I just love it.") He has his moment of tenderness during THE PERRY COMO session. He has to admit to Mr. "C" what he did was wrong. Since he starts out with great verve and showmanship, his arc has to soften. the class clown is shown to have a heart.
Baritone
