Renaissance Players sets auditions for upcoming production of BYE BYE BIRDIE

[JefinNashville]

The Renaissance Players present "Bye Bye Birdie", June 1 - June 17



Bye Bye Birdie is a stage musical with a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse. Originally titled Let's Go Steady, the satire on American society is set in 1958. The story was inspired by the phenomenon of popular singer Elvis Presley and his draft notice into the Army in 1957. The rock star character's name, "Conrad Birdie," is word play on the name of Conway Twitty who is best remembered today for his long career as a country music star, but in the late 1950s, he was one of Presley's rock 'n' roll rivals.



Auditions: Monday, April 9 & Tuesday, April 10 @ 7:00pm



All area residents are invited and encouraged to audition, even if you’ve never performed onstage before. Bye Bye Birdie is a high energy, light-hearted, comedic piece with fun singing & dancing and memorable characters. Roles are available for ages 7-years-old and up, including many singing and non-singing roles, and roles for mature adults. Auditionees should arrive early to sign in - auditions will be held on a first-come, first serve basis.



For singing roles, please prepare a short 16-bar song to sing (no longer than 30 seconds). Appropriate music would include any up-tempo classic musical theatre song or 1950’s/1960’s style song.



For a singing audition, please prepare to sing with accompaniment (piano music, karoake CD or other) - do not plan to sing a cappella (vocal without accompaniment). An accompanist will be provided - please bring sheet music in the correct key. There are many websites that offer free sheet music downloads for your convenience. There will also be a CD player available if you have pre-recorded accompaniment (without vocals). There are many websites (including iTunes and others) that offer karaoke songs for a reasonable price available for download. You may also bring your own accompanist (piano/guitar/etc...)



For non-singing roles, please be ready to read a short monologue (which will be provided).



Also, be prepared to learn a short dance routine. Participants need to wear closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops/sandals/etc).



Call-backs (if needed), will be held on Wednesday, April 11th @ 7:00pm. Rehearsals for Bye, Bye Birdie will be held Monday - Friday, 6:00pm-9:00pm, beginning Friday, April 13th.



Performance dates for Bye Bye Birdie are June 1 - June 17, 2012, with shows on Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:00pm, Sundays @ 2:00pm. There will be a Special Lunch & Show on Saturday, June 9 @ Noon, and a Special Father’s Day Lunch & Show on Sunday, June 17 @ 1pm. Tickets for all performances are on sale now.



For questions, or if you cannot attend the auditions as scheduled, please contact Pacer Harp: [e-mail], [phone]



Character Descriptions



Albert Peterson - Manager and songwriter for Conrad Birdie. He is desperate because the company's star find, Conrad Birdie, is about to be drafted into the military. He is also in love with his secretary, Rosie, but fearful of his mother, who hates her.

Vocal Range: Bb – Gb (Baritone/Tenor)



Rose "Rosie" Alvarez - Albert’s overworked, highly frustrated Spanish secretary and long suffering girlfriend. Vocal Range: Gb – C (Alto Belt)



Conrad Birdie - Rock ‘n’ Roll star and teenage heartthrob (reminiscent of Elvis Presley). Vocal Range: Ab – Gb (Bari-Tenor)



Kim MacAfee - Teenage girl from Sweet Apple, Ohio, who is chosen to receive ‘one last kiss’ from Conrad Birdie before he leaves for the military. Unfortunately, she also has to deal with her jealous boyfriend, Hugo Peabody. Vocal Range: G – Ab (Soprano with low notes)



Mrs. Mae Peterson - Albert’s crazy mother who hates Rosie, and has almost complete control over her son and can’t let go to let him stand on his own two feet. Vocal Range: Alto



Mr. Harry MacAfee - Kim's grumpy father who is frustrated with the new generation of children but worships Ed Sullivan like a god. Married to Mrs. MacAfee and father to Kim and Randolph. Vocal Range: C - E (Comfortable Baritone)



Mrs. Doris MacAfee - Married to Mr. MacAfee and mother to Kim and Randolph. Vocal Range: Bb - F (Mezzo Soprano)



Hugo Peabody - Kim’s dorky, jealous boyfriend who has recently given her his class pin as a sign that they are going steady.

Randolph MacAfee - Kim’s younger brother. Vocal Range: D - D (Boy alto)



Ursula Merkle - Kim’s hyperactive best friend and Conrad Birdie enthusiast. The leader of Conrad's teenage fans.



The Mayor - Mayor of Sweet Apple, Ohio



The Mayor’s Wife - Mayor’s Wife, who is secretly a huge Conrad Birdie fan



Gloria Rasputin - The woman who Mae Peterson meets on the bus and tries to set up with Albert. Albert's mother's choice for Albert's new secretary.



Harvey Johnson - The teenage town nerd, just can’t seem to get a date. Vocal Range: D - F# (Tenor with comedic voice cracking)



Mr. Johnson - Harvey’s father.



Charles F. Maude - Owner of “Maude’s Roadside Retreat”, the bar where Rosie ends up after storming out on Albert. Vocal Range: Open (part of quartet)



Maude’s Dishwasher - works at “Maude’s Roadside Retreat”. Vocal Range: Open (part of quartet)



Maude’s First Customer - customer at “Maude’s Roadside Retreat”. Vocal Range: Open (part of quartet)



Maude’s Second Customer - customer at “Maude’s Roadside Retreat”. Vocal Range: Open (part of quartet)



Large Teenage Chorus

Large Adult Chorus

Kids Chorus