Casting Call: 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

Main Street Theatre Co. in Parlin will hold auditions for Jesus Christ Superstar" this week.

Prospective performers must prepare one moderate rock song and one ballad, and bring a copy of the sheet music to the audition. Anyone auditioning for Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, Pilate or Herod must sing one of the songs the character sings in the show. A piano accompanist will be provided. An iPod dock will also be available. No acapella allowed.You may be asked to dance, so be prepared and wear proper footwear and loose fitting clothes.

Auditions will be held from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 24-25. Callbacks will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 27. All roles are available.

The first collaboration between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be performed on the professional stage, "Jesus Christ Superstar" features such notable songs as "Superstar," "Everything's Alright" and "I Don't Know How To Love Him."

Set in two acts, "Jesus Christ Superstar" dramatizes Jesus' entry in Jerusalem, the unrest caused by his preaching and popularity, his betrayal by Judas, the trial before Pontius Pilate, and his crucifixion. The show features Peter Bobchin, producer; A.J. Meeker, musical director; and Director Vince Tinebra.

Rehearsals will be held March 2-May 1, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays May 2-18, witj Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. May 4 and May 18.

Jesus Christ	Tenor	Title role, leader of the Twelve Apostles, a man called the "Son of God" and the "King of the Jews."
Judas Iscariot	Tenor	Arguably the protagonist of the show. One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus; concerned for the poor and the consequences of Jesus' fame.
Mary Magdalene	Mezzosoprano	A female follower of Jesus who finds herself falling in love with him.
Pontius Pilate	Baritone	Prefect of Judea who foresees the events of Jesus' crucifixion from beginning to aftermath in a dream, and finds himself being presented with that very situation.
Caiaphas	Bass	High priest who sees Jesus as a threat to the nation.
Annas	Tenor	Fellow priest whom Caiaphas persuades to see Jesus as a threat.
Peter	Baritone	One of the Twelve Apostles; denies Jesus three times upon the night of Jesus' arrest to save himself.
Simon Zealotes	Tenor	One of the Twelve Apostles; urges Jesus to lead his followers into battle against the Romans.
King Herod	Tenor	Tetrarch of Galilee. Jesus is brought to him for judgment after first being taken to Pilate
Other Apostles	James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James and Thaddaeus. Actors should be 16 or older, and also will play multiple roles.
Soul Girls	Four minimum. Actors playing the soul girls also will play multiple other roles such as townspeople, prostitutes, Herod's ladies and Superstar dancers. Must be strong vocalists and dancers.
Extras and Pit singers are welcome.

For more information, contact Pete@smstc.org or Vince@smstc.org.

Main Street Theatre Co. is located at 3018 Bordentown Avenue, Parlin.

'Ravenscroft' at Circle Players

PISCATAWAY – Circle Players this March will present “Ravenscroft,” a comedic mystery written by Don Nigro.

This psychological drama is a thinking person's Gothic thriller, a dark comedy that is both funny and frightening. On a snowy night, Inspector Ruffing is called to a remote house to investigate the headlong plunge of Patrick Roarke down the main staircase. He becomes involved in the lives of five alluring and dangerous women.

They lead him through a bewildering labyrinth of contradictory versions of Patrick’s demise and that of the late Mr. Ravenscroft. There are ghosts on the staircase, skeletons in the closet, and much more than the Inspector bargained for. His investigation leads into his own tortured soul and the nature of truth itself.

You will not guess the ending, but you will be teased, seduced, bewildered, amused, frightened, and led to a dark encounter with truth … or something stranger.

The theater is located at 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway.

Performances will begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 7-22, with a 3 p.m. matinee Sunday, March 23.

Alicia Harabin of Somerville is the director, and Ed Faver of Roselle is the producer.

Appearing onstage are Kristin Bennett of Montville, Thom Boyer of Somerville, Debbie Campanali of Towaco, Cody Dalton of Oakhurst, Roxanne Guarino of Metuchen, and Donne Petito of Hopewell.

A wine and cheese reception will follow the opening night performance.

For reservations, call (732) 968-7555, or buy tickets online at  www.circleplayers.com. ($1 per ticket discount online.) Tickets are $18 for adults and $17 for students and seniors. N

o credit cards can be accepted at the theater box office, but may be used online.

Casting Call: 'Rent' at Playhouse 22

Playhouse 22 will hold auditions in early March for "Rent."

"Rent" is a rock opera with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Bohème." It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City under the shadow of AIDS.

Auditions and performances will take place at Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Rehearsal time may be split between Playhouse 22 and a rented space at a location in Rahway. Auditions will take place from 7-10 p.m. March 2-3, with callbacks from 7-11 p.m. March 5. Performances will run May 2-18.

Prepare a 32-bar selection from a rock musical song that best showcases your vocal range and dynamics; your ability to communicate clearly and effectively through; and your ability to fully envision a character, inhabit it, and bring it to life by making clear, creative, and confident choices. Please bring piano sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist. Alternatively, you may bring a guitar and accompany yourself. Auditioning acapella for this show is not recommended.

Color-blind casting will be applied except where a specific ethnicity is called for in the script. Auditions are held on first-come, first-served basis. Appointments are not needed.

Character breakdown:

Mark Cohen	(C#3-G4)	Male, baritenor. An aspiring filmmaker who narrates the show as he films the lives of his friends. Spirited, artistic, quirky, and isolated by the guilt of his good health while many of his friends have AIDS.
Roger Davis	(B2-A4)	Male, rock tenor. A former junkie and rockstar. Struggling with the guilt of his ex-girlfriend's suicide, the seeming loss of his creative edge, and his impending death due to the AIDS virus. Haunted, worn, powerful, and edgy. Ability to play the guitar strongly preferred.
Mimi Marquez	(F#3-E5)	Female, mezzo. A free-spirited 19-year-old girl who has remained optimistic in the face of a difficult life, a heroin addiction, and her contraction of AIDS as a result of it. Sexy, playful, and smart with an undercurrent of suppressed pain, secrets, and a genuine longing for affection.
Benny Coffin III	(Eb3-F4)	Male, tenor. Mark and Roger's former roommate before his marriage to the wealthy Alison Grey. Benny is now their landlord and is considered by Mark and Roger to be a "yuppy" corporate sellout. Smooth, charming, and confident.
Maureen Johnson	(C4-F5)	Female, mezzo. A free-thinking bisexual performing artist. She isn't afraid to speak her mind, take on the establishment, and go to any lengths to fight for what she believes in. Sassy, funny, strong-willed, and flirtatious with a great passion for her art and the rights of all artists.
Joanne Jefferson	(Bb3-E5)	Female, mezzo. A lesbian Ivy League-educated lawyer and activist. Although raised in an affluent, political family, she is committed to helping the underserved. Empowered, caring, professional, and strong-willed.
Tom Collins	(F#2-A4)	Male, baritone. A gay computer genius, teacher, and anarchist who was recently fired by MIT for his free thinking. Passionate, intelligent, loyal. Despite a life of AIDs and poverty, he carries himself with a great deal of optimism, due in no small part to his boundless love for Angel.
Angel Schunard	(C3 - A4)	Male, tenor. A young drag queen and street drummer with AIDS. Collins' lover. Generous, selfless, and personable with a captivating energy and a passionate will to embrace life and live it to the fullest.

The theater also is looking to cast an ensemble of strong singers, actors, and movers to play a variety of cameo characters and group roles.

For more information, write to rent@playhouse22.org.

"Rent" features music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. This production will be directed by Greg Scalera and choreographed by Joshua Schnetzer, with musical direction by Bruce De La Cruz.

Seeking Stage Manager for 'Falsettos'

Villagers Theatre is seeking a stage manager for its Black Box production of "Falsettos." The ideal stage manager will have experience.

Rehearsals will take place in March and April. Performances will be in May. Details are available at the Villagers web site.

The show is produced by Joe Buz, directed by Darren Nye, and musically directed by Rory Chalcraft.

For more information, contact Darren Nye at nye@nyetech.com, or call (732) 429-8258.

'Moon Over Buffalo' at Playhouse 22

"Moon Over Buffalo," a comedy by Ken Ludwig, will open Feb. 21 at Playhouse 22.

Acting couple Charlotte and George Hay are on tour in Buffalo in 1953 with a repertory consisting of Cyrano de Bergerac "revised, one nostril version" and Noel Coward's Private Lives. Fate has given these thespians one more shot at starring roles in "The Scarlet Pimpernel," and director Frank Capra himself is en route to Buffalo to catch their matinee performance.

Will Charlotte appear or run off with their agent? Will George be sober enough to emote? Will Capra see Cyrano, "Private Lives" or a disturbing mixture of the two? Hilarious misunderstandings pile on madcap misadventures in this valentine to theater hams everywhere.

The cast features Joe Zedeny as George Hay, Mary Sullivan as Charlotte Hay, Deby Brandt as Ethel, Ashley Widmer as Rosalind, Eric Hackler as Howard, Ashley Kipness as Eileen, Fred Hadden as Paul, and Robert Goodwin as Richard.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. Sundays Feb. 21 to March 9. Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 for each senior or student. Tickets are available online.

Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'Falsettos'

Villagers Theatre will hold auditions late this month for its upcoming production of "Falsettos."

A seamless pairing of "March of the Falsettos" and "Falsettoland," acclaimed off-Broadway musicals written nearly a decade apart, "Falsettos" won 1992 Tony Awards for best book and musical score. It is the jaunty tale of Marvin, a man who leaves his wife and young son to live with another man. His ex-wife marries his psychiatrist, and Marvin ends up alone. Two years later, Marvin is reunited with his lover on the eve of his son's bar mitzvah, just as AIDS is beginning its insidious spread.

Auditions will take place from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Feb. 23 and 26. Callbacks will be held by invitation only.

Roles (ages are approximate only):

Marvin	35-45 years old	Bisexual man, Trina's ex-husband. Baritone.
Mendel	30 - 50 years old	Family psychiatrist. Male baritone.
Whizzer	20-40 years old	Marvin's lover. Male tenor.
Jason	9-14 years old	Marvin and Trina's son. Tenor.
Trina	30-45 years old	Marvin's ex-wife. Mezzosoprano.
Dr. Charlotte	30-55 years old	Lesbian neighbor, Marvin's friend. Mezzosoprano.
Cordelia	30-55 years old	Dr Charlotte's lesbian lover, Marvin's friend. Soprano.

Rehearsals will take place in March and April. Details are available at the Villagers web site. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays May 9-18.

"Falsettos" will be directed by Darren Nye. Producer is Joe Buz. Musical director is Rory Chalcraft, and stage manager is David Learn.

'Ravenscroft' at Circle Players

On March 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, and 23 at 8 p.m. on Fri. and Sat. and 3 p.m. on Sun., Circle Players will be presenting "Ravenscroft" by Don Nigro. Tickets are $18 for adults and $17 for seniors and students. No credit cards will be accepted at the box office. For reservations and information, call 732-968-7555.

This psychological drama is a thinking person’s Gothic thriller, a dark comedy that is both funny and frightening. On a snowy night, Inspector Ruffing is called to a remote house to investigate the headlong plunge of Patrick Roarke down the main staircase. He becomes involved in the lives of five alluring and dangerous women.They lead him through a bewildering labyrinth of contradictory versions of Patrick’s demise and that of the late Mr. Ravenscroft. There are ghosts on the staircase, skeletons in the closet, and much more than the Inspector bargained for. His investigation leads into his own tortured soul and the nature of truth itself. You will not guess the ending, but you will be teased, seduced, bewildered, amused, frightened, and led to a dark encounter with truth … or something stranger. Kristin Bennet, Thom Boyer, Debbie Campanali, Cody Dalton, and Roxanne Guarino.

The show is directed by Alicia Harabin and produced by Ed Faver. The cast consists of

There will be a wine and cheese party after the opening night's performance.

Staged Readings at Villagers Theatre

On Feb. 17 from 8 - 10 p.m., Villagers Theatre will be beginning the New Playrights series, by holding staged readings of two new plays: "The Truth Tellers" and "One to the Head, One to the Heart" by Ken Jaworowski, and "Biff and Blanche" and "Cake Top Follies" by John Twomey.

"The Truth Tellers", directed by Zita Geoffrey-Heinz, tells the story of a man and a woman who meet in a club and due to miscommunication and misunderstanding they find their new romance falling apart.

ast:
Kristin Clapcich (Annie)
Eric Radell (Larry) - See more at: http://www.villagerstheatre.com/viewproductions/new-playwrights-series/#sthash.ZcmE7b5W.dpuf

ast:
Kristin Clapcich (Annie)
Eric Radell (Larry) - See more at: http://www.villagerstheatre.com/viewproductions/new-playwrights-series/#sthash.ZcmE7b5W.dpuf

ast:
Kristin Clapcich (Annie)
Eric Radell (Larry) - See more at: http://www.villagerstheatre.com/viewproductions/new-playwrights-series/#sthash.ZcmE7b5W.dpuf

"One to the Head, One to the Heart", also directed by Zita Geoffrey-Heinz, is a poignant story about a married couple coming to terms with their disabled child, and their relationship with eachother.

"Biff and Blanche" directed by Nick Thomas, is the story of two second-rate thespians who confront one another over an audition, their illusions about themselves and their careers, their attraction to one another, and a cab.

"Cake Top Follies", also directed by Nick Thomas, focuses on two bitter bridesmaids who are entrusted to save their sister's wedding cake top.

Admission is free.

For more information check out the Villagers website.

Casting Call: 'The Figaro Plays'

McCarter Theatre will be holding open auditions for "The Figaro Plays".

"The Figaro Plays" are two thrilling new translations of  the great farces that inspired Mozart’s operas: "The Marriage of Figaro" and "The Barber of Seville". The two plays will be performed in repertory with the same company of actors. Not all actors will appear in both plays.

 Auditions are by appointment only, for teens on Feb. 10 and adults on Feb. 11. at McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ.  To schedule an appointment please call Courtney Little at (609) 258-6505 or email casting@mccarter.org. 

 Local actors are wanted to play ensemble roles including peasants, jurors, tenants, etc. These are non- speaking roles. Wanted is a company with humor, style and incredible language skills. Actors should create comic characters who are real people with genuine need and commitment. Some actors will need to sing well, others to carry a tune but musicality will be important. All actors must be local hires.

These include teenage actors, male and female, of ages 13-16. Teenage actors may only be cast in one play. Male actors will play women for some scenes.

Male adult actors should be age 18-30. Ability to play guitar is a plus. Male actors will play women for some scenes.

Female adult actors should be age 18-30 or 40-60.

Please prepare two contrasting monologues and bring your resume and head shot to the audition.

"The Barber of Seville" will run from April 1 to May 4 and "The Marriage of Figaro" will run from April 9 to May 3.

The show will artistically directed by Emily Mann, written by Pierre de Beaumarchais, adapted and directed by Stephen Wadsworth, and non-equity casting will be done by Chelsea Adams and Courtney Little.


Please send any questions to casting@mccarter.org.

'A Man of No Importance' at Edison Valley Playhouse

Based on the 1994 movie of the same name, the musical "A Man of No Importance" is coming this March to Edison Valley Playhouse.

"A Man of No Importance" tells the story of Alfie Byrne, a middle-aged Dublin bus conductor who lives with his spinster sister and who reads poetry aloud to his enraptured regular passengers on the bus. Alfie has three great passions. One is poetry. Another is the theater, and his amateur troupe who rehearse and perform in the church basement of St. Imelda's Catholic church.

His third, secret, passion is for the driver of the bus, handsome young Robbie. But in 1964 Ireland, Alfie's is a love that dare not speak its name. An ardent fan of Oscar Wilde, Alfie is determined to stage a version of Salome with the St. Imelda's Players but runs afoul of church authorities for putting on a dirty play.

As he fights for the play, Alfie finds his longing for life finally outweighing his fears and repressions, and he takes his stand for art, poetry and love.

The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from March 7-22 and at 2 p.m. March 16. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.

For more information, visit Edison Valley Playhouse on Facebook. Edison Valley Playhouse is located at 2196 Oak Tree Rd, Edison.

Casting Call: "The Norman Conquests"

"The Norman Conquests" details the amorous exploits of Norman, assistant librarian, whose one aim is to make the women of his life happy—these women being, as it happens, three sisters, one of them his wife, who can’t wear contact lenses because “life with Norman is full of unexpected eye movements.”

Auditions will be held for the show, which is a collection of three plays titled "Living Together," "Round and Round the Garden," and "Table Manners," from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 18 and 19 and from 2-3 p.m. Feb. 22. Callbacks will be held from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 22. Actors must be proficient with a British accent.

The characters include Norman; Ruth, Norman's wife; Reg, Ruth's brother; Sarah, Reg's wife; Annie, Reg and Ruth's sister; and Tom, a local vet.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays May 9-24. To view the sides that will be used, visit evplayhouse.com. For more information, visit evplayhouse.com or Edison Valley Playhouse's Facebook page. Edison Valley Playhouse is located at 2196 Oak Tree Road , Edison.