Mystic Vision Players will hold auditions this week for an upcoming production of the Pulitzer- and Tony-winning stage musical "Rent." Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Union County Performing Arts Center mainstage, 1601 Irving St., Rahway. Callbacks will be held Sept. 9, as needed.
Based loosely on Puccini's "La Bohème," "Rent" follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this musical.
Auditionees should prepare 16 bars or a verse, and the chorus of a pop/rock song or song from a rock musical. An accompanist will be provided, but auditionees should bring sheet music or scores. Come prepared to learn a dance combination as well. Audition forms are available at mysticvisionplayers.com. A photo and resume are accepted but not required. Callbacks will involve singing from the score.
All roles are currently available, Auditionees must be 18 or older.
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. Percussionist skills are desired but not required. |
Minor characters (many double in other scenes)
Stage ages: late teens to 50s
Vocal Ranges: all vocal ranges sought
• Carolers: Homeless street men and women who appear throughout the show.
• Mrs. Cohen: Mark's stereotypical Jewish mother.
• Alexi Darling: The producer of "Buzzline," who tries to hire Mark after his riot footage makes primetime.
• Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson: The wealthy parents of Joanne Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson is also one of the acappella singers in "Voicemail #5." Mrs. Jefferson may be the female solo in Seasons of Love.
• Mrs. Davis: Roger's confused mother who calls in "Voicemail #5."
• Mrs. Marquez: Mimi's Spanish‐speaking mother who sings in "Voicemail #5."
• Mr. Grey: Benny's father‐in‐law who wants to buy out the lot.
• The Man: The local drug dealer whom Mimi buys from and Roger used to buy from.4
• Life Support Group: Paul (The man in charge of the Life Support group), Gordon, Steve, Ali, Pam, Sue as notated in the script by Larson.
• Squeegee Man: A homeless person who chants "Honest living!" over and over.
• Homeless Woman: She gets harassed by police and Mark films it.
• Waiter: Waits on the cast and has solo lines in "La Vie Boehme."
There are also many other non‐named roles such as the preacher, "Seasons of Love" soloists, cops, bohemians, vendors and homeless people. The theater is looking for a diverse cast of all ages, shapes, and sizes.
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