Reminder: Open Auditions for the Papermill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir

 The Paper Mill Playhouse will be holding open auditions for their Broadway Show Choir.

The Broadway Show Choir is an audition based, exhibition Show Choir that stems from Paper Mill Playhouse’s award-winning Arts Education and Outreach programs. The choir consists of 40–50 singers and dancers between the ages of 16 and 22. Students selected to be a part of this talented group have the opportunity to fine tune their craft with free, intensive instruction that includes private voice training. The Paper Mill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir act as ambassadors to Paper Mill Playhouse with an array of performance opportunities throughout the community and beyond. Over the last two seasons, the choir reached more than 100,000 people with performances at major venues througout the state.

Auditions for the choir are by appointment only on Aug. 24, 25, and 27 from 6 - 9 p.m. If you are not available during these times, the playhouse will be taking a wait list for the next available date. Call (973)315-1640 or email JZeitoun@PaperMill.org to schedule. Auditions will take place at Paper Mill Playhouse. Please prepare an upbeat pop or musical theater piece of approximately 32 bars that best demonstrates your vocal range. Bring sheet music, in the key you will sing it, in a binder or single sheet taped together that contains the full piano accompaniment. An accompanist will be provided. You may not perform a cappella or to an audio recording. Those auditioning will be taught a brief dance combination, so please bring suitable footwear. Callbacks will be held on Sept. 7.

The show choir staff features Shayne Austin Miller as the director, Meg Zervoulis as the music director, Jennifer Forziati as the choreographer, Viraj Lal as the vocal coach, Carrie Rubinoas the stylist and costumer, John Zeitounas the company manager, Mickey McNany as the theatre school director, and Lisa Cooney as the director of education.

Casting Call: 'Count Dracula'

Kelsey Theater will be holding auditions for "Count Dracula," by Ted Tiller, August 9 and 10. Adapted in 1971 from Bram Stoker's Victorian novel of Gothic horror, "Dracula," Tiller's play is tightly constructed and entertaining, with engaging dialogue and a menacing villain.

The auditions will take place from 9-5 p.m. August 9, and 10-5 p.m. August 10. To schedule an audition, click here, call (609) 882-2292, or contact audition@mponstage.com. If all audition slots are full, call and attempts will be made to set up another time to audition.

The readthrough will occur on August 23. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 24-Nov. 2.

Dr. Arthur Seward (mid-40s-early 60s)	Chief physician of his insane asylum north of London. Seward is a dignified, kindly, compassionate man. Frequently exasperated by (but affectionately patient with) the wandering vagaries of his sister's muddled mind. Essentially serious and straightforward, he is capable of quiet, unexpected humor.
Sybil Seward (mid-40s-mid-50s)	Dr. Seward's spinster sister. Is addle-pated, occasionally detached from reality and overall harmlessly touched in the head. The mistress of the non sequitur. An unconsciously funny, slightly daft, cheerful romantic who's never known romance.
Mina Murry (early 20s-early 30s)	Dr. Seward's ward. An attractive young woman, gentle, warm-hearted and quick to respond to others needs, but her strange malady has made her listless, inattentive and oddly remote. She does her best to hide her illness from her fiancé, Jonathan Harker. Her personality slowly changes throughout the play to that of a seductive, scheming wanton.
Jonathan Harker (mid-20s-early 30s)	Mina's fiancé. He is a likable, outgoing, successful architect. When it comes to Mina, he is more the brash man of action than a thinker. He is deeply in love with her and will do anything to protect her.
Heinrich van Helsing (mid-40s-early 60s)	Dr. Steward's former mentor. Has the rumpled appearance of a comfortable old shoe and looks on his fellow man with a humorous eye. He is a dedicated scientist and a genial man except when crossed over an issue he deems important; then geniality is replaced by sternness.
Count Dracula (mid-30s-40s)	Distinguished. His countenance is arresting, lupine, cruel and coldly handsome. Evil incarnate, with an almost hypnotic control on those around him. His accent is slightly continental. His voice not only insinuates but threatens.
Ms. Hennessey (late 20s-60s)	Matron and chief attendant at Dr. Seward's asylum. Earnest, hard-working, pleasant and tougher then she looks. She manages both the asylum and the Sewards' household.
Wesley (Late 20s-50s)	An asylum attendant. Has a pleasant nature and an easy smile, a little brash.

Casting Call: 'Hair'

Villagers Theatre will be holding auditions for "Hair".

Auditons are Sept. 14 - 15 at 7:00 p.m. Please come prepared with sheet music and dress comfortably, as you may be asked to dance to light choreography.

Needed are 25 free-spirited singers/actors ages 18 - 30. Performers with special and unique talents; ex. circus skills, impersonators, comic improv; are especially encouraged to audition. All singing styles and voice types, R & B, Country & Rock are needed.

Performances are Nov. 7 - 23 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The show will be directed by Michael Boyd.

Villagers Theatre is located at 475 Demott Lane, Somerset, NJ.

For further info contact michaelboyd1118@aol.com

9th Annual Labor Day Weekend Concert at Plays-in-the-Park

Plays-in-the-Park will be holding their 9th annual Labor Day weekend concert.

The concert will be on August 31 at 4 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. Admission is free.

The contest features the cast of "Beatlemania" and "Tusk". Come to Roosevelt Park to celebrate an evening of unforgettable, high energy entertainment. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair!

For information call (732) 745-3936

The concert is sponsored by The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The Middlesex County Office of Parks & Recreation.

Casting Call: 'Mame'

Playhouse 22 will hold auditions for the musical "Mame" in September.

The madcap life of eccentric Mame Dennis and her bohemian, intellectual arty clique is disrupted when her deceased brother's 10-year-old son Patrick is entrusted to her care. Rather than bow to convention, Mame introduces the boy to her free-wheeling lifestyle, instilling in him her favorite credo: "Life is a banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death."

Auditionees should prepare up to 32 bars with sheet music from musical theater in the style of the show  that reflect their vocal range and shows their personality. Disney, country, pop and rock songs and songs from the show should be avoided. An accompanist will be provided. A capella is prohibited. Auditionees should also wear clothing comfortable for dancing in, and bring a list of conflicts throughout the rehearsal period, which lasts from early Sept. through Nov. 7.

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5. Callbacks will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 6.

Mame (mezzo [solid F3-F5], 30s-early 50s)	An eccentric, madcap, bohemian free spirit. A strong dancer is preferable.
Young Patrick Dennis (boy alto/high tenor [F3-D5], age 10)	Mame's young nephew. Acting and singing lead role.
Agnes Gooch (soprano [G3 - Bb5], 30s-early 40s)	Patrick's dowdy nanny. A comedic role.
Vera Charles (alto [solid Eb3-Bb4], 30s-50s)	Mame's best friend and an over-the-top flamboyant actress. A comedic role.
Ito (tenor/high baritone [G3-G4], 18+, male)	Mame's Asian butler. A comedic role.
Lindsay Woolsey (none)	A publisher. One of many of Mame's male friends, and her closest male confidant.
Dwight Babcock (none)	A pompous and self-righteous guardian/lawyer; the villain of the piece.
Beauregard Burnside (baritone, 30-45)	A wealthy southern gentleman who eventually marries Mame.
Mother Burnside (alto/contralto [E3-G4], 55-70)	Beauregard's overprotective mother.
Sally Cato (soprano [C4-Bb5], 23-30)	A southern belle competing with Mame for Beauregard's affection.
Patrick Dennis (baritone [C3-E4], 19-25)	Patrick as an adult.
Gloria Upson (19-25)	The New England snobby girl engaged to Patrick.
Mrs. Upson (35-45)	Gloria's uptight New England snobby mother.
Mr. Upson (35-45)	Gloria's uptight New England snobby father.
Pegeen Ryan (19-25)	The girl whom Patrick ultimately marries.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Nov. 7-23. The show will be directed by Gerry Appel.

For more, information, call (732) 970-6308 or contact mame@playhouse22.org. Playhouse 22 is located on 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'

The Sayreville Main Street Theatre Co. will be having auditions for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee".

Auditions are August 18 and 19 from 7 - 9 p.m. Callbacks are on August 21 at 7 p.m. Come prepared with sheet music to perform 16 bars of a musical theatre song that best reflects the character you hope to be cast as and that best reflects your voice quality and range. No Happy Birthday or accapella singing will be allowed. An accompanist and an IPOD dock will be available. Be sure your sheet music has the piano accompaniment, usually the bottom 2 staves below the vocal line. Mark your sheet music where you wish to start and finish. If you are auditioning for one of the 6 contestants, please note they are adult actors portraying adolescent children. Songs from shows where that is also done may be good audition song choices, for ex. "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", "Snoopy The Musical", "Urinetown" (Little Sally), etc.

Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is a hilarious tale of overachievers' angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show's Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time.

Roles are:

Rona Lisa Peretti	The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch, who has feelings for her that she most likely does not return. It is implied that she sees much of herself in Olive Ostrovsky. Her favorite moment of the Bee is in the minutes before it starts, when all the children are filled with the joy of competition, before they begin to resent each other. She later declares that she likes how everyone has an equal chance of winning, citing as an example that last year's winner can be this year's loser and vice versa. Another favorite moment is when the last winners go head to head for the top spot because it is so suspenseful and filled with hope. Ms. Peretti herself won the Third Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by spelling "syzygy", which she recounts at the very beginning of the opening number.
Olive’s Mom and Dad	She is in India, he is working late, but they appear in Olive’s imagination to encourage her and tell her they love her. Played by the actors who play Miss Peretti and Mitch.
Vice Principal Douglas Panch	After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in "a better place" now (or so we think), thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.
Mitch Mahoney	The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. Dan Schwartz: SchwartzandGrubenierre’s other father; he is slightly less insane than Carl but is still intent on his daughter winning the Bee. Played by the actor who plays Mitch.
Olive Ostrovsky	A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. She made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition.
William Barfée	A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy personality. He has an often-mispronounced last name: it is Bar-FAY, not BARF-ee ("there's an accent aigu", he explains with some hostility). He develops a crush on Olive.
Leaf's Dad	Doubtful and finds his son annoying and unintelligent. Played by the actor who plays Will Barfée.
Logainne "Schwarzy" SchwarzandGrubenierre	Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures, with two overbearing gay fathers. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and known she'll return to the bee next year.
Leaf’s Mom	Overprotective and doubtful of her son’s abilities to stand up to the competition. Played by the actress who plays Logainne.
Marcy Park	A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year’s nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is a total over-achiever, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry. She is often portrayed by an Asian actress.
Leaf’s Siblings	Marigold, Brook, Pinecone, Landscape, Raisin, and Paul. Not very confident of Leaf’s abilities. Brook is played by the actress who plays Marcy, while the others are situated in the audience and do not appear on stage.
Leaf Coneybear	A homeschooler and the second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark: the winner and first runner-up had to go to the winner’s Bat Mitzvah. Leaf comes from a large family of former hippies and makes his own clothes. He spells words correctly while in a trance. In his song, "I'm Not That Smart", he sings that his family thinks he is "not that smart," but he insinuates that he is merely easily distracted. Most of the words that he is assigned are South American rodents with amusing names.
Carl Grubenierre	One of SchwartzandGrubenierre’s fathers; he has set his heart on his little girl winning the Bee, no matter what he has to do, including sabotaging William’s foot. Played by the actor who plays Leaf.
Charlito "Chip" Tolentino	A Boy Scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title. Relatively social and athletic, as he plays little league, Chip expects things to come easily but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.
Jesus Christ	Appears to Marcy in a moment of crisis. Played by the actor who plays Chip.
Three or four spellers from the audience	Audience members are encouraged to sign up to participate before the show, and several are chosen to spell words on stage.

The show has music and lyrics by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin, and additional material by Jay Reiss. It will be directed by Kevin Gunther, musically directed by Teddy Kernizan, and choreographed by Dawn Fulbrook.

Performances will be October 17 - 25 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Broadway Cares Benefit at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre will be hosting a performance presented by the Teensvill of past and present.

The show is August 4 only at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.Tickets are payable in cash or check only (please make checks payable to Broadway Cares).

Performances from cast members of many TeensVill productions from the past 16 years which could include productions of "Godspell", "Leader of the Pack", "Runaways", "Fame", "Footloose", "Bye Bye Birdie", "Les Misérables", "The Wiz", "Into the Woods", "Seussical", "Aida", "Rent", "13 the Musical", "The Wedding Singer", "Spring Awakening", and "Legally Blonde The Musical". The concert will be held on the Villagers Main Stage. There will be prizes from Broadway Cares.