Casting Call: 'Aladdin Jr.'

Plays-in-the-Park will hold auditions for Disney's "Aladdin Jr."

Auditions will be held at the theater at 1 p.m. on July 11. Music and sides are provided here for those auditioning for Aladdin, here for those auditioning for any other male role, and here for those auditioning for Jasmine. An accompanist will be provided at the audition. Please wear comfortable dancing clothes. All auditionees must be 17 or older.

Aladdin	The charming, slick prankster who carries the show. He's a poor 'street rat' who, despite his social status, falls in love with the princess, Jasmine.
Genie	The fast-talking, scene-stealing, comic relief. He's larger than life.
Jasmine	The feisty and rebellious princess who is genuinely sweet and can sometimes be naive. She has strong opinions, is fiercely independent, and "is not a prize to be won".
Sultan	Jasmine's father who's a bit scattered but deeply loves his daughter. The ruler of the land. He is torn between doing what his daughter wants, and what is traditional.
Jafar	The evil villain who wants to become Sultan. He is extremely power-hungry, and a caricature of the classic evil villain.
Iago	Jafar's sarcastic side kick. Good comic timing. He/she is feisty and always has a good quip when Jafar is ignoring him/her. Male or female.
Razoul	Jafar's incompetent guard.
Ensemble	2 men and 2 women who play various parts. Should be able to sing and dance well. Will play villagers, guards, etc.

Rehearsals will take place throughout September, and the show will perform at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on October 10, 11, 17, 18, and 24.

'Oklahoma!' at Plays-in-the-Park

Plays-in-the-Park presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical, "Oklahoma!"

Performances will take place at 8:30 p.m. on July 8 - 11 and July 15 - 18. There will be additional performances at 7:30 p.m. on July 13 and 14. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (60+), and free for children (12 and under). Audience members must provide their own seating, as it is an outdoor theater. You can also rent lawn chairs from Friends of Plays-in-the-Park the day of the show.

There will be an audio description performance on July 10, an open captioned performance on July 9, and a performance with sign language interpretation on July 15. If any of these days rains out, the special performance will be held the day after.

The show is directed by Moggie Davis, choreographed by Lorinda Haver, musically directed by Warren Helms, and stage manged by Kaitlyn O'Leary and Haley Kisly, with a set by Mike D'Arcy, costumes by Lauren Ahr, lights by Romn Klima, sound design by Matt Boyle, and wigs and hair design by Monique Rance.

It stars Andy Martinez as Curly, Shannen Doyle as Laureym Pat Powers as Aunt Eller, Matt Robert as Will Parker, Sarah Caldwell as Ado Annie, Matt Lafargue as Jud Fry, Jeff O'Neill as Ali Hakim, Dan Cook as Andrew Carnes, Frank Norek as Cord Elam, Devin Bailey Griffin as Gertie Cummings, Brian Ust as Dream Curly, and Heather Wilson as Dream Laurey, with an ensemble featuring Kyra Bowie, Shannon Grahan, Kelcie Haver, Lauren Frazier, Arielle Ostry, Lori Young, Amanda Feliciano, Joanna Karausz,  Kristen Kane, Kira Gavalakis, Camille Vanasse, Rachel Sherman, Arlene Britt, Sandye Rudnitzky, Angela Dohl, Michael T. Balseiro, Peter Lo Ricco, Danny Sims, Michael Korner, Kyle Garcia, Jake Forrestal, and Abe Vorensky.

Casting Call: 'The Fantasticks'

PinnWorth of Kelsey Theater will hold auditions for "The Fantasticks" in a few days.

The show is about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall. The narrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart, and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo's words that "without a hurt, the heart is hollow".

Auditionees should prepare 16-32 bars of music and a two-to-three-minute monologue, not from the show, that reflects whichever character they choose to audition for. A resumé is also advisable.

Luisa (teen, soprano, B3-C6)	As a young lover, she is in love. She is in love with love, the idea of love, the idea of being in love and indeed everything remotely romantic. Her dreams are more fanciful than those of Matt. Because of her particular vision of romance, she deals with the world on a particularly naïve level.
Matt (teen-early 20s, lyrical baritone, low A-G4)	As a young lover, he is deeply in love, particularly with the idea of being in love. He lacks experience in the world so, while not stupid, he is naïve and perhaps even foolish at times. His image of a young man in love is one of a gallant protector, meaning that he approaches some decisions with a falsified bravery that is little more than bravado.
Hucklebee (middle-aged, baritone)	Luisa's father.
Bellomy (middle-aged, baritone, low A-G4)	Matt's father. He and Hucklebee are always arguing and bickering, but secretly plotting together for the marriage of their children.
Henry and Mortimer (middle-aged and up, nonsinging)	Foolish comic actors who move the action while not seeming to contribute anything of substance. As performers their day has long past. Henry can play grand characters and recite Shakespeare, but with very little success these days. May be asked to speak in an English accent. Mortimer’s specialty is dying on stage in the manner of great adventures and melodramas. Henry and Mortimer function as a unit and rarely appear apart from each other. They are entirely theatrical and theirs is the world of the stage.
El Gallo (20s-30s, baritone, low A-G4)	The narrator, the liaison between the audience and the action onstage. He is warm, cordial, and inviting to the audience, yet with darker moments. His attitude toward the rest of the cast reveals a decidedly mysterious side. Above all he is grand and must command attention.
The Mute	El Gallo's mute assistant. Age and gender are flexible.

Auditions will take place in two sessions from 7-8:30 p.m. and from 8:30-10 p.m. July 6, 7 and 13. Callbacks will occur from 7-10 p.m. July 14. Summer rehersals are flexible, with no weekends. The show will run Fridays through Sundays Sept. 25 through Oct. 4. The show will be directed by LouJ Stalsworth.

For more information, or to make an audition appointment, contact thefantasticks_kelseytheatre@yahoo.com. Kelsey Theater is located on the Middlesex County Community College campus on 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Casting Call: 'Violet'

Kelsey Theater's Pennington Players will hold auditions for "Violet" late next month.

As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward ax blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved she's traveling across the 1964 Deep South towards a miracle, the healing touch of a TV evangelist that will make her beautiful. Though she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those that are lying deeper than her skin; and on the way she meets a young African-American soldier whose love for her reaches far past her physical "imperfections".

Auditionees should prepare a complete song from musical theater with sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. No dancing will be required at the initial audition. Generally actors 16 or older will be considered for the parts, although a younger actor will be needed to play Young Vi.

Preliminary auditions will be held from 7-10 p.m. August 19 and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. August 22. Callbacks, if necessary, will be held tentatively August 26 and/or 29. Appointments are strongly recommended.

Violet (mezzo soprano with very strong high belt)	The protagonist. Carries a scar from a childhood injury; the degree of her deformity is uncertain to us but is certainly drastic to her. She is 25 years old, but a life of worry has left her looking older and wearier. Cynical but not yet bitter, reserved but not yet withdrawn, Violet is an observer and a chronicler. She hasn't yet given up the hope that she might get to participate in the world at some point, but her hope is flickering. An outstanding singer and actor with wide vocal range and considerable physical and vocal stamina is needed, as Violet does not leave the stage for the run time of the show. The actor playing this role needs a North Carolina Southern accent.
Grady "Flick" Fliggins (tenor)	An African-American U.S. Army Sergeant in his late 20s. He is black man traveling through the American South in the early 1960s, with all that implies about his life and experiences. Flick is stable, direct, easy-going, and perceptive. He has a "seize the day" philosophy that he only sometimes actually puts into practice. Dynamic singer needed.
Monty Harrill (baritone)	A white Army paratrooper in his early 20s, Monty is brash, arrogant, impulsive, immature, and loud, but an essentially good and decent person, which makes the overall package charming rather than repellent. A charismatic and energetic performer with a strong high baritone sound is needed for this role.
Young Vi (belter)	Violet as she was at age 13, forever frozen in time at the moment of her injury. She is inquisitive and aggressive, and utterly unintimidated by anything or anyone.
Father (baritone)	Violet's father, a widower in his late 30s. He is a plain man who achieved and then lost his plain dreams, leaving him constantly a little sad and a little anxious. He is uneducated but not ignorant, and strongly convinced of the value of education.
Female Ensemble Member 1 (mezzo-soprano)	Among others, plays the old lady and a hotel singer. As the old lady, plays a woman in her sixties who serves as a sort of guardian angel and Greek chorus for Violet as she travels, sharp-witted and quintessentially Southern. Also plays a much younger dissolute hotel singer of questionable virtue. A very versatile performer with a wide vocal range who can hold harmony is needed for this role.
Female Ensemble Member 2 (mezzo-soprano)	Among others, plays Mabel and a music hall singer. Needs a powerful voice for a lengthy Gospel solo, as well as a second jazz solo.
Male Ensemble Member 1 (bass-baritone)	Among others, plays the preacher, bus driver, and radio singer. As the preacher, he is slick and cynical but not without true faith, a man in his late 30s or beyond.
Male Ensemble Member 2 (tenor)	Among others, plays the radio soloist, Leroy Evans, a waiter, and Earl. As the radio soloist, is a country singer with a gentle sound.
Male Ensemble Member 3 (male, baritone)	Among others, plays Virgil, a radio singer, and a bus driver. Virgil is the Preacher's neurotic and overwhelmed stage manager, in his mid-to-late 20s or early 30s.
Female Ensemble Member 3 (soprano)	Among other roles, plays the landlady, an African-American woman in her 30s or 40s, jaded and sharp; and a gospel soloist.

Rehearsals are projected to commence in early September and occur three to four times per week until the show opens. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 6-15.

To make an audition appointment, click here or call (609)737-7529. Auditions will take place in the Communications building next to Kelsey Theater. Both are located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Casting Call: 'Around the World in 80 Days'

Kelsey Theater's Maurer Productions will hold auditions for "Around the World in 80 Days".

Adapted from the book of the same name by Jules Verne, the show features Phileas Fogg, who has agreed to an outrageous wager that puts his fortune and his life at risk. With his resourceful servant Passepartout, Fogg sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. But his every step is dogged by a detective who thinks he's a robber on the run. Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in this whirlwind of a show as five actors portraying 40 characters traverse seven continents.

Those seeking to audition should click here.

Actor 1 (20s–50s, male)	This actor plays Gauthier Ralph, a member of the Reform Club; a British consul in Suez, France; the director of the Bombay Police; a high priest of an Indian temple; Sir Francis, a train passenger; Judge Obadiah of the British court in Calcutta; a Chinese broker; a ship clerk on the steam ship Carnatic; Captain Bunsby; Colonel Proctor, an American of little thought and much action; an American train engineer; Mudge, a mysterious hermit with a sledge; a New York harbor steamship clerk; Speedy, captain of the steamship Henrietta; the Henrietta's engineer; and a London train clerk.
Actor 2 (20s–50s, male)	This actor plays Andrew Stuart, a member of the Reform Club; Detective Fix, a British detective on Fogg’s trail who's not as smart as he thinks he is; a high priest of an Indian temple; an Indian conductor on the train for Calcutta; an elephant owner training his elephant for war; Young Parsi, the elephant guide to Allahabad; Oysterpuff, a British officer in Calcutta; a U.S. conductor on the train going through the west; and Reverend Wilson's Servant, a woman.
Actor 3 (20s–30s, male)	This actor plays Passepartout, a former French circus performer and recently hired manservant of Phileas Fogg; and John Sullivan, a member of the Reform Club.
Actor 4 (mid-20s–30s, female)	This actor plays James Forster, Fogg’s first servant; a corner paperboy; a high priest of an Indian Temple; and Aouda, a woman rescued from death and traveling with Fogg.
Phileas Fogg (30s-40s)	A man of singular habits who lives by a rigid schedule.

Auditions will occur 12-5 p.m. July 18 and 19. Performances will occur at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 9-18 and possibly at 10 a.m. Oct. 12 or 16.

Kelsey Theater is located on the Mercer County Community College campus on 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. For more information, call (609)882-2292.

Casting Call: '9 to 5'

Somerset Valley Players will hold auditions for "9 to 5: The Musical."

Auditions will take place at 7 p.m. on June 29 and 30 at the South Branch Reformed Church, located on 870 River Road in Hillsborough, NJ. Auditionees should prepare 16-32 bars of a song in the style of the musical. Bring comfortable clothes because there will be a dance portion of the audition. You may be asked to read from sides provided the night of your audition.

Dolly Parton's spirited musical version of the classic movie celebrates gleeful revenge of the office workers as three hard-working and very clever secretaries create corporate chaos while gladly turning the tables upside-down on their sexist and loud-mouthed boss.

Roles are:

Violet.Newstead 40-50	The company's Head Secretary and Mr. Hart's Administrative Assistant, she is a single mother and typically stands up for what she believes in. Attractive, strong, ambitious.
Doralee Rhodes 20-30	A young, sexy spitfire who works at Mr. Hart's office. She is proof that there is more to a woman than just her looks.
Judy Bernly 30-40	The "new" girl at the firm, she has been burned by her husband's affair and is searching for personal empowerment. Insecure, determined, hopeful.
Franklin Hart Jr. 30-50	One of the firm's executives and a notorious chauvinist. He is capable of faking charm but usually shows his true colors as an arrogant, self-absorbed boss.
Roz Keith 30-60	The attentive office gossip queen and snitch. She has an unrequited love for Mr. Hart and will do anything she can to win his approval.
Female Ensemble 25-60	Various other secretaries, hospital workers, and even some woodland creatures. Ensemble members will take on various roles and must at least move well.
Male Ensemble 25-60	Various other businessmen, law enforcement, as well as husbands or boyfriends. Ensemble members will take on various roles and must at least move well.

The show is directed by Christian Carrara and produced by Karen Abbatiello. Performances will take place between September 11 and October 4 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Casting Call: 'The Producers'

Playhouse 22 will hold open auditions for Mel Brooks' "The Producers" in about a week.

The show starts out with Max Bialystock, a down and out Broadway producer whose latest work flopped on opening night. Max, plagued by his former success and scrabbling to stay afloat, experiences a change in fortune when downtrodden accountant, Leo Bloom, discovers there is money to be made in Max’s theatrical failure. As a result, the two formerly-defeated businessmen form an unlikely union with the goal of creating the world’s worst musical. The plot develops as the duo enlists the help of ridiculous and often farcical characters along the way, such as former Nazi and ongoing Third Reich enthusiast Franz Liebkind; Ulla, the blonde bombshell secretary/receptionist; and the flamboyant homosexual director Roger De Bris. As a result of the characters' combined brainpower and ludicrous behavior, "Spring Time for Hitler" is born on Broadway.

Auditions will occur at 7:30 p.m. June 21 and 22, with callbacks at the same time  June 25. Auditionees should prepare 16 bars of an uptempo song in a similar style to that of the show, with sheet music clearly marked and legible in the proper key. Do not sing a song from the show, and do not sing a capella. An accompanist will be provided. They should also be prepared for a short dance audition andear comfortable clothes and dance shoes, and bring a list of weekday-evening and weekend conflicts for the entire rehearsal period.

Max Bialystock (40-60, A2-F#4)	The consummate con man. Naturally animated and bombastic, he is never at a loss for charm and manners. Typically conspires with Leo. Stocky but amazingly energetic.
Leo Bloom (25-40, A2-F4)	An accountant. Boring and mousy, he is a hesitant optimist who longs for something more. Dragged into a scheme by Max. The actor playing this character must be a dancer and have at least some ability to tap-dance.
Rogers Debris (40-60, G#2 - G4)	New York's most famous and flamboyant stage director. Surrounds himself with deliciously beautiful clothing, people, and possessions. In a crowd, it would be impossible to miss him.
Franz Liebkind (35-60, F2 - G4	German loyalist playwright. From his lederhosen to his pigeon, Adolph, his love for the motherland is unmistakable. He is imposing yet tender.
Carmen Ghia (25-35, C3 - A4)	Roger Debris' faithful assistant. Carmen is severe in looks and passion for Roger. He may appear younger than he actually is thanks to skilled surgeons.
Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yonsen Tallen-Hallen Svaden-Svanson (25-35, A3 - G5)	A young and hopeful actress. Though her beauty might eclipse her talent, Ulla is passionate about life and art. Quite a clueless seductress in some ways. The actor playing this character must be a dancer and able to belt. She should also either be tall, or tall with heels and able to move in them.
15-20 ensemble members (all ages)	Onstage in various guises for most of the show playing such varied parts as accountants, Bavarian peasants, convicts, first-nighters, little old ladies, storm troopers, chorus girls, female prisoners, and ushers.

Rehearsals should begin in July and run through the summer. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Sept. 11-27. It will be directed by Tom Frascatore.

For more information, contact producers@playhouse22.org or call (732)254-3939. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.