Casting Call: 'The Addams Family'

They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky: Kelsey Theatre will hold auditions for "The Addams Family," the musical based on the classic TV show.

The Addams family, led by the elegantly gaunt and seemingly undead Morticia and her ever-devoted husband Gomez, is in turmoil. Their daughter Wednesday, now 18, finds herself falling in love, a sensation unsettling both for her and her family of endearing misfits. When the teen invites her new boyfriend, Lucas Beineke, over with his “normal” family to get better acquainted with the Addams household, comic chaos, including everything from an amorous giant squid to mixed-up potions to a scorching tango, ensues.

Auditionees should prepare one complete song from musical theatre with sheet music in the correct key. an accompanist will be provided. Actors will be asked to learn and perform a brief dance combination at the auditions, which will occur from 7-10 p.m. November 30 and December 3. Callbacks will be held as necessary. Audition appointments, although not required, are strongly recommended.Auditions will be held in the communications building adjacent to the theater.

Gomez Addams (male baritone)	he family patriarch, an adult man of uncertain age with an untraceable, vaguely Spanish accent. He is passionate and emotional, given to impulsive behaviors and theatrical pronouncements. He is propelled forward by constant curiosity and - ironically - love of life.
Morticia Addams (alto/mezzo)	Far more reserved and less demonstrative than her husband Gomez, but no less passionate for that. She always gives the impression that she is waiting to strike, yet is a warm and loving wife and mother, in her own way. The actor cast in this role must have a strong low range and be an exceptional dancer. Morticia is almost definitely not a vampire.
Wednesday Addams (early 20s, belter)	Gomez and Morticia's daughter, now in her early twenties and as homicidal as ever. Her stone face and stern demeanor hide an endless supply of rage and loathing, but in other ways she's not at all a typical post-adolescent. The actor cast in this role a very strong high belt.
Pugsley Addams (8-12, unchanged voice)	Wednesday's brother, a cheerfully destructive boy of around 10. Adores his sister unconditionally. Wants to ensure he won't lose her to her new boyfriend, so he takes matters into his own hands.
Uncle Fester (tenor)	A very strange duck.
Grandma (alto)	From the perspective of "normal" society, Grandma is definitely the strangest member of the Addams Family. She's a fully functioning witch, with a bench of potions and a very dodgy history; but she is also the most tuned-in and self-aware.
Lurch (bass)	The Addams' loyal servant, his work ethic unaffected by the fact that he is probably dead. A mostly silent role, this part requires a skilled physical comedian able to get laughs without words or facial expressions.
Lucas Beineke (early 20s, tenor)	The nervous, twitchy, Midwestern "Normal" whom Wednesday has fallen hopelessly in love with. Neither a risk taker or a man of action, or at least not so far.
Mal Beineke (baritone)	Lucas' father, an uptight and stubborn Ohioan who has never spent longer than thirty seconds outside of his comfort zone. Considers himself a reasonable man.
Alice Beineke (female, mezzo soprano)	Lucas' mother, who writes greeting card poetry for a living. A model mother and wife; bubbly and sweet, with inexhaustible patience and a genuine belief that everything will work out for the best. Also concealing a borderline psychopathic supply of anger and frustration, but she'll probably never say anything about that. Right?
The Ancestors (all)	The spirits of Addams' past, a motley crew of the dead and mostly dead. Some solo singing. Extensive harmony singing and strong dancing required.

Two or three rehearsals are expected in December; rehearsals will begin in earnest after New Year's and run three to four times per week until the show's opening. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays February 26-March 6. The show, produced by Playful Theatre Productions, will be directed by Frank Ferrara and musically directed by Shannon Ferrara and Michael Gilch.

The recommended method of scheduling audition appointments is signing up online; alternately they can be made by calling (609)439-6596. Kelsey Theatre is located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Stage Combat Workshop at Holmdel Theatre Company

Learn how to stage unarmed combat, from slaps and punches to kicks, grappling and falls, with the Holmdel Theatre Company later this month.

The workshop, dealing with basic unarmed combat stage techniques, will be taught by New York fight director Dan O'Driscoll. O'Driscoll has assisted on 50 or more shows on and off-Broadway with such New York companies as the Atlantic Theatre Company, Roundabout, Playwrights Horizons, Lincoln Center Theatre 3, Signature, Soho Rep, Women's Project, Barrow Street, the Public Theater, Vineyard, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, the Flea Theater, MCC Theater, Theatre for a New Audience and Manhattan Theatre Club. He is a certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and teaches stage combat at Montclair State University, and is the resident fight director at Luna Stage in West Orange.

The workshop will run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. November 21. Spaces cost $30 each. Spaces may either be reserved via email or purchased online, although it should be noted that there is a $4 processing fee for the latter option.

For more information, or to reserve spaces through email, contact info@holmdeltheatrecompany.org; to buy spaces online click here.

'Miracle on 34th Street' at Somerset Valley Players

Is Santa Claus really coming to town, or is it just a deluded old man?

Susan Walker doesn't believe in Santa Claus. In this timeless and touching holiday story, a Macy's Santa brings the spirit of Christmas not just to Susan but to all New York City. His gentle and noble spirit converts even the deepest cynics into true believers of miracles.

The production at Somerset Valley Players will run Dec. 4-Dec. 20, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Saturdays. There will be an additional matinee performance at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.

With a cast of 34, the show is directed by Emily Windus. Tickets cost $20 for adults, and $18 for seniors and students; and may be purchased online.
Somerset Valley Players is located at 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough.

'La Cage aux Folles' at Villagers Theatre

If it's a drag, that's only to be expected; but it shouldn't be boring.

"La Cage Aux Folles" is on stage at Villagers Theatre, through Nov. 22. The show first appeared on Broadway in 1983, when it won six Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. It has been revived many times since, most recently in a 2010 production that came to Broadway from London's Menier Chocolate Factory,

"La Cage Aux Folles" -- the title is French for "The Cage of Mad Women" -- tells the story of Georges and Albin, two unmarried gay partners whose lives grow complicated when Georges' son announces his impending marriage to the daughter of a bigoted, right-wing politician. Further complicating the situation is the family business: Albin and Georges run a drag nightclub in St. Tropez, where Albin performs under the name Zaza. Georges reluctantly agrees to masquerade as "normal" when he meets the family of the bride-to-be, but Albin has other plans, with hilarious results.

Directed by  Brian Remo, the Villagers production features Jim Jarrell  as Georges; Jeffrey O'Neill as Albin; Joey Carmanno as Georges' son, Jean-Michel; and many others. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are available online; and cost $20 for adults, and $18 for seniors or students. Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

Casting Call: 'Lend Me a Tenor'

Have a spare tenor?

Edison Valley Playhouse will hold auditions for "Lend Me a Tenor" in a few days.

Set in the 1930s, Saunders, general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome world famous Tito Morelli, 'Il Stupendo', the greatest tenor of his generation, to appear for one night only as Otello. The star arrives late and, through a hilarious series of mishaps, is given a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out. His pulse is so low that Saunders and his assistant Max believe he’s dead. In a frantic attempt to salvage the evening, Saunders persuades Max to get into Morelli's Otello costume and fool the audience into thinking he's 'Il Stupendo'. Max succeeds admirably, but Morelli comes to and gets into his other costume, ready to perform. Now two Otellos are running around in costume and two women are running around in lingerie, each thinking she is with Morelli.

Audition sides will be provided.

Max (20s-30s)	Assistant to Mr. Saunders, owner of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. In charge of “babysitting” the unpredictable Tito Merelli and making sure he gets to the concert. A bit of a nerd, an opera lover, and an aspiring singer, Max would like to have more courage and more confidence. He is in love with Maggie. The ability to sing is an asset.
Maggie (20s-30s)	Pretty and quirky, Maggie is Saunders' daughter and a music lover. She longs for an adventurous fling, one which will allow her to "hear bells," before settling down. She is, for now, refusing to marry Max.
Saunders (40s-50s)	Maggie's father and the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. An authoritarian, uptight man with a short fuse, most of which he takes out on Max; a man under pressure.
Tito Merelli (30s-40s)	A world-famous imposing, womanizing Italian tenor known to his fans as Il Stupendo. Loves his wife, Maria, but has an insatiable appetite for wine and women. The actor playing this character must sing in Italian and speak in an Italian accent.
Maria (30s)	Tito’s wife. Proud and excitable, a passionate and temperamental Italian woman who is growing weary of her husband’s wandering eye and philandering. The actor playing this character must speak in an Italian accent.
Bellhop (age open)	A hotel bellhop and highly energetic fan of Tito’s, who uses his occupation to get close to the international star. The actor cast in this role must sing a little.
Diana (late 20s–30s)	A soprano with the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. A beautiful and sexy member of the opera company, Diana has been "flinging her way through the whole cast." Playing Desdemona opposite Tito, she thinks that he might be her ticket out of Cleveland into the big time.
Julia (50s-60s)	Chairman of the Opera Guild. A society matron and ex-diva, the Cleveland Grand Opera Company is the center of her small, pretentious world. Desperate to hobnob with Tito.

Auditions will occur 7:30-9 p.m. November 10 and 11. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays January 29-February 13 and at 2 p.m. February 7. The show is directed by Marilyn Schilkie.

Edison Valley Playhouse is located at 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Casting Call: 'Mary Poppins'

Yardley Players of Kelsey Theater will hold auditions for the musical "Mary Poppins" at the beginning of December.

Auditionees should prepare a song from or in the style of the show, a completed audition form (more information below), a recent picture, and a resumé; and be prepared to dance and read from the script. Tap is required for many roles; tap dancers should come prepared to do so at the audition. Those cast as Mary Poppins, Bert, and Miss Andrew will be flown during the show and should be comfortable with heights. Audition appointments are required.

Mary Poppins (20-30, Gb3-C6)	Jane and Michael Banks' new nanny is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.
Bert (30-39, B2-F#4)	The narrator of the story and a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.
George Banks (40-45, Bb2-Eb4)	The father to Jane and Michael Banks is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary.
Winifred Banks (30-40, A3-D5)	George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother is a former actress. She is a loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to only associate with "the best people" as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.
Jane (11, A3-F#5)	The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks. Bright and precocious, but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
Michael (9, A3-E5)	The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks is excitable and naughty. He adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
Katie Nanna (30-40 yrs old, none)	Jane and Michael's nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.
Policeman (30-50, none)	A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.
Miss Lark (30-40, none)	The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if he were her child.
Admiral Boom (50-60, none)	A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. He can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Bloom doubles as the Banks Chairman, he can be a baritone.
Mrs. Brill (50-60, F#3-D#5)	The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. Does not have to be a strong singer.
Robertson Ay (20-30, F3-G#4)	The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn't do a lot of singing, but his "Spoonful" solo can be a fun surprise.
Park Keeper (40-60, none)	Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.
Neleus (16-20)	The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael.
Bank Chairman (50-60, Range: C3-D4)	Head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed. An Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lines if necessary.
Miss Smythe (40-50, none)	The bank chairman's humorless secretary.
Bird Woman (50-60, Gb3-C5)	Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds, which she tries to sell to passersby who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds." There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life.
Mrs. Corry (40-50, none)	Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age who speaks with an exotic accent, such as Caribbean.
Miss Andrew (40-60, Gb3-F5)	George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things: her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.
Ensemble (all ages)	Plays chimney sweeps, bankers, kite flyers, and park strollers.

Auditions will occur from 6-9 p.m. December 2 and from 12-4 p.m. December 5 and 6. If needed, callbacks will be held September 9. A few rehearsals will be held 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 2-6 p.m. Sundays in December, to dole out scripts and work on some music and choreography. Performances will occur Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays April 16-May 1, including at 10 a.m. April 22.

To schedule an appointment, contact ypmarypoppins@gmail.com, being sure to include name, age, role desired, and preferred method of contact. The audition form is available in HTML, PDF, and Microsoft Word. Auditions, rehearsals and performances will be held at Kelsey Theatre on 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

'A Few Good Men' at Playhouse 22

Playhouse 22 is looking for a few good audience members for an upcoming military drama.

"A Few Good Men" tells the story of military lawyers charged with defending two Marines being court-martialed for allegedly murdering a fellow Marine. Written by Aaron Sorkin, the play was adapted in 1992 into a film featuring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson.

The play features Matt Guerra as Lt. Daniel A. Kaffee, Adriana Spizuoco as Lt. Commander Joanne Galloway, Michael Widmer as Lt. Col. Nathan Jessup, and others.

Directed by Gregory Newton, performances begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Nov. 6-22. Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 per senior or student.

To purchase tickets, click here. Parental guidance is suggested for this show. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.