Audition Booklet 2020 Musical Anything Goes What Is the Story of Anything Goes? Anything Goes is set aboard the ocean liner S. S. American, where nightclub singer/ evangelist Reno Sweeney is en route from New York to England. Her pal Billy Crocker has stowed away to be near his love, Hope Harcourt, but the problem is Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Joining this love triangle on board the luxury liner are Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin and his sidekick-in-crime Erma. With the help of some elaborate disguises, tap-dancing sailors and good old-fashioned blackmail, Reno and Martin join forces to help Billy in his quest to win Hope’s heart.

Reference: https://www.broadway.com/shows/anything-goes/story/ What I need to know prior to auditioning for Anything Goes: Being a part of a school musical production is a wonderful experience. The thrill of performing before live audiences and working with your peers to create something magical truly is a once in a life time experience. But before the lights go up on opening night, there is a lot of work that goes into putting together a production of this scale.

There are some things that you need to consider prior to auditioning for the 2020 production of Anything Goes:

• Can I commit to the weekly rehearsal days? Details regarding the rehearsal schedule are attached. 100% commitment to attending rehearsals is imperative to ensure the smooth running and success of a show such as this. We are able to support students managing other MBC/MBBC co-curricular commitments that may be held on the same rehearsal days, however, communication and agreement over modified attendance needs to be reached in advance. All absence from rehearsal need to be communicated to Mrs Pattemore via email.

• Can I attend the Saturday rehearsals? These are very productive days within our rehearsal schedule as we are able to work through large sections of performance, break into smaller groups and polish scenes. As per the above, we are able to support students managing other MBC/MBBC co-curric- ular commitments that may be held on the same rehearsal days, however, communication and agreement over modified attendance needs to be reached in advance. All absence from rehearsal need to be communicated to Mrs Pattemore via email.

Please note this rehearsal overview is in draft form, however, the dates presented provide a good understanding of the number of Saturdays and approximate timing during the terms. An updated schedule will be provided at the commencement of Term 1, with any changes indicated.

• Am I available in the production week? Production week is important as it is when we bring together all aspects of the performance (set, costume, music, lighting). Attendance at technical, dress rehearsals and all four performances are a requirement for cast members. This is to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved, as we are working under “theatre” conditions, and to ensure our show is fantastic.

Please note the production week is in draft form, however, the performance dates are correct. An updated schedule will be provided at the commencement of Term 1, with any changes indicated.

• Do I need to be able to sing/dance/act? Every production is different, and every production is made up of different components. Therefore, the audition panel will be looking for different skills and qualities to fulfil different production requirements. What the audition panel would like to see is that you are willing to have a go at all three domains within the audition and that you are willing to try your best. If you are interested in being involved then we would strongly encourage you to audition, you never know what we are looking for! • What do I need to do in preparation for my audition? Your audition will consist of a dance and singing component. The dance section will be taught at the audition. You can prepare your singing audition (information at the end of the document) but you will also receive coaching from our music staff at the audition. Please ensure that prior to your audition you have read through this whole document to ensure you understand the expectations of this activity.

• Will I perform before other students at the audition? Yes, you will. The audition process is a fun and safe environment, where we encourage the attitude of being supportive and giving of your best.

• What does it mean if I don’t get a call back? If you don’t get a call back it does not mean you are not in the production. Please wait for the official cast list to be published!

• What does it mean if I do get a call back? You will be required to attend another audition on Monday 1 December. You will be provided with other songs to prepare for this afternoon. These will be emailed to you in advance. The call backs will also include an acting component, you will not receive advanced notification of this part of the audition. The audition process is still open at this point, through this afternoon we are looking to cast characters and ensemble roles.

• Does everyone get in? Every production has different requirements. Casting decisions are made based on the type of production and skills required. For example, Anything Goes has several different chorus groups e.g. passengers, sailors, dancers. While not everyone will always be offered a position in the cast, we see the audition process as a great learning experience and a valuable time to receive feedback from members of the audition panel.

• Is there a cost involved? A cast and crew levy is charged for involvement in this activity. This levy is used to offset the significant costs involved in mounting a production of this scale. The levy will not exceed $100 per student. This cost will also include the price of a production t-shirt. Notification of this levy will be given to cast members at the start of Term 1.

• What if I want to be on the crew? During Term 1, an email will go out seeking interest in being a crew member of this production. Crew members are required backstage, on spots, and in the bio box. The crew members will be required to purchase a production team shirt which will be their ‘uniform’ during the production week. REHEARSAL OVERVIEW Whilst we endeavour to provide a complete rehearsal overview at the beginning of our process please note that there may be some changes to our schedule. Any changes will be communicated in advance to assist students in managing their commitments. TERM 1 - Weekly Rehearsals • Monday afternoons 3.30pm - 5.00pm FULL CAST

• Thursday afternoons 3.30pm - 5.00pm SMALL GROUPS (scene work, dance ensembles)

• Saturdays 22 February, 21 March 9.00am - 5.00pm FULL CAST MAY NOT BE REQUIRED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR REHEARSAL SCHEDULE FOR UPDATES

Characters will be required to attend short rehearsals throughout the week - these will be negotiated between cast members and staff.

TERM 2 - Weekly Rehearsals and Production Week Schedule • Monday afternoons 3.30pm - 5.30pm FULL CAST

• Thursday afternoons 3.30pm - 5.30pm FULL CAST

• Saturday 18 April 9.00am - 5.00pm FULL CAST. Please note this is the weekend prior to Term 2 starting.

• TECH REHEARSAL: Sunday 26 April 8.00am - 5.00pm

• DRESS REHEARSAL 1 and 2: Monday 27 April from 8.30am - 7.00pm • DRESS REHEARSAL 3 and 4: Wednesday 29 April from 8.30am - 5:30pm

Performances: • Thursday 30 April 6.30pm • Friday 1 May 6.30pm • Saturday 2 May 1.00pm and 6.30pm

Detailed weekly rehearsal schedules will be emailed to cast members. AUDITION SCHEDULE All students auditioning for the show will complete both a dance and a singing audition. While some roles (principals and ensembles) require expertise in specific areas, all cast members will need to contribute to the choral and movement sections of the production.

Please wear your sports uniform to auditions and bring suitable shoes to dance in.

This production will have some tap dancing sections, if you are wanting to be considered for these please bring your tap shoes to the audition. Production Information Session (MBC Students Only) Auditorium Wednesday 13 November 2nd break General Auditions – Week 7, Singing And Dance Music Centre Monday 18 November Year 9 - Year 11 3.30pm - 5.30pm

Music Centre Thursday 21 November Year 6 - Year 8 3.30pm - 5.30pm

Performers will learn a dance routine from the show together, then perform the routine in small groups for the audition panel. You will then learn part of a song and perform this before the other performers and audition panel. Call Backs - Week 9, Singing And Acting Music Centre Monday 2 December 3.30pm - 5.30pm

Not everyone will be called back. Performers who are not called back may still be considered for supporting roles/ensemble.

The cast list will be emailed to auditionees in week 9.

Students receiving a character role will need to collect a script at the start of the holiday period, date to be confirmed. CAST BREAKDOWN

Principal Roles RENO SWEENEY An evangelist nightclub singer HOPE HARCOURT A wealthy debutante BILLY CROCKER A young Wall St assistant MOONFACE MARTIN A hapless gangster Supporting Roles ERMA Moonface’s sexy sidekick EVANGELINE HARCOURT Hope’s mother LORD EVELYN OAKLEIGH Hope’s English fiancée ELISHA WHITNEY Billy’s Boss, A Wall St Tycoon Featured Roles Recurring featured parts OR single scene roles, which double as ensemble in other scenes.

RENO’S ANGELS x 4 Showgirls in Reno’s act LUKE & JOHN Two converted gamblers SHIP’S CAPTAIN SHIP’S PURSER FEATURED DANCERS (featured group singing & dancing in many ensemble numbers) Ensemble Roles SHIP’S SAILORS/CREW, PASSENGERS & REPORTERS. Some ensemble members will have small speaking/singing roles as bartender, minister, reporters, FBI agents, sailors, passengers, etc.

Principal Characters Overview Range: Please note in consultation with the Voice Coach there may be optional notes changed should the range be too great for the singer

RENO SWEENEY Female – 20s-30s A charismatic nightclub singer and former evangelist, she is clever, funny, persuasive and extremely confident. Range: G3 – F5 (Musical twang required) Skills: Strong singing and dancing required, acting as well as comedic timing. HOPE HARCOURT Female - 20s A beautiful heiress with a strong sense of duty, she is willing to sacrifice love and marry to sat- isfy her mother’s wishes. Range: A3 – F5 Skills: Singing (classical crossover), dancing, acting.

BILLY CROCKER Male – 20s-30s Charming. Wants the American dream and the American dream girl, Hope. But he’s not sure if he can settle down. Tempted by the high life of New York fame and celebrity. Range: A2 – G4 Skills: Strong singing, dancing, acting.

MOONFACE MARTIN Male – 30s-50s A loveable gangster who is also loyal and willing to go the distance for a friend. Street smart but not very bright. Grew up in New York. Range: A2 – G4 Skills: Excellent comic timing, strong singing. Supporting Roles ERMA Female – 20s-30s A playful, independent, impulsive, and loveably clueless “dame” – a typical 20’s “gun moll” with a ‘Joisey’ accent. Range: A3 – C5 ( Mezzo / Belt) Skills: Strong singing, some movement and acting.

EVANGELINE HARCOURT Female – 50s-70s Hope’s overbearing mother who is mainly concerned with money and social status. Skills: Acting, comedic timing, sings with ensemble only.

LORD EVELYN OAKLEIGH Male – 30s-40s Hope’s energetic, quirky, and good-natured aristocratic fiancé. Range: C2- G4 Skills: Comic timing, British accent, acting, some singing and dancing.

ELISHA WHITNEY Male – 50s-70s A successful Wall Street banker who is nearsighted and thinks he is always right. Rich, likes to drink alcohol. Range: B2 – D4 Skills: Acting, comic time, some singing and dancing. Audition song to prepare - sung as the cruise liner departs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZr5n1b9vEI (from 41 secs)

[CREW] Bon voyage,

[PASSENGERS] You mean “Bon Voyage”.

[CREW] I hate to say goodbye, sweetheart. By the seashore,

[PASSENGERS] You mean “sur la plage”.

[All] I’ll wait and watch the sea Till you come back to me,

[CREW] Oh my dearie,

[PASSENGERS] You mean “ma chérie”,

[CREW] I’m yours for life,

[PASSENGERS] You mean “pour la vie”,

[CREW] So kiss me, pretty wench,

[All] In English or in French. Bon voyage - “bon voyage”. Some Research! Youtube has a number of great clips from productions of Anything Goes. These provide a wonderful insight into the production in terms of the style, characters and storyline. Completing research is another great way to prepare for your audition, to help you better understand who and what the story is about.

The Sutton Foster clips are fantastic. The Texas State University extracts are also great.

All the best with your preparations and we hope to see you in Week 7!