INFORMATION PACK (updated 28 February 2021) ABOUT THE COMPANY Marie Clark Musical Theatre (MCMT) is a non-professional music theatre company performing in Adelaide, South Australia. We exist to promote an appreciation of live theatre within the community, provide entertaining public performances of live theatre involving acting, singing and dancing, and encouraging performers of all ages to develop their talents and self-confidence to the best of their abilities. Recent highlights for the company have been productions such as Young Frankenstein - The New Mel Brooks Musical (winner of Curtain Call Awards for Best Amateur Musical and Best Ensemble 2014), as well as the SA premiere of Catch Me If You Can in 2016, Jekyll & Hyde (winner of ‘Best Male Performer’ in 2017), Spamalot (winner of Best Ensemble in 2018), Anything Goes (winner ‘Best Female’ at the TASA awards 2020) and Forbidden Broadway (performed during the 2020 Adelaide Fringe). ABOUT THE SHOW: THE PRODUCERS The MCMT committee is both excited and proud to be bringing back to the stage, ‘The Producers’. This show will open July 2021 at The Arts Theatre. Rehearsals will commence early April 2021. Production Team Director: Matt Smith Musical Director: Serena Cann Choreographer: Mike Lapot Assistant to the Choreographer: Celeste Barone Show Synopsis Bialystock & Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks’ side- splitting satirical romp. Originally a cult classic comedy film in 1967, then a 2001 smash-hit Broadway musical wowing audiences night after night (winning a record 12 Tony Awards!), and later adapted back to the big-screen in 2005, The Producers is a crowd-favourite, setting the standard for modern, outrageous, and in-your-face humour. The plot is simple: a down-on-his luck, fading Broadway producer and his shy, mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history (the gloriously offensive, "Springtime for Hitler"), thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes wrong... the show is a wild success! Featuring a side-splittingly hilarious book co-written by the incomparable Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (of “Annie” fame), with music and lyrics also by Mel Brooks, The Producers is an outrageously joyous show that skewers Broadway traditions, takes no prisoners, and proudly proclaims itself an “Equal Opportunity Offender”. Book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan / Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks. Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia). All performance materials supplied by Hal Leonard Australia. Page 1 of 7 Performance Season 16-17 July & 21-24 July 2021 at 7.30pm (evening performances) 17 July & 24 July 2021 at 2pm (Saturday matinee performances) All performances will be at The Arts Theatre (53 Angas Street, Adelaide). Production Week Commences with bump in, Sunday July 11. Rehearsal Information Rehearsal schedule: The first rehearsal date for ‘The Producers’ is currently scheduled for Monday, 12 April 2021, starting at 7.30pm. The whole cast will be expected to attend this rehearsal in order to run through the show, as well as meet fellow cast mates and the production team/extended production team. A full rehearsal schedule confirming times will be released in the week following this session (this schedule will also advise who is required at which rehearsals), however, general rehearsal requirements are as follows: ● Weeknight rehearsals on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7.30pm – 10.30pm. ● Sunday afternoon rehearsals, 1.00pm – 6.00pm.* *It is anticipated that there will only be handful of Sunday afternoon rehearsals (approx. 5, starting from May, with the final Sunday rehearsal potentially ending later at 8.00pm to allow for sitzprobe). All cast are expected to arrive to rehearsals 15 minutes earlier than the start time. Rehearsals are closed to people outside of the cast, production team, extended production team, and MCMT committee. This means observers such as partners, family, and friends are not permitted at rehearsals. Rehearsal venue: The main rehearsal venue will be St Martin’s Anglican Church (3 Gorge Road, Paradise SA). Due to the tap dancing numbers in this show, some rehearsals (likely Sunday rehearsals) will be held at a second venue. This venue is to be confirmed, however, it is anticipated it will be near St Martin’s and/or adjacent to the City of Tea Tree Gully. Audition Information Auditions are to be held 13-14 March 2021 (with any call-backs scheduled for the evening of 15 March 2021). Booking auditions Early sign ups for auditions will be taken after the Information Session on Monday, 22 February 2021. After this point, all auditions can be booked via TryBooking after 5pm Tuesday, 23 February 2021. The TryBooking link for auditions will be provided on MCMT’s Facebook page and on the MCMT website. Audition venue St Martin’s Anglican Church Campbelltown (3 Gorge Road, Paradise SA 5070). Page 2 of 7 Audition dates and schedule ● Saturday, 13 March 2021: starting at 10.30am, with the last audition slot for the day at 9.50pm. ● Sunday, 14 March 2021: starting at 1.30pm, with the last audition slot for the day at 10.10pm. All auditions will be individual auditions, booked as 20-minute slots. Call-backs for the principal roles may be required for Monday, 15 March 2021: starting at 7.30pm. Audition requirements You will be asked to perform an excerpt/s from the show relevant to your character, which will be available to download from our website. On the day of your audition, you will be provided with a dialogue piece to run through during your audition (so we recommend you arrive 20-30 minutes before your scheduled time, so you can familiarise yourself with the lines), and the Choreographer may also work through some of the choreography with you (please wear comfortable clothing and shoes). Please bring a song of your choice as a backup, preferably with your own music on a USB device or similar, to accompany the song of your choice. Auditions will be filmed, to assist the Production Team with making casting decisions. We kindly ask that you complete the ‘Audition Application Form’ and bring this to your audition, along with a recent headshot of yourself. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE CAST Membership All cast members are required to become members of MCMT. Membership is $50 for Adults and $35 for Concession. Membership fees will be due approximately 2 weeks after rehearsals commence. As a member of MCMT, you will receive the following benefits: ● One complimentary ticket for each show during the full year of your membership. ● Tickets at cast price for the season of your production. ● Accident insurance cover while performing on stage. ● Full voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (held in February), and at any Special General Meetings convened during the period of your membership. Show levy Successful cast will be required to pay a show levy of $40 (same rate for both Adult and Concession) to help with the costs of rehearsal venues, resources, costumes, etc. This levy will be due approximately 1 month after rehearsals commence. Important notes 1. On your audition form, we ask that you make note of any dates that you are unavailable for rehearsals as we plan schedules around these dates. 2. If you are auditioning for other shows, please be honest and make note of this on your audition form. 3. MCMT requires you to be at least 18 years old by bump in (Sunday, 11 July 2021). Should you have any questions about the above, or additional queries, please contact the Production Team via email: [email protected] Page 3 of 7 Copies of this Information Pack, as well as the ‘Audition Application Form’ and relevant musical excerpts for auditions, will be available for download from the MCMT website (mcmt.net.au) no later than a week prior to the first day of auditions. ROLE INFORMATION All roles are open to audition; some roles may require doubling-up, depending on outcome of auditions. This show includes principal roles, featured parts, and an ensemble. Some featured parts will be assigned to members of the ensemble. PRINCIPAL ROLES MAX BIALYSTOCK Male (stage age 35-55) Vocal range: Tenor/Baritone; F#4 - A2 Character description: A loveable rogue who is desperate to return to his former glory days and has a persuasive charm and a devilish mind, although his is short-tempered and unwilling to cooperate. This role requires a comic actor with impeccable timing, high energy and agility (note: not looking for a “Nathan Lane” replica). Choreography: Not a great deal of dancing required. However, his frantic disposition will call for a lot of movement while some flamboyant and extravagancy is required. Audition excerpt/s: “Betrayed” (bar 16-109; including dialogue to “I’m going down for the last time), “We can do it” (bar 9-47). LEOPOLD (LEO) BLOOM Male (stage age 25 - 40) Vocal range: Tenor/Baritone; F4 - A2 Character description: A timid, unassuming, naïve, and meek (to the point of being neurotic) accountant who yearns to become a Broadway producer and live life to the fullest. The character is intimidated by Max Bialystock’s vivacity and temperament. This role also requires an actor with great comic timing and the ability to demonstrate a journey in growth of confidence, throughout the course of the show. Choreography: Some dancing and movement involved. Tap dancing ability/experience a big plus. Audition excerpt/s: “That face” (bar 8-80), “We can do it” (bar 82-122). FRANZ LIEBKIND Male (stage age 30 - 50) Vocal range: Baritone; G4 - F2 Character description: The Nazi author of “Springtime for Hitler” who has never left WWII behind.