E V I T A AN ALL-NEW PRODUCTION OF LLOYD WEBBER/RICE’S MASTER DRAMATIC ROCK MUSICAL

Audition information Auditions will be held on the weekend of 18-19 June 2016 @ The Gateway Theatre, Whakatane.

Season to be performed on stage October/November 2016 @ The Little Theatre, Whakatane.

Produced by Theatre Whakatane. DIRECTION AND MUSICAL STAGING – Scott Andrew VOCAL DIRECTOR – Adele Hanright CHOREOGRAPHER - Cole Bockman

AUDITION PREPARATION / REQUIREMENTS

All adults auditioning to please prepare two contrasting Musical Theatre pieces to show your talents and suitability for the role you are seeking. Your first song must be from EVITA, the other is your own choice. Please bring sheet music if your second song is not from EVITA. Backing tracks are also acceptable, if desired.

You will start with your EVITA song first. If we need to hear anything else, we will ask for the second song.

Anyone anticipating a recall audition for a principal role must prepare specific songs for your audition as below.

Adult Ensemble The Ensemble (sometimes referred to as the ‘chorus’) provides the solid foundation of this dramatic piece and will be on stage a large amount of time. There is much to do for the Ensemble throughout. All small roles will give suitable exposure to your talents and abilities. All will need to ‘move’ in some capacity, but solid dance ability is not a prerequisite. Diversity is encouraged – we are looking for a realistic cross-section of society – men and women ages 16 to 60.

Dancers We are looking for some people within the Adult Ensemble with a solid dance ability in Latin and jazz style.

Children This new production includes a role for one young girl only, rather than the traditional large children’s chorus. Age range 7-11. Multiple children may be cast in this role and alternate for performances.

In addition, if you are seeking a particular principal role, here is what we would like you to prepare for your audition:

CHE - “Oh What a Circus”, “High Flying Adored” EVA PERON - “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”, “A New Argentina” JUAN PERON - “She is a Diamond” AGUSTIN MAGALDI - “On This Night of a Thousand Stars” THE MISTRESS - “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” YOUNG GIRL – “Santa Evita”

For copies of music required from EVITA, please text/email Peter McKenzie, 027 2211897 or email [email protected]

Musical keys It is important to note that in many instances, the musical keys in the stage show differ from the movie version. Please do not use the movie version as a benchmark for the music for this production in any form. We will be utilising the score and keys as written for the stage show.

AUDITION BOOKING and WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

All adult auditions are by indivudal appointment. This can either be on Saturday 18 June or the morning of Sunday 19 June. Audition appointments are for a duration of ten minutes. To book a time, please phone/email Peter McKenzie, 027 2211897 or email [email protected]

Try not to be nervous – the indvidual audition process is simply an opportunity to meet the production team and show them what you can do; and for them to see if you can take direction and how quickly you can pick things things up. During your audition, you may be asked to alter your prepared performance for this reason. We are looking for potential, not perfection. And we want you to succeed.

All adults auditioning also need to attend the dance/movement workshop on Sunday 19 June @ 2:30-4:30pm. For this workshop please wear street clothes and sneakers or dance shoes. To aid in this process, skirts, shorts and skimpy tops and sandals/barefeet are not recommended at this workshop. Ladies please have little to no make-up on.

All children auditioning need to attend the children’s audition workshop on Sunday 19 June @ 1:00-2:30pm. Children are not required to attend an individual audition or the dance/movement workshop.

Recalls for principal roles will be held late afternoon of Sunday 19 June - exact times TBA. As much notice as possible will be given if we require you to attend a recall audition.

REHEARSALS and COMMITMENT

Rehearsals will commence 26 June 2016 through to opening. A draft schedule will be available for perusal at auditions.

Your participation in this production requires a huge commitment in both time and professionalism in order to ensure a production of the highest possible quality. This is a massively integrated production, with the ensemble in the majority of scenes throughout, and the two main principals carrying almost the entire narrative of the evening.

A full finalised rehearsal schedule will be issued well in advance once commitments of the confirmed cast are known, and you will need to make an effort to attend all rehearsals as called. Any prior commitments you have during the rehearsal period should be noted on your audition form and will be taken into account during the audition process.

The season is on stage from 21 October 2016 until 5 November 2016. You must be available for all performances and relevant technical/dress rehearsals in the weeks leading up to the season.

THE SHOW

EVITA is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Just like its younger brother Jesus Christ Superstar, EVITA began life as a rock opera concept album in 1976. The original stage productions have been followed by a string of professional tours and worldwide/foreign-language productions and numerous cast albums, as well as a major 1996 film.

This dramatic piece brings to life the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron. Beginning with a young and ambitious Eva, the production follows her meteoric rise to sainthood. The story tells of the enormous wealth and power she gained and the means by which she became the beloved Evita.

As an illegitimate 15 year old, Eva escaped her dirt-poor existence for the bright lights of Buenos Aires. Driven by ambition and blessed with charisma, she was a starlet at 22, the President's mistress at 24 and First Lady at 27 - and dead at 33. Eva Peron, "Saint to the working-class, reviled by the aristocracy and mistrusted by the military", was destined to leave a fascinating political legacy unique in the 20th century. Told through a compelling score that fuses haunting chorales with exuberant Latin, pop and jazz influences, EVITA creates an arresting theatrical portrait as complex as the woman herself.

Inherently a very manipulative piece of theatre, this new 2015 Whakatane production expands on the train-of-thought set in motion by the 2006 London revival, with special emphasis on the “Cult of Personality” generated as a result of Eva’s massive influence on the people of Argentina. It includes the Academy Award-winning song "You Must Love Me" - written by Lloyd Webber and Rice especially for the 1996 film version - and the entire score has been re-orchestrated and several extended dance sequences added to flesh-out the storytelling.

By returning Che to his more anonymous roots as an “Everyman” (the creators’ original intention), this provides a new and innovative window into this snapshot in Argentina’s broad history for a new audience in a new millenium.

CHARACTERS

CHE In this new production, this character is not Ernesto “Che” Guevara, the historical revolutionary. “Che” is a form of colloquial slang used in a vocative sense as "friend", and thus loosely corresponds to expressions such as "mate", "pal", "man", "bro", or "dude", as used by various English speakers. An “Everyman”, Che is the charismatic, passionate, hopeful yet cynical guide through the events of Evita’s life. As he narrates, he is present in many scenes, playing different “roles” to provide insight, criticism and commentary from a variety of perspectives. Rock tenor. Age range 21-35. Lead role. Solid acting ability required.

EVA PERON Determined, enterprising and manipulative woman who cunningly advances from her small town existence to the heights of political and social power. She becomes beloved by the people, who affectionately call her “Evita.” Mezza. Age range 20-35. Lead role. Solid acting ability required.

JUAN PERON Ambitious military figure who is initially ousted from power and then elected President of Argentina in 1946 and creates a powerful government administration with Evita’s help. Baritone. Age range 32-55. Lead role. Solid acting ability required.

AGUSTIN MAGALDI Tango musician who is Evita’s first love interest. He is her “ticket” from small town life to the excitement and possibility of Buenos Aires. Classic tenor. Age range 23-45. Supporting role. May also be part of the Ensemble.

THE MISTRESS Juan Perón’s lover who Eva sends packing in order to take her place center stage in Perón’s life. Belt. Age range 15-20. Supporting role. May also be part of the Ensemble.

ENSEMBLE (THE PEOPLE) The ensemble represents the variety of people of Argentina as Eva makes her rise to power and prestige, most dramatically as The Descamisados - “shirtless ones.” There are many and varied smaller solos and cameo roles for the ensemble: Army Generals, Army Officers, Workers, Aristocrats, Reporters, Lovers, People of Argentina. These range in age from 16 to 60 year olds. Diversity is encouraged – we are looking for a realistic cross-section of society. While musical theatre experience is a bonus we are not just seeking musical theatre performers but actors who can sing and move well. Approx. 10-14 men and 10-14 women of all ages required.

YOUNG GIRL A child on the streets of Buenos Aires. Solo singing role. Age range 7-11. Multiple children may be cast in this role and alternate for performances.

SUMMARY OF AUDITION DATES and TIMES

Adult individual auditions Saturday 18 June. All adults auditioning must book an individual appointment.

Adult recalls for principal roles- Sunday 19 June late afternoon – exact times TBA. All adults anticipating a recall for a principal role must be available for recalls.

Childrens auditions- Group workshop: Sunday 19 June, 1:00-2:30pm. Children are not required to attend an individual audition or the dance/movement workshop.

Adult dance/movement group workshop- Sunday 19 June, 2:30-4:30pm. All adults auditioning for all principal/ensemble roles need to attend this workshop.

To book an audition time or for any further information, please phone/email

Peter McKenzie, 027 2211897 or email [email protected]