Aaaaaaahh ... The intoxicating smell of auditions ....!
You are welcome to consider the information below and if interested, we invite you to audition for this exciting, challenging musical to be presented in May 2016 at the Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY is a contemporary musical comedy based on the cartoons and popular TV series inspired by the creations of the legendary American cartoonist Charles Addams (1912-1998). http://www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
THE ADDAMS FAMILY features an original story. It’s every parent’s nightmare. Your little girl has suddenly become a young woman, and what’s worse, has fallen deliriously in love with a ‘normal’, sweet, smart young man from a respectable ‘normal’ family. Yes, Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has a “normal” boyfriend, and for parents Gomez and Morticia, it’s a shocking development that turns the Addams house upside down when they are forced to host a dinner for the young man and his parents.
Our production will feature a cast of 20+ zany characters from the popular TV and cartoon series – Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday and Pugsley Addams, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Lurch, some new characters Mal, Alice and Lucas Beineke, and a group of 10-12 highly engaged Addams Ancestors who help progress the adventure.
Here is an extract from a review of the show:
“ ... the slight plot has the comically morbid family in a quandary as a nearly-grown-up Wednesday falls in love with Lucas, a boy from the right side of the tracks. His straight-laced parents, the Beinekes, come to the decrepit Addams manse for a dinner party where secrets are revealed and the young lovebirds break up over their differences. Needless to say, the necessary course correction occurs but not before a lot of hilarious scenes of humiliation for the Beinekes and a series of song-and-dance numbers highlighting each of the cast members ... it’s the epitome of the proverbial good night out — whether you’re living, dead, or undecided. Maybe a great one, if you’ve kids.”
The book and story (written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice) is set in The Addams Family house and grounds located in NYC’s Central Park!
A 12-piece orchestra plays the music (and lyrics) by Andrew Lippa.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY is a challenging musical comedy ~ another first for DCS and the NW Coast!
1 It is popularly recognized by and suitable for all ages, and a highly marketable and enjoyable musical for audience, cast and orchestra alike. Whilst it has mixed reviews from the critics, THE ADDAMS FAMILY has been a smash hit with audiences – our clientele and customers!!
Show dates are from Friday 13th to Saturday 28th of May 2016.
Rehearsals shall commence from Mid-January 2016 and will be held on Tuesday and Friday evenings and Sunday afternoon from 12 noon to approximately 5pm. Detailed rehearsal schedules will be provided in advance, you may not be required at all rehearsals. Rehearsals will commence and conclude on time.
Some of our FAMILY Production Team:
Sid Sidebottom ~ Director David Turner ~ Musical Director Shayne Lowe ~ Vocal Director Bronwyn Darvell ~ Assistant Musical Director Elizabeth Viney ~ Choreographer Hannah Lee-Archer ~ Assistant Choreographer Jenny Slater and Belinda Gunson ~ Set Designers Maree Brodzinski ~ Producer Wendy McCrae ~ Costume Designer/maker Carla Pizzirani-Rand ~ Make Up Designer Jeff Hockley ~ Lighting Designer
So let’s meet the characters. The following is an indicative singing range:
Gomez Addams Grandma Addams Alice Beineke Male Lead Female Featured Female Supporting Baritone, Bass Soprano Soprano
Morticia Addams Pugsley Addams Mal Beineke Female Lead Male Supporting Male Supporting Mezzo-Sop, Alto Tenor Tenor
Wednesday Addams Lurch Butler The Incredible Addams Female Lead Male Featured Family Ancestors Sop, Mezzo-Sop Bass 5-6 M; 5-6 F 10–12 member Ensemble Fester Addams Lucas Beineke Soprano, Mezzo-Sop, Alto, Male Supporting Male Supporting Tenor, Bass Tenor, Baritone Tenor, Baritone
2 The Dramatis Personae
GOMEZ ADDAMS ~ A man of Spanish descent who takes great pride in his family and revels in all it means to be an “Addams.” He struggles with having to keep his daughters’ secret from his wife, whom he adores more than death.
A challenging, exciting central character role. Requires a good sense of comedic timing, strong stage presence, strong characterization skills, good vocal range to tenor, and an ability to dance the tango. Gomez sings several major songs. To look 40 – 50 years.
Vocal Range: Tenor - B flat to G sharp
MORTICIA ADDAMS ~ A woman who is in shape, attractive, leggy, the strength of the family. She holds the balance of power in the family and often seems like the only ‘emotionally mature member’ of the clan. An easy comedic actress with a sensual, dry wit. Feels her husband is hiding something from her and will use any tactic to lure the secret out.
A challenging, exciting character role requiring good comedic skills, good characterization, a commanding stage presence, good dance skills, and mezzo vocals. To look 30 – 45 years.
Vocal Range: Alto - G sharp to B flat
UNCLE FESTER ~ The androgynous family member who serves as the musical’s narrator. He is larger than life, an energetic, joyous, child-like presence. A challenging, exciting role providing the narrative glue with the Ancestors. The role requires a vaudeville style comedic presence, good characterization skills with tenor vocals. To look 30 – 50 years and preferably be prepared to shave bald.
Vocal Range: Tenor - C sharp to C sharp (preferably at belt)
WEDNESDAY ADDAMS ~Wednesday is an attractive girl who has the same dry wit and ‘sensibility’ of her mother. Finds love with a “normal” boy (Lucas) and wants to introduce his family to hers. Experiences the youthful drama that comes with first love. Lucas can actually put a smile on her face and that is saying something.
A challenging and really exciting role for a ‘youngish’ actress with very good acting skills, strong stage presence, dancing skills, and a powerful voice with strong pop belt vocals
Should be able to dance. Strong pop belt vocals. To look 16 – 21 years.
Vocal Range: Soprano - A sharp to E sharp
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GRANDMA ~ She is a feisty 102 year old woman. Fun and quirky, but don’t mess with Grandma. A challenging role requiring very good skills with strong character vocals. To look 45 – 102 years!
Vocal Range: Belt - G sharp to F sharp
PUGSLEY ADDAMS ~ Young actor who plays 12 years old. A charming, funny, husky boy who loves being tortured by his sister. He wants to ensure he won’t lose his sister to her new boyfriend so he takes matters into his own hands.
A challenging role for a young actor/actress requiring good acting skills, stage presence, dance skills and strong, high vocals. To look 12 – 16 years.
Vocal Range: Tenor - A sharp to F sharp
LURCH ~ A very tall male character, the Addams butler who knows all. A constant presence! He speaks in moans and groans without becoming a cartoon version of himself. His movement is always very slow Character actor with low bass vocals to Eb. To look 25 – 45 years.
A challenging role requiring good acting skills and an ability to vocally project
Vocal Range: Bass - E flat to E sharp
MAL BEINEKE ~ Stuffy father of Lucas and exasperated husband to his rhyming wife, Alice. At one time was a follower of The Grateful Dead but has lost that side of himself. Always looking out for his family.
A challenging role requiring good character acting skills, stage presence, and high baritone/ tenor vocals. To look 40 – 50 years.
Vocal Range: Tenor - C sharp to A sharp
ALICE BEINEKE ~ Mother of Lucas, devoted to her family so she puts aside her own desires. A quirky character who often speaks in rhyme. While at the Addams Family dinner party, she drinks a potion that causes her to let her hair down and speak her truth.
A challenging role requiring good comedic and charactisation skills, good stage presence and an actress with soprano/belt vocals. Alice sings one of the show’s most memorable songs. To look 35 – 45 years.
Vocal Range: Soprano - A flat to G sharp
4 LUCAS BEINEKE ~ Attractive young man. Fell in love at first sight with Wednesday Addams and plans to marry her. Experiences the youthful pain and drama of young love and struggles with the differences between his family and the Addams family.
A challenging role requiring good ‘straight man’ comedic skills, good stage presence and good contemporary pop tenor vocals. To look 16 – 21 years.
Vocal Range: Tenor - C sharp to C sharp
THE ADDAMS FAMILY ANCESTORS (5-6 M, 5-6F)
A quirky bunch of deceased ancestors who are visiting the Addams Family graveyard for the annual gathering of all family members (living, dead, and undecided!) to celebrate what it is to be an Addams. They are at first reluctantly trapped by Fester into helping the young couple to be ‘officially engaged’. With Uncle Fester, the Ancestors provide the narration of the show and act as a mobile ‘Greek Chorus’. Each Ancestor is a character in his/her own right and there are opportunities for several cameo roles. The ANCESTORS will range in ages.
These are challenging and exciting character/ensemble roles requiring good singing, acting and dancing/movement skills. The challenge for the Ancestors is to be both individual characters yet one dynamic, interactive ensemble. Close, co-operative, and dynamic teamwork will be required.
Some representative characters within the ANCESTORS can include: Cowgirl, Flapper, Flight Attendant, Red Indian Princess, Suffragette, Saloon Girl, Jilted Bride, Founding father, Pilgrim Father, WWI Soldier, Sir Francis Drake-Addams, Gangster, Gunfighter, French Fop or British Dandy etc.
It is our intention to include the ANCESTORS in as many songs as possible.
Songs ~ Act One
• “Addams Family Theme / Overture” — Orchestra • “When You’re an Addams” — Addams Family, Ancestors • “Fester’s Manifesto” — Fester • “Wednesday’s Growing Up” — Gomez • “Where Did We Go Wrong — Gomez, Morticia • “Pulled” — Wednesday, Pugsley • “One Normal Night” — Company • “But Love (Reprise 1)” — Fester, Ancestors • “But Love (Reprise 2)” — Fester, Ancestors • “Secrets” — Morticia, Alice, Female Ancestors • “Gomez’s ‘What If’” — Gomez • “What If” — Pugsley • “Full Disclosure” — Company • “Waiting” — Alice • “Full Disclosure (Part 2)” — Company
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Songs ~ Act Two • “Entr’acte” — Orchestra • “Just Around the Corner” — Morticia, Ancestors • “The Moon and Me” — Fester, Female Ancestors • “Happy/Sad” — Gomez • “Crazier Than You” — Wednesday, Lucas, Mal, Alice • “Morticia” — Gomez, Male Ancestors • * “Not Today” — Gomez * (the last part of “Not Today”) • “Live Before We Die” — Gomez, Morticia • “Tango de Amor” — Morticia, Gomez, Ancestors • “Move Toward the Darkness” — Company • “Bows/When You’re An Addams (Encore)” — Company •
Production Values and the Audition Process
You are invited to visit the DCS website ~ devononportchoral.org ~ and look at the post AUDITIONS ~ NOW HEAR THIS which seeks to give some useful hints regarding the Audition Process.
Remember, auditions are voluntary!
Auditions in musical theatre are only the beginning of the production process, not the end. Therefore, they are designed to give YOU the opportunity to demonstrate your skills (real and potential) in song, musicality, dance/movement, and acting/characterisation. Whilst it is important to prepare psychologically and skill-wise, the auditioning panel are looking for actual/potential skills and will choose accordingly. The important point is to give it your best shot and to “let go” when asked to sing, dance or act-out a song, movement or monologue/scenario. The panel may see you in a different role from the one you may originally be interested in, so stay flexible in the audition process.
The auditioning panel are there to choose the appropriate cast and will assist you as much as possible to be successful in your endeavour. However, you need to help them to help you!
• To be selected for a part in a musical is a terrific achievement because you are joining a family and team ~ in this case, THE ADDAMS FAMILY! This means not only going about your individual business but also working with and for others. This entails learning dialogue, songs, dance, and movement and contributing positively to the rehearsal process and team building. This also means becoming a financial member of DCS. What will the audition process involve?
Auditions will be held at The Forth Primary School, 45 Wilmot Road Forth, in the Performing Arts Centre ~ turn at the Forth shop/service station and travel about 800 metres.
6 Auditions will range over Friday evening 13th November, all day Saturday 14th, and Sunday 15th morning if required.
• You must apply to audition by ringing Maree Brodzinski (Producer) ~ preferably after hours please ~ A.H. 0408 079 805 and an Audition Time will be allocated to you. • Please arrive at least 10 -15 mins earlier in order to fulfil the administrative requirements for the audition, and to adequately warm up for the audition. • Please wear appropriate clothing (that shows body shape) and footwear. • Complete the Audition Form and indicate which role/s you would like to be considered for. Feel free to discuss any questions about the show with the various Directors. • You will be required to bring an up-to-date photograph to be presented with your audition form. • Prepare one or two of the production songs appropriate to your choice of role/s ~ these are available on-line ~ Devonportchoral.org ~ OR ~prepare any song of your choosing in the style of the show/ characters. • An accompanist will be available at the audition unless you wish to bring your own. Piano accompaniment must be readable sheet music in the key you wish to perform. Please try to bring two copies of the music. We would prefer that you do not use CD accompaniment. • It is vital that your voice and body are warmed up well before your audition. • Auditions are closed and last around 10 minutes. • You will be working with the Audition Panel only and be required to sing your prepared song, perform some choreography, and complete some characterization scenarios. The latter will involve sections of dialogue from the show or asking you to act out/characterize parts of a song! Feel free to seek clarification etc if you are unsure of the process. • Some auditionees may be required for a Call Back. • All auditionees will be informed of the Panel’s decisions ASAP either in writing and/or by phone. • Successful auditionees will be required to formally accept their role and to abide by the values of the Devonport Choral Society and the expectations and schedules of THE ADDAMS FAMILY Production team. Any special requirements, anticipated absences, or requests for absence should be indicated as early as possible.
We wish you the very best of luck in your audition.
For further information, please contact our Producer ~ Maree Brodzinski ~ on 0408 079 805 ~ preferably after hours!
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