Audition Notice

AUDITIONS Sunday 15 September at the Allen Studio, GSA, Guildford GU2 7XH 9.30am: Full company – ensemble and those attending principal auditions From 11.15am: solo principal auditions (10/15-minute slots) Principals Recalls if required Sunday 22 September at GSA [please keep this free] PERFORMANCES 7 performances Sat 4th April to Thur 9th April - Final schedule TBC BEN TRAVERS THEATRE, CHARTERHOUSE, GODALMING, SURREY

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PRODUCTION TEAM Director – Ellie Cahill-Nicholls Musical Director – Bob Good Choreographer – Alison Chapman Assistant Choreographer – Paul Prebble Production Manager – Madeleine Gibb Costumes – TBC Set Design – Martin Chapman Lighting Design – TBC Sound Design – TBC Properties – TBC Stage Manager – Martin Chapman ASM – David Gibb Set Building and Crew TBC – volunteers needed

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2. About the Show.

High Society is a glamorous, debaucherous, and witty musical with a wonderful jazzy score by . Musical numbers include "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", "Well Did You Evah?", "You’re Sensational", "Let’s Misbehave", and many more. It’s 1938 and Tracy Lord, a beautiful girl with very high standards, is due to marry dull but reliable George. It’s the day before the wedding, she needs to deal with her philandering father, Seth, her strong-willed little sister, Dinah and her Uncle Willie’s fondness for chambermaids. And then her handsome and charming ex-husband Dexter arrives and, with Dinah’s help, tries to win Tracey back. Matters are complicated even further when a magazine reporter, Mike, in town to cover Tracy's wedding, also ends up falling for the beautiful bride-to-be much to the dismay of Mike’s colleague Liz who is hiding her own feelings for him. The show ends with a wedding, but who are the Bride and Groom? The musical is based on the film of the same name which starred Grace Kelly, and . This in turn was based on the Phillip Barry play ‘The Philadelphia Story’ the film which stars Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart.

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3. Character Breakdowns

Ensemble This is a big ensemble show. The ensemble are largely on stage throughout either as ball guests or the staff of the Lord household. There will be a chief Butler and Housekeeper who should be keeping the other staff in check, but then find themselves getting involved in the hedonistic party in Act 2. The ensemble feature in 14 songs with movement throughout and some dance numbers. Act 1 will require elegance and poise; Act 2 will require a sense of fun and the main dance number of the show. There will also be the opportunity for solo lines in the ensemble numbers.

Tracy Lord

The show follows Tracy's impending marriage and features a number of solos, duets and group numbers, including High Society, Ridin' High, Throwing a Ball Tonight, I Love , Act 1 Finale, Let's Misbehave, Well did you Evah?, Its all right with me.

Playing age: flexible, this is Tracy’s second marriage. She could be 20s/30s/40s Range: F to E sop/mezzo

Tracy is a young, frivolous woman. She is determined and stubborn. She is also our heroine so the audience must fall in love with her, as her various suitors do throughout the show. Requires strong acting, vocals and movement.

Dinah Lord

Tracy’s younger sister, pretends to be innocent but is very aware of what is going on. Funny, and has an attachment to Dexter. Solos in High Society, Throwing a Ball Tonight, . This is an opportunity for a member of GYTG.

Playing age: 12-18 Range: B to E sop/mezzo

Requires strong acting, vocals and movement. 4

Margaret Lord (mother)

Tracy and Dinah’s mother, very glamourous. Her husband has been having a long-standing affair with a dancer, she is aware but overlooks it. She is often putting on a brave face. Solos in High Society, Throwing a Ball Tonight, Lets Misbehave.

Requires strong vocals and character acting. Minimal movement although some required.

Playing age: 45 - 65 Range: A to E mezzo/alto

Uncle Willie

Uncle to Tracy and Dinah, a brilliant comedy part. Likes drink and women, very flirtatious. Solos and featured in Throwing a Ball Tonight, She's Got that Thing, Lets Misbehave, Don’t Look at me that way, Say it with Gin.

Playing age: flexible, but must believably be older than Tracy Range: B to G baritone/tenor

Requires strong vocals and character actor. Minimal movement although some required

C.K. Dexter Haven

Tracy’s first husband, very handsome and charming. A wonderful sense of humour (lacked by her new husband to be). Solos throughout: What Is This Thing Called Love, Little One, She's Got that Thing, Once Upon a Time, Finale Act One, Just One of those Things, Lets Misbehave underscore

Playing age: 30 - 40 yrs Range: B to G baritone/tenor

Strong vocals, acting and movement required.

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Mike Connor

Writer/Reporter for a trashy society magazine. Solos including Who wants to be a millionaire, Well did you Evah? and You’re sensational.

Playing age: 25 - 40yrs Range: G to F baritone/tenor

Strong vocals, acting & movement required.

Liz Imbrie

Photographer and friend of Mike, she is not as glamourous as Tracy. Fiercely intelligent, funny and longing for Mike to notice her. Liz has solos throughout including Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Let's Misbehave, Don’t Look at me that Way’, Well did you Evah, He's a Right Guy

Playing age: 25 - 40 yrs Range: F to E sop/mezzo

Strong vocals, movement and acting required

George Kittredge

Tracy’s fiancé, a businessman, serious and reserved. Looking for an actor with a brilliant sense of comic timing to play the foil. George has solos in I worship you and Let's Misbehave

Playing age: 35 - 45yrs Range: G# to F# baritone/tenor

Strong acting & vocals required. Some movement

Seth Lord Tracy’s father. Millionaire. Supporting role. Returns at the end of the show to add to the confusion. Having an affair with a dancer. No solo singing required.

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4. Songs

Act 1 1. "High Society" – Ensemble 2. "Ridin' High" – Tracy & Company (dance number) 3. "Throwing a Ball Tonight" – Margaret, Tracy, Uncle Willie & Dinah 4. “What Is This Thing Called Love” - Dexter 5. "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" – Liz & Mike 6. "I Love Paris" – Dinah & Tracy (dance number) 7. “Tennis” – staff 8. "She's Got That Thing" – Uncle Willie, Dexter & Company (dance number) 9. “Once upon a Time” - Dexter 10. “I worship you” – George and ensemble (dance number) 11. "Finale Act One” – Tracy, Dexter and Staff

Act 2 12. "High Society" (reprise) – Company 13. "Let's Misbehave" – Tracy, Uncle Willie & Company (main dance number of the show) 14. "Don’t Look at me that way”– Uncle Willie & Liz 15. “Servants Misbehave” – Staff 16. "Just One of Those Things" – Dexter 17. "Well, Did You Evah!" – Tracy, Uncle Willie, Liz & Company (dance number) 18. "You're Sensational" – Mike 19. "Say It With Gin" – Uncle Willie 20. "Ridin' High" (reprise) – Margaret 21. "It's All Right With Me" – Tracy 22. "He's a Right Guy" – Liz 23. "Samantha" – Dexter 24. "Finale" – Tracy, Dexter and Company 25. Want to audition to join the High Society party then complete the Audition Form and return it ASAP to Production Manager Madeleine Gibb

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