Director Fred Pezzimenti

Musical Director John Clancy

Choreographer Karissa Robertson

Audition Bookings: www.plos.asn.au Enquiries - 0408 576 705

Bookings online only Theatre @ Frankston Arts Centre Bookings open: Friday 17 January at 10:00am

We invite you to audition for our August 2020 production of Hello Dolly

Synopsis

Jerry Herman’s energetic Hello, Dolly! is a musical filled with charisma and with heart. Dolly Levi is a widow, a matchmaker, and also a professional meddler --but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is to find someone for herself. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, Hello Dolly! is boisterous and charming from start to finish. Hello, Dolly! features such memorable songs as “Before the Parade Passes By,” “It Only Takes a Moment,” “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” and - of course - the title number, “Hello, Dolly!” Dolly herself is one of the strongest and richest starring roles for a woman ever written for the musical theatre, and famous Dolly Levis have included Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Pearl Bailey, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand, and most recently, Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters.

General Information

Cast Ages  ALL cast are to be 16 years of age by 1 July 2020.

Audition Requirements/preparation  Auditions by appointment only  Each Auditionee will have up to 10 minutes.  Prepare 2 songs (1 minute of each) that present your range, characterisation in the style of the show, but not from the show. Please choose an appropriate starting point in your song you may not be required to sing the full song.  Piano Accompaniment is provided. No CD backing tracks or unaccompanied auditions will be accepted. Note that you will have time to review this with the audition pianist prior to your audition and are asked to arrive earlier to accommodate this. Own accompanist is permitted.  Please ensure your sheet music is clear and legible, and marked with specific cuts, repeat marks and instructions clearly highlighted and is in the correct key. No transposition will be done. Music should be taped together in correct order or presented in a non-glare display folder so there is no ambiguity or chance of pages in the wrong order or falling off the music stand.  Please bring two copies of music.  No on the spot transposition will be done.  Part of your audition may involve range extension and vocal testing.  Sheet music is available online at http://www.musicnotes.com or http://www.sheetmusicplus.com and can be easily printed via these websites.  You may also be asked to read some lines during your vocal audition.

Audition Preparation – Dance and Movement  Auditionees will be invited to attend a Dance/Movement audition by the company secretary by text message.  Some roles may not require attendance at full Dance Audition but will be invited to Movement section of call.  Please wear appropriate clothing (that shows body shape) and footwear, Jazz shoes, jazz boots or runners.

Audition Requirements  All auditionees are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to fill out registration details  Please bring a current resume  Please bring a clear photo of yourself (non-returnable) and depicts what you currently look like.

Cast Size  Requirement for on stage cast of approximately 38,  Ensemble that will also play a variety of roles

Audition Location  All Auditions will be held at The PLOS Shed - Corner Overport & Somerset Roads Frankston.  PLOS Shed Phone Number – 0408 576 705.

Audition Dates  Auditions will be scheduled during period Wednesday 29 – Saturday January and Saturday 1 February 2020 as required. Weekday auditions will be held in the evening.  Dance Audition will be Sunday 2 February 2020 from 1:30pm by invitation.  Callbacks as required will be scheduled on Thursday 6 February 2020 in the evening.

Show Dates  Hello Dolly will be presented during the period Sunday 26 July 2020 and Saturday 8 August 2020 in the Theatre at Frankston Arts Centre.  Cast will be expected to be involved in Bump In and theatre rehearsals leading up to performances.

Rehearsals  Rehearsals commence on Thursday 13 February 2020 at 7:00pm.  Rehearsals are held on Monday, Thursday evenings - 7:30pm – 10:30pm and Sunday afternoons from 1pm – 5pm.  Additional Rehearsals, or change in rehearsal times will be called by mutual agreement amongst the company, production team and cast members.  Attendance at rehearsals is a commitment associated with being accepted into the cast of the show.

Membership/Show Fee  Those selected to be in the cast of Hello Dolly will be required to become a financial member of PLOS Musical Productions.  All Holly Dolly cast members are required to pay a Show Fee.

Full Day Rehearsals  Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2020.  Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July 2020.  Saturday 25 July 2020.

Sitz Probe  Wednesday 22 July 2020.

General Information  The show calls for a cast that is prepared to have fun, work hard and above all show commitment.

Character Descriptions Breakdowns

Principles

Dolly Levi A widow in her middle years. She is an indefatigable meddling matchmaker who talks incessantly and puts a positive spin on everything. Ideally, Dolly will need to be larger than life with impeccable comedic timing and a knack for mischief. She will be comfortable in connecting with audience and playing off their mood. Big and warm, all eyes and smiles. Would like her to be a bit of a mover but not a dancer. Stage age (not polite to ask a ladies age). Various Solo Songs and Group Singing

Horace Vandergelder The proprietor of a Hay and Feed Store and a client of Dolly Levi. A well known half a millionaire he is a widower with little sentiment. Everything is a transaction to him not very personable. A gruff, authoritarian who is set in his ways. Stage age 45 – 55. Solo singing and Group Singing

Cornelius Hackl Vandergelder’s chief clerk who yearns for one exciting day in New York. He is energetic, enthusiastic, adventurous and loyal to a fault. He has never kissed a girl and will put himself out there at any cost. He will need to be strong mover/dancer with a sense of comedic movement. Stage age 33. Solo Singing and Group Singing

Barnaby Tucker He is Cornelius’ assistant at Vandergelder’s store and his wingman in New York. He is sweet, naïve, energetic and wide eyed. He needs to be a dancer with a strong sense of the physical gag bordering on slap stick but not! Stage age late teens. Solo and Group Singing

Irene Molloy A widow and a beautiful, smart, fun-loving milliner with a hat shop in New York. She yearns for romance and is prepared to throw caution to the wind to tease and lure her male suitors. She is feminine and soft but risqué and adventurous. Strong mover. Stage age early 30’s. Solo and Group Singing Minnie Fay A young girl who works in Irene’s hat shop. Irene’s assistant, she is naïve, strait laced and a follower. She is the female reflection to Barnaby. She idolises Irene and blushes and giggles her way through the show to Irene’s wicked ways. She is a dancer with a stage age in the late teens. Solo and Group Singing

Ambrose Kemper A young and explosive struggling artist who seeks to marry Ermengarde. Knows what he wants. Dancer. Stage age early 20’s. Solo and group Singing

Ermengarde The young niece of Horace Vandergelder. She cries often, pouty faced and wants to defy her uncle and marry Ambrose but thinks all is lost. Dancer. Stage age late teens. Solo and Group Singing

Supporting Roles

Ernestina Money An eccentric looking girl in need of Dolly’s matchmaker services. Stage age mid 20’s. Solo Line Singing (Dialogue)

Rudolf Reisenweber Maitre d’ of the Harmonia Gardens. Strong Prussian accent. Stage age 50 -60 (Dialogue) Judge A white haired night court judge. Romantic at heart…..easily moved to tears. Stage age 50 – 60 (Dialogue)

Cameo Roles

Glee Club Singers Barbers quartet style singers (4 required)

Stanley A young waiter (Dialogue)

Fritz, Harry, Louie, Danny, Manny and Hank Harmonia Gardens waiters; non-speaking chorus/dancers

First Cook Harmonia Gardens employee with a German accent (Dialogue)

Second Cook Harmonia Gardens employee (Dialogue)

New York night court Policemen Several New York City officers; only one speaking

Court Clerk (Recorder) Male chorus member

Paperhanger Non-speaking

Ensemble Townspeople of New York / Yonkers Band / Feed Store Customers / Harmonia Gardens Customers / Polka Contest Contestants / 14th Street Parade Ensemble

Please note that ‘character ages’ are indicative but not necessarily prescriptive.

Vocal Ranges