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 1 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 2 2. About the Show. High Society is a glamorous, debaucherous, and witty musical with a wonderful jazzy score by Cole Porter. Musical numbers include "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", "Well Did You Evah?", "True Love", "You’re Sensational", "Let’s Misbehave", and many more. It’s 1938 and Tracy Lord, a beautiful high society 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, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. This in turn was based on the Phillip Barry play ‘The Philadelphia Story’ the film which stars Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart. 3 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 Paris, Act 1 Finale/True Love, 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, Little One, I Love Paris. 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, Let's Misbehave underscore, Ridin' High reprise. 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, I'm Getting Myself Ready for You, Well Did you Evah, 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: Little One, She's Got that Thing, Once Upon a Time, True Love, 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. 5 Mike Connor Writer/Reporter for a trashy society magazine. Solos including Who wants to be a millionaire 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, I’m Getting Myself Ready for You, 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, 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. 6 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. "Little One" – Dexter & Dinah 5. "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" – Liz & Mike 6. "I Love Paris" – Dinah & Tracy (dance number) 7. "She's Got That Thing" – Uncle Willie, Dexter & Company (dance number) 8. “I worship you” – George and ensemble (dance number) 9. "Once Upon a Time" – Tracy 10. "True Love" – Dexter & Tracy Act 2 11. "High Society" (reprise) – Company 12. "Let's Misbehave" – Tracy, Uncle Willie & Company (main dance number of the show) 13. "I'm Getting Myself Ready for You" – Uncle Willie & Liz 14. "Once Upon a Time" (reprise) – Dexter 15. "Just One of Those Things" – Dexter 16. "Well, Did You Evah!" – Tracy, Uncle Willie, Liz & Company (dance number) 17. "You're Sensational" – Mike 18. "Say It With Gin" – Uncle Willie 19. "Ridin' High" (reprise) – Margaret 20. "It's All Right With Me" – Tracy 21. "He's a Right Guy" – Liz 22. "Samantha" – Dexter 23. "Finale" – Tracy, Dexter and Company Want to audition to join the High Society party then complete the Audition Form and return it ASAP to Production Manager Madeleine Gibb 7 .