AUDITION PACK

2016

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - Audition Information

Introduction

Blenheim Musical Theatre have secured the rights to the lively musical comedy The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The show will be performed as a theatre restaurant and will be staged from 11 – 26 November 2016.

Producers: Blenheim Musical Theatre Inc.

Director: Jeannie Mark

Musical Director: To be confirmed

Vocal Director: To be confirmed

Production Manager: Erica Hobbs (interim)

Production Secretary: To be confirmed

Dates

12th July, Fri - auditions from 6pm

13th July, Sat - auditions continue from 10:30 am if required, plus recalls during the day

To register to audition or for further information please email bmtinc@xtra.co.nz with the subject line BLW Audition or phone Erica on 021 0237 1122.

August - rehearsals begin (exact date to be confirmed)

11th November, Fri - opening night

26th November, Sat - final night

Location

Auditions will be held at 81a Lakings Road. Please come in through the Green Room door.

Audition Songs

Mona - Bus From Amarillo and Girl, You’re A Woman

All males - Good Old Girl

Females - Girl, You’re A Woman or Texas Has A Whorehouse In It

An audition pianist will be provided.

It is preferred you prepare the songs above but alternatively you can prepare of a song your choice appropriate to the vocal type required for the role you are auditioning for. If you are doing a song of your choice, please provide sheet music for the pianist.

Audition Script

If required, you will be given script pages to read at your audition. It is recommended however that you practice your best Texan accent before you come to your audition

Audition Form and Photo

Please complete the enclosed audition form and attached a reasonably current head and shoulders photo of you. Bring these with you to your audition.

Audition tips for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas:

Read the audition notice carefully in terms of what you have to prepare and do.

Know your music well and practise it with a pianist if at all possible before you come to auditions.

Be yourself. Don’t try to project a false personality. Dress in your normal clothes and shoes in which you feel comfortable. Don’t wear a costume.

Be friendly at the audition and try to relax. The audition panel all want you to do the very best you can and will encourage you throughout the audition process.

Don’t make excuses for your audition. Don’t tell the director or vocal director you’re sick or your voice isn’t as good as usual. Just do your best.

If you make a mistake during your song, don’t stop and ask to start again. Just keep going in a professional and assured manner.

No matter what be flexible, if asked for a different style, range, attitude, etc. Try anything you are asked to do with enthusiasm.

And don’t forget to thank the director and panel - plus the pianist - on the way out!

Turn off your cell phone.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - Synopsis and Characters

A rollicking hootenanny of a musical, based on the true story of a legendary Texas brothel which operated from the 1840s to 1973. Protected by a friendly sheriff and frequented by politicians, football teams, and others, the “Chicken Ranch” thrived in the small town of Gilbert, Texas. Girls came from all over to work at the ranch and make a little extra cash. However, a crusading do-gooder Houston radio commentator and his conservative audience expose the Chicken Ranch, forcing it to shut its doors forever.

A list of characters and some information about them is on the next page.

Please note that some roles may be doubled up, and a decision about musician requirements is yet to be made.

More comprehensive details of the show, its history and its characters can be found here http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_b/best_whorehouse.htm and here http://stageagent.com/shows/musical/1471/the-best-little-whorehouse-in-texas/characters.

Name Age Gender Part Size Vocal Part

Mona Stangley Owner and operator of “The Chicken Ranch.” No-nonsense, but also very warm, motherly, energetic and personable.

Female Lead Alto

Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd

A down-home, cowboy type, lovingly curmudgeonly more than a little rough around the edges. He’s a “live and let live” type, though, surprisingly liberal in his thinking and his language.

Male Lead Baritone

Melvin P. Thorpe Television personality and part-time revivalist preacher – more huckster than holy. He’s brash, bigger than life and a complete blowhard. Obsessed by sanctity and morality in overcompensation for a rather effeminate manner

Male Lead Baritone

Senator Wingwoah Young, short, Napoleonic good ole boy with the personality of a football team owner. Male Supporting Spoken

Angel Former teen mom who left home after giving birth to her son Billy, now six years old, when her father beat her up. She’s tough, scrappy and street-smart.

Female Supporting Mezzo-Soprano

Shy Country, farm girl; young, fresh-faced, sheltered and gawky. Naïve and shy, but headstrong and capable.

Female Supporting Mezzo-Soprano

Jewel African American maid and cook at The Chicken Ranch for more than twenty-five years. She is a true golden girl – sassy, sexy and self-assured.

Female Supporting Mezzo-Soprano

Doatsy Mae Waitress at the Texas Twinkle Café. She’s a trusting, reliable ear, treated by the men of the town more like a man than a woman

Female Featured Alto

C.J. Scruggs A good, deeply religious insurance salesman. In contrast to his personality, he’s the loudest, worst dresser in town.

Male Featured Spoken

Governor A former rancher and businessman; now a first-term Governor in his first year in office. He’s the quintessential politician - saying a lot of nothing, amiable and full of charm, he’s dumb about everything but politics.

Male Featured Baritone, Bass

Edsel Mackey A big city Houston boy who landed his first newspaper job out of high school with the town paper: The Gilbert Gospel. He’s now Editor in Chief and is, without question, the smartest man in town. Witty, dry and shrewd.

Either Featured Spoken

Band Leader A good old boy, full of charm and good feeling. He is the narrator of the story. Either Featured Spoken, Tenor, Baritone

Mayor Rufus Poindexter

Local automobile dealer, youngest son of the town’s richest, most well-known family, and the son least expected to succeed – but now he’s the only one in town, running the dealership and the town. He doesn’t like it, is overwhelmed by his job and he’s not shy about everyone knowing it.

Male Featured Spoken

Ensemble Either Ensemble Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

The Girls Working for Miss Mona

Female Ensemble Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

 

AUDITION FORM Performance Dates 11 – 26 Nov 2016 

 

Or attach separate list     Please turn over 

Name: 

Address: 

Email:

Home Ph:  Mobile: Work Ph:

What role are you auditioning for? or…. If you are unsure of a specific role are you happy to be considered for any part:  Yes/No 

Ifyouareunsuccessfulingainingthespecificrolenotedabove,willyouconsideranyotherroleincludingaChoirpart: Yes/No

What is your Vocal Range? (circle)   Male  Female   Bass  Baritone  Tenor  Unsure  Contralto  Mezzo  Soprano  Unsure 

What is your Dancing experience or qualifications?       

Please list any past theatre experience:   Show  Role  Theatre Group  Year       

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ThankyouforauditioningtodayWewillbeintouchshortly.

Are you a current financial member of Blenheim Musical Theatre? If ‘No’ and provided you are successful in your audition, do you agree to pay a membership fee upon receipt of invoice?  Fees as at 21 March 2016:     Adult $30     Student 18 yrs or under $15     Family $70 

Yes/No

Yes/No

Please note any known dates where you are away and can’t attend rehearsal:       

Do you work on a Sunday afternoon? 

Are you available for every show performance plus evenings of the 3 weeks prior? 

Do you know the likely rehearsal period and understand the commitment required? 

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Rehearsal books are loaned to you and must be returned unmarked and undamaged  at the end of the rehearsal period. If you damage or lose your books, do you agree to pay $70 to cover the replacement cost?  Yes/No

Do you understand that you will not receive any payment for a performance role in this production?  Show productions often lose money. Please be aware that BMT makes every effort to meet most social costs but this is not always possible.  

Yes/No

The final cast selection is subject to full Committee approval. Those who are successful will have been selected on their suitability for a particular role. Non‐acceptance does not reflect on the talents of the unsuccessful auditionee. The Committee retains the right to make alterations to the Cast if necessary at any time during the production and staging of the show. The decision of the Committee is final and no communication, written or spoken, will be entered into on this matter. Please acknowledge you understand this:  Yes/No

Signature:  Date: 

Have you attached a picture of yourself (that may not be returned)? Yes/No

If successful in your audition, do you agree to abide by the rules of Blenheim Musical Theatre and follow all directions given by the Production Team and Management?  Yes/No