Directors: Narelle Bonnici and Samantha Heskett Musical Director: Daniel Heskett Choreographers: Narelle Bonnici and Samantha Heskett Producer: Elise Elmer
Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks’ classic cult comedy film. Now as a big Broadway musical, THE PRODUCERS once again sets the standard for modern, outrageous, in-your-face humour. It is a truly “boffo” hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The plot is simple: a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they manoeuvre their way fecklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive “Springtime For Hitler”), hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends. With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (Annie) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks, THE PRODUCERS skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender”!
Audition Dates:
Thursday 12th February 7:00pm – 10:30pm Saturday 14th February 10:00am – 5:00pm Dance Auditions (by invitation): Sunday 15th 10:00am – 1:00pm Callbacks (if required): Sunday 15th February from 2:00pm
Auditions will be held at the Altona Theatre 115 Civic Parade, Altona (please enter via the front doors)
Rehearsals will commence Sunday 29th March 2015. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights (7:30pm – 10:30pm) and on Sunday afternoons (12:00pm – 5:00pm). Rehearsals will be held at the Altona Theatre (115 Civic Parade, next to the Altona Civic Centre)
Performances will be on the weekends from July 3rd – 18th 2015 at the Altona Theatre
To book an audition please call (03) 9398 5508 and follow the prompts (open 24 hours) Please note that some delays in returning your call may be experienced due to the anticipated volume of calls
Audition Requirements
Vocal:
You will be required to prepare ONE song in the style of the show/in the style of your desired character (role descriptions are listed below). Please bring sheet music in the correct key – backing tracks and a’capella singing will not be accepted.
Acting:
Following your vocal audition, you may be asked to read a small except of the script with somebody from the production team.
Dance:
There will be a dance call and call backs held on Sunday 15th February from 10:00am. You’ll be notified of the time to attend this final audition day following your initial vocal/acting audition. Please wear appropriate attire that will allow you to dance comfortably on this day. If you own dance shoes, it is encouraged that you bring them along.
Age:
The minimum age for auditionees is 16 as at 29th March 2015.
Lastly:
Don’t be nervous – we will try and make the process as enjoyable as possible. Relax. Enjoy. Don’t worry if you mess up – we want to see what you CAN do, and we will conveniently ignore any mistakes you make. PS Learn your song off by heart! Extra points are always awarded for people who are prepared! 🙂
Character Descriptions
Max Bialystock One of two leads and one of the producers in the title. He claims to have once been the “King of Broadway,” but he is washed up, having produced a string of flops that do not make it past the first performance. He is the driving force of the scheme to raise millions from his backers for the next play which he calculates will be a flop and then he will split the leftover money with his fellow producer Leo Bloom. He leads Leo in finding the play, director, and producing the show, only to be betrayed by Leo when the scheme is exposed. Max’s once debonair good looks have faded over the years and he is now somewhat more portly than he once was. He has a persuasive charm and a devilish mind. What we are looking for: Late 30s to mid 50s Baritone with a vocal range of C to F1 Requires a good strong versatile voice that can go from patter singing to full belt easily. Bronx accent Max requires a comic actor with impeccable timing. We are also looking for someone with high energy and agility as although Max is not required to do a great deal of dancing his frantic disposition will call for a great deal of movement. Leo Bloom One of two leads and one of the producers in the title. He is a mild mannered accountant who is intimidated by Max Bialystock’s vivacity and aggression, but becomes intrigued with the thought of realising his desire to be a Broadway producer. He leaves his life as an accountant and decides to join Bialystock in his scheme. His love of show business deepens when he meets Ulla, the gorgeous blonde bombshell who comes to work for them. Bloom is smitten with Ulla. When the plot to defraud the investors is discovered Bloom proves to have become the man that Bialystock urged him to be by running away to Rio de Janeiro with Ulla and the money. Bloom returns to stand up for his friend Max and accept punishment for his crime. Leo will also require an actor with great comic timing and an ability to demonstrate a journey in growth of confidence throughout the course of the show. Leo is meek to the point of neurotic anxiety. Leo is the kind of guy you would have beaten up and stolen lunch money from in the playground at school. What we are looking for: Mid 20s to mid 30s A pleasant voice with a nice clean tone Baritone with a vocal range of C to F1 Leo will also require an actor with great comic timing and an ability to demonstrate a journey in growth of confidence throughout the course of the show. Leo is meek to the point of neurotic anxiety. Leo is the kind of guy you would have beaten up and stolen lunch money from in the playground at school. Whilst rigidity is essential at certain times Leo will be required to break into some glamorous movement when the moment calls for it. An ability to do some tap is desirable. Franz Liebkind A Nazi living in Greenwich Village, has written a play about his hero, Adolf Hitler. Bialystock and Bloom determine, after reading dozens of plays, that Liebkind’s must be the worst play ever; it is certain to fail. Liebkind is so enthusiastic about having his version of Hitler’s life reach the stage that he makes them put on swastika armbands and swear their devotion to Hitler. After an extensive audition process, Bialystock realizes that Liebkind is the perfect choice to play the starring role in “Springtime for Hitler”, ensuring that the play will be a flop. On opening night, Liebkind breaks his leg and has to be replaced in the show. What we are looking for: Mid 20’s to mid 60’s Baritone with a vocal range of C to G1. A slight roughness of tone. Zee German accent is a must. Whenever Franz is on stage the audience must be slightly unsure of what he might end up doing, either breaking into song and dance or throwing someone through a wall. Roger DeBris A gay director who is asked to direct “Springtime for Hitler”. He is hesitant to direct “Springtime for Hitler” because he finds the subject matter too serious, but consults his assistants – all gay caricatures –for advice. The producers count on DeBris’ natural bad taste to ensure that their musical will be a failure. When Franz Liebkind breaks his leg and cannot perform in the show, DeBris steps in to play Hitler. The result is a truly gay Hitler, who seems enraptured with the public’s attention. Roger needs to have one of the best and strongest voices in the show. He is required to sing beautifully over the chorus at times Comic mock English accent. Whilst Roger is camp he should be masculine in in build. He must look good in a dress even if somewhat hairy. Roger is definitely the butch one in his relationship with his assistant Carmen. What we are looking for: 30’s onwards Baritone with a vocal range of C to G1. Roger needs to have one of the best and strongest voices in the show. He is required to sing beautifully over the chorus at times Comic mock English accent This role calls for flamboyance and over the top comic acting. Carmen Ghia (Please note that this is a Male Role) He is Roger DeBris’ “common-law assistant” and is as openly camp as DeBris is. Carmen Ghia explains and interprets DeBris’ more antic notions often to an extreme. It is Ghia who knows DeBris well enough to suggest that he would know all of the words to the star ring role in “Springtime for Hitler” and would have a secret desire to step into the part when Liebkind is incapacitated. Carmen is an aging twink who screams gay pride with every subtle movement and uttered consonant. We are looking for an effeminate young man who has a strong chemistry with Roger. What we are looking for: 20’s to mid 30’s Tenor with a vocal range of E to A1. Falsetto required. Must be able to move with grace and elegance with swinging hips and clenched buttocks. An ability to dance is strongly desired. Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yonsen Tallen-Hallen Is a voluptuous, leggy blonde who shows up at Bialystock and Bloom’s office to audition for a part in their new play. A sexpot, Ulla understands the spell she casts over men and is drawn to the mousy Leo with whom she runs away to Rio. She is cast in “Springtime for Hitler” as a showgirl and Eva Braun, but until the show is produced she works as Max and Leo’s “typical blonde” secretary. What we are looking for: 20’s to mid 30’s Mezzo-Soprano with a vocal range of G to E2. Gorgeous lyric voice that can break into a strong belt when required. Convincing Swedish accent. Must ooze sex appeal both physically and vocally. Featured Ensemble 16yrs old and over We are looking for both men and women to fill our large ensemble. This ensemble will need to be the hardest working group of triple threats around. Both the male and female ensemble will partake in the Old Lady numbers, cameos such as Usherettes, Nazis, Chorus girls. Ability to dance and sing is required with ability to tap desirable. Within the featured ensemble we will specifically be looking for 6 males to fill the main cameo roles in the show and also take a strong lead in some of the bigger chorus numbers. Some of the many roles that these men will fill include: Rogers production team , The accountants, cops, first nighters, judge, first Nazi, Churchill etc. Strong voices and ability to move a must.
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