"The Fantasticks" auditions, May 6,7, callbacks May 9

[The Sudbury Savoyards]

All,

This year's summer production will be "The Fantasticks." This is great theater and it's going to be great fun.

Paraphrased from the web site of the current Broadway production: "The Fantasticks tells a simple tale of 'a boy, girl, two fathers and a wall.' Using theatrical techniques from many parts of the world and many periods in history, it urges the audience to use their imagination, to follow the narrator, El Gallo, as he creates for us a world of moonlight, magic, and more.

The musical ran for 42 years off-Broadway at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York City starting in 1960. When it closed there in 2002, it was the longest-running theatrical production of any kind. Remounted in 2006 at the Snapple Theater Center at Broadway and 50th Street, it has now been running in New York City for over 52 years!  The Wall Street Journal has called "The Fantasticks" the "perfect first musical for any child to see."

The production will be presented in three-quarter round in Hawes Hall, 6 performances over two weekends: July 26, 27, 28 (matinee), and August 2, 3, and 4 (matinee). And as a first this year, Hawes Hall will be air-conditioned.

The production calendar is on Google. You will need a Google account to view it here: https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=qu58fgk1o6vpi...@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York

The show has a cast of eight, 6 men and 1 woman, plus the Mute:

Mute: This character has no lines. Holds props, does stage business. Needs to have some stage presence.

El Gallo: Literally, "The Rooster". This character is the narrator of the action, and a worldly-wise bandit of hearts. (age: 30-60)

Hucklebee: Matt's father. A gardener. (age: 40-70)

Bellomy: Luisa's father. A button-maker, also gardens. (age: 40-70)

Henry: An aging (ok, old) actor past his prime. (age: 45-80)

Mortimer: Henry's assistant and partner. An actor specializing in death scenes. (age: 30-60)

Matt: The boy in love. Must look young-ish. (age: 18-40)

Luisa: The girl in love. Must look young-ish. (age: 18-40)

Auditions will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Sudbury, 330 Concord Road. (at the traffic light at R. 27 and Concord Road), May 6 and 7, 7-9:3-pm. If necessary, callbacks will be held at Hawes Hall, May 9, 7-9:30pm.

If you plan to audition, appointments are not necessary. There will be a short form to fill out that will help us during the audition process and we will be taking a quick picture of you when you arrive. Please prepare a musical number from the show or, if you don't have such a song prepared, please sing something in the "Fantasticks" style. We may stop you early; don't be concerned. If you have a resume, please bring it. If you don't have one, please be prepared to tell us a little about yourself. We will also be reading from the script and may ask you to read lines for characters other than those you are auditioning for.

But what if you're trying out for the Mute? (see above) In that case, prepare a silent mime about one or two minutes long, but no longer, please. The intent of that character is to be both visible and invisible, to have both significant stage presence when necessary, and to become a prop at other times. Use one or more of these three props: (a) a stick no more than 2 feet long, (b) a hat of some sort, and (c) a white bed sheet. We will ask you the title of your performance.

Questions? Please contact the director at jim.a...@oracle.com.