MEMPHIS NAT'L TOUR - Non Equity
5/6 - at Pearl Studios, 519 8th ave (btw 36th and 35th st.) 12th floor, NYC
5/7 - at Pearl Studios, 500 8th ave. (btw 36th and 35th st.) 12th floor, NYC
NETworks is excited to announce auditions for their 2013-2014 National Tour of MEMPHIS, based on the Broadway production directed by Christopher Ashley and Choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. Book by Joe DiPietro, Music by David Bryan, Lyrics by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan; Tour Director, Adam Arian; Tour Choreographer, Jermaine Rembert; Music Superisor, John Mezzio; Casting, Bob Cline.
Auditions will be held 5/6 and 5/7 at Pearl Studios, 519 (5/6) and 500 (5/7) 8th ave., 12th floor, NYC. First rehearsal 9/16, Open 10/15, Close 6/8.
MEMPHIS tells the fictional story of Huey Calhoun, one of the first white disc jockeys who dared to play rhythm & blues music for his white teenage listeners in the early 1950s. Please prepare a brief pop/rock/r&b song. Bring sheet musics. Pianist provided. You are welcome to sing from the show but please have another appropriate selection with you.
We will be singing first on 5/6 and dancing first on 5/7. Meaning: Dancers should still bring music to sing, and Singers should be prepared in case they are asked to come back and dance/move later in the day. Please bring both heels and flats. Bring picture and resume. Almost all ensemble members must sing well enough to cover a principle roll. If you are unable to audition and are still interested, please mail picture and resume to Bob Cline, 676A 9th ave. #160, NYC, NY 10036. Regarding: MEMPHIS.
All roles paid. Non-Equity performers only.
Mon., May 6– 9:00 am Male singers interested in roles listed below.
Mon., May 6– 1:00 pm Female singers interested in roles listed below.
Tues., May 7– 9:00 am Male dancers interested in roles listed below
Tues., May 7– 1:00 pm Male dancers interested in roles listed below.
SEEKING:
HUEY – Male, Caucasian, 20s-30s; tenor with a great feel for pop/rock/r&b styles; he is our frenzied, bombastic, motor-mouthed hero who talks his way into becoming a DJ at a local ‘white’ radio station. He ignores race barriers and eventually falls in love with Felicia, a talented black singer, which causes a whole new set of problems for Huey in segregated Memphis.
FELICIA – Female, African-American, 20s-30s; high r&b belt voice; Beautiful, wide-eyed, and a fiercely gifted singer, Felicia follows her heart and falls in love with Huey, despite knowing deep down that a relationship between a white man and a black woman in prejudiced Memphis is doomed.
DELRAY – Male, African-American, 30s-40s; bari-tenor with a great pop/rock/r&b voice; Delray is Felicia’s older brother who owns the club on Beale Street where she sings. He is realistic, cautious, protective, and aware of the realities of the segregation that exists in Memphis and the world beyond.
GLADYS – Female, Caucasian, 40s – 60s; strong singer with alto-belt mix; excellent actor with comic skills; Huey’s stern, traditional blue-collar, southern mother; She has worked her entire life to be able to support herself and her son, who she loves but about whom she constantly worries.
GATOR – Male, African-American, 20s-30s; great r&b bari-tenor; Gator works as a bartender at Delray’s – he hasn’t spoken since age 5, when he saw his father killed. As the story progresses, Gator finds his voice again. Must be an excellent actor and singer; comic timing a plus.
BOBBY – Male, African-American, 30s-40s; great gospel voice. Bobby is the janitor at Mr. Simmons’s radio station. Full of personality and heart. Needs an actor who is comfortable with physicality as he has a dance break in his show-stopping number “Big Love.” Comic skills a plus.
MR. SIMMONS – Male, Caucasian, 40s-60s; Great actor who is comfortable singing; Mr. Simmons is the conservative owner of the radio station where Huey gets his start. The strong, southern, commanding business man becomes willing to take a chance on Huey when he realizes the audience Huey reaches and the money he can command.
ENSEMBLE:
WAILIN JOE/BEALE STREET MALE SINGER/DANCER -
male, African-American, 20s-30s; excellent tenor voice. Wailin’ Joe sings "Scratch My Itch" featured in both Act 1 and Act 2. Must also dance very well. Covers the principal roles of DELRAY and BOBBY
ONE MAIN STREET MALE ACTOR/SINGER -
Late 20s - early 50s. Caucasian. To play Mr. Collins - department store owner, and Gordon Grant - Record company executive. Also in the ensemble. Dance ability a plus but not necessary
THREE BEALE STREET MALE DANCER/SINGERS -
20s - 30s. African American. Excellent cancers with great voices. Comic abilities and tumbling a plus
TWO MAIN STREET MALE DANCER/SINGERS / HUEY COVER -
Late teens - 30s. Caucasian. Excellent dancers with great voices. Comic ability and tumbling a plus. One of these will cover the lead role of "Huey"
FELICIA COVER/BEALE STREET FEMALE SINGER/DANCER -
Female, African American, 20s, Excellent High Belt voice and must be a good dancer. Covers the principal role of [FELICIA] – Female, African-American; high r&b belt voice; Beautiful, wide-eyed, and a fiercely gifted singer, Felicia follows her heart and falls in love with Huey, despite knowing deep down that a relationship between a white man and a black woman in prejudiced Memphis is doomed
THREE FEMALE BEALE STREET DANCER/SINGERS -
African American 20s - 30s. Excellent dancers. Great Singers. Athletic and fierce. Comic ability and tumbling a plus. Double Dutch experience a plus
TWO FEMALE MAIN STREET DANCER/SINGERS -
Caucasian, late teens - 30s. Excellent dancers. Great Singers. Ability to play teenage to 30ish for different roles. Double Dutch experience a plus.
