Produced by: Andrew R. Dodge
Directed by: Laura W. Andruski
Musical Direction by: Marci Shegogue
Choreography by: Valerie Mikles
Audition Dates: Monday, April 21– 7:00-8:00pm: Children ages 6-13; 8-9:30pm: Adults ages 14+ and Tuesday, April 22 — 7:00-8:00pm: Children ages 6-13; 8-9:30pm: Adults ages 14+
CALLBACKS: Wednesday, April 23 @ 7:00 pm
Audition Location: Meadow Hall Elementary School, 951 Twinbrook Parkway,Rockville, MD (For information and questions, contact us at: contactrmt@hotmail.com).
Audition Procedures: Appointments are not necessary. There will be a sign up sheet, and auditioners will be taken in the order they turn in their audition sheets. There will be singing and dancing portions of the auditions. Auditioners asked to return for callbacks may be asked to perform cold readings from the script. Each person auditioning will:
Adults (ages 14+): Sing up to 32 bars of a song from any musical other than “The Music Man” that best demonstrates your voice in the musical style of the show. Children (ages 6-13): Sing 16 bars of a song from a Broadway musical (“Gary Indiana” is allowed!) or nursery song (like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star). Please bring sheet music — an audition pianist will be provided.
Be taught and then perform a dance combination. Please wear comfortable and appropriate dancewear and shoes, and arrive stretched, warmed up, and ready to dance.
You may bring a resume and headshot, but your photo will be taken. Also be prepared to complete a calendar of all your conflicts through the opening of the show. All roles are open and unpaid; there is no pre-casting. Call backs, as necessary, will be held Wednesday, April 23 at 7:00pm. Not all roles will require a call back. EVERYONE will be notified regardless of casting.
THE MUSIC MAN
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Professor Harold Hill - Age 30-45; Baritone A flat – high F
A dynamic con man and traveling salesman, Prof. Hill comes to River City, Iowa, and creates a hysteria about the “trouble” of the new pool table in town in order to sell band instruments and uniforms. He promises to form a wholesome boy’s band, though he can’t read a note of music. His main ambition, besides fleecing the good citizens of their cash, becomes trying to win over the local librarian, with whom he eventually falls in love.
Marian Paroo – Age 25-35; Soprano Low G to High A
Daughter of Mrs. Paroo, sister to Winthrop. She is the stuffy, conceited librarian and piano teacher in town. She is very learned and defends the “questionable” books that are in the library. She was close to her deceased father’s friend, Mr. Madison, and the town believes that she had an affair with him. After all, he left the library to the town and the books to her! But there was no affair, he was like an uncle to her. At first, after meeting Harold Hill, she dislikes him but then gets to know him better and we see a transformation in her while she falls in love. She realizes that like her, in spite of their reputations, he is earnest in wanting to make a difference. They end up together.
Marcellus Washburn – Age: 30-40; Tenor G to High A
Marcellus works in town and is dating Ethel Toffelmeir. He knows Harold from a long time ago. When they are reunited in River City, they become fast friends again. He is a comical character. He helps Harold in learning about the town, in setting up the con and in trying to help him get out of town before they figure it all out.
Mrs. Paroo – Age: 50-60 Mezzo; Soprano A flat to E flat
Widowed, Irish mother to Marian and Winthrop. Sweet homemaker who wants the best for everyone. Gives Marian a lot of advise about finding a man. Dotes on Winthrop. Falls for Harold’s con. Always keeps her hands busy.
Winthrop Paroo – Age 5-8; Alto C – E flat
Marian’s lisping little brother. Cute as a button. Does not talk because he misses his deceased father. Learns to trust again and is a chatterbox by the end of the show.
Mayor Shinn – Age 40-50
The Mayor of River City. Somewhat blustery, pompous, not terribly intelligent. Gets a lot of things wrong! Listens to wife. Protective of daughter, Zaneeta, who he thinks is dating the wrong boy in town. Stereotype small-town politician.
Eulalie Shinn – Age 40-50; Alto D – D
Mayor Shinn’s wife. Definitely a society lady. Knows everyone in town. Struts like a peacock. Somewhat snooty. Member of every auxiliary organization in town. Has some strange ideas and doesn’t think she looks as ridiculous as she really is. Keeps husband in line.
Zaneeta Shinn – Age 14-18
Mayor’s & Eulalie’s daffy teenage daughter. Has a crush on the “bad” boy in town, Tommy. Not rebellious but learning to stand up for herself. Very cute and feminine.
Gracie Shinn – Age 6-10
Mayor’s and Eulalie’s younger daughter. Somewhat of a tomboy and a bit devilish.
Olin Britt – Age 40-60; Bass
A member of the School Board who does not get along with the other members. However, once Harold gets him to sing with the others, they are inseparable and not only learn to sing in harmony but behave in harmony.
Ethel Toffelmier – Age 30-40
Plays the player piano. Is jolly and friendly. She is dating Marcellus. She does gossip, however, with the other ladies in town.
Oliver Hix – Age 40-60; Baritone
A member of the School Board who does not get along with the other members. However, once Harold gets him to sing with the others, they are inseparable and not only learn to sing in harmony but behave in harmony. Married to Alma.
Alma Hix – Age 40-55
Wife to Oliver. Gossipy lady who is a buddy of Eulalie and other “hen/bird” women.
Ewart Dunlop – Age 40-60; Baritone
A member of the School Board who does not get along with the other members. However, once Harold gets him to sing with the others, they are inseparable and not only learn to sing in harmony but behave in harmony. Married to Maud.
Maud Dunlop – Age 40-55
Wife to Ewart. Gossipy lady who is a buddy of Eulalie and other “hen/bird” women.
Jacey Squires – Age 40-60; Tenor
A member of the School Board who does not get along with the other members. However, once Harold gets him to sing with the others, they are inseparable and not only learn to sing in harmony but behave in harmony. Married to Mrs. Squires.
Mrs. Squires – Age 40-55
Wife to Jacey. Gossipy lady who is a buddy of Eulalie and other “hen/bird” women.
Tommy Djilas – Age 16-18
A teenager who has a crush on Zaneeta. Wants to do the right thing but is shunned by all because he comes from the “other” side of town so he is considered the “bad” boy in town. Harold befriends him, makes him useful and gives Tommy self-confidence and trust.
Charlie Cowell – Age 30-50
A rival traveling anvil salesman. First seen on train at the start of the show. He returns to town to warn them about Harold and hopefully, make himself a hero and thus earn sales himself.
Constable Locke – Age 30-60
Town policeman. Always ready to do as instructed. Cuffs Harold.
Amaryllis – Age 8-10; Alto C to E
Young piano student of Marian’s. Likes Winthrop.
Conductor – Age 50-60
Conductor on train. Very business like. Intent on collecting tickets and doing job. Does not sing.
Traveling Salesmen Ages: Various
Salesmen on train that warn each other about what they’ve heard about Harold Hill. None of them have ever met him but all know about his reputation. They do not realize that he is there among them and can hear everything they are saying. They have a syncopated song in the beginning of the show – no singing but patterned to sound like a moving train. Very clever. Script written for 5 in addition to Charlie Cowell.
River City Townspeople Ages: Various
These are small town folks who are proud of their town. They consist of men and women, teenagers and children. All ages should be used. (NOTE: the Traveling Salesmen become Townspeople once Act I Scene 1 is finished.)
