09/02/10 Open Auditions for 'Play Ball'
APA Theatre is performing a gem of a show, the original 1926 production of Chicago. There are 13 principal roles and 30 ensemble parts. You can be in the musical and have an ensemble part as they have limited rehearsal. Auditions are open to any APA student with at least a 2.0 GPA.
APA THEATRE
Fall Play Auditions
PLAY BALL
The Original Non-Musical CHICAGO
By Maurine Dallas Watkins
A satire of crime in the 1920’s
This one has got it all- booze, babes, lovers, murder and jazz!
September 7 and 8 at 6:00 pm in the Theatre Classroom – FDR- Next to the Student Center
Callbacks on Thursday, September 9 at 6:00 pm
Almost fifty years before Chicago became a musical, it was a hit play on Broadway. Based on a true story of a the most beautiful murderess in the windy city in the1920’s, all the famous characters are there: Jazz slayer Roxie Hart, crafty lawyer Billy Flynn, tough Matron Morton, cuckold Amos Hart, stylish Velma Kelly, sob sister Mary Sunshine and even Go-To-Hell Kitty. Roxie uses her beauty and the power of the press to sway the public after she murders her boyfriend Fred Casely. Play Ball offers some social criticism about the judicial system and a public fascinated by famous criminals which is something that really hasn’t changed in the eighty plus years since Watkins took her true crime reporting and made it into this fascinating play.
Robert Rotenberry directs this Main Stage Play which performs November 17, 18, 19 2010. Auditions are open to all APA students with a GPA of at least 2.0. Please bring your most recent report grade or transcript. There are 13 principal roles- 7 female and 6 males. Principals cannot be in both Thoroughly Modern Millie and Play Ball. You can audition for both shows and they will be cast at the same time. If you are up for both casts you can have a preference listed or opt to go to with show offers you the largest role.
There are also many ensemble parts- some of them are non-speaking and some actors will be cast in more than one of these roles. They will not be needed for most of the rehearsals except for the final two weeks. If cast you will need to pay a participation fee but if you have financial need there are scholarships you can apply for.
This show is being entered in the CETA festival. Judges will come to critique the show and three shows in our region will be chosen to perform at the CETA High School Theatre Festival January 14, 15, 16.
Auditions will be cold readings from the script. It is suggested that you dress like the parts- suits for men, dresses for women. Bring a headshot, resume and your report card or transcript. The script is broken up into a Prologue, Act 1, Act 2, Act 3- Scene 1 and Act 2-Scene 3. Only Roxie and Jake are in every scene so all actors won’t be called to rehearsals all the time until we are running through the entire show.
Please note: there is a change in our audition dates!
Play Ball a.k.a. Chicago Characters Principals Roxie Hart The prettiest woman every charged with murder. A girl of 23, red hair, slender with a beautiful face. Tough talking, ditzy woman who likes jazz, booze and men. Murders her lover when he dumps her. Billy Flynn Roxie’s attorney, the 2nd best in the city. A little man, like Napoleon, carries himself like a Corporal. Fast talking, razzmatazz Irishman who is in it for the money but likes to put on a good show. Jake Callahan Reporter on the Morning Gazette. The driving force of the show is this rough and ready chap in his mid 20’s with keen eyes and a cynical smile. A nice, honest guy who knows a good story when he sees it. Matron Mrs. Morton Matron at Cook’s County Jail. A stalwart woman of 50 who can be a prisoner’s friend if it works to her advantage but can be hard and iron fisted when she needs to be. Obadiah “Babe†Mahoney Photographer on the Morning Gazette. On the spot friend of Jakes. A young man with an ingratiating smile and steady flow of words. Amos Hart Roxie’s meal ticket husband. An awkward creature of 35 with a melancholy air, blue collar mechanic with greasy hands. Alternates between supporting Roxie and turning his back on her. Says he is not as dumb as he looks. Velma Kelly Stylish Divorcee Inmate of Murderess Row. The Society girl, dark, quiet with large, dreamy eyes and full lips. Classy, refined, great dresser. Mary Sunshine Sob Sister on the Evening Star. A soulful blonde supporter of the female inmates with her boundless enthusiasm. Speaks with a slightly affected lisp. Mid 20’s. Liz God’s Messenger Inmate of Murderess Row. Small, wiry woman of 40. Alternates between reading the bible and praying with hysterical outbursts. She is a scrub woman, who when lucid tells it like it is. Martin Harrison Assistant State’s Attorney. Tall young man, student type with eager, nervous manner. Wears tortoise-shell glasses. Wants to see Roxie hang. Go-To-Hell Kitty The Tiger Girl Inmate of Murderess Row. Young rough, dangerous woman. Robber and killer, very violent career criminal. Sgt. Charles E. Murdock Police sergeant. A heavy, bluff fellow of 50 with ruddy face and heavy jowels. Moonshine Maggie Hunyak Inmate of Murderess Row. Hungarian bootlegger in for murder. Desperate being separated from her baby. Treated very badly by the Matron. Note: In some cases actors will be chosen for talent over physical descriptions in the script. Ensemble Cast Judge Canton Presides over Roxie’s trial Fred Casely The Other Man gunned down when leaving Roxie Machine Gun Rosie The Cicero Kid - Future Inmate of Murderess Row Jury Foreman Clerk Of the Court Michael PattersonÂ-cop helps Murdock arrest Roxie. Photographer 1 Photographer 2 Photographer 3 Newsboy- Announces the headlines of the day. Bailiff Of the Court Lucia- Italian woman in the jail who chopped off her husband’s head. Does laundry. Bad Girls Prisoners of the Cook County Jail Guards- Male and Female Of the Court and Jail Stenographer Of the Court Reporters- Male and Female Children- Playing outside Roxie’s house when she kills Fred. Rosie’s Boyfriend- Gunned down at the end. His Wife- Gunned down at the end. Spectators At Roxie’s Trial Most, but not, all of these roles are not speaking and will have minimal rehearsals until the last two weeks.