Auditions set for URI April production of Sondheim musical ‘A Little Night Music’
The University of Rhode Island
Theatre Department will hold auditions Jan. 21 and 22 for the April production
of the Stephen Sondheim musical “A Little Night Music.” Auditions are open to
the public.
“A Little Night Music,” which
debuted on Broadway in 1973 and was adapted as a film four years later,
revolves around the relationships of several couples, and is filled with
desire, wit, jealousy and regret.
Music and lyrics are by Sondheim, with orchestration by Jonathan Tunik. The score is full of sweeping love ballads and boisterous songs of suspicious spouses, including the hit “Send in the Clowns.”
Music and lyrics are by Sondheim, with orchestration by Jonathan Tunik. The score is full of sweeping love ballads and boisterous songs of suspicious spouses, including the hit “Send in the Clowns.”
Auditions will be for 17 roles,
although cast size is flexible – including several non-singing maid and butler
roles. (The role of Fredrika Armfeldt has already been cast; see below for
character descriptions.)
For the audition, please prepare two memorized vocal selections, 32 bars long, and provide sheet music. Selections must be from a musical, and one must be from a musical with music and lyrics by Sondheim, excluding songs from “A Little Night Music.”
Auditions will consist of individual
five-minute singing presentations, followed by group readings of selected
sides. Sides will be available in advance at the main theatre office on the
second floor of the Fine Arts Center. There will be no dance audition until
callbacks.
Auditions will be held Monday, Jan.
21, and Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the G Studio at the Fine Arts
Center, 105 Upper College Road, on the Kingston Campus. Call URI Theatre at
(401) 874-5921 to sign up to audition or register outside the theatre office.
Callbacks are Thursday, Jan. 24, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the G Studio.
Rehearsals open Tuesday, Feb. 26,
and performances run April 18-20 and April 25-28 in the J Studio of the Fine
Arts Center.
Paula McGlasson, URI professor of
acting and stage management and former department chair, will direct “A Little
Night Music,” with music direction by Lila Kane and choreography by Dante
Sciarra.
Character descriptions:
Madame Armfeldt: Desiree’s elderly mother. She is brutally honest and a
veteran of discreet encounters with the crowned heads of Europe. Vocal range:
Alto C3-F#4.
Henrik Egerman: Fredrick’s gloomy son. He is serious but confused as
he studies for the Lutheran priesthood. Vocal range: Tenor G3-B4.
Anne Egerman: Giddy and virginal, naive at times. A breathtakingly
gorgeous child bride and Fredrick’s new wife. Vocal range: Soprano G#3-Ab5.
Fredrik Egerman: Middle-aged lawyer who is married to his second wife,
Anne, and has a son, Henrik, from his first marriage. Vocal range: Baritone
A2-E4.
Petra: Anne’s earthy maid and closest confidante. She seizes
every moment to rustle in the hay. Vocal range: Mezzo-soprano F#3-F5.
Desiree Armfeldt: A self-absorbed, once-successful actress now touring
the countryside. She becomes entangled in a love triangle with the count and
Fredrick. Vocal range: Mezzo-soprano F#3-Ab5.
Count Carl-Magnus Malcom: Vain, arrogant and splendidly proportioned, but
ferociously jealous. He is Desiree’s newest lover. Vocal range: Baritone G3-F#4.
Countess Charlotte Malcolm: The count’s manic depressive, mistreated and
downtrodden wife. Vocal range: Mezzo-soprano G3-F5.
Ensemble: Frid, The Quintet (Mr. Lindquist, Mrs. Nordstrom, Mrs.
Anderssen, Mr. Erlanson and Mrs. Segstrom), servants and helpers.
URI Theatre is committed to equal
opportunity and non-traditional casting. Its productions strongly encourage
any/and all students, staff, faculty or members of the community to audition
and/or participate in URI productions. There will be no discrimination
based on sex, race, color, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation,
religion, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran and/or disability
status.