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Audition Notice for The Mikado
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The
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Auditions for
THE MIKADO
Stage Director: Denise Gutierrez (Dora [Mrs. Reginald] Foghorn)
Music Director: Barry Koron (Professor Koron)
Assistant Director / Stage Manager: Paul Sinasohn (Reginald Foghorn)
Producers: Cat Taylor & Robert Young
The Mikado is probably the best-loved and most well-known of all the
Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas, and was featured in the
Oscar-winning film Topsy Turvy. On the surface it appears to make
fun of Japan and the Japanese, but the "Japan" of The Mikado is really
a fantasy kingdom serving as a setting for a satire on English society
and manners - satire that rings amazingly true today, in the US over a
hundred years later.
Denise Gutierrez and Paul Sinasohnhave created a one-hour adaptation of
the show (similar to what has been done for Pirates of Penzance in the
past.) which will be performed on the Victoria & Albert Music Hall
Stage twice each Fair day.
PRINCIPAL ROLES
We are looking for strong singer/actors for the following roles.
Experience with Gilbert & Sullivan not necessary if you can sing
and act the role. Some roles may be double-cast or
understudied.
KO-KO
* Patter Baritone * Lord High Executioner
of the town of Titipu, guardian of (and in love with) the lovely
young Yum-Yum.
NANKI-POO * Tenor * romantic
lead. Son of the Mikado (Emperor), who has fled the
imperial court and come to Titipu disguised as a wandering
minstrel.
POOH-BAH *
Bass/Baritone * Titipu's Lord High Everything Else, an extremely
haughty and exclusive person.
THE MIKADO * Bass/Baritone * The fierce emperor
of Japan, whose governing philosophy is "let the punishment fit the
crime."
PISH-TUSH *
Baritone * Strong chorister who sings in "Big Black Block" trio.
Remaining solos have been cut in this adaptation.
YUM-YUM *
Soprano* Ko-Ko's ward, lovely, irresistible, and fully aware of
her charms. In love with Nanki-Poo.
PITTI-SING *
Mezzo * Yum-Yum's somewhat bold and irreverent friend.
PEEP-BO *
Soprano * Another of Yum-Yum's friends. Member of the chorus.
KATISHA
* Contralto * an older lady in love with Nanki-Poo and determined to
get him back at any cost.
CHORUS OF SCHOOLGIRLS, NOBLES, GUARDS AND TOWNSPEOPLE: As with most
Gilbert & Sullivan shows, the chorus is a very important part of
the action, and has much stage time and wonderful music.
We need 2 each sopranos, altos, tenors and basses.
AUDITION INFORMATION:
Auditions will be held Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
AUDITIONS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please send an EMAIL to regfoghorn@yahoo.com
requesting an audition appointment. Give your first and second
choices of times (i.e. first choice - between 3:30 - 4:00; second
choice - around 6 PM). You will be notified by return email of
the time and place of your audition appointment. If you do not
have email, you may call 510-368-1178 - but email communication is
greatly preferred.
PREPARE A SONG: Please come to the preliminary audition with one song
in English, preferably from opera or operetta, that you feel will show
off your voice well. An accompanist will be provided. Bring
sheet music (if possible) in the key in which you will sing. Also
bring your calendar so that you can give us any conflicts that you may
have during the rehearsal period. Headshot and resume are
optional. If you are needed for a callback, you will be notified.
Please click here for the Complete Audition Notice
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