Audition Notice – There Was a Boy
Audition:
Tuesday, August 23, 2016: 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Please email james@james-rich.com to make an appointment
Callbacks: Thursday, August 25, 2016
First Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 29,
2016
Please Prepare a jazz
standard (i.e. anything sung by people like Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald,
Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Joe Williams, Mel
Torme, etc.)
"There Was a Boy" is a 2-Act musical based on Nat King
Cole. This production is being presented by the Morgan State University,
Department of Fine and Performing Arts, Opera Workshop Class. It is a 12-week
commitment (including 4 performances, November 18-19) and rehearsals will be primarily during the scheduled class
time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-6 PM. You may be asked to attend (minimal) rehearsals outside of
that time. For more information about the show please visit www.therewasaboy.james-rich.com
The show was presented by Opera Workshop as a staged reading in
2015 and was extremely well-received. This will be a full developmental
production (sets, costumes, props, live music, etc.). It is being brought back
this year as a pre-sesquicentennial event and coincides with the 50th
anniversary of Nat King Cole’s untimely death. Nat King Cole received an
honorary doctorate degree from Morgan (then) College in 1963. For questions
and/or more details please email james@james-rich.com
SEEKING:
REV. COLES: Nat’s Father. A baptist preacher who tries to find
peace with his pop star son. The story is told from his perspective. Mature,
African-American, Baritone (non-operatic preferred)
JOHNNY MERCER: Nat's music producer. Sometimes comic, always
business. This track will also cover some singing parts. Caucasian, able to
play 30+ Bari-tenor (non-operatic preferred)
NADINE: Nat’s first wife. A former showgirl who left show
business for a “normal home life” with her much younger husband. Able to play
30+ African-American, Soprano (non-operatic preferred). Think Ella Fitzgerald,
Sarah Vaughn.
HARRY BELAFONTE: Nat's friend. Tall, handsome, heartthrob.
Looking for someone to capture the essence of the iconic performer. Please
Google/YouTube him. This role will also cover some supporting parts.
African-American, Baritone (non-operatic preferred)
MARGOT: Nat's paramour. Youthful, bombshell, showgirl who
captures Nat’s heart. She is very sexy but there is something innocent about
her as well. This track will also cover some supporting parts in the
production. Caucasian, Soprano (non-operatic preferred)
SUPPORTING ROLES: Singers and Actors of ANY AGE, ANY RACE, ANY
GENDER. If you have some dance/movement training that is a big plus.