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.