Auditions for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder! Book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and the music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak. Based on the 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman.
Fountain Hills Theater
11445 N Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 www.fhtaz.org
Sunday, December 8 @ 6:00pm and Tuesday, December 10 @ 7:00pm.
Callbacks, if required, will be Wednesday, Dec. 11 @ 7:00pm
Appointment: www.fhtaz.org/auditions or (480) 837-9661 x3
Fountain Hills Theater announces auditions for the musical A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder.
When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn’t the only thing on Monty’s mind….
A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder is directed by Peter J. Hill, choreographed by Noel Irick and musically directed by Erica Glenn.
A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder will play Jan 31 – Feb. 9, 2020, with possible extension dates until Feb. 16.
Auditions will be held Sunday, Dec, 8 @ 6:00pm and Tuesday, Dec, 10 @ 7:00pm. Callbacks, if required, will be Wednesday, Dec. 11 @ 7:00pm.
Auditioners are asked sing 16-32 bars of a song that best shows off their voice and range. An accompanist is provided. No recorded accompaniment, please. Please dress to dance.
Casting for:
THE D’YSQUITH FAMILY 30s – mid 50s. Must be an experienced, skilled, and transformational comedic actor who has a superb grasp on British farce. Physical comedy and stamina is a necessity. Does not necessarily need to be a phenomenal singer, but must be able to carry a musical comedy without an ounce of hesitation. Plays a full range of characters from the same family, ranging from an off-kilter priest to a closeted bee enthusiast to a lowly custodian (each of them intrinsic “English types”).
MONTY NAVARRO Mid 20s – 30s. Handsome and effortlessly charming, clever and charismatic, vulnerable and endearing, with a highly developed appreciation for life’s ironies, Monty is the engine of the plot; must be able to command attention and draw the audience in. While he is intent on killing off the entire family tree, he must have a winning charm that would garner anybody’s trust. High baritone with a strong top; solid low A to high A.
SIBELLA 20s – mid 30s. Sexy, flirtatious, narcissistic, willful, calculating and irresistible. A social climber, yes, but also truly loves Monty, and in the end would do anything to protect him. Tremendous wit and high style. Strong mover. Character mezzo, low F# to high A, belting not required.
PHOEBE Early 20s – early 30s. Beautiful, virtuous, forthright, romantic, comically earnest, with a backbone of steel. She is not your typical ingénue, though. Actress must have a sense of irony and humor, in addition to a youthful innocence behind her sophistication. Coloratura soprano up to a high sustained C# with an optional high Eb. Very flexible and agile, B below middle C on the bottom. Also open to performers from a strong operatic background.
ENSEMBLE:
WOMAN #1 30s – 60s. Plays MISS SHINGLE, a Cockney housekeeper/governess who has served a wealthy, titled family for 30 years. She informs Monty that he is indeed a D’Ysquith. Storytelling is paramount for her role. Also plays TOUR GUIDE, as well as PUB OWNER’S WIFE, MRS. PEBWORTH, 3RD NEWSBOY. Seeking a character woman. Mezzo soprano, G to high A.
WOMAN #2 30s – late 50s. Plays LADY EUGENIA, an unhappily married countess. Overbearing and mean spirited at times, but comically so. Must be highly adept at the biting quip and the withering glare. Also plays MISS HETHERINGTON, and 4TH NEWSBOY. Low F# to high A.
WOMAN #3 Mid 20s – mid 30s. Plays MISS BARLEY, an alluring artist model. Also plays SIBELLA’S MAID, HYACINTH COLLEAGUE, PHOEBE’S MAID, HILDA.
MAN #1 20s – mid 40s. Appealing and attractive. Plays TOM COPLEY (aka FARMER), as well as 2ND CLERK, HYACINTH COLLEAGUE, 2ND NEWSBOY, ACTOR, ANCESTRAL BUST, DR. PETTIBONE, and GUARD. High baritone with a strong top; solid low A to high A..
MAN #2 Early 30s – 50s. A versatile and appealing character man. Plays DETECTIVE PINCKEY, who has a featured number. Also plays 1ST CLERK, PUB OWNER, MR. CROSS, 1ST NEWSBOY, 1ST ACTOR, PHYSICIAN, and 2ND ANCESTRAL BUST. Bass, low C to high G#.
MAN #3 Mid 20s – 40s. A character man. Plays THE MAGISTRATE, as well as MR. GOODSALL, ACTOR, and MR. GORBY. THE MAGISTRATE has a featured number with DETECTIVE PINCKEY. True tenor. B flat to high B flat.
ABOUT FOUNTAIN HILLS THEATER
Fountain Hills Theater presents 3 regularly scheduled seasons of productions in their two theaters. The Theater’s year-round offering includes Mainstage, Mainstage Too!, and Youth productions. Additionally, special events, community outreach, and educational arts programming for our youth is also offered. The Mainstage (often called the “big”) theater seats 130 and is devoted to medium and large-scale popular musicals and plays including the best of Broadway and Off-Broadway. No seat is more than 35 feet from the stage. The Youth/Mainstage Too! (also called the “little” theater) is a smaller, more intimate 90-seat, thrust style auditorium that offers thought-provoking, inspiring and sometimes challenging productions including Broadway musicals, original plays, musicals, and art works. Most of the youth productions are performed in the more intimate, smaller theater. Both stages often run productions concurrently. Special events are offered throughout the season on both stages as well as in community centers. The Theater has been in operation as a professionally-directed community theater for over 30 years. The Mission of Fountain Hills Theater is “to engage, inspire and entertain diverse audiences, train and support our youth, and celebrate the essential power of the performing arts.” Fountain Hills Theater is a 501(c)(3) organization. All gifts are tax deductible. The Theater is 100% funded by ticket sales and donations. Volunteer opportunities are available. Fountain Hills Theater is located at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. Phone: 480.837.9661. Fax: 480.837.5972. The Box Office is open Tues.-Fri., 12pm-5pm and Sat. 10am-5pm (closed Sun. and Mon.). The website is www.fhtaz.org.
