Author Archives: robbucher

GYPSY by Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy Rose Lee
Directed by Charley Shafor

Audition Dates:

• Sunday, July 16th 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Monday July 17th 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Tuesday, July 18th 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Thursday July 20 – Call Backs if needed

Audition Requirements:

Fill out our on-line audition form once submitted, you’ll be redirected to our Audition Time slot sign up page.

Everyone may be ask to move so wear comfortable clothing. If auditioning for chorus, Tulsa, either Junes please be prepared to tap dance

Everyone should prepare two Broadway style numbers one up beat one a ballad. Please have music cut for our accompanist. Prepare 32 measures. NO A cappella singing. May sing from a “music only track/CD” if necessary.

Tentative Rehearsal Days: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday

Must be conflict free from November 12 Saturday, November 25, 26, & December 7
Tech Week is November 25 – 27th with Dress Rehearsals on November 28th – 30th

Synopsis
Set during the vaudeville era, Gypsy is about a relentless stage mother, Rose, who travels the country with her two daughters, June and Louise, and their manager, Herbie. While June and Louise wish their mother would settle down and marry Herbie, Rose continues to pursue dreams of stardom for her girls. When June deserts the act, Rose turns her attention to the shy Louise, whom she hopes to fashion into a star. When the act is booked into a burlesque house by mistake, Louise is forced into the spotlight and Gypsy Rose Lee is born. Suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, this legendary musical features “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” “If Momma Was Married,” “All I Need Is the Girl,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” and “Together Wherever We Go”. Considered by many to be the best book and score of any American musical.

Roles / Character Descriptions:

• Momma Rose (ages from 35 – 50)
  The ultimate stage mother. Lives her life vicariously through her two daughters, whom she’s put into show business. She is loud, brash, pushy and single-minded but at times can be doting, comedic and charming. She is holding down demons of her own that she is afraid to face. Her voice is the ultimate powerful Broadway belt. Minimal dance but must move well. Comic timing a must. Strong Mezzo/Alto with good low notes and belt.
• Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee (18 – 25)
  Baby Louise as a teenager, who grows up to be Gypsy Rose Lee. Still pushed aside by Madam Rose in favor of June, until she herself becomes her mother’s new pet project. Should be able to move well. Actress must be 18 or over to play this role. Minimum actual dance but must have very strong movement skills, strong acting skills needed. Must be able to portray both the awkward teen and a sophisticated woman we know now as Gypsy Rose Lee. The worlds most famous burlesque queen. Mezzo (needs light sound for “Little Lamb” and belt for “Let Me Entertain You.
• Herbie/Uncle Jocko (35-50’s)
  An agent for Rose’s children and a possibly her “husband number 4” – he has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength; baritone, strong actor. Some movement required.
• June (16-20’s)
  Baby June as a young woman, the older she gets, the less she enjoys being treated like a child, must dance very well, ballet and tap a plus, and be a strong performer with a strong belt, mezzo; ability to do splits. Twirling a baton a big plus.
• Baby June (6-12) Rose’s daughter who is constantly being groomed to be the next Broadway star, cute, blonde, high-energy performer with a fantastic belt, who dances well, has gymnastic skills; baton twirling a plus. Tap and ballet a plus as well.
• Young Louise (6-12) She should look a couple years older than Baby June. She is Madam Rose’s brow-beaten oldest daughter, and has always played second fiddle to her baby sister. She is shy, awkward, a little sad and subdued; she doesn’t have the confidence of her sister. Strong acting skills needed. The character always dances slightly out of step but the actress playing this part must be able to dance. Mezzo singer.
• Tulsa, Male (16-20’s) Boy-next-door type, charming, handsome and endearing, dreams about breaking away and becoming a star, strong vocals and dance, tap dancing a big plus; tenor.
• L.A., Male (16-20’s) Sweet, loving, kind hearted, must sing and dance well, strong actor who plays one of Dainty Junes Newsboys/Farm boys; baritone.
• Yonkers, Male (16-20’s) Cute, devoted, compassionate, must sing and dance well, strong actor who plays one of Dainty Junes Newsboys/farm boys; baritone.
• Angie, Male (16-20’s) Engaging, affectionate, thoughtful, must sing and dance well, strong actor who plays one of Dainty Junes Newsboys/farm boys; baritone.
• MALE “YOUNG” CHORUS/Newsboys – (9-13) 2-4 singers/dancers – Boy-next-door types, charming, and endearing; must sing and dance well.
• FEMALE CHORUS/Toreadorables – Females, (15 – early 20’s) 3-5 singer/dancers who act as both the backup dancers for Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee but may also play showgirls in the Louise’s final performance. Strong comedic timing a must. Must dance well.
• Agnes, Female, (18 – early 20’s) – Will be cast out of Female Chorus Kind, awkward, silly, strong comedic actress, lead Toreadorable. Be prepared to dance at audition. Please prepare comedic show tune that shows off your voice.
• Tessie Tura, Female, 40’s-60’s A burlesque stripper just past her prime with a big Broadway voice and strong movement/dance skills, once dreamed of being a ballerina but went into burlesque, mezzo with a belt, comedic timing a must. Be prepared to dance at audition. Please prepare comedic show-tune that shows off your belt.
• Mazeppa, Female, 40’s-60’s a burlesque dancer who’s tough, bawdy and physically intimidating, a course broad who’s been around the block a few times, any size, alto with strong belt, must move well. Should be able to play trumpet or learn to play trumpet. Be prepared to dance at audition. Please prepare comedic show-tune that shows off your belt.
• Electra, Female, 40’s-60’s A burlesque stripper way past her prime, a ditzy, sweet endearing woman who partied too hard in her past and has probably been hung over for 2 years, thin, gaunt, tall with terrific comedic timing; mezzo. Be prepared to dance at audition. Please prepare comedic show-tune that shows off your belt.

STRIPPER NOTE: No matter the age YOU MUST be comfortable bring scantily clad on stage.

• Pop/Mr. Goldstone, 50’s-80 Rose’s father, kind, loving, fed-up, a strong actor; non-singing role. Mr. Goldstone Lovable, fragile, booking agent for the Orpheum Theater Circuit, strong comedic skills; non-speaking/singing role.

NON-SINGING ROLES: (Will be cast from chorus)

• Cigar (Supporting): Male, 20-50 Rough, rather aggressive owner of a burlesque theater, strong character actor; non-singing role.
• Pasty (Supporting): Males & Females, 18-35 Smart ass, impatient, condescending assistant to Cigar.
• Cratchitt (Supporting): Female, 20-65 production assistant for the Grantzinger theater, N.Y.C.; strong comedic timing a plus. Non-singing role.