AUDITION NOTICE! A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
Directed by: Kurt Percy
When: May 18 and 19 at 7:00pm
Performances are Aug 7-9 & 14-16
Where: Lebanon Theatre Company – 10 Mechanic St. Lebanon, Ohio
- Please come prepared with a 36 bar cut of a song of your choosing. Pianist will be provided for those who bring sheet music and a Bluetooth speaker will be provided for those who wish to sing with a track.
- Please note that there will be a dance audition so come prepared to move. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes.
For more information please check out our website at ltcplays.com
Characters
Male Presenting Roles
-Pseudolus – Baritone
A Roman slave, owned by Hero, who seeks to win his freedom by helping his young master win the heart of Philia. Quick-witted, scheming, childlike spirit. His name means “Faker”
- By far the largest and most comic role.
- Comic timing is everything.
- Sings partial solos in 8 songs, delivery and enthusiasm and the ability to “sell” the songs are far more important than a beautiful voice.
- Some choreography — likely to be more comic than technical and adapted to the actor. Age: 30 to 50
-Hero – Tenor
The young son of Senex and Domina. He falls in love with Philia and agrees to give Pseudolus his freedom if he can help Hero woo her. Practical, privileged, romantic.
- Singing role. Some dance.
- Of all the characters he is the most traditional leading man type.
- However, as he is also a virgin, it is imperative that he impart a naivety. Age: 20 to 30
-Senex: (Latin for ”old man”) A henpecked, sardonic Roman senator living in a less fashionable suburb of Rome.
- Plausibly Hero’s father.
- Singing role.
- When his domineering wife is away, he enjoys believing the mistaken idea that he can be the object of the young virgin’s affection. Age: 45 to 70 (Age related to age of actors cast as Hero and Domina).
-Hysterium – Baritone
The chief slave in the House of Senex. Believes he is in control, but is actually Pseudolus’ puppet to carry out his schemes. Anxious, conservative, loyal. He desperately wants everything to be in order. (Latin for ”Hysterical” the suffix “-um” makes the name neuter, and the character’s gender is often mistaken throughout the piece)
- Although he is chief slave in the same house where Pseudolus is also a slave, Pseudolus bullies him and treats him as an underling
- Much of his humor comes from the fact that he impersonates the young, female virgin, Philia
- Must be able to sing, speak in a falsetto voice. Age: 30 to 55
-Miles Gloriosus – Bass
(Latin for ”boastful soldier” the archetype of the braggart soldier in Roman comedies) A captain in the Roman army to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia. Commanding, boastful, manly and strong.
- Must sing, speak and act in a booming, arrogant voice
- Although a costume may provide the muscles, the actor must be able to pull off “gladiator-ness.” Age: 25 to 40
-Marcus Lycus: – Baritone
A purveyor of courtesans, who operates from the house to the right of Senex. (Name based on Lycus, the
pimp) Always out to make a profit, but also wants to provide good on what his business offers.
- Singing role (not major)
- Think of him as the “used car salesman” of the courtesans. Age: 30 to 50 (but not critical)
-Erronius: – Baritone
(Latin for wandering) Senex’s elderly neighbor in the house to the left. He has spent the past twenty years searching for his two children, kidnapped in infancy by pirates.
- The smallest of the principal roles
- Sings only as part of the chorus in 2 songs
- Must be able to sound and move like an old man
Female Presenting Roles
-Philia – Soprano
(Greek for Love): A virgin in the House of Lycus whom we also find out is Erronius’ daughter. She is promised to Miles and vows to give him bodily what he has paid for, but loves Hero and promises he will always have her heart. Young, pretty, devoted. An archetypal ingénue. Age: 18 to 25+
-Domina: – Mezzo-Soprano
(Latin for mistress) The wife of Senex and mother to Hero. She is a shrewish woman who is loathed and feared by even her husband. Senex’s wife. She dominates to the point of answering herself the questions she asks of others. Loves her husband deep down, but is outwardly controlling, demanding, and manipulative.
- Singing role
- Must play the stereotypical overbearing wife and mother Age 40 – 60 (Age related to age of actors cast as Hero and Domina).
*Cortesans in the house of Lycus (provide part of the female chorus. Notice there are 6 courtesans as the
Geminae are twins)
Please note that the courtesans can be played by actors across a range of ages and looks. Lycus caters to all
tastes. At least some of the courtesans will however need to be prepared to wear revealing costumes and move
and dance in a sexy or sensuous way. If this is likely to be of concern to you please mention your concerns at the audition.
Anyone age 16 or 17 (by the date of the first performance) intending to audition as a courtesan – Please note we will need to get parental consent. The courtesans will be expected to display their own personalities and characters largely through
movement and attitude
- Gymnasia: (Greek for Athletic with the connotation of nakedness) A courtesan from the house of Lycus with whom Pseudolus falls in love. Often played be a very statuesque or voluptuous woman; however, a female of any size and shape may be cast as long as she portrays the voluptuous attitude.
- Tintinabula: (Latin for Bells) A jingling, bell-wearing courtesan in the house of Lycus. Think of a belly dancer whose every motion makes the bells ring
- Vibrata: (Latin for Vibrant) A wild, vibrant courtesan in the house of Lycus. In all likelihood her costume would be made of leopard skin – Needs to be able to growl sensuously and move like a tigress
- Geminae: (Latin for Twins) Twin courtesans in the house of Lycus. The aim will be to get 2 actors of similar stature and colouring, however it is more important that the two actors can work together and act (in fact move) in tune with each other.
- Panacea: (Greek for Cure All) A courtesan in the house of Lycus. A face that can say a thousand words and a body that can hold a thousand promises.
Ensemble
- Proteans, Soldiers
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 