Tag Archives: Middletown Lyric Theatre

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM Runs Sept. 19-27

MLT_Side by Side by SondheimSIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
Presented by Middletown Lyric Theatre
Sept. 19-27
Middletown

Directed by Charley Shafor
Musical Direction by Julia Abanto-Bethune

Cast: Robin Baker, Julia Abanto-Bethune, Tonda Hoefler, Melodie LaNicca, Alicia Moore, Kevin Stout & Beth Vestring Fischer Reinhart

This dazzling array of some of Sondheim’s best-known songs features numbers from landmark shows that revolutionized the musical theatre with their masterful craft and astounding creativity: COMPANY, FOLLIES, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and PACIFIC OVERTURES, not to mention the classics written with musical theatre giants Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers, WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, and DO I HEAR A WALTZ?

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 19-20 at 8pm
  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 26-27 at 8pm

Official page |

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MLT Announces Auditions for THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO

MLT_logoTHE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO
Written by Alfred Uhry
Directed by Charley Shafor

About the Show:
THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, in December of 1939. Gone with the Wind is having its world premiere, and Hitler is invading Poland, but Atlanta’s elitist German Jews are much more concerned with who is going to Ballyhoo, the social event of the season. Especially concerned is the Freitag family. The family gets pulled apart and then mended together with plenty of comedy, romance and revelations along the way. Events take several unexpected turns as the characters face where they come from and are forced to deal with who they really are.

Audition Dates:
Sunday, August 10 @ 2pm
Monday & Tuesday August 11 & 12 @ 7pm

If you can’t make one of the audition days please email cshafor@middletownlyric.org for an appointment

(Performance Dates: DECEMBER 5, 6, 12 & 13)

Middletown Lyric Theater
1530 Central Avenue
Middletown, Ohio 45044
513-425-7140

Audition Requirements: Cold reading from the script

Character Descriptions:

Ages are used for guidelines this should not keep you from auditioning. 

  • Adolf Freitag, a business man, Adolf is loving, kind, quiet soul. (Late 30’s to late 40’s early 50’s)
  • Boo Levy, Adolf’s sister, a few years older.  Boo is unstoppable force.  She voices her opinions with little regard as to their effect on others. Her main objective is to have her daughter Lala attend ballyhoo and meet a future husband. (Late 30’s to late 40’s early 50’s)
  • Lala Levy, Boo’s daughter, Lala is a dreamer, somewhat immature for her age and just as opinionated as her mother.  She is obsessed with the premiere of Gone With the Wind, as she sees herself as a future novelist.  (18 – to mid-20’s)
  • Reba Freitag, Adolf’s sister. Although Reba often appears oblivious to the family’s on-goings, Reba is the voice of reason and truth.  Her insights as to what is really going on is honest and objective.  She is colorful and warm. (Late 30’s to late 40’s early 50’s)
  • Sunny Freitag, Reba’s daughter.  Sunny is well educated, but struggles with understanding  and accepting her Jewish heritage.  She is pretty and sharp and is many of the things Lala is not. (18 – to mid-20’s)
  • Joe Farkas, Adolf’s business assistant. Joe is the unexpected visitor and the outside voice that causes the Frietag household to re-examine its Jewish identity.  Joe is the intellectual match for Sunny. (18 – to mid-20’s)
  • Peachy Weil, a visitor from Lake Charles. With a name like Peachy, the fun begins.  This well to do young man from a socially acceptable family, is a possible date for Lala and Ballyhoo. Peachy is full of surprises with his outspoken, silly prankster personality. (18 – to mid-20’s)

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MLT’s THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE Seeks to Fill Three Roles

MLT_logoWe are currently taking appointments to audition for the following roles for THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE by Martin McDonaugh.

Please e-mail charley at: cshafor@middletownlyric.org

Visit middletownlyric.org for complete show information and dates

MAUREEN: A woman on the verge of mental instability while caring for her manipulative mother MAG. Stern and filled with cynicism. She longs for love and escaping Galway but when given the opportunity can’t seem to  shake her age. Characters age can range from late twenties to late thirties.

PATO: Long-time friend and love interest of Maureen. A regular blue-collar kind of guy with dreams of a better life that includes Maureen. Characters age range from the mid thirties to early forties

RAY: Some what simple with a touch of the strange in him. A nervous energy and a little bit of anger keeps him on the edge. He is the younger brother of Pato and has a long dislike for Maureen. Characters age range from early to mid twenties. A mature late teen (18-19) could possibly play the role

A challenging play for any actor. An Irish dialect will be necessary.

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MLT Announces Cast of SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM

MLT_logoMiddletown Lyric Theatre is excited to announce the cast and creative team for our September 2014, production of SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM.

  • Robin Baker
  • Julia Abanto-Bethune
  • Akeem Campbell
  • Tonda Hoefler
  • Melodie LaNicca
  • Alicia Moore
  • Kevin Stout
  • Jordon Trovillion
  • Beth Vestring Fischer Reinhart

Directed by Charley Shafor
Music directed by Julia Abanto-Bethune

For more information visit www.middletownlyric.org

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MLT Announces Auditions for SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM

MLT_logoAll auditions to be held at

Middletown Lyric Theater
1530 Central Avenue
Middletown, Ohio 45044
513-425-7140

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
Music by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein and Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers and Mary Rodgers
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Continuity by Ned Sherrin

Directed by Charley Shafor
Vocal Direction Julia Abanto Bethune
Pianist Jay Mills

About the Show:
This dazzling array of some of Sondheim’s best-known songs features numbers from landmark shows that revolutionized the musical theatre with their masterful craft and astounding creativity: COMPANY, FOLLIES, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and PACIFIC OVERTURES, not to mention the classics written with musical theatre giants Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers, WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, and DO I HEAR A WALTZ?

Performance Dates: September 19, 20, 26 & 27 2014

Audition Dates: Sunday, June 8, 4pm -5:30pm, Monday & Tuesday, June 9 & 10 7pm – 8:30pm
Those auditioning may arrive at any time during the designated audition hours.

Audition Requirements: Please prepare a Broadway style up-tempo as well as a ballad

Casting Needs:

  • Typically performed with 4 people we may expand to feature an ensemble.
  • Age ranges can vary from 18 and above

Vocal Ranges are:

  • MALE VOCAL RANGES: G2 – B4 & C3 – D4
  • FEMALE VOCAL RANGES: D3 – F5 & E3 – C6

Gas Stipends are possible for those travelling more than 40 miles roundtrip from the theatre.

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