Tag Archives: The Carnegie

Auditions Announced for THE MUSIC MAN at The Carnegie

THE MUSIC MAN
July 1-18, 2027
Rehearse: June 7-30

Rachel Stevens, Director
TBA, Choreographer
Ian Axness, Music Director

Note: These auditions are for roles in THE MUSIC MAN. Auditions for MEAN GIRLS will take place in early 2027.

AEA Contracts: Single Engagement Agreement Tier B ($604/week minimum). AEA eligible roles are indicated in the production breakdowns.
Non-AEA Contracts: Non-AEA actors will receive $350/week minimum.

Actors must be 18+ by June 1, 2027 to be considered.
Housing, travel, and transportation are provided for select roles for non-local actors.

The Carnegie is committed to inclusive casting. All races, ethnicities, gender identities, body types, and mobilities are encouraged to apply. The character breakdown refers to the genders of the characters only. Actors should submit for any roles they feel comfortable playing. Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination.

IN-PERSON AUDITIONS
Saturday, December 5, 2026
10am-6pm, by appointment
Lunch break from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Walk-ins will be seen as time permits.

The Carnegie
Eva G. Farris Education Center
1028 Scott Blvd.
Covington, KY 41011 

Prepare one 16-32 bar cut.
Please bring a hard copy of your headshot and résumé stapled together.

An accompanist will be provided.

Expected to attend are Tyler Gabbard (Producing Director of Theatre), director, choreographer, and music director. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.

 VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
Submissions are due by 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, November 15, 2026.

Prepare one 16-32 bar cut.

  • Audition videos will only be accepted as links. Files requiring download will not be accepted.
  • Please ensure that privacy settings are such that we are enabled to view by the link only, with no need for password or additional access request. Please film your material in a horizontal/landscape frame on a solid background or plain wall.  A ¾ shot is preferred.

Please submit your headshot and résumé.

  • Your headshot must be an image file and your resume must be in PDF format. Both should be labeled with you name (i.e. Gabbard_Tyler.pdf)

CALLBACKS
Callbacks will be a mix of live and digital based on availability of the auditionee and production staff. In-person callbacks will take place on Sunday, December 6, 2026.

AVAILABLE ROLES

*AEA Eligible Roles are indicated by an asterisk.

PRINCIPALS

  • Harold Hill* (He/Him; Ab2–F4) A charismatic traveling salesman with a carefully constructed persona. His confidence and quick wit help him win over a town full of skeptics.
  • Marian Paroo* (She/Her; G3–A5) River City’s librarian and a dedicated music teacher. Independent-minded and observant, Marian values honesty and intellectual curiosity.
  • Marcellus Washburn* (He/Him; G2–A4) Harold’s longtime friend and former partner in confidence schemes, now settled in River City..
  • Mayor Shinn* (He/Him) A forceful public figure who takes his civic responsibilities seriously. Protective of his authority and reputation, he approaches newcomers with skepticism.
  • Eulaiie Mackecknie Shinn* (She/Her; D4–D5) The mayor’s wife and a prominent presence in River City society. Socially ambitious and outspoken, Eulalie enjoys being at the center of community life and rarely keeps an opinion to herself.
  • Mrs. Paroo* (She/Her; Ab3–Eb5) Marian and Winthrop’s Irish-born mother, a warmhearted widow with a lively spirit and a talent for matchmaking. She wants the best for her children and is never short on advice.

ENSEMBLE

Eight versatile actors of varying ages will portray all of the following townspeople and supporting characters, with each actor playing multiple roles. Specific role assignments and doubling will be determined during the casting process.

  • Zaneeta Shinn (She/Her) The mayor’s daughter, who brings energy and enthusiasm.
  • Tommy Djilas (He/Him) A resourceful young River City resident who is pursuing a relationship with Zaneeta Shinn.
  • Ewart Dunlop (He/Him; F3–F5) A River City resident who joins Harold Hill’s barbershop quartet.
  • Jacey Squires (He/Him; C3–C5) A River City resident who joins Harold Hill’s barbershop quartet.
  • Oliver Hix (He/Him; B2–F4) A River City resident who joins Harold Hill’s barbershop quartet.
  • Olin Britt (He/Him; F2–C4) A River City resident who joins Harold Hill’s barbershop quartet.
  • Maud Dunlop (She/Her) A member of River City’s socially connected “Pick-a-Little Ladies.”
  • Mrs. Squires (She/Her) A member of the “Pick-a-Little Ladies.”
  • Alma Hix (She/Her) A member of the “Pick-a-Little Ladies.”
  • Ethel Toffelmier (She/Her) A member of the “Pick-a-Little Ladies.”
  • Amaryllis (She/Her; C4–E5) A young piano student of Marian Paroo.
  • Winthrop Paroo (He/Him; C4–Eb5) Marian’s younger brother, whose world begins to open up through music and new friendships.
  • Charlie Cowell (He/Him) A traveling salesman who recognizes inconsistencies in Harold Hill’s story and is determined to expose them.
  • Constable Locke (He/Him) A River City lawman responsible for maintaining order in the community.

Leave a comment

Filed under Auditions

CARRIE the Musical at The Carnegie Runs Oct. 23-Nov. 1

CARRIE the Musical
The Carnegie & UC College-Conservatory of Music
Oct. 23-Nov. 1
[Covington]

From the twisted imagination of Stephen King comes a tale of terror, power, and teenage rage like no other. CARRIE: THE MUSICAL thrusts you into the world of Carrie White — the shy outsider bullied at school and tormented at home by her fanatically religious mother. But when she discovers a strange new power, the tables turn… and the results are explosive. Fueled by a driving rock score and raw, emotional intensity, this cult classic crackles with fear, fury, and fire — until everything ignites. Bold, bloody, and utterly unforgettable, it’s a night at the theatre you won’t escape unscathed.

  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 23-24 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 25 at 3pm
  • Thu-Fri, Oct. 29-30 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Oct. 31 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 1 at 3pm

Official page | 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under On Stage

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES presented by The Carnegie through August 23rd. I attended the Opening Saturday matinee performance.

Kevin Kelly and Josh Walden. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The Carnegie is taking audiences to beautiful Saint-Tropez this August through its production of La Cage aux Folles with Book by Harvey Fierstein and Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman. La Cage is described as a “dazzling celebration of family, love, and unapologetic fabulousness”.

Director Rachel Stevens along with Music Director Jacob Priddy and Choreographer Josh Walden have assembled a strong and talented group of performers to spin the once ahead-of-its-time tale. Ms. Stevens use of space along with Mx. Walden’s smart assembly of dancers and movers is smart and never static. Scenic Design by Tyler Gabbard is of course impressive as his creative use of the canvas The Carnegie offers is second to none. Costume Design by John Faas is appropriately sparkly and loud while still keeping in mind those characters who should be loud in a different way. Drag Wig and Makeup Design by local drag artist Kora Sline unsurprisingly possesses wonderful attention to detail and realism (yes, there is realism in good drag, my friends).

It may seem like cheating to sing the praises of the two lead artists, but said praises are well-deserved. And make no mistake: the ensemble which surrounds them doesn’t have a shrinking violet anywhere amongst it! Kevin Kelly tackles the role of Georges, the owner and emcee of the titular club. Mr. Kelly talents include a lovely singing voice, a fundamentally likable demeanour, and an innate professionalism every moment he is present. Scenes with him feel very much like we are a proverbial fly on the way of a real person’s actual experiences.

Matching wits with Mr. Kelly at every swish is Josh Walden as Albin. The role of Albin can be a caricature in the wrong hands, but luckily Mx. Walden’s hands are the right one for the task. They are charismatic, sympathetic, outlandish, and – ultimately – human. Mx. Walden is a true artiste who can hold their own both solo and with scene partners. With exception of a very appropriate cry, I found myself smiling each time Albin took the stage.

While I acknowledge and respect how ground-breaking this musical once was, truth be told it has become rather dated. There are certainly moving moments and notable numbers, but it’s not a terribly dynamic show. However, I do believe it is worth the time to see it live, on stage, at least once in your life and The Carnegie’s presentation is top-notch. A reminder that queer people have always existed and will continue to exist never hurt anybody – especially when, queer or not, we have all felt the need to hide certain parts of ourselves at one time or another. I’ll take a musical which celebrates raw, honest-to-goodness existence without apology any day of the week.

Click here for more information about the production.

Leave a comment

Filed under Reviews

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at The Carnegie Runs Aug. 14-23

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
The Carnegie
Aug. 14-23
[Covington]

Directed by Rachel Stevens
Music directed by Jacob Priddy
Choreographed by Josh Walden

Beautiful. Bawdy. Bizarre. Welcome to LA CAGE AUX FOLLES—where the sequins shimmer, the feathers fly, and the laughter never stops. Step inside the hottest drag club in town for a night of showstopping numbers, outrageous comedy, and heart as big as the spotlight. With a glittering score by Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!) and a riotously funny book by Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots), this Tony Award-winning musical, which inspired the 1996 film The Birdcage, is a dazzling celebration of family, love, and unapologetic fabulousness. LA CAGE AUX FOLLES contains mature themes and language, including discussions of suicide, drugs and alcohol, violence, and sexual content. includes startling sounds, sexual innuendo and coarse language, as well as strobe, haze and fog effects.

  • Fri, Aug. 14 at 7:30pm
  • Sat. Aug. 15 at 2pm (ASL interpreted) & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 16 at 3pm
  • Thu-Fri, Aug. 20-21 at 7:30pm
  • Sat. Aug. 22 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 23 at 3pm

Official page | Facebook event |

Leave a comment

Filed under On Stage

DEAR EVAN HANSEN at The Carnegie Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

DEAR EVAN HANSEN presented by The Carnegie through June 28th. I attended the Opening Saturday matinee performance.

As its 2026 season opener, The Carnegie presents Dear Evan Hansen with Book by Steven Levenson and Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The Tony Award-winning musical is an important social commentary on how each of us can feel isolated, alone, and invisible in the seemingly non-stop bustling world we must navigate each day.

Director Joe Bertucci leads this production with an appropriately sensitive POV. Pacing is flawless and use of the playing space is thoughtful and purposeful. Scenic and Media Design by Tyler Gabbard (with assistance on the Media portion from Angel Hardy) are both nothing short of perfection. Mr. Gabbard has a keen understanding of how to best use The Carnegie’s stage and I fail to be impressed each time his hand is involved. He along with Mr. Hardy found the perfect symmetry of “screen time” and it pays off.

Music Direction by Jacob Priddy is impressively strong. Mr. Priddy has been able to create a beautiful symphony of voices and instruments alike with the ideal balance between them. Much deserved shout-out to the band of talented musicians who helped to bring Evan Hansen’s world to life; they execute this excellent score beautifully.

Further credit to Mr. Bertucci for putting together a wonderfully mighty and cohesive ensemble of performing artists. Their chemistry is palpable and each actor truly gives it their “all”. I am hard-pressed to mention certain individuals above another but this is a review, after all. Denise Devlin (who plays Cynthia Murphy) graces The Carnegie stage once more after a long absence and we should all thank the Deities for it. Ms. Devlin is a consummate professional with a true understanding of her character’s role in this story. Sean Young excels in his portrayal of Connor Murphy, a role I daresay has some of the most fun. Mr. Young vacillates between brooding teen and caricature musical theatre narration with seemingly no effort. Not to be outdone by her stage sibling, Hannah Grace Ervin is a shining light as Zoe. Her voice is clear and lovely and her handle on the character’s arc is spot-on.

Finally, Tommy Sanders is exquisite as Evan Hansen. Playing the titular character is certainly a massive undertaking, but Mr. Sanders is the right man for the job. It is clear he gives in to the emotional journey and we see a very real, very raw human before our very eyes. Even while wrought with sentiment, he delivers impeccable vocals and character representation. Mr. Sanders’ use of his instrument is a master class in musicality and there is no doubt he will continue to impress audiences. Bravo!

While most of you know musicals are not my preference, a good musical is a special thing. Dear Evan Hansen has memorable songs, relatable stories, and wonderful visuals. On top of being a transparent look at how our hunger for acknowledgement can sometimes lead to poor choices, it is entertaining and free from judgement. No one is lauded for doing the wrong thing and it allows some grace to those who err which is something the world doesn’t offer us as easily. Even through painful topics, Dear Evan Hansen is fantastic art and well worth the trip to NKY to enjoy it.

Click here for more information about the production.

Leave a comment

Filed under Reviews