Auditions for 2008-2009 Academy Players Season

Dust off the tap shoes!!

42nd Street

Director: Nan Kordos
Choreographer: Loretta Wittman
Musical Director: Troy Mearkle

Description: Tony Award-Winning 42nd Street has been described as "tap-dance heaven" and "pure razzmatazz." It is chock-full of wonderful production numbers that include the Shadow Waltz, Go Into Your Dance, You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me, Dames, We're In The Money, Shuffle Off To Buffalo, About A Quarter To Nine, Lullaby Of Broadway, and 42nd Street.

Plot Synopsis: It is 1933 at the 42nd Street Theatre on Broadway. Auditions are underway for Pretty Lady. It is still the depression. Everyone is pinning his or her hopes on this show. Famed director, Julian Marsh, needs a hit for his depleted bank account. Leading lady Dorothy Brock, a Prima Donna past her prime, needs a hit to restore her flagging career. Her sugar daddy, Abner Brock of Kiddie Kars millions, is providing the $$ for Pretty Lady to star the temperamental Dorothy. Pat Denning, Dorothy's former stage partner, is still Dorothy's true love. Pat is sneaking backstage to be with Dorothy. Maggie Jones and Bert Berry, showbiz veterans, are the writers and are also character actors in the show. And all of the actors, singers, dancers, and crew need a hit to keep them off the bread line. Sweet and starry-eyed, Peggy Sawyer, arrives from Allentown to become a Broadway actress. She misses the audition; but the nice-guy juvenile lead, Billy Lawler, gets her noticed and ultimately hired by Julian as a chorine in the show. Many production numbers as Pretty Lady rehearses for its out-of-town opening. OOOPS! Leading lady, Dorothy, breaks an ankle. She blames Peggy for the accident. Peggy is fired and heads back to Allentown. Panic! The show must close before it even opens. ButÉ Anytime Annie, a chorine in the show, realizes that Peggy would/could/should be the lead. She convinces Julian and everyone else. They get Peggy back and she has "exactly 36 hours to learn twenty-five pages, six songs, and ten dance numbers." Can she do it? Of course she can. Peggy "goes out there a youngster, but comes back a star." Pretty Lady is a hit and everyone, including Dorothy, is as happy as those dancin' feet on 42nd Street.

Performance Dates:
May 1 - 3 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
May 7-9 Thursday, Friday, Saturday
*Possible May 10 Sunday matinee

Character Descriptions:

• Dorothy Brock (alto) - A glamorous Broadway star, a Prima Donna past her prime
• Peggy Sawyer (soprano) - Sweet, starry-eyed, talented, hopeful; excellent tap dancer
• Julian Marsh (baritone) - Famous Broadway Director
• Pat Denning (baritone) - DorothyÕs former stage partner and true love
• Maggie Jones (alto) - Co-author of Pretty Lady, character actress in Pretty Lady
• Bert Barry (tenor) - Co-author of Pretty Lady, character actor in Pretty Lady
• Billy Lawlor (tenor) - Handsome juvenile lead of Pretty Lady, a dancer
• Abner Dillon (spoken) - DorothyÕs sugar daddy, millionaire Angel of Pretty Lady
• Andy Lee (spoken) - Dance Director of Pretty Lady
• Mac (spoken) - Stage Manager of Pretty Lady
• Oscar - Rehearsal pianist for Pretty Lady, Role will be played by Troy Mearkle

  Female Chorus
  Ann Reilly (Anytime Annie)
  Phyllis Dale
  Lorraine Flemming
  Gladys
  Diane Lorimer
  Ethyl

  Plus more female singers/dancers

  Male Chorus who will also double as characters
  Stagehands
  Thugs
  Waiters
  Doctor
  Policemen
  Conductor

  Plus more male singers/dancers

Auditions
Held in Joy and Lynch Christian Warehouse Theatre
Sunday, January 18 at 2:00
Monday, January 19 at 7:00
Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 for Callbacks

Auditions will be a 3 part process. Each person will be asked to sing 16-32 bars from 42nd Street or of your own choosing. Accompanist will be provided. There will be a dance audition where 2 combinations will be taught (one tap, and one non tap). Please also be prepared to read from a scene. Scripts are available ahead of time in the box office to be read only on site. Box office hours M-F 9-12 and 1-5.

If you would like to receive emails regarding auditions, please contact Nora Moore.

Return to the 2008-2009 Performance Season