Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for THE PRODUCERS, a musical comedy by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, on Saturday, September 14 10:00am to 3:00pm and Sunday, September 15 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Call backs Monday, September 16 7:00pm to 10:00pm by invitation only. This non-equity production is directed by Susan Weithbarth, Musical Direction by Mike Walker and Choreography by Luke Smith, presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). The production is sponsored by SCAN Health Plan.
Performance dates are Friday, November 15 through Saturday, December 14, 2024, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. Saturday matinees at 2:00pm will be added on November 19 and continue through the rest of the run. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
About THE PRODUCERS
Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks' classic musical comedy. Winner of 12 Tony Awards, The Producers is a beloved classic.
The plot is simple: a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers (all "little old ladies") out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit!
With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (Annie) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks, The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an "equal opportunity offender!"
About Auditions
The director is seeking a diverse and inclusive cast. No appointments are necessary to audition; please arrive to allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted and you will be asked to note any conflicts. For more information, please send an email to producers@kentwoodplayers.org.
The following directions apply to auditions for all parts:
1. Prepare approximately 60 seconds of an up-tempo song from either a Broadway or Movie Musical in the style of the show.
2. Ballads may be prepared as a second piece - IF the director wants to hear a second piece - but the first piece MUST be up-tempo.
3. Bring sheet music for your audition song in the key in which you will be singing. An accompanist will be provided. There will be no auditions done to tracks or sung a cappella.
In addition, Leads and Supporting Roles actors will be asked to read sides from the show. All actors auditioning should be prepared to learn a short dance combination.
Please be sure to bring your calendars and to note any conflicts. A tentative rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions. If you need a copy of the script please contact producers@kentwoodplayers.org.
Cast Breakdown:
Max Bialystock Lead - Male Presenting - Baritone/Tenor Ages 40-60
Good singer with excellent physical and verbal comedy skills. Light on his feet, nimble. A once successful theatrical producer who now fleeces little old ladies out of money to invest in his failed Broadway shows, he will stop at absolutely nothing to succeed. But despite his egotistical persona, he is actually quite loveable.
Leo Bloom Lead - Male Presenting - Tenor - Ages 25-45
Good singer with excellent physical and verbal comedy skills. Able to dance (tap helpful). Leo is a neurotic, mild-mannered accountant who is very loveable. He wonders aloud if there isn't a way to make millions by swindling investors by producing a flop and Max quickly jumps on the idea. Leo agrees to the scheme because he wants to follow his dream of becoming a producer and retire to Rio with Ulla.
Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yonsen Tallen-hallen Svaden-svanson Lead - Female Presenting - Mezzo-Soprano - Ages 18-35
Excellent comedienne with great song and dance skills, Ulla is a voluptuous blonde beauty from Sweden. New to New York, Ulla wants to audition for Max and Leo but stuns them with her innocent and devastatingly sexy moves all the while being completely loveable. She soon is hired as the secretary to Bialystock and Bloom. Swedish accent required.
Franz Liebkind Supporting - Male Presenting - Baritone - Ages 30-45
Excellent comedy skills with an ability to sing well. Franz is just a tad schizophrenic and believes that the Furor will somehow be returned to glory. He is larger than life, ferocious and frenetic about his beloved homeland but has a softer theatrical side to his personality. He is the author of "Springtime for Hitler". He wears lederhosen and a German army helmet. Some physical comedy required. German accent required.
Roger Debris Supporting - Male Presenting - Baritone - Ages 40-50
Excellent comedy skills and good singing/dancing ability. Tap skills are advantageous. Roger Debris is a flamboyant, cross-dressing, renowned Broadway director (in his own eyes) in a relationship with his assistant Carmen Ghia. He has a full-blown Judy Garland persona inside just waiting to burst out. When opportunity gives him the leading role in "Springtime for Hitler" he becomes as "gay as a daisy" all singing-all dancing showbiz Hitler.
Carmen Ghia Supporting - Male Presenting - Tenor - Ages 25-45
Excellent comedy skills and good singing ability. Carmen is Roger's common law assistant. Carmen is effete, overtly camp, slightly odd, mannered, and melodramatic. He is ferociously in love with Roger. This is a scene stealing role for the right actor.
Various Minor Roles:
Mr. Marks - Short tempered, cigar chomping, little tyrant of an office manager.
Roger's Keep It Gay Creative Team - Scott (choreographer), Bryan (set designer), Kevin (costume designer) and Shirley Markowitz (a lesbian lighting designer).
Featured Sex Crazy Little Old Ladies - Including Hold Me Touch Me and Lick Me Bite Me.
Ensemble
Members of the Ensemble will play numerous roles including featured Little Old Ladies, theatre goers, street people, Roger Debris' production team, Singing and Dancing Hitlers, Nazi stormtroopers and prisoners in Sing Sing. Everyone in the ensemble will have an opportunity to be featured in some aspect of the production. Members of the Ensemble should be able to sing and move well. Tap skills a plus. All genders, ethnicities, and ages welcome.
Notice
Those auditioning can take the Metro K Line to Kentwood to the Westchester/Veterans stop, just a short one block walk from the Westchester Playhouse. Those who drive, please note the small lot next to the Westchester Playhouse, street parking on 83rd Street and in the adjoining neighborhood. Do not park on our block of Hindry or in the RYDER parking spaces (on 83rd across Hindry from the theater) as cars parked there will be towed away. Please read all traffic and parking signs carefully.
Kentwood Players holds auditions for it's main stage shows 6 times a year