The Darien Arts Center’s Cabaret announces open call auditions for actors for its upcoming fall musical production of “Man of La Mancha.” The production is directed by Carole Claps. Music director is Chloe Sasson. Auditions will be held on Monday and Tuesday, July 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Darien Arts Center’s Weatherstone Studio, 2 Renshaw Road (behind Town Hall) off the Boston Post Road.
All performances are with a live professional band. Rehearsals begin July 27.
Please prepare a one-minute monologue or a Shakespearean sonnet (does not have to be memorized) and one song that showcases your vocal range, any style. Please bring sheet music in your key; accompanist provided. Wear attire appropriate for a dance/movement audition. All persons who audition must bring a resume, headshot and a biography with them.
Man of La Mancha opens September 25 for three weekends (Sept: 25, 26, 27, (Brush up: Oct. 1), October 2, 3 ,4, 8, 9, 10.)
There will be some weekend rehearsals scheduled. Not all actors will be called for all rehearsals. For more information, call 203 655 6742 or visit arts.darien.org. “Man of La Mancha” is being presented with special arrangements by Tams Witmark Music Library, Inc.
This powerful and timeless show, with book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion, won five Tony Awards (including Best Musical and Best Score!), the N.Y. Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Production when it debuted on Broadway in 1965. The show is still as engaging as ever, and with a beautiful score to match. It has been revived four times on Broadway, bringing tens of thousands of new fans to this musical adventure.
“Man of La Mancha” is a one-act musical (no intermission!) that tells the story of the classic novel Don Quixote as a play within a play, performed by author Miguel de Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition. Cervantes' tale is of knight-errant Don Quixote, his servant Sancho, and the woman of his dreams, the lovely Aldonza/Dulcinea. It tells the romantic and noble journey of a knight who sets out to right all wrongs and win the heart of a good woman as he duels windmills along the way-the classic comic tragedy of man's struggle against all odds to dream impossible dreams. The award-winning musical score is headed by the beautiful and timeless ballad, "The Impossible Dream."
Actor/singers of all ages, genders, ethnicities and vocal ranges for the following roles:
CERVANTES/DON QUIXOTE – Male, 35 – 60s+ Baritone, Lead
Charismatic, energetic, sympathetic, full of unshakeable faith in the inherent goodness of humankind. Must be a strong actor able to transform from the author Cervantes into the character Don Quixote.
ALDONZA/DULCINEA – Female, 25 – 50s+, Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano with true chest belt, Lead
The woman whose life is transformed by Don Quixote’s belief in her. Wild and lusty; a cross between Bizet's Carmen and Mary Magdalene. Must be prepared for vocal and physical demands of the role. Will be "man handled" a lot and must have dance ability: kicks, lifts, throws, etc. An actress /singer (Soprano Low A-flat to high A-flat); Very challenging acting and singing role.
SANCHO PANZA – Male, 20s – 50s, Tenor, Lead
Cervantes' manservant, Cervantes' "stage manager", Quixote's pragmatic loyal servant and sidekick; an illiterate and shrewd peasant primarily interested in eating and drinking. A comic role (Tenor C to high G)
THE PADRE – Male, any age, Tenor, Supporting
A man whose own convictions are challenged by meeting Don Quixote. Must seem wise and kind with a twinkle in his eye. Has two important songs. Sets wheels in motion to turn Alonso from his madness and persuade him to return home; actor/singer (Tenor F to high G).
THE DUKE/DR. CARRASCO/KNIGHT OF MIRRORS - The prosecutor of Cervantes' case; Antonia's fiancé; a man of breeding, intelligence and logic; An actor's role (Baritone Low C to D-flat); age range 30 to 40.
PRISONER/INNKEEPER - A strong but kind and sympathetic man; goes on to dub Quixote, "Knight of Woeful Countenance" (Bass Low G to C sharp); age 30 to 50.
PRISONER/BARBER/MULETEER - Traveling barber/doctor whose shaving basin/hat Quixote believes to be the Golden Helmet of Mambrino. A comic role (Tenor D to high G); age 25 to 45.
PRISONER/PEDRO/MULETEER - Head muleteer; mere brawn and muscle (Baritone Low D to D); age 25 to 40.
PRISONER/ANSELMO/MULETEER - One of the muleteers, sings the beautiful song "Little Bird" (Tenor (A to High G; if Anselmo can play guitar, which would be ideal); age 18 to 30.
PRISONER/CAPTAIN OF THE INQUISITION - An imposing cruel man, an actor's role (any vocal range); age 40 to 50.
PRISONER/ANTONIA - Alonzo Quijana's self-centered niece, worried about the effect of her uncle's madness on her forthcoming marriage to Dr. Carrasco (Mezzo C to high F); age 18 to 35.
PRISONER/HOUSEKEEPER - Quijana's strong housekeeper, full of hope for her master (Mezzo Low F to high F); age 40 to 60s+.
PRISONER/ MARIA - The innkeeper's shrewish wife (any vocal range); age 35 to 50+.
MULETEERS - should have good athletic capabilities; jumps, leaps, tumbles and lifts. Those in the roles of the two horses must have some dance ability: tap and/or flamenco experience a plus. Male 18 to 60+.
ENSEMBLE: will include those cast in above roles and others as prisoners/muleteers/guards/men of the Inquisition/moors/belly dancers/guitar player/and the horses.
Tams-Witmark says "His dream is Everyman's dream. His tilting at windmills is Everyman's great adventure. Somehow the footlights disappear, time is telescoped, and the 'Man of La Mancha' speaks for humankind."
About the Darien Arts Center
Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center is dedicated to supporting and fostering a greater appreciation of, and participation in, the visual and performing arts for all members of the community and has been an important part of the cultural life of Darien for more than 30 years. A volunteer board of directors and important committees and boards represent the various areas of interest and oversee the diverse activities of the Darien Arts Center and its programs including the Darien Players, the Cabaret, the Connecticut Choraliers, Dance, Music, Kids' Theatre and Visual Arts.
