"The Music Man" - by Meredith Willson - Theatre at the Mount (Gardner, MA.) - AUDITIONS
Theatre at the Mount
Will Hold Auditions for the
Iconic Broadway Musical
Meredith Willson's
"THE MUSIC MAN"
Written by Meredith Willson
Directed by Terrie Hyde
Music Director Senja Morgan
Choreographer Alison Hall
CAST REQUIREMENTS – 15 principal adult roles and ensemble; 2 teen roles and teen ensemble; 3 child roles and a handful of other children
Mount Wachusett Community College, Room A110
Audition Dates:
Kids: Monday, December 4, 2023 at 5:30pm
Teens and Adults: Monday, December 4, 2023 and Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 7:00pm sharp.
All auditions are by appointment only.
Callbacks to be scheduled as needed.
Performance Dates:
February 23 & 24, 2024 at 7:00pm
March 1 & 2, 2024 at 7:30pm
March 3, 2024 at 2:00pm
TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL THE THEATRE AT THE MOUNT BOX OFFICE AT # 978-630-9388, MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 9:00am to 2:00pm, OR E-MAIL YOUR APPOINTMENT REQUEST TO: box-office@mwcc.mass.edu
Please prepare a short vocal selection that best shows your abilities and range (bring sheet music if selection is not from the show). Also expect cold-readings from the script for key roles.
Tentative Rehearsal Schedule: Sundays from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Theatre at the Mount auditions and roles are open to ALL. Persons of all races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, ages and ability statuses are given fair consideration for any and all roles.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Marian Paroo Age 25-35 Soprano: Low G to High A Child of Mrs. Paroo, sibling to Winthrop. They are the stuffy, conceited librarian and piano teacher in town. They are very learned and defends the “questionable” books that are in the library. They were close to their deceased father’s friend, Mr. Madison, and the town believes that Marian had an affair with Mr. Madison. After all, Mr. Madison left the library to the town and the books to Marian! But there was no affair, Mr. Madison was like an uncle to Marian. At first, after meeting Harold Hill, Marian dislikes them but then gets to know Harold better and we see a transformation in Marian while Marian falls in love. Marian realizes that like them self, in spite of their reputations, Harold is earnest in wanting to make a difference. They end up together.
Prof. Harold Hill Age: 35 -50 Baritone: A flat to High F. A dynamic con person and traveling salesperson, Prof. Hill comes to River City, Iowa, and creates a hysteria about the “trouble” of the new pool table in town in order to sell band instruments and uniforms. They promise to form a wholesome boy's band, though they can't read a note of music.
Marcellus Washburn Age: 30-40 Tenor: G to High A Marcellus works in town and is dating Ethel Toffelmeir. Marcellus knows Harold from a long time ago. When they are reunited in River City, they become fast friends again. Marcellus is a comical character. Marcellus helps Harold in learning about the town, in setting up the con and in trying to help Harold get out of town before they figure it all out.
Mrs. Paroo Age: 50-60 Mezzo Soprano: A flat to E flat Widowed, Irish parent to Marian and Winthrop. Sweet homemaker who wants the best for everyone. Gives Marian a lot of advice about finding a partner. Dotes on Winthrop. Falls for Harold’s con. Always keeps their hands busy.
Winthrop Paroo Age: 5-8 Alto: C - E flat Marian’s lisping little sibling. Cute as a button. Does not talk because Winthrop misses their deceased father. Learns to trust again and is a chatterbox by the end of the show.
Mayor Shinn Age: 40-50 The Mayor of River City. Somewhat blustery, pompous, not terribly intelligent. Gets a lot of things wrong! Listens to their spouse. Protective of their child, Zaneeta, who they think is dating the wrong person in town. Stereotype small-town politician.
Eulalie Shinn Age: 35-50 Alto: D – D Mayor Shinn’s spouse. Definitely a society person. Knows everyone in town. Struts like a peacock. Somewhat snooty. Member of every auxiliary organization in town. Has some strange ideas and doesn’t think they look as ridiculous as they really are? Keeps spouse in line.
Zaneeta Shinn Age: 14-18 Mayor’s & Eulalie’s daffy teenage child. Has a crush on the “bad” person in town, Tommy. Not rebellious but learning to stand up for them self. Very cute and feminine
Gracie Shinn Age: 6-10 Mayor’s and Eulalie’s younger child. Somewhat of a tomboy and a bit devilish.
Olin Britt Age: 30-60 Bass A member of the School Board who does not get along with the other members. However, once Harold gets Olin to sing with the others, they are inseparable and not only learn to sing in harmony but behave in harmony.
Ethel Toffelmier Age: 30-40 Plays the player piano. Is jolly and friendly. Ethel is dating Marcellus. Ethel does gossip, however, with the other people in town.
Oliver Hix Age: 30-60 Baritone A member of the School Board who does not get along with the other members. However, once Harold gets Oliver to sing with the others, they are inseparable and not only learn to sing in harmony but behave in harmony. Married to Alma.
Alma Hix Age: 30-55 Spouse to Oliver. Gossipy person who is a buddy of Eulalie and other “hen/bird” people.
Ewart Dunlop Age: 30-60 Baritone A member of the School Board who does not get along with the other members. However, once Harold gets Ewart to sing with the others, they are inseparable and not only learn to sing in harmony but behave in harmony. Spouse to Maude Dunlop.
Maud Dunlop Age: 30-55 Spouse to Ewart. Gossipy person who is a buddy of Eulalie and other “hen/bird” people.
Jacey Squires Age: 30-60 Tenor A member of the School Board who does not get along with the other members. However, once Harold gets Jacey to sing with the others, they are inseparable and not only learn to sing in harmony but behave in harmony. Spouse to Mrs. Squires.
Mrs. Squires Age: 30-55 Spouse to Jacey. Gossipy person who is a buddy of Eulalie and other “hen/bird” people.
Tommy Djilas Age: 16-18 A teenager who has a crush on Zaneeta. Wants to do the right thing but is shunned by all because Tommy comes from the “other” side of town so they are considered the “bad ”person in town. Harold befriends Tommy, makes them useful and gives Tommy self-confidence and trust.
Charlie Cowell Age: 30-50 A rival traveling anvil salesman. First seen on train at the start of the show. Charlie returns to town to warn them about Harold and hopefully, makes themselves a hero and thus earn sales themselves.
Constable Locke Age: 30-60 Town policeman. Always ready to do as instructed. Cuffs Harold.
Amaryllis Age: 8-10 Alto: C to E Young piano student of Marian’s. Likes Winthrop.
Conductor Age: 30-60 Conductor on train. Very businesslike. Intent on collecting tickets and doing job. Does not sing.
Traveling Sales people Ages: Various Sales people on train that warn each other about what they’ve heard about Harold Hill. None of them have ever met Harold but all know about their reputation. They do not realize that Harold is there among them and can hear everything they are saying. They have a syncopated song in the beginning of the show – no singing but patterned to sound like a moving train. Very clever. Script written for 5 in addition to Charlie Cowell.
River City Townspeople Ages: Various These are small town folks who are proud of their town. They consist of various adults, teenagers and children. All ages should be used. (NOTE: The Traveling Salesmen can become Townspeople once Act I Scene 1 is finished.)
For more information contact Professor Gail Steele at # 978-630-9162 or at g_steele@mwcc.mass.edu
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
ABOUT THE SHOW
As Meredith Willson's classic story of "THE MUSIC MAN" begins, there’s trouble in River City!
When smooth-talking con man Harold Hill arrives in a small, tight-knit town in Iowa, he expects to dupe its residents with his elaborate moneymaking scheme.
Despite his complete lack of musical literacy, he will convince everyone that he is a brilliant bandleader and recruit all the boys in town to form a band, pocketing the cash for instruments and uniforms.
The problem?
Some of the town members, especially the stern librarian, Marian Paroo, don’t quite buy Harold’s story.
As Harold struggles to keep his scheme afloat, he also finds himself increasingly attached to the townspeople, who have all experienced a positive change since Harold came to town.
Complicating matters even more, Harold is also falling head-over-heels for the beautiful Marian.
As All-American as apple pie and as charming as can be, "THE MUSIC MAN" is a crowd-pleasing show with a great number and range of roles that is well-suited to professional, community, and school productions alike.
Mount Wachusett Community College
444 Green Street
Gardner, MA 01440
