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Animal Crackers
Book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind Music and Lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby
Directed by Sean Murray
First Rehearsal June 6, 2017, First Preview July 12, 2017. Closing August 13, 2017
The scene is the Long Island estate of Mrs. Rittenhouse, a wealthy patroness of the arts with a marriageable daughter. Her celebrity weekend guest is the renowned Captain Jeffrey Spaulding, the African Explorer (Groucho). He arrives (Hooray, hooray, hooray!) with his secretary, Horatio Jameson (Zeppo), followed by pair of musicians: Ravelli (Chico) and the Professor (Harpo). What follows is typical Marxian lunacy, involving a stolen painting, a surreal bridge game, a Broadway gossip columnist named Wally Winston, a financial wizard formerly known as Abie the Fish Peddler, and a climatic burlesque of Marie Antoinette and the Three Musketeers. What transcends this errant nonsense are the verbal arabesques of Captain Spaulding (Last night, I shot an elephant in my pyjamas. How he got into my pyjamas, I'll never know.) and the first-rate, skirt-chasing slapstick of Ravelli and the Professor.
(With the exception of Ravelli, Professor, Mrs. Rittenhouse, each actor has a track that includes more than one character. All sing with the exception of The Professor. To be considered for Animal Crackers please prepare a song of 1 to 2 minutes in length. Something from the 1920s or the traditional musical theatre canon would be appropriate.)
Emmanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx): late 20s to late 30s. The track is played in the style of Chico Marx including his Italian accent. Accompanies himself on ukulele. Piano skills would be a plus. Requires physical comedy including roller skating.
The Professor (Harpo Marx): late 20s to late 30s. The track is played in the style of Harpo Marx. The Professor does not speak. Heavy physical comedy. Please be familiar with the Harpo Marx character.
Mrs. Rittenhouse: 40s to 50s: The track is based on the style of Margaret Dumont. She is a stuffy society matron and owner of the large Long Island estate where the play is set. She is the comic foil to the Marx Brothers. Physical comedy and choreography.
Arabella Rittenhouse/Mrs. Whitehead: mid 20s to mid 30s: Arabella is the society daughter to Mrs. Rittenhouse. This track requires tap. Mrs. Whitehead is the rival society matron who is determined to undermine Mrs. Rittenhouse’s party. She is perhaps the villianesse.
M. Doucet/Wally Winston/Sgt. Hennessey: mid 20s to 30s. Doucet is an eccentric art dealer with a French accent. Wally Winston is a tabloid journalist looking for scoops for his gossip paper. Sgt. Hennessey is a sturdy Irish cop. This track requires tap.
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
by Paul Zindel Directed by Roby Lutfy
First Rehearsal August 1, 2017, First Preview August 30, 2017, Closing September 24, 2017
The old, converted vegetable shop where Tillie lives is more like a madhouse than a home. Tillie's mother, Beatrice, is bitter and cruel, yet desperate for her daughters' love. Her sister, Ruth, suffers epileptic fits and sneaks cigarettes every chance she gets. In the midst of chaos, Tillie struggles to keep her focus and dreams alive. Tillie -- keeper of rabbits, dreamer of atoms, true believer in life, hope, and the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds.
Beatrice: Mid-Late 40’s. A sharp mouthed, alcoholic widow and mother. Her emotional and at times physical abuse is received most by her two daughters. She dreams of a better life but remains stuck in her addictions and regrets.
Tillie: 15. A very sweet, smart and introverted girl. She escapes the vengeance of her mother through her love of science. Despite her harsh home life, she continues to believe that all people and creatures are valuable.
Ruth: 17. Tillie’s older sister. She is smart, promiscuous and becoming a tad too much like her mother. She is subject to convulsions which are only fueled by her constant anxiety of pleasing her peers and her mother. She is very pretty but there is always something a little “off” about her.
Nanny: 65-70. Beatrice’s elderly boarder who suffers from dementia. This is a non-speaking role but it is very clear this woman is experiencing much more than meets the eye.
Janice: 15. Tillie’s annoying and self-absorbed science fair rival. She boils the skin off a cat for her science project… So, there’s that…
The Legend of Georgia McBride
By Matthew Lopez Directed by Sean Murray
First Rehearsal September 12, 2017, First Preview October 11, 2017, Closing November 11, 2017
He's young, he's broke, his landlord's knocking at the door, and he's just found out his wife is going to have a baby. To make matters even more desperate, Casey is fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small town Florida bar. When the bar owner brings in a B-level drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business — and himself.
Casey: 20s. Casey is a straight, married, soon-to-be father who works at a small southern bar as an Elvis impersonator. When he loses his job, he finds himself with a new job at the same bar as a female impersonator. He becomes a very successful drag queen, and has to try to hide such from his wife. Dance skills and appearing in a variety of drag looks is a must.
Jo: 20s. African-American. Jo is the supportive, but increasingly pregnant wife of Casey. She is a strong willed, no nonsense woman who loves Casey very much.
Rexy/Jason: 20s/30s. A double role track. Rexy is a diva, spoiled, self-centered drag performer with a terrible drinking problem. Jason is Casey’s straight, perhaps red-neck, best friend and landlord. Jason is a dude.
Eddie: 50s/60s: The hard working owner of the small bar/club in Panama City, Florida. He makes a bold move to bring in a even smaller drag team to try a new approach to bringing in customers. A bit of a panicker.
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens Adaptation and Lyrics by Sean Murray
Score by Billy Thompson Directed by Sean Murray
First Rehearsal November 14, 2017, First Preview November 29, 2017, Closing December 24, 2017
Cygnet Theatre invites you to start your own family tradition with one of ours. This season welcomes the return of the holiday classic adapted from Charles Dickens' timeless tale of hope and redemption. This re-imagined, fully staged production features original new music, creative stagecraft and puppetry, and live sound effects. Step into a Victorian Christmas card for a unique storytelling experience that is sure to delight the entire family!
6 actors to play various roles in the ensemble.
3 men
3 women
Last Wife
By Kate Henning Directed by Roby Lutfy
First Rehearsal December 19, 2017, First Preview January 17, 2018, Closing February 11, 2018
Kate Parr is smart, confident, and passionate: a rising star in a world of intense competition. But her obligatory marriage to Henry is rife with the threat of violence and lure of deceit; her secret liaisons with Thom, her husband’s former brother-in-law, could send her to an early grave; and her devotion to the education and equal rights of Henry’s daughters is putting an even bigger strain on her marriage. Does Kate risk her life to gain authority in both her relationship and her political career? Which love will she be led to if she follows her heart? And what kind of future is there for her children if she makes a crucial mistake?
Kate: a Lady of the Court, later a Queen, early 30s. Could be played by any ethnicity. Smart, confident, and passionate.
Bess: a Princess, 11-14yrs. Could be played by any ethnicity. Straight-talking, easily jealous
Mary: a Princess, late 20s. Could be played by any ethnicity. Impulsive, speaks her mind freely.
Henry: a King, in his 50s. Could be played by any ethnicity. Authoritative but sentimental, fills the room with his energy.
Thom: a Naval Officer, late 30s. Could be played by any ethnicity. Conventionally attractive, romantic, and charismatic.
Eddie: a Prince, 6-9yrs. Could be played by any ethnicity. Confident in the way of the world as he knows it, as only a child could be.
A Little Night Music
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Sean Murray
First Rehearsal February 6, 2018, First Preview March 7, 2018, Closing April 22, 2018
One of Broadway's seldom produced masterpieces, A Little Night Music is sophisticated, literate and stylish, but also disarmingly warm, funny, charming and very human. Stephen Sondheim's most romantic and achingly beautiful score is written entirely in Ravel-inspired variations on the waltz and includes Sondheim's most popular song to date, the haunting Send in the Clowns.
(Prepare a song of one to two minutes.)
Frid: 20s/30s. Frid is the attractive manservant to Madame Armfeldt. He is very good at looking after her, but when alone among other servants, sees nothing but foolishness in the behaviors of the people he is to serve. Non-singing.
Mala: 20s/50s. Mala is the hard working servant and dresser to Desiree Armfeldt. A trusted companion. Non-singing.
Fredrika: 12 to 20s. MUST READ AS A CHILD. African-American. Fredrika is the brilliant, observant young daughter of Desiree Armfeldt.
Madame Armfeldt: 50s/70s. The role is open to all ethnic backgrounds. The matriarch of the Armfeldt family manse. She is ascerbic, witty, dry, knowledgeable, sexy, beautiful and demanding.
Henrik Egerman: 18 to mid 20s. Henrick is the repressed son of Fredrick Egerman. Studying theology, but with the hormones and needs of a pent up young person. He is a melancholy, an observer of those around him, and has physical needs he can’t seem to get met. Accompanies himself on the cello. Not required, but a plus.
Petra: 18 to mid 20s: Swedish parlor maid and lady’s maid to Anne. She is an open heart, lusty, sensual, sexy and sly. Big belter.
Quintette
Mrs. Nordstrom, Mrs. Andersson, Mrs. Segstrom, Mr. Lindquist, Mr. Erlanson:
30s to 50s. The quintette are five elegantly dressed singers from the world of elegance, beauty and style. They observe and comment on the action of the play, weaving in and out of the story. Operatic voices are preferred.
The Wind and the Breeze
By Nathan Alan Davis Directed by Rob Lutfy
First Rehearsal April 17, 2018, First Preview May 16, 2018, Closing June 10, 2018
Sam, the legendary, undisputed, greatest emcee in Rockford, IL, plans to rest on his laurels all winter and, if possible, stake out an early spot to watch the Independence Day fireworks –but his closest mentees and their outsized dreams challenge him to a battle he can't win. The Wind and the Breeze explores the politics of place, the unspoken expectations of friendship and what happens when we choose to stand our ground on shifting sands.
SAM: A Black man in his 30s. Heavyset. An old soul. A stubborn root. The best emcee around and it isn’t close.
TEA: A Black man in his 20s. A class clown without trying to be. Too loveable for his own good. What he lacks in talent, he makes up for in optimism.
RONDA: A Black woman in her 40s. A no-nonsense police officer.
NIA: A Black woman in her 20s. “Nia” means purpose. Self-aware without being self- absorbed.
ANA: A woman in her 20s. Any ethnicity. A beautiful, talented singer. A generous heart. Ready for a new beginning.
SHANTELL: A Black man in his 20s. Acerbic. Driven. Talented emcee.
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