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Roles in the season will be understudied. Local hire is preferred for understudies. Understudies for Evita will be selected from the Ensemble.
EVITA
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Weber
Directed by Sam Woodhouse
Choreographed by Javier Velasco
Rehearsal: 7/6/17 Preview: 8/3/17 Open: 8/9/17 Close: 8/27/17
Argentina’s controversial First Lady is the subject of this dynamic musical masterpiece. As an illegitimate fifteen year old, Eva escaped her dirt-poor existence for the bright lights of Buenos Aires. Driven by ambition and blessed with charisma, she was a starlet at twenty-two, the president’s mistress at twenty-four, First Lady at twenty-seven, and dead at thirty-three. Eva Peron, ‘saint to the working class, reviled by the aristocracy and mistrusted by the military’ was destined to leave a fascinating political legacy unique in the 20th century. Told through a compelling score that fuses haunting chorales with exuberant Latin, pop and jazz influences, EVITA creates an arresting theatrical portrait as complex as the woman herself.
EVITA: (Female) Must be able to play ages 18 to 33 while projecting both a toughness and charisma. She is a beautiful, ambitious and power-seeking woman, who rises to become the spiritual leader of Argentina by the age of 26. She is also a woman of few options, who uses her sexuality to build power. The actor playing this role must be a trained vocalist with strong vocal stamina and excellent control. A legit Mezzo with a clear, strong mix that can belt to a high G and sing to a low E (below middle C). Must be a passionate and strong actor who can move well.
CHE: (Male, 18-35) This character is dashing, impulsive, jealous, and manipulative. Che is a political activist and the narrator of the show, a radical who isn’t reluctant to ask tough questions and demand answers. An actor/singer that must move very well with a high, rock tenor voice that can sing a low A to high B, falsetto to high F.
PERON: (Male, 30-50) An officer in the Argentinean army who rises to become the Argentine President. He is a man who is dignified, charming, and authoritative. A strong actor and singer who can play character/leading man. Vocal bass/baritone to high F.
MISTRESS: (Female, 13-18) A very beautiful, fragile, vulnerable, innocent young girl who plays Juan Peron’s teenaged Mistress. She is “dismissed” out of Peron’s life by his future wife, Eva. The Mistress ponders the rejection during her song, “Another Suitcase in Another Hall.” She will also appear in the ensemble. Must be able to move well and sing a low A to a high E.
MAGALDI: (Male, to play 30 – 40) A tango singer with whom Eva has her first love affair. A charming loser – never quite made it. Has the first number in the show, “On This Night of a Thousand Stars” and sets up the world in which Eva exists and establishes a Latin flavor to the piece, which is essential. He will also appear in the ensemble. A Latin American “personality” type and feel that needs to be bigger than life, but real at the same time. Sings high tenor High G.
ENSEMBLE: Seeking a broad range of males and females of all ethnicities from late teens to 50s. Excellent singing voices in all ranges. All ensemble members should move well. Dancers to play soldiers and tango dancers will be pulled from the ensemble. All must understand the Latin temperament even if they don’t fit into the “look.” All shapes and sizes to play everything from Generals to Peasants. A fully featured, versatile ensemble that helps define this world. Understudies for the principal roles of EVA and CHE will be assigned from the ensemble.
ROZ AND RAY
Written by Karen Hartman
Directed by TBD
Rehearsal: 8/11/17 Preview: 9/7/17 Open: 9/13/17 Close: 10/1/17
Dr. Roz Kagan: Base age early 50s, plays as young as late 30s. Warm and direct. She usually wears a lab coat. Caucasian. From Ohio.
Ray Leon: Base age early 40s, plays as young as late 20s. African-American, Latino, or Caucasian. From Texas.
HAND TO GOD
Written by Robert Askins
Directed by Sam Woodhouse
Rehearsal: 9/22/17 Preview: 10/19/17 Open: 10/25/17 Close: 11/12/17
JESSICA: Female, 18+ to play 17, a complicated young woman, trapped in a small town with small ideas, smart, though somewhat introverted, does not suffer fools gladly, relates to outsiders like herself, supportive and kind to those who might need help, ruthlessly abrupt with those she perceives as selfish and arrogant.
TIMOTHY: Male, 18+ to play 17, a troubled kid, caught in survival mode at having to negotiate his dysfunctional family, he protects his fragility by forgoing any impulse control, probably in “special classes” because of his behavior problems, a combination of blatant assertiveness and underlying need make him at once full of sex and violence.
PASTOR GREG: Male, 45-50, tries valiantly to fulfill his duties as the shepherd of his flock, seemingly supportive, underneath, however, it is clear that his altruism is fueled by needy loneliness and that he might resent that no one is ever there for him, despite it all, he has his meltdown point, and out of nowhere violence flares out.
JASON: Male, 20-29 to play 17, seemingly mild-mannered and polite, retiring, inarticulate, and shy, has an alter-ego who is extremely aggressive, foul-mouthed, shameless, and highly articulate. Expert puppetry skills and character voices required.
MARGERY: Female, 40-64, to play 40, Jason’s mother, a jittery woman trying desperately to keep her family and life together after the death of her husband, has a warm, passionate nature, but all that is suppressed by her worries about her troubled son and by the day to day pressures of making a living for both of them, seems like a powder keg about to explode, and when it does, an aggressive sexuality comes flooding out.
BLACK PEARL SINGS!
Written by Frank Higgins
Directed by TBD
Rehearsal: 10/27/17 Preview: 11/22/17 Open: 11/29/17 Close: 12/17/17
Alberta ‘Pearl’ Johnson: African-American, in her 40s. Phenomenal singer with the attitude to match. She’s quick and sharp when she needs to be, but beneath the tough exterior is a mother aching for her child and her freedom.
Susannah Mullally: White, early 30s to 40-ish. Ambitious and unintimidated, she sees Pearl as her opportunity to make an impact. Strong singer.
VIETGONE
Written by Qui Nguyen
Directed by TBD
Rehearsal: 12/29/17 Preview: 1/25/18 Open: 1/31/18 Close: 2/18/18
Quang, 20s-30s Asian man - Strong, handsome leading Vietnamese man--the hero of his own story--with a wicked sense of humor and who's not afraid of a fight. He uses these traits to cover up a deep pain he feels for the loss of his family and his country. He likes to rap.
Tong, 20s-30s Asian woman - Blunt, smart, strong, confident, beautiful, and funny. She too masks her pain for the loss of her country (Vietnam) and family. She is a stranger in a strange land who's looking for some company. She, too, raps sometimes.
Nhan/Khue/Asian Guy/American Guy, 20s-30s – Actor must have the dexterity to create several distinct characters, including Quang’s loyal best friend who isn’t afraid to tell him the truth, and Tong’s brother who stays in Vietnam for love. Must have good comedic energy.
Playwright/Bobby/Hippie Dude/Redneck Biker/Giai, mid 20s-30s – Actor must have the dexterity to create several distinct characters, including a kind American soldier infatuated with Tong, and the desperate lover she leaves behind in Vietnam. Must have good comedic energy.
Huong/Flower Girl/Thu/America Girl/Translator/Flower Girl, mid 30s-50s Asian woman - Actor must have the dexterity to create several distinct characters, including Tong’s outspoken and surprisingly flirtatious mom, and Quang’s devoted wife who he leaves behind in Vietnam. Must have good comedic energy.
BEACHTOWN
Written by Herbert Siguenza
Directed by Sam Woodhouse
Rehearsal: 2/23/18 Preview: 3/22/18 Open: 3/28/18 Close: 4/15/18
STEVE NOVAK: Mayor of Beachtown. White male in his 40s -50s. He is a lifetime native and avid surfer. Blonde, tan and charming confidence. Privileged since his dad was a former mayor, a little weak and can be manipulated. He wears a suit with sandals or flip flops.
SUSAN SUHIRO: Beachtown archivist. Japanese, attractive in her 30s. Smart, professional and talkative.
BENNY RAMOS: City Council Member, Filipino or Latino in his 30 or 40s. Nice sparky guy who might have a drinking problem.
DAMON HAYNES: Resident, 40s-60s. African American from the South. Ex-athlete who now sells real estate. He is gregarious, outgoing and full of opinions. He sells real estate, has political ambitions and writes for a community newspaper.
ROBERTO “BOB” BELTRAN: Resident, Iraq-Afghanistan war veteran. In his 30’s. Serious, he measures his words before he speaks. He was homeless at one point. Kind of strange but shows signs of lucidity and life.
GLORIA RAMIREZ: Resident, 25 year old Chicana-India. Cute and good team player. Probably went to San Diego State and majored in Chicano Studies.
DONNA FRENCH: Resident, white 60 year old vocal lifelong lefty anti-growth activist. Lots of character. You might think she is homeless. Tie-dye t-shirt, skirt, flip flops, Ex-smoker and drinker.
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