MUHLENBERG SUMMER MUSIC THEATRE
ANNOUNCES 2008 SEASON, AUDITION DATES FEB 24-26
The Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre Festival, now entering its 28th award-winning season, has announced its mainstage productions for the 2008 season and set the dates for its preliminary auditions – February 24-26 on the Muhlenberg College campus. The Festival will produce two main stage musicals in 2008. The artistic directors are Charles Richter, Jeremy Slavin and Curtis Dretsch.
June 11-29. The opening musical will be Kiss Me, Kate, with lyrics and music by Cole Porter and book by Bella and Sam Spewack; and orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett. Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Taming the Shrew, Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate is a boisterous blend of romance, comedy, music, and dance that exposes the hilarity and the wisdom in resolving the battle of the sexes both on stage and backstage. Muhlenberg will produce Broadway’s original 1948 Broadway version of Kiss Me, Kate.
July 9 - 27. The second musical will be The Who’s Tommy, classic '60s rock opera with music and lyrics by Pete Townshend; book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff; and additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon. Tommy is an exhilarating rock musical about family, redemption and forgiveness that takes a young boy on an amazing journey from pain to triumph.
Those wishing to audition must send an email to boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu BEFORE Friday, February 22, 2008 to secure an audition time. There will be two parts to the preliminary audition: a solo vocal audition and a group dance audition. All roles for the two mainstage musicals are open. Actors must be 16 years or older and older character actors are encouraged to audition. . Complete details and instructions are available online at www.summerbroadway.org.
Applications are also now available for set, costume, lighting, box office and administrative staffs for the summer. The deadline is March 1st. High school students over the age of 16 are also encouraged to apply for high school internships. Information and applications are available by calling 484.664.3333 or emailing boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu.
THE SHOWS
Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate
Kiss Me, Kate will be directed by MSMT General Director Charles Richter, with musical direction by Musical Artistic Director Jeremy Slavin. The production begins rehearsals on May 20, 2008, and opens for preview on June 11. The production will run through June 29, with performances Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Muhlenberg will produce Broadway’s original 1948 Broadway version of Kiss Me, Kate. While cast members of a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew celebrate "Another Op'nin', Another Show", the show's stars, Fred and Lilli, celebrate the first anniversary of their divorce. As the “play” unfolds onstage, the tangle of love relationships off-stage erupts as well, full of intrigue, misdirection, and fiery passion. Great laughs, great songs, and great dance numbers accompany the bawdy battle of the sexes in …Shrew and the romantic shenanigans backstage among the players.
The classic Cole Porter score includes "Too Darn Hot," "Wunderbar," "So in Love," "Always True to You in My Fashion," "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," and "Why Can't You Behave?" Kiss Me, Kate marks a high point in Cole Porter's long and fruitful career as a composer for the musical theatre; it is the only one of his musicals to exceed a thousand performances on Broadway. Kiss Me, Kate requires 2 male/2 female leads as Fred/Petrucchio, Lilli/Kate, Lois/Bianca and Bill/Lucentio – the actors playing the leading roles in Taming of the Shrew; additional 12 male/1 female character actors of mixed ages. The show’s ensemble includes 10 women and 10 men. Everyone interested in performing in the ensemble must schedule a dance audition as well as vocal audition to be considered for the show.
All roles are open and all actors need to be 16 and older. Older character actors are encouraged to audition. Anyone interested in principal roles only does not need to sign up for a dance audition during the preliminary round.
The Who's TOMMY
The Who’s Tommy will be directed by James Peck, with musical direction by Ken Butler, and choreography by Karen Dearborn. The production begins rehearsals on June 17, 2008, and opens for preview on July 9. The production will run through July 27, with performances Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
The classic '60s rock opera by The Who (a 1990 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) was translated to the stage by theatrical wizard Des McAnuff into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event. The original production was staged in 1992 at the La Jolla Playhouse in California, where Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend sculpted the kaleidoscopic concept album by Townshend's former band into a stage show with passion and theatrical wizardry. With "Pinball Wizard," "See Me, Feel Me," "Sensation," "I'm Free," "Listening to You" and many more hits, the Broadway show garnered 5 Tony Awards and 6 Drama Desk Awards in 1993 under Des McAnuff’s direction.
Tommy’s amazing journey begins when the 4-year-old witnesses, through a mirror reflection, his father murder his mother's lover. Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. As an adolescent, he discovers an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and he becomes a media superstar as a pinball wizard. The ultimate “cure” however is not fame, but forgiveness.
The Who’s Tommy requires an ensemble of 21 (playing multiple roles); five character roles (Mrs. Walker, Captain Walker, Tommy, Uncle Ernie and Cousin Kevin) ages 18 and up; and two young actors: an 8 – 12 year-old boy or girl to play Tommy at age 4 and a 12 – 15 year-old boy to play Tommy at age 10. Separate auditions for the children will be held at a later date. Pictures and resumes can be sent to Company Manager Jessica Bien at the Department of Theatre & Dance, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104 or boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu.
THE PRELIMINARY AUDITIONS – February 24 – 26, 2008
There will be two parts to the preliminary audition: a solo vocal audition and a group dance audition. All participants must be 16 years or older.
VOCAL AUDITIONS will be held Sunday, February 24, from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, Monday, February 25, from 8:00pm – 11:00pm, and Tuesday, February 26, from 8:00pm to 11:00pm in the Empie Theatre, Baker Center for the Arts, on the Muhlenberg College campus.
The musical directors request that you do not sing from the Kiss Me, Kate, or The Who’s Tommy scores. You must bring sheet music in the key in which you would like to sing; please, no accompaniment tapes. An accompanist will be provided for the vocal audition; please CLEARLY mark any cuts in your music.
If interested in Kiss Me, Kate, please prepare no more than 32 bars of one memorized song from a Broadway musical written before 1980. If you are interested in an ensemble role, you must schedule a DANCE audition. If you are only interested in a principle role, then you do not have to schedule a dance audition at this time.
If interested in The Who’s Tommy, please prepare no more than 32 bars from a Broadway show written AFTER 1975 OR no more than 32 bars of a rock song written between 1970 and 1985. If you are interested in an ensemble role, you must schedule a DANCE audition. If you are only interested in a principle role, then you do not have to schedule a dance audition at this time.
DANCE AUDITIONS will be held on Sunday, February 24, from 3:00pm – 5:00pm, Monday, February 25 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, and Tuesday, February 26 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in Empie Theatre, Baker Center for the Arts, on the Muhlenberg College campus.
SCHEDULING AN AUDITION
Those wishing to audition must send an email to boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu BEFORE Friday, February 22, 2008 to secure an audition time.
Email / Phone Scheduling
In your email please specify which days you are available, whether you would like a dance audition time, and also provide a cell phone number where we can reach you with any questions. You will receive a confirmation email with the date and time of your vocal and dance audition. If you do not have access to email, you can call the Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance Office at 484-664-3335 during regular office hours BEFORE Thursday, February 21, 2008, to secure an audition time. If you leave a message, be sure to state if you would like a dance audition time and leave a phone number where we can reach you during the day, or where we can leave a message for you with your audition time.
If you live too far away from the Allentown area, or if you are unable to attend the auditions, you may submit a preliminary videotape or DVD audition. The tape or DVD should consist of a comedic monologue not more than two minutes in length, one song (see above), and a 90-second dance solo. Tapes must arrive before the audition date listed above to be eligible for consideration.
If you receive a callback, you MUST attend the callbacks in person to be considered for the role.
Callbacks will be held in March.
NON-PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES
Each year, Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre employs up to 50 technicians, costumers, and administrative personnel. Carpenters, electricians, and properties people are needed for the productions, as well as light board operators, sound board operators, and backstage crews. Costumers, first hand, stitchers, and wardrobe running crew members are needed in the Costume Shop. Box Office associates, house managers, and publicity/PR people are needed in the Administrative Offices.
High school internships are available for those who are at least 16 years of age by the time they begin working for Summer Music Theatre. Interns work along side college students and professionals from the College, and guest artists from New York, learning valuable skills that they can take back to their high school programs.
Technicians and administrative salaries vary depending upon the position, though first-year carpenter/electricians and costume shop personnel start at $1,300 for the summer. First-year high school interns are paid $400. Free dormitory housing is also provided for anyone who does not live in the Allentown area. Meals are not provided.
The application deadline for technicians, costumers, and administrative personnel is March 1, 2008. Technical or administrative internship applications can be found online at www.SummerBroadway.org. Completed technical/administrative applications can be sent via e-mail to boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu.
More information on the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre
can be found at www.summerbroadway.org.
THE ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Charles Richter (Artistic Director) is the founding Director of Theatre at Muhlenberg College, where he has taught and directed for over 25 years. His Muhlenberg College production of The Good Woman of Setzuan was presented at the American College Theatre Festival in 1991; he has also directed, among others, Cabaret, Wonderful Town, The Mikado, West Side Story, Hamlet and Oklahoma! He is a founding artistic director of the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre and a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. He has directed George M!, Crazy for You, The Music Man, Anything Goes, 42nd Street, Fiddler on the Roof and Gypsy, among others, on the summer stage. He has also directed for the New York City Opera Education Department, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, PA Stage, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Theatre Three in Dallas.
Jeremy Slavin (Artistic Director, Music) has been a member of the teaching faculty of the Muhlenberg College Music Department since 1976. He is also one of the founding Artistic Directors of the summer music theatre program. He currently teaches voice and conducts the Muhlenberg College Choir, Muhlenberg Chamber Singers, and the Muhlenberg Opera Group. A graduate of the Chicago Musical College, he has professionally performed operatic roles in regional productions of Don Giovanni, Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, and Carmen. He has musically directed Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre productions of The Student Prince, Candide, Kiss Me Kate, The King and I, Evita, 42nd Street, Of Thee I Sing, South Pacific, The Music Man, Oliver!, The Sound of Music, The Red Mill, On the Twentieth Century, Carousel, The Pirates of Penzance, Yeoman of the Guard, HMS Pinafore and Ruddigore, among others.
Curtis Dretsch (Artistic Director, Scenic Design) has been responsible for design elements of dozens of productions, most recently as scenic designer for Carousel, Big Love and Measure for Measure and as lighting designer for The Seagull. He is also a founding Artistic Director for the summer theatre program. His acclaimed designs for the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre include productions of Carousel, Annie Get your Gun, Pirates of Penzance, The Student Prince, Candide, Most Happy Fella, Kismet, The King and I, Of Thee I Sing, South Pacific, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, On the Twentieth Century, Fiddler on the Roof and Yeoman of the Guard. His professional design credits also include work for the Dallas Shakespeare Festival, Pennsylvania Stage Company, and Terry Beck Troupe (Philadelphia).
GUEST DIRECTOR:
James Peck (Director) holds a B.A. in Religion from Carleton College, an M.F.A. in
Theatre Direction from the University of California at San Diego, and a Ph.D. in Performance Studies from New York University. He is a director and a theatre historian and has directed over 50 plays and operas at theatres throughout the United States. Recent Muhlenberg Theatre Association productions include Mark Hollmann’s Urinetown, the Musical; Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk,; Howard Barker’s Scenes from an Execution; John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera; and David Edgar’s Pentecost. He has published articles and reviews in many leading academic theatre journals, including Theatre Journal, Theatre Topics, Theatre Survey, and TDR: A Journal of Performance Studies. Dr. Peck is Chair of the Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre & Dance.
Marilyn J. Roberts, Director of Marketing & Development
Dept of Theatre & Dance, Muhlenberg College
Phone & Voice Mail 484-664-3693