Altarena Playhouse – Pal Joey Auditions
ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE announces open auditions for Rodgers and Hart’s Pal Joey, directed by Laura Morgan, with musical direction by Armando Fox and choreography by Rachelle King.
Auditions will be Saturday, November 4 at 2pm and Monday, November 6 at 7pm by appointment. Callbacks will be Saturday, November 11 at 10am. Auditions and callbacks will be held at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High Street in Alameda.
The show runs March 29-April 28, 2024, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday matinees. Rehearsals will start late January/early February and will generally be held Monday-Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
Please bring a complete conflict calendar to the audition. No conflicts accepted during tech week. Actors of all ages, races, ethnicities, and gender identities are encouraged to audition; all roles are open. These are volunteer positions, but there is a $400 travel reimbursement available for the run.
Please prepare 16-32 bars of an uptempo number or a ballad, even if auditioning for non-singing roles. Do NOT sing from the show, but please select songs characteristic of the Golden Age of Broadway musicals. Given the setting of the show, we are seeking a classic Broadway sound. An accompanist will be provided; please bring easy-to-read sheet music in the correct key. Be prepared to cold read sides. A dance routine will be taught at callbacks.
About the Show
Far ahead of its time when it opened in 1940, Pal Joey is set in Chicago and centered around antihero Joey Evans, a charming nightclub singer with a ruthless ambition to climb the social ladder. The story explores his entangled relationships with Linda English, a naive admirer, and Vera Simpson, a wealthy seductress. Filled with memorable songs like “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “Zip,” and “I Could Write A Book,” the show explores complex characters and frank social themes amidst the seedy underside of Chicago nightlife. Actors will be backed by a 6-piece on-stage band performing the tuneful Rodgers & Hart score.
Characters
- Joey Evans: The antihero of the story, a brash young nightclub entertainer with more charisma than talent. He has bummed around the Midwest trying to get ahead, but he’s not as smart as he thinks he is. Joey is also a notorious player with the ladies. C3-F4 and an excellent dancer.
- Vera Simpson: Cynical and bored society wife. She sees right through Joey but is attracted to him nonetheless. She’s willing to put up with him as long as he can be of use to her. Mezzo D4-Eb5, or a husky voice in D3-Eb4, basic dancing and movement.
- Linda English: Ingenue who has come looking for work in the big city. Although naive at first, she soon learns how the world works and likes Joey despite his actions. A fundamentally good and honest person. Alto/mezzo C4-E5, should move well.
- Gladys Bumps: A no-nonsense nightclub singer who’s been around the block and has a history with Joey. She is sarcastic and antagonistic to him and eventually conspires against him with Ludlow. Alto Bb3-D5, must dance well.
- Valerie: A good looking dancer who catches Joey’s eye. She sings “Zip.” F#3-G4 with strong dance skills.
- Ludlow Lowell: A dishonest artists’ representative, not above a little blackmail now and then. An almost Runyonesque character. The actor will play various other ensemble roles as well. Non-singing.
- Mike/Commissioner O’Brien: The proprietor of the nightclub/an influential police officer who’s Vera’s friend. Non-singing except ensemble songs, may play various other ensemble parts.
- Ernest/Victor: A tailor who runs a fashionable shop/a tenor hired to give the nightclub more class. Sings “Flower Garden of My Heart.” Eb3-G4, needs to sound good in the C4-G4 range, minimal movement.
- Women’s ensemble: The women who sing and dance at the nightclub. All will have solo speaking lines, and there will be an opportunity for featured singing parts as well. Generally C4-G5, must be excellent dancers.
For any questions, please contact Katina at artisticdirector@altarena.org
See: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F4FAFAB28A2F94-45110371-paljoey#/