"SHOUT! - The Legend of the Wild One"

The Victorian Amateur Musical Premier

SHOUT! - The Legend of the Wild One

Book by
John-Michael Howson, David Mitchell, Melvyn Morrow
BY ARRANGEMENT WITH HLA MANAGEMENT
EXCLUSIVELY LICENSED BY ORiGiN THEATRICAL

Williamstown Musical Theatre Company Inc is proud to present the Victorian Amateur Musical Premier of ” SHOUT – The Legend of the Wild One” as their first major production for 2006. The production will be performed at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute from Friday October 27 to Saturday November 11.
SHOUT is the story of the King of Australian Rock'n'Roll. It’s the mid-70s and Johnny O'Keefe is taking his new fiancée for one last look at The Sydney Stadium the scene of so many of his triumphs. Soon it will be demolished to make way for the new Eastern Suburbs Railway. Johnny reminisces about the Australian music scene and his life.

Johnny makes a comeback in the 70s with a new hit record and appearances at clubs where his fans, recalling their youth, turn up to see the first Aussie Rock Star perform with all the energy they remember. Happily married to Maureen, Johnny seems to have found peace and contentment but then...

SHOUT! ends with a huge tribute to Johnny O'Keefe and Australian Rock'n'Roll. He was, says his father, The King of Rock'n'Roll and a man who created a revolution in the Australian entertainment business by forcing promoters to realise that Australians do want to see Australians. He died at the age of 43 but all the acts that followed Johnny owe him a debt of gratitude.

PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager:                 Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Director:                                   Anna Marinelli
Musical Director:                        Adrian Szondy
Choreographer:                         Danielle Carlisle

AUDITION INFORMATION

Auditions will be held at The Williamstown Mechanics Institute (Corner Melbourne Road & Electra Street, Williamstown). Entry via double gates on Electra Street. All auditionees are required to make a booking with the Audition Secretary, Ros O’Donovan on 0423 686 279. Audition bookings will open on Monday May 1st (please call after 5.00 pm)

AUDITION DATES

Saturday May 27^th from 11.00 am
Sunday May 28^th from 6.30 pm 
Monday May 29^th from 7.30 pm 

Please note: All auditionees must be available for the compulsory dance audition on Saturday June 3^rd from 11.00 am and must be available for possible callbacks on Sunday June 11^th from 1.00 pm to 7.00 pm.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

§          Auditionees must be over the age of 16.
§          Rehearsals will be on Monday & Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
§          Rehearsals will commence on Sunday July 30^th 2006.
§          Please prepare two songs – choose appropriate songs in the style of the show (rock n roll/ pop). Please do NOT sing songs from the show. Please do NOT sing songs from “conventional” musical theatre (eg Gilbert and Sullivan, operas, Rogers and Hammerstein etc)
§          Sheet music must be provided to the accompanist and all sheet music must be in the correct key. No transposition, backing tracks or acapella singing allowed.
§          Songs are to demonstrate your vocal range and strengths, and also convey to the directing team that you have the ability to perform.
§          Part of the audition may involve the singing of scales
§          Dialogue may be given during auditions
§          All auditionees are required to provide a non-returnable photograph.
Performers who have excellent singing, acting and movement skills, and from all ethnic backgrounds, are invited to audition.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS


PRINCIPALS
Johnny O’Keefe

Ages from 15 to 40.  Most of the action is in his 20’s.  In every way “a wild one”. A man of a very complex temperament:  Cocky, ambitious, both charming and compulsive. In later years he succumbed to mental and drug and alcohol problems.  A highly emotional role.  Acting, singing and some dancing.  In the end a man with an electric stage persona.  A man obsessed with fame which he gained, making him Australia’s first rock icon.


(Note: this part may be played by two actors if the demands are seen to be too great for one performer.  An older Johnny would play scene one and return for the “Mockingbird” scene.  He would then perform “Shout!” as duet with his younger self.)
Sings: The Wild One, Cry, I’m Gunna Knock On Your Door, Rock Around The Clock, Save The Last Dance For Me, So Tough, Over The Mountain, What’d I Say, Ready For You/Right Now, She Wears My Ring, I’m Counting On You, She’s My Baby, Move Baby Move, Sing, SHOUT!, The Sun’s Gonna Shine Tomorrow, Mockingbird, Rock’n’roll Will Stand.
Vocal Range: A below stave - A above stave (belt), C above stave (falsetto)

Marianne Renate

Johnny’s girlfriend and then wife. Ages from early 20s to mid thirties.  German accent.  Brunette, very attractive.  Shy, devoted, loyal.  She thought she was marrying Johnny but was married to his career.  As Johnny declines, she finds it difficult to cope.  After much pain, she walks away from the marriage still in love with the Johnny she first met.  Acting singing and some dance.


Sings: Ready For You/Right Now, Save the Last Dance for Me, Johnny Angel, I’m Counting On You, Crazy.
Vocal Range: F below stave - G top of stave (belt), A above stave (head voice)

Lee Gordon
Johnny’s promoter.  30’s.  Short to medium height.  Charismatic but with a touch of danger.  He is the man who made Johnny a star but set him on the road to ruin. American accent (New York). Actor, singer, dancer (vaudeville style).  Flair for comedy and menace.

Sings: Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop, Purple People Eater/ Witch Doctor.
Vocal Range: B flat below stave - F top of stave (belt)

Thelma O’Keefe

Johnny’s mother.  50+.  Some singing.  A powerful presence. A driving force in Johnny’s career she was an iron butterfly.  A product of a stitched-up Catholic background but paradoxically swept up in the showbiz world. 


Sings: Mockingbird.
Vocal Range: Middle C - C top of stave

Ray O’Keefe


Johnny’s father.  50+.  Short, balding.  Local politician.  Unassuming and ill ease in showbiz. Solid old fashioned businessman. Needs enough command and charisma to wrap up the show with news of Johnny’s death.

Sings: SHOUT, What I’d Say (as part of the ensemble).

Maureen


Johnny’s second wife. The pillar of strength in Johnny’s final years. Acting & Singing required.

Sings: Mockingbird.
Vocal Range: A below stave - D top of stave

The Dee Jays


Johnny’s backing band.  Excellent musicians with some acting.  Drums, (John “Catfish” Purser), bass (Gerry Gardiner), guitar (Lou Cash), two Saxes. (Dave Owens & John Greenan - “Greeno”) One is an Indonesian.

The Delltones

Vocal backing group, led by bass singer  “Pee Wee” Wilson. “Pee Wee” must be tall.  The others are Noel Weiderberg, tenor, and two baritones. 
Please Note: If we are having trouble casting The Delltones we will use an all girl group and call them the Melody Sisters.


Sing: Get A Job, What’d I Say, She’s My Baby, Purple People Eater/ Witch Doctor.


Col Joye

Tall, attractive singer, in his mid twenties. Plays other roles throughout the show in disguise.


Sings: Bye Bye Baby, Rock’n’roll will Stand.
Vocal Range: A below stave - D top of stave

ENSEMBLE (10 males, 10 females)

Variety of ages required, minimum age 16yrs (at time of audition). All ensemble roles require acting, dancing and singing, as each ensemble role will be asked to play a variety of character speaking roles within the show.
Characters include: A school teacher, Christian Brother, journalist, tour manager, record company executive, disc jockey, American bandstand host, festival record manager, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse, socialite etc
Please note: Some male ensemble members will be required to wear “drag” for one of the scenes.
Sings: Faith of Our Fathers, Summer Time is Tourin Time, I’m Gunna Knock On Your Door, Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop, Ready For You/Right Now, Ave Maria, Rock Around The Clock, Purple People Eater, Bye Bye Baby, SHOUT!.

To make your audition booking please call Ros O’Donovan on 0423 686 279.
Audition bookings will open on Monday May 1st (please call after 5.00 pm).
 
For more information please visit our website or send an email to perform@wmtc.org.au
wmtc.org.au