AUDITIONS - The Wild Party

Please note we are performing ‘THE WILD PARTY’ by Michael John LaChiusa Manhattan decadence in the 1920s provides the backdrop for this tough musical fable. Queenie, a vaudeville chorine, hosts the blow-out of the title with her vicious lover, a black-face minstrel. The guests are a vivid collection of the unruly and the undone; Queenie's conniving rival; a cocaine-sniffing bisexual playboy; a washed-up boxer; a black brother act; a diva of indeterminable age and infinite life experience; the fresh-off-the-farm ingénue whose naiveté quickly evaporates; a lesbian actress and her comatose girlfriend; and the bargain basement Valentino who catches Queenie's roving eye. The jazz and gin soaked party rages to a mounting sense of threat as artifice and illusion are stripped away. When midnight debauchery leads them to tragedy at dawn, the high-flying characters land with a sobering thud, reminding us that no party lasts forever. Each of the primary characters is vibrant and established. The Wild Party was nominated for 7 Tony Awards and starred Toni Collette and Mandy Patinkin on Broadway The Characters 7 women, 8 men all named characters with Solos and dialogue. Queenie – A Fading Vaudeville Chorine, she is beautiful. Sexy. Her powdered white face masking greater fears. Trapped in a dangerous relationship, the hostess of the party and lured by Black. Burrs – Queenie’s Vicious Lover, he is a blackface vaudevillian. Jealous, observing, dangerous. His show biz razzle-dazzle hides rabid-like fury within. Jackie – He is a playboy of dubious sexuality. Elegant, handsome. A cocaine sniffer who will both lure men and abuse women before this party concludes. Miss Madelaine True – A nearly famous, Lesbian stripper. She’s been around. She is accompanied by Sally. Sally – Madelaine’s date, a silent, heavy lidded morphine addict. Visually and Viscerally Opaque. Eddie Mackeral – A black , aging ex champion of the boxing ring. Aggressive, fast but living in his past success. Although with a roving eye, he is in a relationship with Mae. Mae – Eddie’s ditzy wife, a former chorine. A plainer version of Queenie, she gave it all up for Eddie. Nadine – Mae’s excitable younger sister. Too excited, too thrilled, too young to be here. She will be enticed into dangerous paths this night. Phil D’Armo & Oscar D’Armo – An alls singing black brother act, vaudeville performers and lovers. Inseparable, but sexual exploits will tear them apart tonight. Dolores Montoya – An ageless star of yesteryear, an eternal ferocious performer. You can call her anything, just don’t call her old. A dry, witty observer. Gold & Goldberg – Vaudeville Producers, with Broadway ambitions. Willing to loose their ‘jewness’ to find success. Black – a handsome, suave escort. He is cool, direct. A vague innocence and yet weariness about him. Kate – a dagger tongued, former chorine and would – be star. Queenie’s best friend, she arrives with Black. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS : Please note, only performers ages 18 and above are asked to audition for ‘The Wild Party’. The Wild Party, requires very strong actor/singers comfortable with some movement. This is a show of lust, loves, lies, liquor and sexual ambiguity. Various states of undress may be required by some characters. Auditionees : are asked to prepare two songs. This is to give you the opportunity to showcase your maximum potential as an actor and singer. (Please note : You may only be asked to sing part of one piece). If you only bring one song that is permissible; but limiting your own chance to demonstrate your abilities. Please bring sheet music for all songs. (A’ Capella, Backing Tracks and Transposition will not be allowed). We will provide a pianist to accompany you. Please bring a non-returnable photo of yourself. If you do not have a head shot, we will take one. If you have a performance CV please bring it along. Auditions will be held on Tuesday July 25th from 7pm and Thursday July 27th from 7pm. Call backs will be held on Sunday July 30th from 1pm onwards. Auditions will take place at “Speechless” 2 Denham Street, Hawthorn. (Corner of Wood and Denham Street) Rehearsals take place at the above address from Tuesday August 1st. Tuesday and Thursday nights 7:30 – 10:30 pm and Sundays from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Email sunnytheatre@yahoo.com for Audition Bookings