Open Auditions for December 2023 Production of “A Christmas Story – The Musical” – September 30 (10am-2pm)

Event Details

The Willingham Theater to host Open Auditions for December 2023 Production of “A Christmas Story – The Musical” – September 30 (10am-2pm)

The Yadkin Arts Council will present the musical “A Christmas Story” in December 2023. Open auditions to be held on Saturday, September 30 (10am-2pm) on stage at the Willingham Theater in the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center. Callbacks are scheduled for Sunday, October 1 (3-5pm). Rehearsals will start October 9. Performances will be December 7-10.

• Auditionees are asked to prepare approximately one minute of a song (preferably from a musical, please provide sheet music for our accompanist or a karaoke track can be played) and will be asked at the audition to learn a small dance combination and do a cold reading from the script (provided at the audition).

 

A Christmas Story – The Musical – Audition Notice

Book by Joseph Robinette Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, and upon In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash written by Jean Shepherd. Produced with permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Dalfie Entertainment.

 

Director: Chad Edwards

Music Director: Edward C. Kluttz III

 

SYNOPSIS:

This musical, which received rave reviews on its Broadway run, is based on the movie classic that runs round-the-clock on television every Christmas. Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts—an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Rebuffed at every turn with a similar echoing response, Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun. All the iconic scenes from the movie are here: Ralphie’s friend, Flick, getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole; his brother, Randy, getting dressed in his snowsuit; the bullies, Farkus and Dill; the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; Christmas dinner; and many others. The delightfully versatile score ranges from gentle ballads to show-stopping full-ensemble numbers such as “Ralphie to the Rescue!”, “A Major Award,” “Sticky Situation,” “Up on Santa’s Lap,” “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” and the inevitable “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!” A Christmas Story, The Musical will bring an exciting new dimension to those who have seen the movie and will certainly stand on its own for those who haven’t.

 

ROLES AVAILABLE:

 

ADULT ROLES

JEAN SHEPHERD (40-60yo) Charismatic and good-natured curmudgeon. Narrates the story, but also assumes minor character roles at times. Non singing / non dancing role.

MOTHER (30-40yo) Straightforward, in charge, no nonsense. Also warm and likable. A devoted wife and mother. Vocal range mezzo-soprano, low G3 to high Db5. 

THE OLD MAN (35-45yo) Devoted father and husband, good-natured with a gruff exterior. Vocal range high baritone Bb2-G4

MISS SHIELDS (25-50yo) Ralphie’s school teacher. Prim, proper, and stern when necessary. In the dream sequence she transforms into a dynamic and show stopping belter. Vocal range F#3-D5. 

ENSEMBLE: (20-50yo) to play Chief Elves, Santa Claus, Mrs. Schwartz, Flick’s Mother, Nancy’s Mother, Fantasy Villain, Waiters, Bank Robbers, Firefighter, Police Officer, Doctor, Nurse, Delivery Persons, Townspeople, Can Can Girls, and Others. Strong, comedic, singer / dancers. Tappers are encouraged to audition. All vocal ranges. 

 

YOUTH ROLES

RALPHIE (9-15) A regular kid with a dream. Bright and mischievous, his one wish is to get a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun for Christmas. Vocal range F#3-D5, voice not yet changed

RANDY (7-10) Ralphie’s younger brother. Lovable and stubborn. Vocal range F#3-D5 

SCHWARTZ / BANK TELLER 1 (9-15) Ralphie’s best friend, he becomes the scapegoat Ralphie when he gets in a tight spot. Appears as a bank teller in the Western Fantasy Sequence. Vocal range F#3-D5

FLICK / BANK TELLER 2 (9-15) Ralphie’s other best friend, he accepts a triple dog dare to stick his tongue to a frozen flagpole. Appears as a bank teller in the Western Fantasy Sequence. Vocal range F#3-D5

SCUT FARKUS / BLACK BART (12-17) The classic neighborhood bully, obnoxious and intimidating. Appears as Black Bart in the Western Fantasy Sequence. Vocal range F#3-D5 

GROVER DILL / (10-15) Farkus’ side kick. Delights in the fear he inspires from the neighborhood kids. Vocal range F#3-D5 

ESTHER JANE / (9-15) Classmate of Ralphie, neighborhood kid. Vocal range F#3-D5

MARY BETH / (9-15) Classmate of Ralphie, neighborhood kid. Vocal range F#3-D5

NANCY/ (9-15) Classmate of Ralphie. Vocal range F#3-D5 

ENSEMBLE (9-15) to play classmates, neighborhood kids, tap dancers, and others. All vocal

 

Questions can be directed to info@yadkinarts.org

 

Additional Information

 What: “A Christmas Story – The Musical” Open Auditions 

When: September 30 (10am-2pm) with Callbacks on October 1 (3-5pm)

 Where: Willingham Theater, Yadkin Cultural Arts Center 226 E. Main St., Yadkinville, 27055

 

About the Yadkin Arts Council

The Yadkin Arts Council is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to transforming lives in our community through the arts by offering opportunities to encounter, create, and participate.. We believe art is transformational.  Arts open minds, frees imagination, and helps people see the world from different perspectives.

www.yadkinarts.org

About the Willingham Theater

Opened in December 2012, the Willingham Theater, the centerpiece of the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center,is an architecturally beautiful and wonderfully intimate 193-seat performing arts theater. This state-of-the-art theater space is host to a variety of engaging performances ranging from music, dance, drama, comedy, and film. The Willingham Theater is owned and operated by the Yadkin Arts Council.

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