Published: May 14, 2008 04:14 pm            

Footlite Musicals audition dates announced

Footlite Musicals has set dates for open auditions for its two summer productions, “Once On This Island” and “Once Upon A Mattress” to be performed at the theatre’s home, the Hedback Community Theater, 1847 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis.

“Once On This Island,” based on “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy, will open Footlite’s 2008-09 season with performances July 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, and 20.

This highly original and theatrical Caribbean fable, presented to calm a young girl during a hurricane, tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues, nurses, and falls in love with a young man from a wealthy family. When he is returned to his people, she must test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred, and death.

With a catchy, contemporary, and Caribbean-flavored score by Stephen Flaherty and book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, this entertaining musical was nominated for eight Tony Awards in 1991, including Best Musical.

Auditions for “Once On This Island” will be held 1 p.m. May 17 and 7 p.m. May 18 in the Studio Theatre at Warren Central High School (Door 36 off the 16th Street entrance). Warren Central High School is at 9500 E. 16th St.

A racially diverse cast of singers and dancers who are between the ages of 18 (a 2008 high school graduate at the time of auditions) and 25 are needed. A young black girl is also being sought to play an 8 to 10 year old. Auditioners are asked to prepare 16 bars of a gospel or Broadway song, but no songs from the show. An accompanist will be provided. Auditioners should also come dressed to dance.

Kathleen Clarke Horrigan will direct this Indianapolis community theatre premiere. For additional audition questions concerning “Once On This Island,” contact Horrigan at 431-2712 or Footlite at footlite@footlite.org.

“Once Upon A Mattress” will be presented Aug. 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, and 24. This delightful retelling of the story of “The Princess and the Pea” is best known for its original New York production, which starred a young Carol Burnett in her Broadway debut. The musical was nominated in 1960 for the Tony Award as Best Musical, and Burnett received a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

Written by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer, with lyrics by Barer and music by Mary Rodgers, “Once Upon A Mattress” is a rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance as Princess Winnifred of the Swamps tries to win the hand of the bashful Prince Dauntless the Drab.

Ed Trout will direct this Young Artists production featuring performers ages 13 through 18. Open auditions will be held 2 p.m. June 14 and 7 p.m. June 16 at the Hedback Community Theater. Auditioners are asked to prepare a verse of a song that best shows their vocal range, and bring sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided, and audition should come dressed to dance.

For questions about the auditions for “Once Upon A Mattress,” contact Ed Trout at 590-7305 or Footlite at footlite@footlite.org.

        

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