February 24, 2023June 16, 2023

Auditions for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Audition Notice

Wheaton Drama is pleased to announce auditions for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.  Book and Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, Music and Lyrics by Steven Lutvak, Based on a novel by Roy Horniman. 

On the night of his mother’s funeral, Monty Navarro learns an incredible secret: he is the “son of the daughter of the grandson of the nephew of the second Earl of Highhurst.” In other words, Monty Navarro is an aristocrat — if he can only find a way to prevent the eight relatives preceding him from inheriting the Earldom first. What will he do???? The show combines the best of the past with a contemporary sensibility and humor that earned it the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical, and features non-stop laughs, a unique and soaring score, and unforgettable characters.

This is an unpaid, non-Equity production

Performances: May 19-June 11, 2023
Showtimes: Th/Fri/Sat: 7:30 p.m; Sun 2:00 p.m. 

Auditions will be held Sunday and Monday, March 19 and 20, from 7pm. to 10 p.m. at the theater, 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton.  Auditions are by appointment and will be in groups of eight (8), in one-hour intervals. To reserve an audition time, click this link  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094BA5AA28A2FF2-wdigentlemans  

Adult actors of all races and genders are encouraged to audition. 

Callbacks, if necessary will be Wednesday, March 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

Audition forms are provided in DOCX (Word) and PDF formats. Please forward the completed form, headshot or recent picture, and resume to: [email protected]. You will receive an email confirming your appointment date and time. Any questions should be forwarded to this audition email address.

COVID SAFETY AGREEMENT
Wheaton Drama is not requiring proof of COVID vaccination for this show. However, for the protection of all involved, and to mitigate the possibility of losing performances to a COVID outbreak, it is strongly recommended that all cast, crew, and staff be fully vaccinated and have up-to-date boosters.  A separate document outlining the specifics of COVID policy can be accessed here DOCX (Word) | PDF

REHEARSALS
The first cast meeting and readthrough will be Saturday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the theater. Rehearsals will begin Sunday, March 26 and will be held on Sunday evenings and Monday through Thursday evenings. Not all cast members will be called for all rehearsals. 

Auditions will consist of:

Music: maximum of 16 bars of a song not from the show in the style of the character(s) for whom you are auditioning—— which best shows off your vocal ability. Please bring sheet music in your key; a piano accompanist will be provided. 

Acting: prepare your choice of a one-minute comedic monologue best demonstrating your timing and delivery. Or, monologues can be provided for you upon request to the Gmail audition address, specifying the character(s) you’d like to audition for.

 NOTE: For your song and monologue, please prepare with a British (or British-ish) accent. 

Choreography: Though there is not a lot of formal “dancing” – but rather stylized and structured movement. You will be asked to learn a brief routine, so bring comfortable clothes. NOTE: No British accent is required for the choreography section of the audition…

Callbacks: will consist of songs and readings from the show. Everyone called back will receive sides containing music and scenes. A callback does not guarantee that you will be cast; not being called back does not necessarily mean you have not been cast. 

Character Breakdown 

We will be casting only 11 actors: the 4 named characters, plus the one actor portraying nine (9) D’Ysquith Family members; plus a versatile, vibrant, vivacious, 6-person ensemble of 3 men and 3 women.

 All roles are available. Please note that the descriptions and vocal ranges were provided by MTI; all ages are character, not actor ages. 

  •  Montague (Monty) Navarro (Male, 20’s-30’s) vocal range A2-A4
    A middle-class Englishman looking to hasten his ascendency to the Earldom of Highhurst. Charming, driven, and eminently likable.
  • Miss Marietta Shingle (Female. Late 40s-mid 60s). Cockney accent. Vocal range A3-A5.
    A long-time friend of Monty’s deceased mother. An Eccentric storyteller. May also be added to ensemble scenes.
  • Sibella Hallward (Female, 20’s-30’s) Vocal range F#3-A5
    The young society girl Monty loves. Self-absorbed, narcissistic but charming social climber. May also be added to ensemble scenes
  • Phoebe D’Ysquith (Female, 20’s-30’s) operatic. Vocal range B3-C#6
    Romantic, innocent, earnest young cousin, in love with Monty. May also be added to ensemble scenes
  • The D’Ysquith Family (Male, 30’s-50’s) Vocal range B2-F4
    One actor portrays all the following characters. Wigs and quick costume changes are prominent:

    • Asquith D’Ysquith, Jr. – A dandy
    • Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith – Eighth Earl of Highhurst
    • Rev Lord Ezechiel D’Ysquith – a clergyman, enamored of the drink
    • Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith, Sr. – an elderly Banker
    • Henry D’YSquith – A country squire
    • Lady Hyacinth D’YSquith – a benefactress and world traveler
    • Maj. Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith – a bodybuilder
    • Lady Salome D’Ysquith Pumphrey – a notoriously bad (unbeknownst to herself) actress Chauncey D’Ysquith – a janitor

 Ensemble: 

  • Female #1 – (adult, soprano)
    Characters: Mourner; Tour Guide (Feature); Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Bridesmaid; Pub Owner’s wife; Mrs. Pebsworth; Phoebe’s Maid; 3rd Newsboy; Tailor; Selina Chard – a servant; Flower girl
  • Female # 2 – (adult, soprano)
    Characters: Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Bridesmaid; Mrs. Hetherington; 4th newsboy; Tailor; Lady Eugenia D’Ysquith (Feature); flower girl
  • Female #3 – (Adult, soprano)
    Characters: Mourner; Sibella’s Maid; tourist; Ancestral portrait; Miss Evangeline Barley ( a chorus girl – Feature); Bridesmaid; Miss Hayes; Tailor; Hilda – a servant; flower girl
  • Male #1 (Adult, baritone)
    Characters: mourner; tourist; ancestral portrait; 2nd clerk; skater; tailor; groomsman; Tom Copley (feature); Dr. Brownlee; 1st newsboy; weightlifter; 3rd actor; Ancestral bust; Walter – a servant; Dr. Pettibone – medical examiner; prison guard
  • Male #2 (Adult, baritone)
    Characters: mourner; tourist; ancestral portrait; 1st clerk; skater; tailor; groomsman; pub owner; Mr. Cross; 2nd newsboy; weightlifter; 1st actor; Lord Asquith’s physician; Ancestral bust; Mr. Waters – a servant; Chief Inspector Pinckney (feature)
  • Male #3 (Adult, tenor)
    Characters: mourner; tourist; ancestral portrait; skater, tailor, groomsman; pub patron; Henry’s employee; Mr. Goodsall; 2nd actor; Alfred Gorby – the butler; Lord High Steward (Voice-over); Magistrate (feature).