Auditions for the Erie Playhouse production of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL will be held on JUNE 25 AND 26 at 6:30 pm at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall at 1158 East 12th Street.
Actors are asked to arrive and to sign in within the first hour of the audition start time. All roles are available. The Erie Playhouse practices color conscious casting. All ethnicities and newcomers are welcome. Crew and other volunteers are also needed for these events. Perusal scripts are available in the box office for 24 hrs. with a refundable $10 deposit. Questions?, please contact richardd@erieplayhouse.org
BEAUTIFUL:THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL
Music and lyrics by Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Book by Douglas McGrath
Directed by Emily Cassano
Music Director – Rhonda Berlin
Show Dates September 15, 16, 22-24, 28-Oct. 1
Rehearsals begin the week of July 3.
All roles are open to those ages 14 and up.
Audition requirements – 32 bars or a one and a half minute song, You must provide the sheet music and an accompanist will be provided. A karaoke track is also acceptable. Please feel free to sing a song from the Carole King catalog or something in a similar style. Please also prepare a short monologue – be familiar with it if not fully memorized.
Synopsis: Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.
Beautiful is the inspiring tale about a girl who became King with a stirring book by the late Oscar and Tony-nominated Douglas McGrath and the music and lyrics of icons Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget.
Roles available in Beautiful:
Please understand we are noting the specific race of the characters in this instance as they are historical figures, some of which are still alive today.
Carole King – Female Presenting Character, Age: 25-35, Voice Part: Mezzo Soprano (F3 -F5), White. An ordinary girl from Brooklyn. An American songwriter/performer, Carole has been active from the 1960’s and regarded as the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century. Throughout the show we see her transform from a shy teenager into the confident woman who takes the plunge into becoming one of the most successful female singers of all time. Some piano skills are preferred. Non-dancing role.
Gerry Goffin – Male Presenting Character, Age: 25-40, Voice Part: Tenor (C3-G4), White. Carole King’s first husband and song writing partner, writing lyrics to many of her early hits, such as “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” and many others. Gerry proposes after Carole reveals she is pregnant with his baby, however, soon after begins having extramarital affairs with many other women due to an unhappiness in his early marriage, however he does care deeply for Carole. He’s a good guy, maybe a little brooding, who wants to do the right thing but gets lost along the way. Strong singer. Non-dancing role.
Cynthia Weil – Female Presenting Character, Age: 25-40, Voice Part: Mezzo Soprano (F3-E5), White. A lyricist working at the Brill Building, she and her song writing partner Barry Mann form a friendly rivalry with Carole and Gerry. She becomes one of Carole’s best friends and closest confidants and forms a flirtatious relationship with Barry though she is hesitant to start it, knowing how he is with other women in the past. She’s quick of tongue, high in spirit and goes after what she wants. Strong singing/acting role. Some movement skills required.
Barry Mann – Male Presenting Character, Age: 25-40, Voice Part: Tenor (C3-A4), Any Ethnicity. A song writer working at the Brill building. Barry is full of energy, a bit of a flirt, and confident. He falls quickly in love with his lyricist Cynthia Weil and spends some time convincing her to marry him, while trying not to die from his anxiety and hypochondria. Strong singer and good comedic timing. Some piano/guitar skills are preferred, but not essential. Some movement skills required.
Donnie Kirshner – Male Presenting Character, Age: 40-60, Voice Part: Bass/Baritone (A2-C4), White. A successful record producer and music publisher working at the Brill Building. He originally hires Carole, Gerry and Cynthia and helps foster the friendly rivalry between the teams of Goffin/King and Mann/Weil. He’s stone-faced, to-the-point, maybe a little gruff, but a softy at heart who cares about his writers. Mostly non-singing but will be required to sing in ensemble numbers. Non-dancing role.
Genie Klein – Female Presenting Character, Age: 40-60, White. Carole’s mother. A stereotypical mid-century mother who is brash and un-hip at points, but always steps up to the plate for her daughter. We mostly see the tough love parts of her, but eventually see the softer side when Carole is in need of her tender side. Some singing in larger ensemble numbers. Non-dancing role.
Janelle Woods/Shirelle/Ensemble – Female Presenting Character, Age: 20-40, Voice Part: Alto, Black. A pop singer, notably performing the hit “One Fine Day.” An artist whom Carole and Gerry write music for. Janelle becomes a focus of Gerry’s extramarital affairs. Strong movement skills preferred. Will double in ensemble roles throughout the show.
Little Eva/Shirelle/Ensemble – Female Presenting Character, Age: 18-30, Voice Part: Alto w/ High Extension, Black. A pop singer who begins working as a babysitter/nanny for Carole and Gerry’s daughter. When Carole and Gerry struggle to find the right person to perform Carole’s latest tune “Locomotion,” they realize Little Eva is the perfect fit. Has charm, charisma and strong movement and vocal ability. Will double in ensemble roles throughout the show.
Lucille/Shirelle/Ensemble – Female Presenting Character, Age: 20-40, Voice Part: Alto w/ High Extension, Any Non-White Ethnicity. Donnie’s secretary. Mostly spoken role. Will double in ensemble roles throughout the show and will include dancing in ensemble numbers.
“Uptown” Soloist/Shirelle/Ensemble – Female Presenting Character, Age: 20-40, Voice Part: Alto w/ High Extension, Black. Active member of the ensemble but has a featured moment singing the song “Uptown.” Non speaking role. Movement will be required.
Marilyn Wald/Ensemble – Female Presenting Character, Age: 20-40, Voice Part: Alto, White. A pop singer, notably performing “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” Will double in ensemble roles throughout the show and will include dancing in ensemble numbers.
Betty/Ensemble – Female Presenting Character, Age: 20-40, Voice Part: Alto, Any ethnicity. Carole’s childhood best friend and confidant. Mostly spoken role. Will double in ensemble roles throughout the show and will include movement in ensemble numbers.
Neil Sedaka/Lou Adler/Righteous Brother/Ensemble – Male Presenting Character, Age: 35-60, Voice Part: Bari-Tenor, White. Influential record producer and executive in the sixties. Non-dancing role, but will require singing and some movement in ensemble numbers.
Nick/Righteous Brother/Ensemble – Male Presenting Character, Age: 20-40, Voice Part: Bari-Tenor, White. New York based session musician. Responsible for getting Carole to come out of her “woman behind the curtain” shell and perform her music as herself. There’s a connection with Carole, but she is wary of getting involved. Non-dancing role, but will require singing and some movement in ensemble numbers.
Bobby Vee/Ensemble – Male Present Character, Age 20-40, Voice Part: Tenor, White. An American singer who was a teen idol in the early 1960s and also appeared in films. Will require some movement.
The Drifters/Ensemble – Male Presenting Characters, Ages: 20-40, Voice Part: All ranges will be considered to make up this group of artists. Looking specifically for 1-2 strong tenors, Black. The Drifters are a 4-piece all male pop/R&B group of the time (i.e The Temptations/Commodores). Strong ability to blend/harmonize tightly and strong movement required. Will double in ensemble roles throughout the show.
Shirelle/Ensemble – Female Presenting Character, Age: 20-40, Voice Part: Alto w/ High Extension, Black. Mostly spoken role. Will double in ensemble roles throughout the show and will include dancing in ensemble numbers.
