Announcing Auditions for our upcoming performance of "Man of La Mancha"
The Theater League of Clifton will be holding auditions for it's mainstage production of the Broadway classic "Man of La Mancha"
Audition Dates:May 5,6, & 7th Callbacks May 9th Time: May 5th & 6th 7pm-9pm May 7th 1pm-3pm Location:Living Hope Presbyterian Church, 303 Maplewood Ave Clifton
Casting Summary: Please Note: No one is exclusively a character in the story of Don Quixote without also being a prisoner. The names in brackets are the roles that the prisoners play in Cervantes play within the play. All members of the cast must sing. Actors with stage-combat experience, tumbling skills, and a solo dancer are sought for supporting roles.
Director - Maren Sugarman Producer - John Traier Musical Director - Steve Zimmerman
Cast Breakdown
MIGUEL DE CERVANTES [ALONSO QUIJANA as DON QUIXOTE] Tall, thin man in his late forties, he is an actor, playwright, and would-be knight. He is a romantic—some sane crazy—and has a vision of a far better and nobler world, where knights and chivalry rule the day. **Sancho (The Manservant):**Older than Don Quixote, Sancho is short and squat. He has served Quixote/Cervantes for many years and is devoted to him, even with all his idiosyncracies.
MANSERVANT [SANCHO] Male, 20s – 60s. Strong character tenor C to high G. Devoted and loyal, he is Cervantes/Quixote’s manservant. Sancho is funny, curious and greedy. He is a good man with common sense.
ALDONZA, [Quixote calls her DULCINEA] Female, 20s – mid 40s. Soprano low Ab to high Ab. She is a kitchen wench/prostitute who sees as the fine Lady Dulcinea. Guarded, defiant, a survivor. Beneath her tough exterior is a woman with a noble, gentle heart who has given up hope.
THE GOVERNOR [The INNKEEPER] Male, 20’s-60’s. Bass Low G to C#. The Governor is the leader of the inmate society in the prison. He is a powerful man who oversees Cervantes’ trial. As the Innkeeper he is skeptical of Don Quixote but kind.
THE DUKE, The Governor’s assistant [DR. CARRASCO, KNIGHT OF THE MIRRORS] Male, 20s – 50s. Baritone low C to Db. As Carrasco, he is Antonia's fiancé. An arrogant man of science and reason. He thinks Don Quixote is a madman and insists that he return home for treatment.
[PADRE] Male, 20’s-60s. Lyric tenor F to high G. A kind, thoughtful, sympathetic but passive priest. He is well-intentioned, but not strong enough to stand fully behind his beliefs.
[ANTONIA] Female, 20s-40s. Soprano. Quixote’s niece and Dr. Carrasco's fiancée. A seemingly sweet and caring young woman, but she actually cares more about her needs than her uncle.
[HOUSEKEEPER] Female, 40s-50s. Soprano/mezzo. Quixote’s housekeeper. She is not thrilled to be working for a man whom she considers to be mad. May double as Maria.
[MARIA, the Innkeeper’s wife] Female, 40s-50s. Alto character voice. The exasperated wife of the Innkeeper. She sees, and expects, the worst of all who enter the inn; especially Quixote. May double as the Housekeeper.
[THE BARBER] MALE or FEMALE. Tenor, D to high G. Comic character.
[PEDRO, the head muleteer] Male, 30’s-50’s. Baritone, low D to D. Rough, ruthless.
[ANSELMO] Male, 20’s-50’s. Tenor, A to high F#. A rough muleteer.
[The MOOR] Male, 20’s-60’s. Tenor, C to high Bb Head of a band of thieves. May double with other roles.
[CONTOUR] MALE, teens-60’s. Tenor, F to Ab. Assistant to the Moor.
CAPTAIN/GUARDS of the Inquisition. Will most likely double as prisoners.
Performers should come prepared to sing 16 bars with an accompanist (bring sheet music) or bluetooth playback provided.
Show Dates:
July 15, 16, 17 & 22, 23, 24
Show Location:
Clifton High School - 333 Colfax Ave , Clifton
Synopsis
Based on The Adventures of Don Quixote, by Miguel the Cervantes y Saavedra, Man of La Mancha is a comic tragedy of mankind's struggle to better both himself and the world in which he lives. When Cervantes started writing he intended a satirical burlesque of the then fashionable novels of chivalry; gradually the author's sympathies changed, ad the novel developed into a deeper, broader and more compassionate account of the adventures of and eccentric idealist in a hostile, greedy and cynical world, which leads the reader to the conclusion that if Don (Quixote is a fool it is because the world does not live up to his ideals. This feeling is perfectly reflected in this beautiful musical version of the story. As with all the best allegorical tales, the oppressive mood of the fight against eternal evil is heightened by the sometimes comic, sometimes dramatic attempts of the hero to right all the wrongs of the world, and although his efforts at times seem puny and pathetic, the audience is left in no doubt as to the purity of intent that he instils into his self-imposed crusade. At times both inspiring and thought provoking, the story is both very entertaining and very moving, and will warm the heart of everyone whose spirits were ever raised by the prospect of a victory by the underdog against all the odds. The score is a musical delight, and contains one of the most moving moments in musical theatre as Don Quixote relates his personal credo in "The Impossible Dream".