audition notice - PIPPIN - Fountain Hills Theater - March 9 & 10

 
Fountain Hills Theater is proud to announce auditions for Pippin.

Saturday, March 9 @ 4:00pm & Sunday, March 10 @ 6:00pm
Callbacks (If required) Tuesday, March 12 @ 7:00pm

Fountain Hills Theater,11445 N Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ

With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz, (Wicked) Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world.

Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.
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Auditions for Pippin will be Saturday, March 9 @ 4:00pm & Sunday, March 10 @ 6:00pm
Callbacks (If required) Tuesday, March 12 @ 7:00pm

Auditioners should visit http://www.fhtaz.org/auditions or call 480-837-9661 X 3 for an audition appointment time.

Auditioners are asked to please prepare 24-32 bars of a song that best shows off their voice.  Please bring sheet music in the correct key.  An accompanist is provided.  Please no pre-recorded accompaniment.  Dress to move for dance audition.

The theater is located at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills.

Pippin will be directed by Peter J. Hill, choreographed by Jenny Iverson and musically directed by Jay Melberg

Pippin will play April 19 – May 5 with an expected extension through May 12.  Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm.   All rehearsals will be held at the theater.

Casting for:

Leading Player: Male or Female: The director and lead performer of an traveling theater troupe and the musical's narrator, The Leading Player is the commentator, critic, and enabler all at once, but the big question is what is his/her true interest in Pippin? Masterfully charming and manipulative, the Leading Player is a chameleon, guiding Pippin through his own story and offering him all life's choices, except the one that matters. A paradox, he/she looks like light but is ultimately darkness. A charismatic performer of power, either male or female. Must be able to guide us to dark side without revealing his/her intention. Vocal Range: Db3 - Ab4

The Players: A group of 6 men and 6 women who are a fantastical ensemble of actors, singers, dancers that play multiple characters to tell Pippin's story including troubadours, warriors, farmers, lovers, and demonic presence. Heavily featured throughout. They represent the influences and voices in Pippin’s head. Must be comfortable on stage stripped down to undergarments or dance attire. Male and Female, Age: 16+, Vocal Range: Musical Theater SATB, Dance: Required.

Pippin: The eldest son of Charlemagne and the musical's protagonist. Despite the privilege he enjoys as heir to the throne, Pippin is unfulfilled by what life at court has to offer. He is longing to find his purpose and the meaning of his life. Naive, innocent, and discontented, Pippin eventually explores possibilities and temptations, and ultimately finds meaning in love, and the love of having a family with Catherine and Theo. Actor must be a lead who can carry the story and gain the audience's trust and interest in following him on his journey. Must be comfortable on stage stripped down to undergarments. Male, Age: 20s, Vocal Range: G2 - Ab4,

Charlemagne (Charles): The emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Pippin and Lewis’s demanding father, and Fastrada’s husband. He is an adherent that, to maintain and run society, war is a part of everyday life and a skill that one should master. He wears his years with great pride. An older character actor of power. May be part of The Players as well. Male, Age: 40s-60s, Vocal Range: G2 - E4,

Lewis: The youngest son of Emperor Charlemagne and Pippin’s half-brother. A strong, brash and dim-witted soldier, Lewis loves his mother almost as much as he loves himself. He is next in line (after Pippin) to inherit the throne. Addicted to the physical, Lewis loves weight lifting, Lewis loves wrestling, but most of all, Lewis loves Lewis. Requires good physicality. A young character actor who plays the antagonist. May be part of The Players as well. Male, Age: 20-30.

Berthe: Pippin’s saucy grandmother and Charlemagne’s mother. Berthe was exiled to the countryside after disagreeing with her daughter-in-law, Fastrada. A brassy woman full of wisdom, grace, sass and presence, Berthe advises Pippin to live his life to the fullest by seeking fulfillment through sensuality. Demands a character actress of musical theater presence. Has the musical theater “It” factor. Female, 50’s to 70s, Vocal Range: E3 - C5,

Catherine: A widow who has been left with a large estate, which she can hardly manage on her own. She meets Pippin at a low point in his journey and welcomes him into her home. They ultimately fall in love. Theo is her son. She is a beautiful and a hopeless romantic and one who possesses graceful elegance. A classic musical theater leading lady. Must be comfortable on stage in under garments. May be part of The Players as well. Female, Age: 20s - 30s, Range: F#3 - Db5,

Fastrada: Lewis’s mother and Pippin’s stepmother, Fastrada is entirely devoted to Lewis’s happiness and her own power. She wants to put Lewis on the throne at all costs, even if it means defying her husband, Charlemagne. She is beautiful, devious, crafty, cunning, and untrustworthy.  A character actress of power who plays the antagonist. May be part of The Players as well. Female, Age: 30-50, Vocal Range: A3 - F5

Theo: Catherine’s son. A kind boy whose best friend is a pet duck. Theo awakens Pippin's sense of self, responsibility, sacrifice, and love. A strong male actor of youth who sings. Must be comfortable on stage stripped down to undergarments. Male, Age: 6-12 yrs,