Mack and Mabel, A Musical Love Story
by Alchemy Theatre Company
Feb. 27 - Feb. 28 (2020)
It is 1938, and the days of the silent film are over. In a series of flashbacks from the sound stage of the studio he once dominated, the great Hollywood comic director, Mack Sennett, recalls his once luminous career and his tumultuous relationship with Mabel Normand – star of dozens of his early “two-reelers”. Book by Michael Stewart. Music and lyrics by the late, legendary Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly; Mame; La Cage aux Folles). The Alchemy Theatre once again brings their unique and powerful storytelling to a re-envisioned version of this timeless, real-life love story.
MACK AND MABEL, A Musical Love Story. Book by Michael Stewart, Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman.
Re-envisioned and Directed by Michael Cooper.
Musical Director/Vocal Coach: Adam Roberts.
The Alchemy Theatre is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of The Alchemy Theatre to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all artists without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.
We are committed to building a creative and dynamic workplace that celebrates individual differences and diversity, treating everyone with fairness and respect.
AUDITIONS:
THUR FEB 27, 5 pm to 9 pm
FRI FEB 28, 5 pm to 9 pm ,
CALLBACKS SAT FEB 29, 5 pm to 10 pm
AUDITION LOCATION: The Mastrogeorge Theatre, 130 Pedernales Street, Austin TX 78702 (@ Cesar Chavez). Free street parking or shared parking lot entrance located off Cesar Chavez, just west of the building complex.
REHEARSALS: Beginning the week of March 9, 2020 (times TBD depending upon actor availability)
PERFORMANCE DATES: Thursday April 23 to Sunday May 31, 2020, Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 8 pm, Sunday matinee at 2 pm (Sunday matinees to begin May 10)
PAY: Some pay
ROLES:
MACK SENNETT – Lead (30s to 40s – aging up to mid 50s) Male identified. White. Singer: Baritone. Dance: Mover. A pioneer of the silent film – father of slapstick comedy. Actor, director, producer during cinema’s earliest days. Discovers a film star in young Mabel Normand and reluctantly becomes romantically involved with her. Egomaniac. Abusive. Workaholic. Incapable of love. Brilliantly talented and knows it. Works hard to make sure everyone else knows it.
MABEL NORMAND – Lead (late teens aging up to mid 30s) Female identified. White. Singer: Mezzo-Soprano/Belter. Dancer. A deli delivery girl who becomes a movie star. A pretty girl who can take a pratfall, becoming one of the greatest comedians of the silent era. Vulnerable. Innocent. Idealistic. A sucker for love and the dream of becoming Mrs. Mack Sennett. Becomes addicted to alcohol and heroin.
LOTTIE AMES – Supporting (30s to 40s) Female identified. Open ethnicity. Singer: Mezzo-Soprano/Belter. Dancer (including Tap). An “over-the-hill” hoofer now a silent film actor. Enthusiastic. Brash. Dedicated to Mack and lover of life.
FRANK WYMAN – Supporting (mid teens aging up to 30s) Male identified. Open ethnicity. Singer. Dance: Mover. A newspaper delivery boy suddenly catapulted into screenwriting fame.
ELLA (or ELDON) THE PIANO PLAYER – Supporting (30s to 40s) Female (or Male) identified. Open ethnicity. Dance: Non-Dancer. Singer. Mack Sennett’s on-set piano player and the accompanist for the show’s entire musical score.
MR. BAUMANN / TAPPER #3 – Supporting (30s) Male identified. Open ethnicity. Singer. Dance: Mover (Some Tap and some Stage Combat). A lawyer and financial backer of Sennett Studios.
MR. KESSEL / TAPPER #4 – Supporting (20s) Male identified. Open ethnicity. Singer. Dance: Mover (Some Tap and some Stage Combat). A lawyer and financial backer of Sennett Studios.
EDDIE THE WATCHMAN / D.W. GRIFFITH / COP #1 – Supporting (30s to 40s) Male identified. White. Singer. Dance: Mover (including some Stage Combat). Night Watchman of the Sennett Studios in Los Angeles / The famous film director, D.W. Griffith / A Keystone Kop.
FREDDIE (ACTOR) / WILLIAM DESMOND TAYLOR / GRIP #2 – Supporting (30s to 40s) Male identified. White. Singer. Dance: Mover. Freddie is a silent film actor / Taylor is a "serious" film director, a rival for both Mabel's acting talents and her affections, and a Hollywood drug dealer.
FATTY (ACTOR) / ROMAN #1 – Supporting (20s) Male identified. Open ethnicity. Singer. Dancer. Silent film actor / One of Sennett’s beach beauties
IRIS THE WARDROBE MISTRESS / BATHING BEAUTY #2 / PHYLLIS FOSTER – Ensemble (20s) Female identified. Open ethnicity. Singer. Dancer. Iris is a dedicated member of Sennett’s film crew / One of Sennett’s famous beach “beauties” / Phyllis Foster is one of an entourage of women surrounding William Desmond Taylor.
D.W. GRIFFITH’S SECRETARY / ROMAN #4 / BATHING BEAUTY #1 / FLAPPER #1 / TAPPER #1 – Ensemble (20s) Female identified. Open ethnicity. Singer. Dancer (Including Tap).
ANDY THE GRIP / HARRY (WRITER) / ROMAN #4 / BATHING BEAUTY #3 / SERGE – Ensemble (20s) Male identified. Open ethnicity. Singer. Dance: Mover.
ROMAN #2 / BATHING BEAUTY #3 / FLAPPER #2 / TAPPER #2 / COP #2 – Ensemble (20s) Female identified. Open ethnicity. Singer. Dancer (including Tap and some Stage Combat).
ALL ROLES AND DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
SUBMISSIONS: If you are interested in a particular role, please let us know by submitting the following:
YOUR HEADSHOT AND RESUME, and VIDEO OF A VOCAL SELECTION – either from the show or one of your choice – that best shows your vocal capabilities.
Please send to the attention of The Alchemy Theatre at:
and we will be happy to review and consider your request. Both your headshot and resume should be in PDF format and as attachments along with your video, and your full name must appear in the file name. Requests should be sent to the above address with a valid email address included for the purposes of correspondence.
