Smokey Joe's Cafe
by Fredericksburg Theater Company (FTC)
Jun. 27 - Jun. 28 (2020)
"Hound Dog," "On Broadway", "Charlie Brown," "Love Potion #9," "Jailhouse Rock," "There Goes My Baby," "Yakety Yak," "Kansas City," "Spanish Harlem," "Poison Ivy," "Stand By Me" - The songwriting duo of Leiber and Stoller virtually invented rock ‘n’ roll, and now their songs provide the basis for an evening of electrifying entertainment that illuminates a golden age of American culture. In an idealized ‘50’s setting, the classic themes of love won, lost and imagined blend with hilarious set-pieces and slice-of-life emotions. Featuring nearly 40 of the greatest songs ever recorded and a live orchestra, Smokey Joe’s Cafe isn’t just great pop music - it’s compelling musical theatre!
Auditions for FTC’s summer finale Smokey Joe's Cafe will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 27 & 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater, located at 1668 Highway 87 South in Fredericksburg. In order for FTC to comply with social distancing guideline, actors must sign up in advance for a 5-minute time slot. To reserve a time slot, call the theater office at 888-669-7114. Each audition will be held separately. There will be no group auditions. For auditions you will need to prepare 32 bars of a 50's or 60's pop tune, or a verse and chorus. You may choose a song from the show, or another song that best shows your vocal range and abilities. A CD player and MP3 hookup will be available. A keyboard and accompanist will also be present. No acapella auditions please. There will be a dance/movement auditions, so please dress accordingly. Scripts will be available to be checked out from the FTC Box Office starting Monday, June 8.
Because of current circumstances, video auditions may be submitted. All video auditions must be sent to director Steve Reily at fbgtheaterco@verizon.net with the subject line “Smokey Joe's Audition”. If you have any questions, you can email the theater office at fbgtheaterco@verizon.net with the subject line “Smokey Joe's Auditions”.
Schedule:
Rehearsals are typically Monday through Friday, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Rehearsals will begin on July 6. A more detailed rehearsal schedule will be available once the show is cast. September 7 -8 are Technical/Dress Rehearsals. For the success of the production, attendance at these rehearsals and at all performances is mandatory for the entire cast and crew.
Performances:
Thursday, September 10 at 7:30pm (Preview)
Fridays and Saturdays, September 11, 12, 18, & 19 at 7:30 p.m. Sundays, September 13 & 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Characters:
The show is written for nine (5 men, 4 women).
Ken (Baritone) - the smoothie who, along with Victor, Adrian, and Fred, makes up a quartet modeled on The Drifters (Poison Ivy, Spanish Harlem)
Adrian (Tenor) - the slow one of the quartet (Young Blood, Stand by Me)
Frederick (Bass) - the sexy, implacable bass of the quartet (Little Egypt, Charlie Brown)
Victor (Tenor) - the preening bad-boy of the quartet who gets most of the comedy; must be a good mover and have a great vocal rang (I Who Have Nothing)
Michael (Tenor) - genuinely suave and impressive, evokes the memory of Elvis Presley (Kansas City)
Brenda (Mezzo) - a combination of savvy, wit, brains and beauty; needs to be sexy and move well (Don Juan)
B.J. (Alto) - inspired by the titanic rhythm and blues shouter Big Mama Thornton; lots of personality and a huge voice (Fools Fall in Love)
Pattie (Alto) - the throaty voice of experience (I Keep Forgetting)
DeLee (Soprano) - suggests the innocence of teenage girls, but with a wild streak (Falling)
