Beauty and the Beast
by Fredericksburg Theater Company (FTC)
Apr. 18 - Apr. 19 (2016)
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic, Disney's Beauty and The Beast. Based on the Academy-Award winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for 9 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
This "tale as old as time" is filled with spectacular costumes and sets, offering a great opportunity to bring your entire community together for family theatre at its best.
Auditions for FTC’s Summer Musical Beauty and the Beast will be held Monday and Tuesday, April 18 & 19 at 7 pm at The Steve W. Shepherd Theater, located at 1668 U.S. Highway 87 South in Fredericksburg. A CD player and hookups for a MP3 player will be provided. There are 7 principal female roles and 8 principal male roles, plus a chorus of about 40. All roles are available for auditions. Everyone is welcome to attend both audition sessions, but it is not mandatory.
Audition preparation:
At auditions you will be asked to sing a selection from the show, one to two minutes in length.
There will also be readings from the script for those auditioning for principal roles.
Audition packets will be available starting Monday, March 21 at the FTC Box Office, located next to the theatre. The packet contains an audition form, sheet music and backing tracks from the show to prepare for auditions. Perusal copies of the script will be available to check out.
Suggested songs for auditions: (NOTE: You may sing a selection from the show other than the ones provided, but you will need to provide your own sheet music and/or backing track.)
EVERYONE should be prepared to sing “Be Our Guest” in a group. This song can also be used as your solo audition selection.
BELLE: “Is This Home?”
BEAST: “If I Can’t Love Her”
GASTON: “Me”
MAURICE: “No Matter What”
MRS. POTTS: “Beauty and the Beast”
LE FOU: “Gaston”
MONSIEUR D’ARQUE: “Maison des Lunes”
LUMIERE, CHIP, BABETTE, MADAME DE LA GRAND BOUCHE: “Be Our Guest”
AUDITION PROCESS:
We’ll start with a group dance/movement audition. Then, as a group, everyone will sing a section of “Be Our Guest”. Then each of you will audition with your solo and/or duet musical selection(s). We’re looking for actors as well as singers, so incorporate character interpretation in your song.
Next, if you’re auditioning for a principal role, we'll read through some scenes from the show. Copies of these scenes will be available for you to look over when you arrive at the theatre. After this, there'll be time for requests, anything additional you'd like to sing or read.
Relax and have fun with your audition. We want you to be confident that you've given the best possible audition.
The cast will be announced by Saturday, April 23 by email and posted on FTC’s Facebook page.
Rehearsals:
The first full cast meeting is Monday, April 25 at 7pm at the theatre. Information, rehearsal materials and a detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at this meeting.
April 25 – May 13: Everyone can expect to be called for 2 or 3 rehearsals per week. Principals may be called for more.
May 16 – June 3: Everyone can expect to be called for 3 to 5 rehearsals per week.
NOTE: Rehearsals will be scheduled on weeknights starting at 7pm.
If extra rehearsals are called for Saturdays or Sundays, or before 7pm on weeknights, advance notice will be given.
June 6-10 and June 13-15 are Technical/Dress Rehearsals. Attendance at these rehearsals is mandatory for the entire cast and crew.
Performances for Beauty and the Beast are Thursday, June 16 (Preview) and Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays, June 17 - July 3. Attendance at all performances is mandatory.
See more at: http://mtishows.com/disneys-beauty-and-the-beast#sthash.Q2jz8Fgs.dpuf
If you have any questions, you can email the Director at jimweisman55@yahoo.com with the subject line “Beauty and the Beast Auditions”.
NOTE: The ages listed are the character ages suggested by Music Theatre International.
FEMALE PRINCIPALS:
Belle: (Age: 20 to 25. Vocal range: E3 toF5.) A vibrant, intelligent girl with beauty, who wants more out of life than an ordinary existence. She is optimistic, fun-loving, caring, and eager to experience life.
Mrs. Potts: (Age: 45 to 55. Vocal range: F#3 to G5) A warm-hearted, maternal enchanted teapot. She is loyal, caring, and playful.
Babette: (Age: 25 to 35. Vocal range: C4 to F5) A saucy, enchanted feather-duster, and the object of Lumiere’s affections. She is the playful, gorgeous, seductive French maid.
Madame de la Grande Bouche: (Age: 40 to 55. Vocal range: C#4 to D5) A former opera diva turned into an enchanted wardrobe. She has a caring, refined, larger than life personality.
The 3 Silly Girls: (Ages: 20 to 25. Vocal ranges: various) Village girls smitten with Gaston and with the possibility of being his bride. They are loud and uninhibited gigglers. (Actors playing these roles will also be in the ensemble of Enchanted Objects.)
MALE PRINCIPALS:
The Beast: (Age: 30 to 40. Vocal range: A2 to F4.) A Prince transformed into a terrifying beast for his lack of compassion. He is hot-tempered and commanding, but has a warm, loving heart buried far beneath his gruff exterior.
Gaston: (Age: 30 to 40. Vocal range: A2 to E4.) The egotistical, ultra-masculine villain determined to marry Belle. He is manipulative yet charming and earnest.
Maurice: (Age: 55 to 65. Vocal range: Bb2 to Db4.) Belle’s loving, eccentric father. A child at heart and inventor in his own world.
Cogsworth: (Age: 40 to 55. Vocal range: A2 to E4.) A tightly-wound, enchanted mantle clock and the head of the Beast’s household. He is uptight, strict, and punctual but also hard-working, faithful, and thorough.
Lumiere: (Age: 35 to 45. Vocal range: F#2 to F#4) A suave, debonair enchanted candelabra. He is a loyal and steadfast servant.
Chip: (Age: 7 to 10. Vocal range: A3 to F5) An enchanted teacup and Mrs. Potts’ darling little boy. He is innocent, playful, and bright-eyed.
LeFou: (Age: 25 to 35. Vocal range: B2 to F#4) Gaston’s bumbling sidekick. He is loyal, energetic, and optimistic, but not quite the brightest guy.
Monsieur D’Arque: (Age: 35 to 55. Vocal range: D3 to A4) The scheming proprietor of the local insane asylum. He is a dark, sinister villain who aides Gaston in his plot to marry Belle. (Actor playing this role will also be in the ensemble of Villagers and Enchanted Objects.)
ENSEMBLE: (Ages: 7 and older. Vocal ranges: various) Women, Men and Children to play Villagers, Tavern Patrons, Wolves and Enchanted Objects. Everyone will participate in dancing and/or choreographed movement. There are vocal solos and featured dances.
About the Fredericksburg Theater Company: The mission of the Fredericksburg Theater Company (FTC) is “to provide superior theatrical programs for regional participation which entertain, educate, enrich and inspire.” Formed in 1997 by Jeryl Hoover, the theater has grown to an audience of over 13,000 annually. All performances are held at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater. FTC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It has received statewide recognition from the Texas Nonprofit Theatres as well as grants from various arts endowment organizations.
