My Favorite Year AUDITIONS
Book by Joseph Dougherty, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Directed by Laura Jennings and Eddy Herring
Music Direction by Adam Sablich
Choreography by Becca Tischer
Rehearsals begin Oct 14, 2024: Mon-Thurs 7-10pm and Sun 6-9pm
Performance Dates: Nov 29 – Dec 15, 2024; Fri/Sat - 8pm; Sun - 3pm
***Please note that this show opens the weekend of Thanksgiving. We plan to break with no rehearsals on November 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving holiday. However, you will be expected to be at all other tech rehearsals with NO CONFLICTS during tech week.***
This show will be performed with a live band.
Rated PG
Audition Requirements:
- Please prepare two contrasting pieces. 32 bars or 1 minute selection in the style of the show or classic Broadway. You may only be asked to perform one piece. You may sing from the show. Please bring your electronic tracks for your music selections on your phone. A Bluetooth speaker will be provided.
- Cold readings from the script.
- Invited callbacks and Dance Audition are scheduled for August 20.
Audition Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4BACA62FA7F49-50310889-myfavorite#/
Brief Synopsis:
MY FAVORITE YEAR is a charming musical set in New York, 1954. The writers are known for their other works including Ragtime, Seussical, A Man of No Importance, Anastasia, and Once on This Island. The musical is based on the 1982 movie of the same name, starring Peter O’Toole, for which he was nominated for an academy award. It’s a wildly popular movie and has become a comedy cult classic. The characters in the musical (and movie, for that matter) are loosely based on a young Mel Brooks and aging Errol Flynn. The story is set around a Sid Caesar Your Show of Shows type comedy television show, called the King Kaiser Comedy Cavalcade. Benji Stone, is a young junior writer, and Alan Swann, is the washed-up Hollywood actor who is to guest star on this week’s show. Benji ends up having to baby sit for Alan and hilarity ensues. Think Laughter on the 23rd Floor meets an MGM classic musical. There is romance, coming of age, comedy, friendship, forgiveness, regret. This show has it all.
For additional information see https://www.mtishows.com/print/node/1361
For
Broadway soundtrack see: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7qQaZTINicfUebeoiBmpcOovAM0XY10u&si=8CxMSpHjSfRxtwp_
Characters:
BENJY STONE (early 20’s-early 30’s). The show is narrated by the young Freshman writer who will serve as a chaperone of sorts for the show’s replacement guest star for the week – matinee idol Alan Swann. Eager, alert, charismatic, lovable, must move very well and must be able to carry the show. Vocal range high baritone/tenor to G. Actor must learn fight choreography.
ALAN SWANN (40 and up). A handsome, albeit well-traveled Hollywood leading man. Physical comedy. A "has been" movie star, Errol Flynn -type. Loves women, booze, and the night life. You know he comes from “another place” – larger than life. Must walk fine line between comic and tragic. Charismatic but with a sad, dark side. Vocal range baritone. Actor must learn fight choreography.
KING KAISER (30’s+). Gruff, physical, loud. He used to be a Catskill Comic, now he is the host of America's number one TV show. Perpetually exasperated. Came from nothing now a larger-than-life figure on a weekly live hour and a half comedy show. He has a lot of pressure due the stress of the show. Has trouble communicating with people when not in a sketch. Vocal range baritone.
SY BENSON (30’s+). Tough, ruthless. Comic role. Head writer, bully to all but King Kaiser. A chicken and pushover at heart. Vocal range baritone.
ALICE MILLER (30’s+). Dry, quick witted, fast talking, tough-gal gag writer, physical role. Writer on Comedy Cavalcade. Very rare to have a woman writer at this time. (in the manner of Rose Marie’s Sally Rogers on the old “Dick Van Dyke Show”.) show. She has no problem going toe-to-toe with King ...or anyone else. (Based on Lucille Kallen TV writer on Sid Caser shows.) Vocal range low alto to D/belt.
HERB LEE (30’s+). Rumpled, silent but very expressive. Comic, physical role. Writer on Comedy Cavalcade. Communicates through Alice. This is basically a NON-SPEAKING role with little to no dialog, but must be expressive and possess good comic timing. A great physical actor role. (able to double in some ensemble scenes).
KC DOWNING (early 30's). A bright, attractive career girl. Assistant to the producer. Pretty enough to be the "Breck Girl". Benjy's love interest. This character is inherently funny without realizing it. Must move well. Vocal range high alto light belt.
LEO SILVER (40's+). Gray-haired, well dressed, antacid chewing Producer of the Comedy Cavalcade. Comic role. The only one who comes close to controlling King and usually at his side. Vocal range baritone. (able to double in some ensemble scenes).
BELLE MAY STEINBERG CARROCA (40's+). Benjy's mother. A large presence of a woman. A substantial beacon of Brooklyn society. Loud and a bit overbearing, always looks her best, if not a bit too much. Lainie Kazan played her on Broadway. Comic role but with a touching quality. Vocal range high alto belt.
“ROOKIE” CARROCA (40's+). Belle's husband, Benjy's step-father. Filipino, former Bantamweight weight boxer. Comic role. Vocal range baritone. (doubles in some ensemble scenes)
TESS (must be able to look about 16). Swann's estranged daughter. A very pretty, very Grace Kelly sort of sixteen-year-old. Quite a young lady. (doubles in some ensemble scenes).
UNCLE MORTY (40’s+). Benjy's uncle (Belle's brother). Loud, comic role (doubles in some ensemble scenes). The sort of uncle you run into when family gatherings get too dull. Vocal range baritone.
AUNT SADIE (40's+). Morty's wife. You should have no problem picking them out as a couple. Comic role (doubles in some ensemble scenes). Vocal range alto.
ENSEMBLE - Casting a strong and busy ensemble to portray show girls, dancers, singers, commercial actors, sketch Actors, stage hands, secretaries, denizens of Manhattan, Brooklyn Neighbors and more. Looking for very versatile actors who can sing and move well. Lots of lines, solos, and features. Each ensemble member will play 3-4 feature/small roles to create rich scenes full of life and action.
The role of Stage Manager has been precast.