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A non-profit community theater
10 New England Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901 908-273-2192 |
Auditions are open to all; no appointment is needed. Are you only interested in working backstage? Come to the next audition anyway! That's the best way to get involved.
A part of the Broadway Junior Collection
Words and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy A. McDonald
Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald DahlA Kaleidoscope Theatre for Youth production
Directed by Russ Crespolini
Musical Direction by Alex Kariotis
Choreography by Cindy Jung
Produced by Abbe MaronFor questions about auditions or the production, send mail to WillyWonka@SummitPlayhouse.org. If you want to be on the Kaleidoscope mailing list, send mail to kaleidoscope-notices@SummitPlayhouse.org.
Auditions will be on Friday, May 16 from 6-9pm, and Saturday, May 17 from 12-3pm. Callbacks will be on Monday, May 19 by appointment. Auditions will be at the Playhouse, 10 New England Ave, Summit, NJ (directions).
Director Russ Crespolini is looking for talented, energetic kids, ages 8 to 18, who have what it takes to put their own unique spin on these classic roles. The show, like the film, features a plethora of colorful characters that are prominently featured. Please prepare a song that shows personality and bring sheet music in your key. An accompanist will be provided. Choreographer Cindy Jung will be teaching a simple dance routine, so dress comfortably.
Performances are the last two weekends in July (July 18-27). Some parts may be double cast. Rehearsals will begin at the end of May and are held Sundays through Thursdays in the evenings. Not everyone will be needed for all rehearsals, but please bring a list of conflicts to rehearsals. Those with significant conflicts will not be cast.
If cast, there will be a $30 costume fee.
WILLY WONKA JR.
The show may say "junior" but there is nothing small about the size and the scope of the production. Kaleidoscope is committed to giving patrons Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. Peppered with colorful locations, a tour-de-force role for the title character, songs from the film classic and some clever new additions, Willy Wonka Junior allows performers and audiences alike to visit (or revisit) that world of pure imagination.
Characters:
Wonka: Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic. The choice will be a young man (or a young woman) who is charismatic, engaging and has a great voice. The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime. The actor needs to be able to make the role instantly recognizable while making it their own.
Charlie: The role of Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the musical. The actor performing Charlie should have lots of pluck and enthusiasm. Charlie is in nearly every scene, so the actor must be prepared to handle large amounts of dialogue and singing.
Grandpa Joe: Grandpa Joe is the grandfather we all wish we had when we were Charlie's age. He is caring, patient, sweet and always reminds Charlie to remain cheerful. The actor needs to play kind and funny. The role sings a bit, but the singing is secondary.
Charlie's Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Bucket are great roles for young people who have nice voices, and are natural nurturers. Both sing solos; Mr. Bucket performs the number "Think Positive" with Charlie and Mrs. Bucket sings "Cheer Up, Charlie" with Mr. Bucket and Grandpa Joe.
Phineous: Phineous Trout is the reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. The role requires some singing, and the actor needs to be bombastic, energetic and capable of mocking our current media system. Either a boy or a girl can play the role.
Oompa Lommpas: The backbone of the show. The Oompa-Loompa Chorus serves as the story tellers throughout the show. They are crucial to the performance and will be a variety of ages and sizes. And they will all be ADORABLE.
Augustus: Augustus Gloop is the overachieving eater who represents the evils of eating too much. The weight of the child will not be a factor in casting. Either a boy or a girl acting like a boy can play Augustus. Augustus sings "I Eat More!" along with his mother and Phineous Trout. The song is on the difficult side, but does not need to be sung with a polished pretty voice, in fact, the more character the better.
Mrs. Gloop: Mrs. Gloop is Augustus' mother who has overindulged her son with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings "I Eat More!" which is one of the more difficult songs in the score for young people. The role requires a character actress who isn't afraid to take positive risks both in her acting and her singing.
Mike Teavee: For this adaptation Mike Teavee is not just a TV junky. He is also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mindnumbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not know the word "no." Mike could also be portrayed by a girl playing a boy.
Ms. Teavee: Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She's perfectly put together and a bit vacant.
Violet: Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet Beauregarde hails from Snellville, Georgia, so she needs to have a Southern American accent. Violet should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined brat; Violet is more of a bluecollar, middle class brat. She sings "Chew It" along with Willy Wonka. The song is a tour-de-force for the right voice, so the actress must have a strong voice.
Mrs. Beauregarde: Mrs. Beauregarde is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her orally fixated daughter, with less than stellar results. Her accent should match Violet's and the duo should work well on stage together.
Veruca: Veruca Salt is the wealthy, class-conscious, spoiled brat. She is often portrayed with a high British accent. Veruca's solo number "I Want It Now" is deceptively tricky and comes late in the show, so the actress must have a strong voice.
Mr. Salt: Mr. Salt's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent. He sings and must have good comedic timing with Wonka and Veruca. A female actress playing male may also play the role.
Charlie's Grandparents: Grandma Josephina, Grandma Georgina and Grandpa George Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. The actors in these roles need to be innately interesting, who have good comic timing and are solid actors.
Charlie's friends: James is Charlie's friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with Matilda and Charlie. Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie's, but she's a bit of bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with James and Charlie.