Auditions Announced for THE MUSIC MAN

The Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, in collaboration with the Cedar Falls Community Theatre, Waterloo Community Playhouse, and wcfsymphony, is thrilled to announce auditions for this fall’s production of The Music Man.

AUDITION DATES:

• Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
• Callbacks: Thursday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m.

AUDITION VENUE:
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
Enter GBPAC through west side doors, off Ohio Street

PERFORMANCE DATES:

• Friday, October 25, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

PERFORMANCE VENUE:
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
8201 Dakota St, Cedar Falls, IA 50614

SYNOPSIS
The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall. 

AUDITION FORMAT
Initial auditions will consist of three parts: a vocal (musical) audition, a dance/movement audition, and an acting audition with selections chosen from the script.

For the vocal audition: Please prepare 16-32 bars of an age-appropriate song from the Broadway musical repertoire. Your song can be from a Disney musical. We prefer if you have a piano track for your song; if a track is unavailable, please bring sheet music for our accompanist to play. Please, no acapella singing. We will have some well-known pieces available if you don’t have anything available.

For the dance/movement audition: Please come prepared to dance and move, making sure you wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for a full range of motion and movement styles. 

For the acting audition: We will perform scenes from the script.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Harold Hill (Adult) Our story’s unsuspecting protagonist. A con man, traveling under the auspices of a salesman, he eventually falls in love with Marian Paroo. Charismatic and charming. Vocal range top: F4/Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Marian Paroo (Adult) The town librarian and music teacher. She is an attractive young lady who eventually falls for Harold Hill. She is stern but knows what she wants. Curious. Vocal range top: A5/Vocal range bottom: G3

Mrs. Paroo (Adult) Cheerful and always wanting the best for everyone. An Irish widow and mother to Marian and Winthrop. Vocal range top: Eb5/Vocal range bottom: Ab3

Winthrop Paroo (Youth 10-13) Marian’s baby brother, he is very shy because of a noticeable lisp. Embraces Harold Hill and the marching band. Vocal top range: Eb5/Vocal range bottom: C4

Marcellus Washburn (Adult) Harold’s chummy old friend and former con man, who now lives in River City and is trying to settle down. Ethel Toffelmeir is his girlfriend. Vocal range top: A4/Vocal range bottom: G2

Mayor Shinn (Adult) A blustery mayor of River City  who is all too “self-important.” Begrudgingly married to Eulalie, he is skeptical of the town rumor mill.

Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn (Adult) Mayor Shinn’s peacock wife. A serial gossiper and snob, she has trouble keeping her opinions to herself. Vocal range top: D5/Vocal range bottom: D4

Zaneeta Shinn (Youth 15-18) The Mayor’s fresh-faced daughter who is in love with Tommy. Sweet and outgoing. Appears to be daffy at times.

Charlie Cowell (Adult) A traveling salesman who is on to Harold Hill’s schemes. Tirelessly attempts to prove to everyone the true con man behind Harold Hill.

Tommy Djilas (Youth 15-18) An attractive, young man from the wrong side of town. He is secretly courting Zaneeta.

Amaryllis (Youth 10-13) A slightly bratty piano student of Marian Paroo. Vocal top range: E5/Vocal range bottom: C4

THE BARBERSHOP QUARTET (we are willing to cast an existing quartet)

Ewart Dunlop (Adult) A member of the quartet formed by Harold Hill with a tenor voice. Ewart is married to Maude Dunlop. Vocal range top: F5/Vocal range bottom: F3
Oliver Hix (Adult) A baritone in the quartet formed by Hill. Oliver is married to Alma Hix. Vocal range top: F4/Vocal range bottom: B2
Jacey Squires (Adult) The highest tenor in the quartet. Married to Mrs. Squires. Vocal range top: C5/Vocal range bottom: C3
Olin Britt (Adult) A citizen of River City and the bass of the quartet formed by Harold Hill. Vocal range top: C4/Vocal range bottom: F2

RIVER CITY LADIES

Alma Hix (Adult) Sings “Pick-a-Little” and married to Oliver Hix.
Maud Donlop (Adult) Sings “Pick-a-Little” and married to Ewart Dunlop.
Ethel Toffelmier (Adult) Sings “Pick-a-Little” and Marcellus Washburn’s girlfriend.
Mrs. Squires (Adult) Sings “Pick-a-Little” and married to Jacey Squires.

ENSEMBLE (Adults and Youth 9+)
Includes: Constable Locke, Newspaper Readers, River City Townspeople, Traveling Salesmen

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Auditions will be held in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus. Interested individuals need only attend one audition session. Performers ages 8 and up are welcome to audition, and neither experience nor membership is required. Experienced or first-time performers who enjoy singing, dancing, and acting are invited to audition. All roles are open and available. We are committed to a policy of open auditions. Our success depends on the full participation of interested and dedicated people, regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Scripts will be available for a week-long perusal with a $10 deposit. Please contact Anita Ross at anita.ross@wcpbhct.org for a script or more information.

THE MUSIC MAN

Directed by Anita Ross
Assistant Directed by Greg Holt
Symphony Directed by Jason Weinberger
Choreographed by Mandy Masmar
Music Direction by Mason Sealock
Stage Managed by Chris Hale