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Produced by: Eric Scerbo
Directed by: Michael Kharfen
Musical Direction by: Valerie Higgs
Choreographed by: Andrea Heininge
Audition Dates: August 1, 2, 3, 2010 from 7:00-9:00pm
Callbacks: August 4 at 7:00 pm
Audition Location: Meadow Hall Elementary School, 951 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD
(For information and questions, contact us at:contactrmt@hotmail.com).
Show Synopsis:
The Pajama Game is a fun-filled, frolicking show set in the fabric of a factory where boy finds girl, boy wins girl, boy loses girl, and boy gets girl back. Along the way, there’s feuding management and labor, romance, jealousy with jazzy songs (“Steam Heat”, “Hernando’s Hideaway”, “Hey There”) and lively dances with vim and verve. Yes, it’s the 1950’s, but The Pajama Game is sassy. The characters are strong, with lots of passion and individuality. In its post-World War 2 era, Americans were asserting themselves in new ways. The younger generation was trying to define its own future – finding for themselves their mates, building a new security with an expected standard of living, and seeking independence outside of the pre-war society formula. There was a new sense of entrepreneurship and confidence, even bravado. Also, for women, freed from the home confines during the war, they had a taste of being a bread winner and not just the bread benefiter. In addition, a new sense of sexual expression was slowly emerging. The Pajama Game has spirit and energy.
Audition Procedures |
Cast Member Expectations
Appointments are not necessary, and auditioners will be taken in the order that they turn in their information sheets. Please sing 32-bars of a song, preferably one from musical theater. We will provide a piano accompanist. There will be a short dance piece to learn, so please come dressed to move/dance. You may also be required to do a cold reading from the script.
RMT holds totally open auditions -- no parts are pre-cast. You may bring a resume if you like. You will be asked to fill out an information sheet and a conflict calendar so please know your other commitments ahead of time. A head shot is not required, but feel free to bring one. We will still take a picture so that we can be sure to remember you as you looked at the audition.
Character Descriptions
We are looking to cast 11 men and 12 women, ages 'teens' to 60's.
- Babe Williams, 20’s-30’s (Mezzo/Alto), is the smart and feisty factory worker with a fierce loyalty to her union and family who protests she doesn’t fall in love easily.
- Sid Sorokin, 20’s-30’s (Tenor), is the new savvy, determined to succeed factory superintendent from out of town who meets his match in Babe.
- Vernon Hines, 40’s-50’s (Baritone), is the dedicated, nervous time-study man and former carnival knife thrower, jealously in love with Gladys, the boss’ secretary.
- Gladys, 30’s-40’s (Mezzo/Alto), is the spunky, down to earth boss’ secretary who likes Vernon and puts up with his jealousies.
- Mabel, 30’s-50’s (Mezzo/Alto), is the wise-cracking secretary who knows everything that goes on in the factory and gives plenty of advice.
- Prez, 40’s-50’s (Baritone) is the ambitious boss of the union pushing for a 7 ½ cent raise for the workers and also has a wandering eye for the ladies.
- Mae, 20’s-30’s (Mezzo/Alto) is the spirited factory worker who wants to move up in the union and takes a liking to Prez.
- Hasler, 50’s-60’s, is the stingy boss of the factory who protests that there’s not enough money to give the union a raise, but harbors a secret about the books.
- Pop, 60’s+, is Babe’s devoted father and long-time railroad conductor who encourages the two love-birds.
- Ensemble Guys: Charley, Joe, Max, Bob, Jim, Dale
- Ensemble Gals: Brenda, Poopsie, Rita, Virginia, Carmen, Charlene, Sara, Mary.
The Pajama Game is a great ensemble show with lots of musical numbers both singing and dancing! Every member of the ensemble has a character with lines, solo pieces in the songs and plenty of time on stage.
Production Staff Information
- Director, Michael Kharfen:
Michael Kharfen is directing for the first time at Rockville Musical Theatre. Previous directing credits include As You Like It (Reston Community Players), The History Boys (Elden Street Players), 110 in the Shade (Kensington Arts Theatre, WATCH Nomination), Never the Sinner (Silver Spring Stage, WATCH Awards: Play, Director, Special Effects), The Invention of Love (Elden Street, Ruby Griffith Award), The Winslow Boy (Rockville Little Theatre), and WIT (Silver Spring, Ruby Griffith Award). On stage, he has acted in Amadeus (The Arlington Players), Shining City (Elden Street), Hauptmann (Port City Playhouse, WATCH Award), The Lion in Winter (RLT), and Sleuth (Little Theatre of Alexandria). His goals for every show are for everyone to have a great time and feel part of a terrific team – cast and crew. And, he bakes cookies.
- Music Director, Valerie Higgs: Valerie Higgs is joining Rockville Music Theatre for the first time, as well! Her last show with Michael Kharfen and Eric Scerbo was 110 in the Shade (Kensington Arts Theatre), and she is so looking forward to working with them and the production team again. Previous music directing credits include Violet and Zanna, Don’t! (Kensington Arts Theatre); Over Here!, The Wiz, Once Upon a Mattress and Seesaw (Living Arts Repertory Theatre “L’Art,” NJ); The Baker Street Irregulars Staged Reading (Walnut Street Theatre, PA); The Three Willies (The Painted Bride, PA); Working (Village Players Performing Arts Center, IL); The King and I and Follies (Haddon Heights Summer Music Theatre, NJ); and the TADA! Children’s Theatre Outreach Program (NYC).
- Choreographer, Andrea Heininge:
Andrea Heinenge, a Fairfax County native, has just returned from three years in New York City. While there she danced with PushFactor Dance Company and Undertoe Dance Project, worked for the New York International Ballet Competition, and taught dance classes at the New York Kids Club. She also served on the faculty of and was a judge for DanzJam Conventions in the New England area. She trained locally and performed as a member of Dancin’ Unlimited Dance Company for three years. She attended summer programs including American Ballet Theater, North Carolina School of the Arts, Parsons Dance Company New York City Intensive and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. She received her BFA in Dance from Point Park University, where she was also awarded Outstanding Graduating Senior. At Point Park, she had the honor to work with such choreographers as Alan Hineline, Mark Diamond, Heidi Latsky, Sandra Torijano and Jeannie Hill. Andrea is currently directing the Fairfax High School Academy for the Arts and Communications dance program, on faculty at the Russell School of Ballet and a choreographer for The Fairfax Ballet. Andrea has choreographed a number of musical theater productions including West Side Story (TJHSST), Chicago and Singin' in the Rain (Fairfax HS), and Curtains (RCP) for which she won a WATCH award.
- Producer, Eric Scerbo:
Eric Scerbo is producing at RMT after appearing in last summer’s Hello, Dolly and assistant costuming the Summer 2008 production of Gypsy. He is thrilled to be once again teaming up with Michael and Valerie (along with a few others on what is shaping up to be a fantastic design team) following their Fall 2008 production of 110 in the Shade at KAT; He has just completed Producing and Assistant Directing Violet. He has worked around the WATCH area in various capacities at SSS, KAT, DS and TAP. Some of his favorite productions include: Company, Assassins (WATCH Award winner), Urinetown, Sweeney Todd, Never the Sinner, Agnes of God, Seascape (WATCH award nominee) and Glorious! (WATCH award nominee) all as costume designer; and Nevermore, Sweeney Todd and Communicating Doors as an assistant on sound design. Eric enjoys Community Theater as a great outlet for creativity, a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and, most of all, a way to have lots of fun entertaining others.
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PO Box 1248 Rockville, MD 20849 |
contactrmt@hotmail.com
| tickets & info: 240-314-8690
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