Prospect Theater Company announces auditions for both AEA and non-AEA performers, for the company’s upcoming production of Cole Porter’s NYMPH ERRANT.  Equity Principal Auditions will be held on Monday, March 12 at the Equity building, other auditions will be held by appointment March 15 – 25.

CONTRACT:  AEA  Transition, $109/week minimum (based on 15-hour rehearsal week; additional rehearsals are $7.25/hour)

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Adaptation/New Libretto by Rob Urbinati
(Based on the novel by James Laver and the original libretto by Romney Brent)

Director and Choreographer:  Will Pomerantz

Prospect’s Casting Director: Jason Najjoum

1st reh: 6/12/12. Runs 7/7-29 at The Clurman Theatre, Theater Row.

Prospect is committed to casting this production with an ethnically diverse ensemble; performers of all ethnicities are encouraged to submit for all roles.

To be considered for an appoint, submit headshot/resume to casting@prospecttheater.org.

Please prepare two contrasting selections from the traditional musical theater repertory (e.g. Cole Porter, Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart). Note that there may be time for one song only. Bring sheet music in the correct key; an accompanist will be provided, but may not transpose.  Please bring a photo and resume, stapled back-to-back.

Originally produced in 1933, Prospect’s production of NYMPH ERRANT is an updated version of a classic but largely unknown Porter score, with a new libretto by Rob Urbinati.  Story explores the conflict between romantic and sexual ideas of love, and follows the unlikely adventures of Evangeline Edwards and her boarding school girlfriends – from a Swiss boarding school to an Austrian nudist colony, Turkish harem, and more – as Eve enters the world and seeks her true passion.

Seeking actors with a stellar traditional musical theater sound and a 1930s period/cabaret/vaudeville sensibility.  Impeccable comedic timing is a must, as well as fluency with dialects and the ability to move.  Must be able to hold tight harmonies (especially [Eve, Joyce, Henrietta, Bertha and Madeline]) … While the show includes a scene at a “nudist colony” no actually nudity will be required, but the actors portraying [Eve, Joyce, Henrietta, Bertha and Madeline] will perform much of the show in a state of relative undress (1930s period underwear).

Eve:

18-29, British. Upper class. Intelligent and adventurous, naïve and hopeful, but resilient. Attractive, with a good figure, but doesn’t communicate sexuality well – and when she tries to, it’s awkward and funny. She’s had only one boyfriend, and she is still a virgin. Knock-out comedienne and strong singer required. British accent. Soprano with strong mix and lower range.

Joyce:

18-29, British. Upper class. Loves to ride horses and fox-hunt. Free spirit; doesn’t care what anyone thinks; loves experimentation, artistic and otherwise. One day, she hooks up with a nudist, and becomes an eccentric bohemian who runs a Parisian jazz club. Makes no attempt to be sexual, but men find her attractive. British accent. Mezzo belter.

Henrietta:

18-29, American. From Yonkers. Nouveau-riche. While Henrietta has tons of money, she has little class or sophistication, nor does she aspire to have any. Sassy, brash and fun-loving, she is a good friend to the other girls. Broad American accent. Soprano belter.

Bertha:

18-29, German. Athletic build. Lesbian. Loved boarding school, as it provided the opportunity to be around girls. Loves organization and uniformity, and finds her home in a nudist colony. She’s not overtly sexual, but rather is more of a romantic. Broad German accent and great comedic timing required. Alto.

Madeline:

18-29, French. Overtly sexy. Has a great figure, which she enjoys showing off. Obsessed with men and clothes. Needs a man to provide financial support, and has no problem using her body and charm to get it. Stellar comedienne required. Thick French accent. Mezzo with strong belt.

Haidee / Aunt Ermyntrude:

Two-character track (females, 30s-50s) for one performer. Haidee: African American. Torch singer.  Sexy, lively and brash; gets along with everyone. Aunt Ermyntrude: British, middle-aged. Eve’s aunt. Less prim than her niece, and a bit of a flirt. Jazz belter.

Miss Pratt / Clarissa / Mrs. Bamberg:

Three-character track (females, 30s-50s) for one performer. Miss Pratt: Swiss, middle-aged. A professor. Asexual. Caring, but stiff and reserved. Loves her students. Clarissa: French. World-weary cocotte. Very sensual, but over the hill and a little tired. Tender, and still looking for love. Mrs. Bamberg: American. Brassy. Loud, vulgar and funny; couldn’t care less what anyone thinks of her. Mezzo soprano legit/belt with strong lower register.

Oliver / Ben:

Two-character track (masculine and earthy males, 20s) for one performer. Oliver: British. Working class. Gardener for Eve’s aunt. Sincere and intelligent. Eve’s love interest back home. Ben: American. Plumber. Not as bright, but full of life. Baritenor.

Andre / Heinz / Constantine / Ali:

Multi-character track (males with a “Mediterranean vibe”, 20s-40s) for one performer. Andre de Croissant: French. Handsome entrepreneur. Dapper showman. Lover of women. Heinz: German. Intellectual. Devoted to nature. Enraged with decadence. A nudist who professes to abhor sexual desire, but later we find out otherwise. Constantine: Very Greek. Lover and businessman. Confident in his sexual prowess. Uses this confidence and his extreme wealth to attract and capture women, but ultimately is more interested in his carpet business. Ali: Persian. Eunuch in an authority position in the harem. Sweet and adorable; young and clever. Baritone.

Alexei / Ferdinand / Vassim / Pither:

Multi-character track (males, 20s-40s) for one performer. Alexei: Russian. Musician. Often depressed about something in the stereotypical Russian way. Falls in and out of love constantly, inviting joy and despair. Count Ferdinand: Italian aristocrat. Lives life in heroic dimensions, e.g. he rescues Eve on a horse. Vassim: Turkish. Warrior. Masculine, yet flamboyant, as he adores women’s fabrics — seeing them, touching them and wearing them. Reverend Pither: British, middle-aged. Churchman. Crusty. Tenor.