AVENUE Q AUDITION INFORMATION

Transcription

1 AVENUE Q AUDITION INFORMATION EXECUTIVE TEAM Director Cameron Biggs Executive Producer Ginny Williams Producer Cameron Biggs Production Manager Harry Donohoe Design UK Productions/GSA Puppets Paul Jomain SHOW SUMMARY Avenue Q tells the timeless story of a recent college graduate trying to find his way in the world. Set in New York City all the way out on Avenue Q (he couldn t afford anything better), we are introduced to fresh-faced Princeton as he struggles to find his purpose: meeting friends, finding love, losing love, and finding it again, along the way. Inspired by the beloved children s show Sesame Street, Avenue Q creates a puppet-filled world that is a little more reflective of the difficult, R-rated realities that we face when we learn that real life isn t as simple as we dreamed it might be but perhaps, suggests Avenue Q, life is all the more colourful and worthwhile for it. Note: despite featuring puppets, Avenue Q features adult topics, offensive language, and an onstage portrayal of puppet sex. Avenue Q won 3 Tony Awards in 2004 Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. CHARACTER BREAKDOWN IMPORTANT PUPPET NOTE: Gender is not important in puppeteering. The character may be male or female but the puppeteer does not need to match. If you can create a voice and sing the songs you will be considered for both, male and female puppet roles. CHARACTER DESCRIPTION VOCAL RANGE PREFERRED AUDITION SONG Princeton A fresh-faced college graduate in love with Kate Monster, looking for his purpose in life. Bb2 - G4 (Baritenor) Purpose Kate Monster Nicky Rod Brian Christmas Eve A lovelorn kindergarten assistant, in love with Princeton, looking to open a school for monsters. An Ernie-parody good-hearted slacker who lives with Rod A gay Bert-parody investment banker with a secret. An out-of-work comedian, engaged to Christmas Eve A Japanese therapist, engaged to Brian F#3 - F5 (Soprano) B2 - B4 (Baritenor) A2 - G4 (Baritenor) B2 - F#4 (Baritone) B3 - F#5 (B3 - F#5) Mix Tape If You Were Gay My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today The More You Ruv Someone

2 Gary Coleman The Bad Idea Bears Trekkie Monster Television's Gary Coleman, now a washed up former child star. The building super A duo of adorable but sinister teddy bear-like characters who are out to get people to do irresponsible deeds. The boy is blue and the girl is yellow A Cookie Monster-parody, addicted to internet porn instead of cookies (D3 - Bb5 (Belt Alto) 1 female voice (Mezzo-soprano) 1 male voice (Baritone) Bb2 - Eb4 Lucy T Slut A vixenish slutty night club singer F3 - F5 (Alto - Belting) Mrs Thistletwat Kate's elderly boss and kindergarten teacher. Newcomer A fresh-faced college graduate at the end of the show. You Can Be As Loud As The Hell You Want Song in the style of the show School For Monsters (reprise) Special Song in the style of the show Song in the style of the show Ricky SONG LIST A gay Ernie-parody, who looks exactly like Nicky, only more muscular Song in the style of the show ACT 1 The Avenue Q Theme Company What Do You Do with a B.A. in English? Princeton It Sucks to Be Me Brian, Kate Monster, Rod, Nicky, Christmas Eve, Gary Coleman, and Princeton If You Were Gay Nicky with Rod Purpose Princeton and Company (via singing boxes ) Everyone's a Little Bit Racist Princeton, Kate, Gary, Brian, and Christmas Eve The Internet Is for Porn Kate, Trekkie Monster, Brian, Gary Coleman, Rod, and Princeton Mix Tape Kate and Princeton I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today Brian Special Lucy the Slut You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love) Gary, The Bad Idea Bears, Princeton, Kate, and Company Fantasies Come True Rod, Kate, Nicky and Princeton My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada Rod There's a Fine, Fine Line Kate ACT II It Sucks to Be Me (Reprise) Princeton There Is Life Outside Your Apartment Brian, Princeton, Christmas Eve, Gary, Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Lucy the Slut, and Company The More You Ruv Someone Christmas Eve and Kate Schadenfreude Gary and Nicky I Wish I Could Go Back to College Kate, Nicky and Princeton The Money Song Nicky, Princeton, Gary, Brian and Christmas Eve School for Monsters Trekkie Monster and Company The Money Song (Reprise) Nicky, Princeton, Gary, Brian and Christmas Eve There's a Fine, Fine Line (Reprise) Princeton and Kate What Do You Do With a B.A. in English? (Reprise) Newcomer For Now Company

3 AUDITIONS To register your audition slot go to Auditions will be at Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN (wyllyottstheatre.co.uk) Thursday 4 th May from 7.45pm Sunday 7 th May from 2.45pm Recalls will be held ad hoc as necessary. If you are unable to make the advertised audition dates, and wish to audition, please get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate your availability. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Minimum age for auditionees at the time of auditions. Please arrive 10 minutes before your audition time. Prepare a song from the show see above for specific character songs if you are unsure; please also have another song on hand not from the show but in the style of the show you may be asked to sing this as well. Please bring a backing track either on CD or iphone/mp3 player with headphone jack. Please prepare a monologue from the selection below. You may not be asked to read this. Time slots for all auditions will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Some auditionees will be required to attend a recall. If you do not get a call back it does NOT mean you aren t in the show we just don t need to see you again. You will be required to complete an audition form on the day. FEES Wyllyotts Theatre is one of Hertfordshire s premier amateur theatres with the aim of producing shows to the best quality possible for local audiences. In the nature of amateur theatre, performers are not paid not even expenses. To perform in Avenue Q you must pay a show fee of 75. This fee is refundable commensurate with ticket sales. The fee will be returned when sales hit 60% across the week. The refund will be processed in the week following the 9th September. All performers will be required to pay a 25 book/libretto deposit, which is refundable on return of your book in good condition with no markings. REHEARSALS Rehearsals will commence on Sunday 18th June.

4 Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7.45pm. Sunday rehearsals will commence on 30th July. Cast will be called as required, a rehearsal schedule will be published following casting. Clashes may influence casting decisions. Rehearsals will be at Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar. PRODUCTION DATES Get In will begin on Saturday 2nd September and Technical/Dress rehearsals will commence on Sunday 3rd September. Avenue Q will open on Tuesday 5th Sep and run until Saturday 9th September with a Saturday Matinee performance. The Avenue Q launch party will be on Tuesday 5th September and closing party will be on Saturday 9th September at Wyllyotts Theatre. BACKSTAGE/CREW/CREATIVE SUPPORT If you are not interested in auditioning, but are interested in helping out in other areas of the production, in any capacity (from crewing to building scenery, preparing costumes, hair/makeup etc.) please contact Harry at harry.donohoe@yahoo.co.uk with details of what you are interested in doing.

5 AVENUE Q AUDITION MONOLOGUES All actors must audition with one of the monologues below. If there isn t a monologue for the part you have chosen, just pick one from below. Kate Monster : Female (Standing in front of a group like in an AA meeting) Hello My Name is Kate Monster.. I like to have fun and party.. Oh..Oh.. and I am really into monster stuff yeh My upstairs neighbor is also a Monster his name is Trekkie. And sometimes we (interrupted listens then replies)what Yes we re both Monsters (angry) no we are not related! I'm surprised at you! I find that racist! No, not all Monsters are related. What are you trying to say - that we all look the same to you? It s a very touchy subject, one that I have dealing with for a long time. When I was a little Monster, I always wished I had a special place I could go. A special school, only for Monsters. The media only talks about the bad things Monsters do, but some of the most productive members of our society are People of Fur. So my dream is to start a special school, only for Monsters, where little Monsters can become part of the global community. So that, in short, is my purpose. Christmas Eve: Female (heavy oriental Asian American accent) Hey Rod, how it hanging? What s wrong, you okay, Rod? You can tell me I a licensed therapist with two Master degree! People come to me for helping for all kinds of problems. Well sort of. I meet with people, we talking for an hour, then they go away and never come back. And I wonder: why? Am I fixing them in one appointment? Maybe I too efficient. Maybe I should spread my helping out! So, Rod, do you need some helping? (listens a moment) You have friend who think he gay! What wrong with that? You know, Rod, gay people make major contribution to art and philosophy and literature for many hundreds of years, now. (Listens) Your friend not artist he republican and an investment banker. (thinks a moment) Ew, well, tell him to stay in closet, then. He good for nothing. Rod: Male Oh Hi do you have a minute I wanted to talk in private well I have this friend and I think he has a very big problem. I think - I think my friend is (whispers) gay. Oh I know there shouldn t be anything wrong with being (whispers) gay. Gay people have been making major contributions to art and philosophy and literature for many hundreds of years, now. But my friend isn't an artist - he's a Republican. And an investment banker! I just don t know what to do.. (screws up his courage) Screw it! Listen, everybody, I have a few things I'd like to say. I've confronted my fears and won, so. Number one: I apologize for being so hot-headed and difficult. It was all because - and this is number two: - hold your applause, everybody - I, Rod, am gay. SURPRISE! (No one responds.) Okay. and three. Nicky, I'm sorry. You're my best friend and I missed you so much. Will you move back in with me? Great!. Oh sweet suffering Jesus My cup runneth over! (Friskily.) Let's go! Nicky: Male Hey Rod, you'll never guess what happened to me on the subway this morning. This guy was smiling at me and talking to me.. He was being real friendly, and you know, I think he was coming on to me. I think he might've thought I was gay! Rod, there's no need to get defensive about it, I didn't mean anything by it, Rod. I just think it's something we should be able to talk about. I mean, when people come up to me and ask me if your gay, I say, It's funny you ask. Because I do think Rod is gay. I always have. But I figured if he wanted to tell me, he would. So yes, definitely, I would say that my buddy Rod is a closeted homosexual. (see s Rods Reaction) I mean "Yes, definitely, I would say that my buddy Rod has an

6 undescended testicle." (backpedalling) Rod, listen, from now on I'll believe anything you say about yourself. And I apologize for having been such a messy roommate. Now that I have a place of my own - behind that dumpster over there - I can appreciate how hard it is to keep things nice. Lucy: Female (heavy flirting) Well Hi there The names Lucy Man, am I beat. I still haven't figured out where I'm gonna crash tonight. You wouldn t know of anyplace close.. would you?.. All I need is a warm mattress, even if it isn t that warm, it will be when I m through with it you know what I mean. (listens) Oh, you're dating a Monster. I dated a Monster once. But I got sick of picking the fur out of my teeth. Have fun with your Monster. I am not looking to get serious sorry to be honest kid, but look at me. I can have my pick of the litter. If I want a relationship, I'll find a guy with a good job, who has a future and a ton of money, and not some well-hung, baby-faced kid who leeches from his parents and can't get his act together. You know the only revelation people have in life, kiddo? They're not special. You're not special. You're no luckier or more gifted than anyone else. But when you're ready to have a little fun with a real woman, you know where to find me. Princeton: Male Hey, thanks for helping me move in! I know there were a lot of boxes but my parents sent all my stuff from home. They even put little smiley faces on all the boxes. (Happy) Oh and look my first mail in my new place. (looking at envelopes, gets depressed as he reads) rent bill, utility bill, student loan bill credit card bill, internet bill, cell phone bill well at least my job starts tomorrow (phone rings) Hello, (to audience) oh it s my new job. (into phone) Hi I can't wait to meet all of you tomorrow -. Sorry, I can barely hear you - Uh huh. Uh, did you say "downsizing?" But how can I be laid off when I haven't even - no, please don't hang up! Please! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE? Now what I am going to do, how am I supposed to find my purpose now. Wait a minute, I know. Just think about all those kids out there just like me. all fresh-faced and new and not knowing anything! They have no idea what there in for! They think the hard part's over, but it's not! And maybe they need some help! Maybe my purpose is to take everything I'm learning and put it - put it into a SHOW!... or maybe I should just get high Gary Coleman: Male/Female Oh, kid, don't look so long in the face. Here's a bit of advice - never underestimate the power of longrange planning. If life gets you down, don't sit on your ass and let it pass you by. 'Cause you know what they say - if you rearrange the letters in unemployed", it spells opportunity!" I know from living in the dumps. But look at the bright side - think of all the joy you'll bring to others when they find out just how miserable you are! Come on it s only human nature, people look at you and they think boy at least I am not him and that makes them feel better. So you see your performing a public service, a no pay, down in the dumps, barely surviving, glad I m not you public service. But hey at least it s not me. Brian: Male Princeton! (see s Princeton) Listen, buddy, nobody's seen you for two weeks. What's up with that? Depressed? Well this will cheer you up.. It s my latest joke. Okay So there's an octopus in line at the grocery store, and in his cart is a can of soup, a vibrator, and a redhead with gigantic tits and well I haven t figured out a punchline yet but when I do it will be a killer. What, not even a smile? Man, what you need is a change of perspective. C'mon, let's go out and mess around the city. There is life outside this apartment but you will only experience it if you get out. And what do you know you might even score.

7 Mrs Thistletwat: Female Good afternoon, Katherine. You may recall that you were supposed to teach my class this morning I had an appointment for heart replacement surgery first thing, and I need you to teach my class in the morning. I told you I would probably need until the lunch break to recover. You never showed up! You left the children unattended for three hours! They created their own tribal society, and were about to sacrifice poor little Brittany! Where were you?! Oh I should have never hired a Monster! Your race is notoriously lazy. (reacts to something being said to her) What. Well I ll have you know that Crabby old bitches are the bedrock of this nation! Oh. I regret the day I hired you!... What.. you can t quit because I m going to fire you!

8 AVENUE Q DETAILED SYNOPSIS SETTING A fictional street located in an outer-outer borough of New York City. ACT 1 Princeton, a recent college graduate, is anxious to discover his purpose in life; but first, he must find an affordable apartment and a job, with no work experience and an English degree. ( What Do You Do with a B.A. in English? ) Beginning at Avenue A, he finally finds a cheap apartment on Avenue Q. His new neighbours are Kate Monster, a kindergarten teaching assistant; Rod, an anal-retentive Republican banker, and Nicky, his slacker roommate; Brian, an aspiring comedian recently laid off from his day job; Christmas Eve, Brian's Asian fiancée and a therapist with no clients; Trekkie Monster, a surly recluse who surfs the Internet all day in search of porn; and Gary Coleman, the building superintendent. Arguments ensue over whose life sucks the most. ( It Sucks to Be Me ) Nicky, who is straight, suspects Rod is gay, and assures Rod it is fine with him if he is; but Rod insists he is not. ( If You Were Gay ) Princeton finds a lucky penny and starts searching for his purpose in life ( Purpose ). Kate dreams of starting a Monstersorri school for young people of fur. Princeton innocently asks Kate if she and Trekkie are related, since they are both monsters. Kate says that assumption is racist. Princeton, taken aback, counters that Kate's Monstersorri School would discriminate against non-monsters. They and the neighbours agree that racism is an adult reality. ( Everyone's a Little Bit Racist ) Princeton receives money from his parents, and the Bad Idea Bears, two charming troublemakers, convince him to spend it on beer. Kate's boss, Mrs. Thistletwat, assigns Kate to teach the next morning's kindergarten class, her first solo teaching opportunity. She decides her lesson will be the Internet, and all its educational attributes, but Trekkie Monster explains another reality of adulthood: most adults (men, anyway) use it for pornography. ( The Internet is for Porn ) Princeton gives Kate a mixtape. His song selections are puzzling, making her wonder what message he is trying to send, but eventually she decides that he likes her ( Mixtape ). Sure enough, he invites her on a date to the Around the Clock Cafe. Brian, the cafe's MC, does his raunchy stand-up act ( I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today ), then introduces Lucy the Slut, a skanky chanteuse who wows the guys, especially Princeton, with a seductive cabaret number ( Special ). The Bad Idea Bears suggest that Kate and Princeton order some harmless Long Island Iced Teas, and, once Kate is totally inebriated, that Princeton take her to bed. Kate and Princeton have enthusiastic, high-decibel sex. Gary fields angry calls from other tenants but refuses to intercede. ( You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want When You're Makin' Love ) Rod hears Nicky say, I love you, Rod, in his sleep, and is jubilant, but eventually realizes it was he who was dreaming. Meanwhile, Kate and Princeton profess their mutual love, and Princeton gives Kate his lucky penny. ( Fantasies Come True ) The next morning, a hung-over Kate misses her teaching assignment. Mrs. Thistletwat berates her, and Kate angrily quits her job before she can be fired. Christmas Eve decides unilaterally that it is time she and Brian were married. At the wedding, Nicky speculates that Rod is gay. Rod, furious, insists he has a

9 girlfriend named Alberta in Vancouver, ( My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada ) and throws Nicky out of their apartment. Princeton confesses a fear of commitment. When Kate catches Christmas Eve's wedding bouquet, he panics and asks if they can just be friends. Kate says that she has plenty of friends, and angrily leaves. ( There's a Fine, Fine Line ) ACT II A despondent Princeton has been holed up in his apartment after breaking up with Kate, but is coaxed out by the neighbours. ( There is Life Outside Your Apartment ) Lucy is looking for a place to crash and seduces the rebounding Princeton. Kate is angry, but Christmas Eve explains that her anger means she loves Princeton. ( The More You Ruv Someone ) Kate writes a note to Princeton suggesting that they rendezvous at the Empire State Building, and leaves it with Lucy, who destroys it. A homeless Nicky laments his fate to Gary, who confesses that he is deriving pleasure from Nicky's misfortune ( Schadenfreude ). On the Empire State Building's viewing platform, Kate, thinking that Princeton has stood her up, throws his lucky penny away. A hundred stories below, Lucy, walking by on Fifth Avenue, is knocked unconscious by the penny. Kate and Princeton unsuccessfully attempt to work out their problems over Lucy's comatose body. Rod is too proud to accept Nicky's repeated apologies, despite clearly missing him, and tearfully consults with Christmas Eve. Princeton, Kate, and Nicky dream of returning to happier times ( I Wish I Could Go Back to College ). Princeton gives a still homeless, panhandling Nicky a quarter, and marvels at how fantastic he feels. Since thinking only about himself has gotten him nowhere, he decides to raise money to build Kate's Monstersorri School. He solicits everyone, even breaking the fourth wall to shake down the audience, ( The Money Song ) with disappointing results; but Trekkie Monster, recalling his own traumatic school experience, donates ten million dollars, explaining to the astonished cast, In volatile market, only stable investment is porn! ( School for Monsters/The Money Song (Reprise) ) Kate joyfully opens her new school. Brian lands a consulting job and Christmas Eve finally has a paying client (Rod), so the newlyweds move to a better neighbourhood. Rod finally comes out, to no one's particular surprise, and takes Nicky back in. Nicky finds Rod a boyfriend, Ricky, a muscle-bound hunk who looks and sounds exactly like Nicky. The Bad Idea Bears discover Scientology. Lucy, recovered from her head injury, becomes a born-again Christian and takes a vow of chastity. Kate and Princeton agree to give their relationship another go ( There's a Fine, Fine Line (Reprise) ). A new college graduate asks about the vacancy in the building, ( What Do You Do with a BA in English (Reprise) ) and Princeton has an epiphany: maybe his purpose is to pass on everything he has learned about real life in a Broadway musical. Everybody, especially the new guy, immediately ridicules him. The cast reminds Princeton that in the real world many people never find their purpose; but life goes on, and everything, both good and bad, is only for now. ( For Now )