Encore! Educational Theatre Company will hold auditions for:
THE SECRET GARDEN
Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden is scheduled for May 28, 29, 30, and 4, 5 and 6 June at the Hirsch Theatre.
Actors, singers, dancers and production crew
Leading roles for children ages 10-14
Monday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 23
7:30 – 10:00 p.m.
#317 (second floor), 2 Poalei Tzedek
(corner of Pierre Koenig)
Talpiot Industrial Zone
More information: binder@actcom.co.il or 054-546-4215
THE SECRET GARDEN
Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s novel of the same name, The Secret Garden was written by Lucy Simon (music) and Marsha Norman (lyrics) and premiered on Broadway in 1991, where it ran for 709 performances. The original production won, amongst numerous nominations, 3 Tony awards and 2 Drama Desk Awards, for score, lyrics, design and orchestration.
The highly successful Australian tour in 1995 starred Anthony Warlow, Marina Prior and Philip Quast, and the show also had a successful West End run in 2001.
THE STORY:
Living in a lonely manor house on the Yorkshire moors in 1906, Archibald Craven yearns for his beautiful, late wife Lily. He blames his crippled son,Colin, for his wife’s death. Although he loves Colin, he cannot cope with seeing him, and has left Colin isolated and in the care of his doctor uncle Neville. Their quiet routine is turned upside down when young Mary Lennox, a rich, spoiled child, is sent to live with them following the death of her parents from cholera in India. Mary is the late Lily’s niece, and has no relatives closer than Archie, whom she has never met. While living at the manor house, Mary discovers a secret walled garden hidden in the grounds and with the help of local child of nature Dickon, releases the magic and adventures locked inside, changing all of their their lives forever.
Roles to be cast:
MARY LENNOX
Voice type: Mezzo (B-E)
Stage age: 11-12
Role type: Lead
Character: Raised in colonial India, Mary is an orphan whose parents have died of cholera. She has no close relatives and has been sent to live with Archibald Craven, her late mother’s sister’s husband. A spoilt child, now bewildered and alone, she is initially petulant and rude, but at heart is a warm girl.
ARCHIBALD CRAVEN
Voice type: High baritone / tenor (C-Ab)
Stage age: 35-45
Role type: Lead
Character: Master of Misselthwaite Manor, Archie is a mildly handicapped man who lost his beloved wife Lily in childbirth. He is a deeply unhappy,reclusive man who has been preoccupied with his loss for 10 years. Unable to face his son, who is sickly and bed-ridden.
NEVILLE CRAVEN
Voice type: Baritone (C-F#)
Stage age: 30-40
Role type: Featured role
Character: Archie’s younger brother, who is resentful of his position as the younger brother. A humourless, bitter man, who, as a doctor, has responsibility for Colin, Archie’s invalid son.
MARTHA
Voice type: low mezzo (low F – D)
Stage age: 20
Role type: Featured role
Character: Housemaid. An extremely warm, good-hearted girl, feisty and courageous. Needs a belt vocal quality as well as vocal warmth. Requires Yorkshire accent. Needs to be able to inspire Mary when she is at her lowest.
DICKON
Voice type: High baritone (C-G)
Stage age: 18-20
Role type: Featured role
Character: Martha’s younger brother. A mystical lad, very much in tune with the forces of nature. Very sweet-natured and gentle. A music theatre vocal style. Requires a Yorkshire accent.
COLIN CRAVEN
Voice type: Boy soprano (A-Eb)
Stage age: 10-11
Role type: Featured role
Character: Archie’s invalid son who is bed-ridden and has no company other than his dour uncle and servants. Capable of being very rude and petulant,but essentially sweet-natured.
MRS MEDLOCK
Voice type: Speaking only.
Stage age: 35+
Role type: Featured role
Character: Housekeeper of Misselthwaite Manor. A very competent and business-like woman who is very severe and shows little warmth. Requires Yorkshire accent.
BEN WEATHERSTAFF
Voice type: Baritone (F-D)
Stage age: 45-65
Role type: Supporting role
Character: Gardener at Misselthwaite. Loyal servant of many years standing who dearly loved the late Lily. Can be crotchety, but essentially very gentle. Requires Yorkshire accent.
MRS WINTHROP
Voice type: Speaking only
Stage age: 40+
Role type: Cameo
Character: A school headmistress who believes in strong discipline. (Will double as a servant).
MAJOR SHELLEY
Voice type: Speaking only
Stage age: 35+
Role type: Cameo
Character: An army officer who escorts the orphaned Mary to England. (Will double as a servant).
MRS SHELLEY
Voice type: Speaking only
Stage age: 30+
Role type: Cameo
Character: Wife of Major Shelley. (Will double as a servant).
LILY CRAVEN
Voice type: Soprano (D-C: D optional)
Stage age: 25-30
Role type: Lead
Character: Archie’s late beloved wife, Colin’s mother, Mary’s aunt. A warm and loving woman who deeply loved Archie and died giving birth to Colin. In life a warm and loving young woman. In death a very benevolent presence watching over her unhappy husband, son and niece.
The remaining “Dreamers” consist of Mary’s parents, staff and friends in colonial India, all of whom died in a cholera epidemic. They appear as individuals and as a “Greek chorus”, commenting on events for the living,and in flashbacks to their lives in England and India. They are all watching over Mary. Collectively they form the vocal ensemble.
CAPTAIN ALBERT LENNOX
Voice type: Tenor (Bb-G)
Stage age: 30-40
Role type: Supporting role
Character: An army officer, Mary’s father. A warm and loving father.
ROSE LENNOX
Voice type: Mezzo / soprano (Bb-G: optional B)
Stage age: 30-35
Role type: Supporting role
Character: Mary’s mother, Lily’s sister. Beautiful, vain and spoilt. In life, lacking in maternal qualities. Can be quite petulant – rather a “princess”, but nevertheless very appealing.
THE FAKIR
Voice type: High tenor (G-B)
Stage age: 30-40
Role type: Supporting role
Character: Indian mystic / servant.
AYAH
Voice type: Mezzo (low G-G)
Stage age: 20-40
Role type: Supporting role
Character: Mary’s Indian nanny and main caregiver.
LIEUTENANT IAN SHAW
Voice type: Tenor / baritone (Bb-F)
Stage age: 25-35
Role type: Supporting role
Character: Army officer.
LIEUTENANT PETER WRIGHT
Voice type: Baritone (Bb-F)
Stage age: 25-35
Role type: Supporting
Character: Army officer.
MAJOR HOLMES
Voice type: Bass (low F#-F)
Stage age: 30-45
Role type: Supporting
Character: Army officer.
CLAIRE HOLMES
Voice type: Soprano (A-G)
Stage age: 25-30
Role type: Supporting
Character: Major Holmes’ wife – a well-to-do lady.
ALICE
Voice type: Soprano (Eb-B)
Stage age: 25-30
Role type: Supporting
Character: Rose’s friend – a well-to-do lady.
Additional roles for chorus and children available.