WESTFIELD – Auditions will be held on Sunday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 5 for the Fall 2018 Westfield Theatre Group production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” directed by Jay Torres, with music direction by George Garber, Jr.
First-time director Torres has been with the Westfield Theatre Group since 2012, acting, producing and serving on the Board of Directors for five years. “This production will be my first time directing; however, the music will once again be brought to you by George Garber Jr. and his stellar cast of musicians,” Torres said about the show.
Audrey II, the strange new breed of plant in “Little Shop of Horrors” to be performed this fall by the Westfield Theatre Group. (Photo submitted)
“Little Shop of Horrors” begins when a strange new breed of plant appears on Skid Row. It takes scheming, romancing, and feeding an insatiable appetite for blood to make dreams come true in the beloved musical.
Torres said this version of Little Shop promises to deliver a new take on the classic. “The music will not only transport you back in time with toe-tapping beats but launch you out of this world with a new Never-Before-Seen, unidentified breed of plant,” he said.
Auditionees should prepare to sing 32 bars of a song of their choice, and are asked to not bring sheet music to the audition, but instead bring a CD or MP3 file, the backing track/karaoke of their songs to accompany them. Auditionees are asked to select a song they feel best represents their character of interest.
Character Descriptions:
Seymour Krelborn – An insecure, put-upon florist’s clerk and eventual hero. He is a genuine, well-meaning person who is taken for granted because of his meek ways.
Audrey – Bleached-blond, secret love of Seymour’s life and co-worker at the flower shop. She has poor self-worth, but incredibly good looks and a sweet and vulnerable demeanor.
Mr. Mushnik – The seasoned and fed up owner of the failing East Side flower shop and Seymour’s nosy boss. He is profit-driven, greedy, and manipulative.
Orin Scrivello – An egotistical dentist with a passion for leather and sadistic tendencies. His addiction to laughing gas causes him to go a little crazy sometimes.
The Plant (Audrey II) – The mean green mother from outer space, Audrey II is fabulous, dangerous, and in charge. Actor must be comfortable commanding the stage, funny, and ultimately evil — think Ursula-meets-Bianca Del Rio as a plant. A funky Rhythm and Blues voice is best. Any gender is encouraged to audition.
Crystal, Ronnette, Chiffon – Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon are street urchins, acting as the occasional Greek Chorus. Hip, smart, and sassy, these people are the only ones who have a grip on reality. Auditionees must be able to sing and hear harmony to be considered for these roles. Motown and Doo-Wop style songs are highly encouraged.
Those auditioning for Ensemble are also asked to select a song in the styles listed above.
Songs may be from “Little Shop” or elsewhere in the Alan Menken Broadway/Disney songbook. Any questions regarding the vocal auditions, or if help is needed to acquire the backing track to a song, email the music director, George Garber Jr., at [email protected].
Regarding Audrey II, Westfield Theatre Group chairperson John Farrell said it is the only role open to both genders, “leaving it open to interpretation. The rest of the artistic team is looking to see what spin people want to bring to it,” he said.
Farrell said auditions are open to everyone. “We get people from all over the place; CT, central Mass, the Berkshires. We’re always finding new people that come and find our group,” he added.
Auditions will be held Sunday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 5. Doors open at 6 p.m., with vocal auditions beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Westfield Woman’s Club located at 28 Court St. in Westfield.
Callbacks (if needed) will be held on Thursday, June 7 with doors open at 6:00 p.m., and vocal auditions at 6:30 p.m. Readings for all roles will be from the script, and all those auditioning will be asked to take part in the general vocal warm-up at 6:30 p.m.
From Director Jay Torres: “We are very much looking forward to seeing all of the tremendous local talent at auditions. Auditionees will be asked to read from the script but are only asked to bring a smile and a song to sing! More details can be found on our social media or www.westfieldtheatregroup.org.”
“Little Shop of Horrors” will be performed October 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m., and October 27 at 2:00 p.m. by the Westfield Theatre Group, a department of the Westfield Woman’s Club, 28 Court Street, Westfield.
“Community theatre is a rare and beautiful kind of art that truly brings people of all aspects of the community together to share in the magic of the imagination,” said Torres, adding, “(Me) and the wonderful production staff couldn’t be more excited to bring you some magic and horror this fall.”
