WESTFIELD-More than 30 years later, Jeffrey Flood still relishes his first glimpse of summer theater – at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont.
“I was 21 and the professional show, ‘She Loves Me,’ was already cast but an actor dropped out,” said Flood, who was working in the costume shop. “They needed a replacement and it sounded like a lot of fun.”
Open auditions are set for “She Loves Me,” a spring Westfield Theatre Group production.
From that moment on, Flood said he “fell in love” with the musical.
The “love” never waned and next month, he will host open auditions for “She Loves Me” at the Westfield Woman’s Club. The production, directed by Flood, will be the spring offering by the Westfield Theatre Group (WTG). Performances are slated March 20, 21, 27 and 28, and April 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m., and matinees at 2 p.m. are planned on March 28 and April 4.
“The musical, based in Europe in the 1930’s, is not widely known,” said Flood, who was elated when he was given the OK to direct the show. He is also making his directorial debut for the WTG with this production.
Auditions are slated Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Westfield Woman’s Club, 28 Court St., and on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 36 Court St. Callbacks as needed will take place Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Westfield Woman’s Club. The WTG is a department of the Westfield Woman’s Club.
Rehearsals are planned for Sunday, Monday, and Thursday evenings beginning Jan. 5 at the Westfield Woman’s Club, with a read-through in December.
Flood explained the show explores the life of Georg Nowack, manager of Maraczek’s Parfumerie, who becomes “ruffled” when his boss hires the headstrong Amalia Balash as a salesgirl. Without giving too much away about the show, Nowack learns he and Balash are anonymous lonely hearts penpals.
“She Loves Me,” with book by Joe Masteroff (“Cabaret”) and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock (“Fiddler on the Roof”) has been called “the most charming musical ever written,” according to Music Theatre International.
Character ages for the principal roles include a teenage boy (ages 14-17), as well as five men and two women, and eight to 10 people in their mid 20’s to 60’s for the ensemble.
Flood and his team who will oversee the auditions include Liz Dion, music director; Caitlin O’Dell, choreographer; Carol Cisek, producer, and Shaina Hibert, stage manager.
“I’m looking for great singers,” said Flood. “The characters are very important. I don’t expect perfection during auditions. I’m looking for people who can sing the song, hit the notes, and be the right person for the part.”
Flood noted “She Loves Me” is a “beautiful show with really fantastic songs and is very character driven.”
“The ensemble is also well used with several scenes that are key to what is going on with the other actors,” he said.
Flood added that the musical is the “kind of show that won’t come around very often.”
For more information or questions about the show, email Flood at [email protected].
A description of all roles and how to prepare for the audition can be found at the WTG’s Facebook page.
“This musical comedy has real quality and does not include fluff,” said Flood, adding, “it’s an amazing play.”
John Farrell, WTG chairperson and head of publicity, shared a similar sentiment.
“The Westfield Theatre Group has been around for almost 100 years,” said Farrell. “The theatre group gives the community a chance to express their artistic side, their technical side, and be a part of a show. We welcome everybody with open arms.”
In related news, the WTG will stage “Murder Among Friends” Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and one matinee on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. Also, “A Christmas Carol” will be presented Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., as well as a matinee performance on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.
For more information on all shows and to purchase tickets, visit www.westfieldtheatregroup.com.
