Youth Audition Dates: February 22 & 24
Adult Audition Dates: March 2, 3 & 4
Book, Music and Lyrics by
LIONEL BART
Freely adapted from Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist.'
Oliver! is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Director – Mitch Master
Vocal Director & Music Director – Dan Greig
Choreographer – Mark McCleese
Assistant Choreographer - Lauren Yakima
Stage Manager - Rodel Salazar
Producer - Nicole Broughton-Adams
Technical Director - Eric Maher
Executive Producer - David Carroll
Nicely Theatre Group announces auditions for the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical masterpiece, “Oliver!” We are actively seeking a diverse cast, representative of our metro-Detroit community. Interested parties, ages 10+ are welcome, non-equity actors only. All roles are paid.
Synopsis:
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin, who employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy. Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the talents of a large ensemble cast as they bring these classic characters and score to life.
Auditions and Rehearsals will be held at:
The Berman Center for the Performing Arts & Aaron DeRoy Theatre (Lower Level)
6600 West Maple Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Audition Dates:
Please be prepared to be there a maximum of 4 hours.
Youth
Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2pm
Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6:00pm
Adult
Monday, March 2 at 6:00pm
Tuesday, March 3 at 6:00pm
Wednesday,March 4 at 6:00pm
*If you have a conflict with audition dates, please email info@nicelytheatregroup.org to see if alternate arrangements are possible.
Callbacks information:
● Callbacks will consist of scenes and song cuts from the show.
Youth
● Sunday, March 1, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Adult & Invited Youth
● Sunday, March 8, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
All who are called back will receive an email with callback information. If you do not receive a callback email, it does not mean you have not been cast.
Rehearsal Information:
There will be one rehearsal for introductions, read-through, and costume measurements on Wednesday, March 18 from 6pm-10pm.
No rehearsals between March 19 and May 11.
Rehearsals resume w/Vocals & Costume Measurements, May 12th & 13th
Typical weekly rehearsals schedule beginning May 18: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 7:00-10:00pm.
Tech & Dress rehearsal: July 6-9
Long Sunday Rehearsal: July 12
Dress rehearsal: July 13 - 15
Show Dates (6):
July 17, 18 (evening) & 19 (matinee)
July 24, 25 (evening) & 26 (matinee)
Show Venue:
The Berman Center for the Performing Arts
6600 West Maple Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Audition Requirements:
Casting Adults ages (16+), all races, genders, shapes, and sizes.
The Youth actors will be cast and appear to be between the ages of 10 and 15.
Please bring three non-returnable Resumes/Headshots.
Music:
Please prepare one or two Vocal Sides listed below from this link:
REVIEWING THE SITUATION - Fagin
AS LONG AS HE NEEDS ME REPRISE - Nancy
CONSIDER YOURSELF - Artful Dodger
WHERE IS LOVE -Oliver Twist
MY NAME - Bill Sikes
BOY FOR SALE - Mr. Bumble
I SHALL SCREAM - Mrs. (Widow) Corney
THAT’S YOUR FUNERAL - Sowerberrys
IT’S A FINE LIFE - Bet
WHERE IS LOVE REPRISE - Mrs. Bedwin
CONSIDER YOURSELF - Adult & Youth Ensemble
WHO WILL BUY - Adult Ensemble
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD & BE BACK SOON - Youth Ensemble
Dance:
Wear comfortable clothing and bring all available dance shoes; all dancers will learn a combination that features modern, contemporary, and classic jazz styling. Athletic acrobatics and partner work experience are a plus.
Acting:
Choose one or two monologues from the link to perform at auditions. You do not have to memorize. Click here to download the monologue and scene sides.
Oliver
Dodger
Fagin
Nancy
Bill Sikes
Brownlow
Dr. Grimwig
Old Sally
Mr. Bumble & Widow Corney (scene A/B)
Mr. Bumble & Mr. Brownlow (scene)
If invited to Callbacks, these are the scene sides for Callbacks only:
Dodger & Oliver
Fagin & Oliver
Fagin & Nancy
Dodger, Fagin, Bill Sikes & Nancy
Mr. Bumble & Widow Corney (A/B)
Sowerberrys & Mr. Bumble
Mr. Brownlow & Mr. Bumble
Charlotte, Noah & Oliver
Questions?
Any questions should be emailed to info@nicelytheatregroup.org
Character Descriptions:
Fagin: Middle-aged leader of a children’s band of thieves, age range 35- 50s, singer/actor. Cockney accent. Described as devious, a user, a sly fox, a con man, and very personable.
Nancy: When she was younger, she worked for Fagin; now a “barmaid” at the Three Cripples Bar, age range 20-30s, singer (good belt)/actress; should have decent movement skills. Cockney accent. She lives with and loves Bill Sikes, and is pretty, intelligent, and longs for a better life.
Oliver Twist: (This role will be cast gender blind) A workhouse orphan, age range 10-15, singer (smooth boyish soprano)/actor. British (not cockney) accent, bright and innocent. This character is in approximately 80% of the scenes, parents should note the actor will be required at rehearsal more than any other person in the show.
Artful Dodger: (This role will be cast gender blind) A street kid, age range 12-16, singer/actor. Cockney accent. Very energetic, highly personable, intelligent, and savvy beyond their years, Fagin’s right-hand.
Bill Sikes: Also worked for Fagin as a youth; now a feared master criminal, age range: 20-40s, actor/singer (baritone). Cockney accent. Good looking in a rough sort of way, sociopath, a killer who only looks out for himself.
Mr. Bumble: The Master of the Workhouse, age range 35-55, singer (high tenor)/actor. Cockney accent. A large, pompous, and corrupt bureaucrat.
Widow Corney: The Mistress of the Workhouse, age range 30-50, singer (soprano belt)/ actress. Cockney accent. Sharp-tongued widow, also corrupt.
Bet: Nancy’s friend may also have worked for Fagin, age range 16-25, singer/actress, should move well. Cockney accent. She idolizes Nancy.
Mr. Sowerberry: The undertaker, age range 30-50, actor/singer (baritone). Cockney accent. Kind of creepy, “buys” Oliver from Bumble to work in the funeral home as a coffin follower, may be an alcoholic. Will also be part of the ensemble
Mrs. Sowerberry: The undertaker’s wife, age range 30-50, actress/singer (mezzo). Cockney accent. More business-savvy than her husband. Will also be part of the ensemble
Noah Claypole: Undertaker’s apprentice, age range 16-25, actor. Cockney accent. May have also come from Workhouse. Feels threatened by, dislikes, and torments young Oliver. Will also be part of the ensemble
Charlotte: Sowerberry’s daughter, age range 16-21, actress. Cockney accent. Attracted to Noah, kind of flirty. Will also be part of the ensemble
Mr. Brownlow: Older gentleman, age range 40-60, actor/singer. British (not cockney) accent. Kind upper-class gentleman, Oliver’s grandfather.
Dr. Grimwig: A doctor, age range 35-60, actor. British (not cockney) accent. Upper class, friend of Mr. Brownlow. Will also be part of the ensemble
Mrs. Bedwin: A housekeeper, age range 35-55. British (not cockney) accent. Works for Mr. Brownlow. Warm personality. Sings, “Where is Love” Reprise, in Act II. Will also be part of the ensemble
Kid Featured Vocal & Dance Ensemble: Age ranges 10-15, will cast boys AND girls as Workhouse & Fagin Gang. Including Dodger’s friend Charley. Singers/actors, let us know if you have any “special skills”, for example: acrobatics, tumbling, juggling, dance, etc. Some cockney accents will be taught.
Adult Featured Vocal & Dance Ensemble: Age ranges 16 and up, singers (all voice types), characters with cockney and traditional British accents. Included in this are the “featured” soloists: The Rose Seller (mezzo), Strawberry Seller (soprano), Milk Maid (soprano), Knife Grinder (baritone), and Long Song Seller (Tenor); featured roles Old Sally and Old Lady (cockney accents), Bow Street Runners, Pauper’s Assistants & Chairman. Singers/actors, please let us know if you have any “special skills”, for example: acrobatics, tumbling, juggling, dance, etc. Some cockney accents will be taught.