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Vampire Lesbians of Sodom

October 2013

Directed by Dan Tursi

The longest running plays in Off-Broadway history, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, written by Charles Busch, tells the saga of two fatally seductive vampiresses whose paths first collide in ancient Sodom. Their bitter rivalry as bloodsuckers but more importantly, as actresses, endures for two thousand years with stops along the way in 1920’s silent movie Hollywood and contemporary Las Vegas.

Character Breakdown:

Some roles doubled

- The Succubus in Sodom/La Condesa a Hollywood star in 1929/and the cleaning woman in Las Vegas present day

- A virgin sacrifice in Sodom/Madeline Astarte a stage actress from new York 1929/and the star of a flashy Las Vegas show.

- Ali and Hujar-two guards in the days of Sodom. Also chorus boys in Las Vegas- Zack and PJ.

- King Carlise a silent movie idol Hollywood 1929 with a secret. Can also be one of the chorus boys.

- Etienne La Condesa’s butler – scary looking in a Riffraff sort of way. Can also play Danny.

- Renee Vain a young luscious starlet wanting to make the big time Hollywood 1929. Engaged to Queen…I mean King Carlise. (she may also play Tracy).

- Oatsie Carewe, a gossip columnist turning into the vampire hunter Hollywood 1929.

- Tracy an aspiring singer- Las Vegas.

- Danny – a chorus boy

The World of Ray Bradbury

November 2013

Directed by Ty Marshal

“The World of Ray Bradbury” is a collection of three short plays by science fiction author Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451).”The Veldt” is a story of children abandoned by modern parents to the desolation of the Screen — and of how thwarted imagination takes its vengeance, the predators of the mind growing literally red in tooth and claw. “To the Chicago Abyss” is a picture of the evocative power of tender trifles, restoring the rudiments of order after the Bomb has fallen. “The Pedestrians” has to do with two men flung into prison for preferring nocturnal strolls to the compulsive TV screen.

Character Breakdown:

Some roles doubled/Performances will be in rep

The Veldt:

- George Hadley/Thirty six year old salesman

- Electrician/typical workman

- Lydia Hadley/George’s thirty two year old wife

- Peter Hadley/twelve year old boy (consideration for ages 16 – 25)

- Wendy Hadley/thirteen year old girl (considerations for ages 16 – 25)

-David Maclean/psychiatrist

To the Chicago Abyss:

- The Old Man/a street person

- The Young Man/a ruffian

- The Stranger/an underground leader, about 40 yrs old

- The Wife/The strangers timid wife

- The Policeman/ a wheedling bully

- The Boy/a watchful 11 year old (considerations for ages 16 – 25)

- Possible extra: Woman on a park bench

The Pedestrian:

- Two Men

Dark Play or: Stories for Boys

March 2014

Directed by Ty Marshal

A teenage boy’s fictional internet identity begins as a harmless game. But the game takes on a frightening reality when it’s overwhelmed by real emotion. When the virtual world and the real one collide, Nick’s fantasies of love, intimacy, obsession and betrayal spiral out of control, leading him to the brink of death.

Character Breakdown:

- Nick/college student

- Adam/college student

- Male Netizen (Doubles as other characters)

- Female Netizen (Sarah/Ms Spiegel/Mother/Olivia)

The Marvelous Wonderettes/Caps and Gowns

June 2014

Directed by Dan Tursi

The sequel to the smash Off-Broadway hit musical! We’re back in 1958, and it’s time for The Marvelous Wonderettes to graduate in this long-awaited sequel to the smash off-Broadway hit! Join Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy as they sing about their final year in high school, celebrate with their fellow classmates and teachers, and prepare for their next step toward a bright future. Act Two zooms ahead to 1968, where the girls perform as bride and bridesmaids to celebrate Missy’s marriage to Mr. Lee! Featuring “Rock Around the Clock,” “At the Hop,” “Dancing in the Street,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” and 25 more hits, The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns will have your audience cheering for more!

Character Breakdown:

- BETTY JEAN – Female. Betty Jean is the self-anointed clown of the group, always vying for attention from her best friend Cindy Lou. Her hair is red/auburn. (Alto with strong low range.)

- CINDY LOU – Female. Cindy Lou is the “bad girl” of the group. It seems that things always go her way, making Betty Jean crazy. (Mezzo Soprano with belt–sings lead on many songs.)

- MISSY – Female. Always the over-achiever of the group, Missy is the one to cover for mistakes and is always ready to jump in and save the day. She has been best friends with Suzy since elementary school. (Soprano with wide range and very high vocals.)

- SUZY – Female. Gum-chewing Suzy is happy-go-lucky, a little giddy and a little silly. She finds great pleasure in everything she does; the sillier it is, the more fun she finds it. Her best friend is Missy. (Mezzo Alto with a sweet, soulful sound and big belts.)

 SPOOKY DOG GREEN ROOM REVIEW

SPOOKY DOG NEWTIMES REVIEW 

For two nights only, Rarely Done is putting on Bernstein on Broadway, a conflicted accolade to the late, loved composer. It’s a packed revue that gives the audience an historical high-note taste of some of the best, and dreadful, productions to come from the Broadway legend.

Showcasing him at his best—and worst, although still entertaining—the ensemble of nine pulled off a daunting feat: performing various, challenging Bernstein works, and like their predecessors, as noted from failed shows, this time they did it well.

A cabaret in five decades, four seasons, three octaves, two states and a piano.

How does an Armenian-American from Northern New Jersey end up in Syracuse? To find out, take a musical journey with Patricia Elise Catchouny, accompanied by Dan Williams on piano. From opera to Broadway, from Coleman to Taylor, from soprano to belt, from ‘Voi Che Sapete’ to ‘He Plays the Violin’ — this is what happens when a child’s first albums are Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar…

Are you a transplant to Syracuse where did you come from originally? Let us know we are curious!

To buy tickets to this “One Night Only” event, click here.

You can also find this show on Facebook!

“Famed Broadway shows get their uproarious comeuppance in Rarely Done Productions’ second helping of The Musical of Musicals: The Musical. This nifty knockoff addresses what makes the composers’ epic-scale works so endearing while also playfully deconstructing them via an anything-goes reservoir of puns, caricatures and song parodies.”

To read the full article, click here.

Three Syracuse-area theater companies in coalition partnership known as “The District” (Appleseed Productions, Rarely Done Productions and The Red House) announce auditions for productions being added to their 2012-13 seasons, to perform in March of 2013

Appleseed will produce the classic drama, I Remember Mama (directed by CJ Young), with Rarely Done and The Red House both staging musicals, Grey Gardens (directed by Dan Tursi) and The Full Monty (directed by Stephen Svoboda), respectively.

Auditions will be held on December 3rd and 4th, 7:00 PM at The Red House, 201 S. West Street in Syracuse. Appointments are required and are to be made through email to: laura@theredhouse.org

Those auditioning are asked to prepare a contemporary comedic monologue (1 -2 mins. in length), and 16 bars of a musical comedy song. Non-musical auditions are an option.

Show Information and Character Breakdowns Below:

“Grey Gardens”

Book by DOUG WRIGHT

Music by SCOTT FRANKEL and Lyrics MICHAEL KORIE)

“Grey Gardens” is based in part on Albert and David Maysles legendary documentary about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ eccentric aunt and cousin. This touching – and sometimes heart-wrenching musical adaption explores the relationship between former socialite Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, Little Edie. Covering both their earlier days at the center of high society and the later years languishing in their derelict East Hampton, New York, manor. Grey gardens is scandalously entertaining. Propelled by a witty book, gorgeous score, intricate lyrics, and tour-de-force roles, this musical has become an instant and well-loved classic.

All roles REQUIRE strong music reading and singing abilities with tight harmonies. Auditioners should be familiar with the documentary.

WOMEN:

Edith Bouvier Beale (70, character alto E3-C5)
Primarily appearing in Act two, Big Edie is an eclectic woman who fondly recalls her days of glory entertaining guests at lavish parties in the heyday of Grey Gardens.  She should play in her 70s.  It is recommended that this actress also be familiar with the documentary film.

Young Little Edie Beale (20s, mix/belt to D5, soprano to B-flat 6)
Referred to as Body Beautiful Beale. She is to be engaged to Joseph Kennedy, Jr. She is young, full of life, and can’t decide whether she wants a life of fame or family. Should be a strong mover dancer as well.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Bouvier (15, Juvenile mix belt, C4-E5)
Edith’s young niece. She is around the age of 15

Lee Bouvier (10-13, juvenile mix belt, C4-E5)
Edith’s young niece. She is around the age of 13

MEN:

Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr. and Jerry (20s, tenor, C3-G4)
Joe Kennedy is a fiercely attractive man and Edie’s intended. The role of Jerry in Act Two is a teen slacker in a painter’s cap and an unruly mop or curls. He is friends to both Big Edith and Little Edie and a sort of handy-man/Jack of all trades.

Brooks Sr. and Brooks Jr. (30s, African American, baritone, C3-E4)
The African-American butler. He is youthful with an efficacious gait. Brooks Jr in Act Two is the dedicated gardener of Grey Gardens, most likely helping and not getting very well paid, but still dedicated to the women that his father worked for and cared about.

J.V. “Major” Bourvier and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (60-70′s, baritone, C3-E4),
Father to Edit Bouvier Beale. He is a lion-like scion of business in his early seventies. Major Bouvier does not agree with his daughters lifestyle. Peale was a Protestant preacher and a believer in the theory of “positive thinking.” Edith Bouvier Beale listens to him on the radio.

The roles of Gould and Little Edie have been pre-cast.