Willoughby Theatre Company proudly presents
THE CITY OF STDNEY PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF THE REVISED EDITION OF:
By Special Arrangement with the Really Useful Group,
Represented by Origin Theatrical Pty Ltd
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by Tim Rice
Originally directed by Harold Prince
The Show
Not seen in Sydney for over two decades, Evita the musical
began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976. Its success led to
productions in London's West End in 1978, winning the Laurence Olivier
Award for Best Musical, and on Broadway a year later, where it was the first
British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical. This has been
followed by a string of professional tours and worldwide productions and
numerous cast albums, as well as a major 1996 film of the musical starring
Madonna and Antonio Banderas. The musical was revived in London in 2006
and on Broadway in 2012. The show is currently being revived in the West
End at the Dominion Theatre.
The Venue
The Concourse is a $170million spectacular Arts & Entertainment Centre in
the heart of Chatswood with a Theatre, Concert Hall, Studio and Rehearsal
Space. Evita will be performed in the Theatre space - a beautiful 500 set state
of the art auditorium. It has raked seating over 2 levels, an orchestra pit, 40
bar fly tower, dressing rooms, green room and the latest lighting & sound
system available.
What are we looking for?
We are aiming to create a Company of around 40 adult performers
3 Named / Lead Roles - Eva, Che & Perón
2 Supporting Roles - Magaldi & The Mistress
Ensemble of around 25 to 30 - Half Male & Half Female
8 Featured Dancers - Half Male & Half Female
Two groups of children (approximately 8-10 in each group)
Evita is a huge ensemble show with many small cameo/character roles. It
requires a good variety of ages, looks & voice types. All these roles and
characters will be cast from within the Ensemble.
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Willoughby Theatre Company - Committee
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
Public Relations Officer
Assistant Secretary
Business Co-Ordinator
Functions Co-Ordinator
Properties Co-Ordinator
Technical Co-Ordinator
Publications Co-Ordinator
Marketing Co-Ordinator
Social Media Co-Ordinator
Tom Sweeney
Janina Hamerlok
Stig Bell
Sandi Douglas
Murray Dwyer
Joy Sweeney
Fiona Harsanyi
Scott Richmond
Nikole Music
Roger Douglas
Konrad Gebels
Luke Davis
Peter O’Sullivan
Mike Brew
Evita Production Team
Director
Declan Moore
Musical Director
Greg Jones
Choreographer
Amy Gough
Production Manager
Fiona Harsanyi
Stage Manager
Lauren Tulloh
Assistant Stage Managers
Matilda Dwyer & Brooke Shelley
Stage Crew
Charles Kuehn, Rosemarie Still, Alan Gibb,
…………………………………………………..…Mel Lennox, Ella Griffin, & Murray Dwyer
Set Designer / Co-Ordinator
Peter Georgeson
Construction Team
Murray Dwyer, Roger Douglas,
………………………………………………….…David Verdejo, Barry Springett,
…………………………………………………….Peter Georgeson & Bill Todd
Technical Directors
Mike Brew & Charles Kuehn
Lighting Designer
Sean Clarke
Follow Spot Operator
James Reville
Sound Designer
The Concourse
Costumes Co-Ordinator
Joy Sweeney & Janina Hamerlok
Props Manager
Wendy Walker
Props Team
Judy Roy, Mary Bentley & Mel Lennox
Make-Up Designer
Candace Fitzgerald
Wigs Mistress
Janina Hamerlok
Head Dresser
Donna Fitzgerald
Dressing Team
Joy Tulloh, Luiz Ikki, Vicki Minter &
…………………………………………………….Jo Atkin
Head Chaperone
Liesel Reville
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THE STORY
Argentina’s controversial ‘First Lady’ is the subject of this
dynamic musical masterpiece. As an illegitimate fifteen year old, Eva
escaped her dirt-poor existence for the bright lights of Buenos Aires. Driven
by her ambition and blessed with charisma, she was a Starlet at twenty-two,
the President's Mistress at twenty-four, First Lady at twenty-seven… and
dead at thirty-three! With a score that fuses haunting chorales with
exuberant Latin, Pop and Jazz influences, Evita creates an arresting
theatrical portrait as complex as the woman herself… and features some of
theatre’s most beautiful songs, including "Don't Cry for Me Argentina,"
"Another Suitcase in Another Hall" and "High Flying, Adored."
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Performance 1 - Friday 22nd May @ 7.30pm
Performance 2 - Saturday 23rd May @ 1.30pm
Performance 3 - Saturday 23rd May @ 7.30pm
Performance 4 - Sunday 24th May @ 1.30pm
Performance 5 - Sunday 24th May @ 7.30pm
Performance 6 - Tuesday 26th May @ 7.30pm
Performance 7 - Wednesday 27th May @ 7.30pm
Performance 8 - Thursday 28th May @ 7.30pm
Performance 9 - Friday 29th May @ 7.30pm
Performance 10 - Saturday 30th May @ 1.30pm
Performance 11 - Saturday 30th May @ 7.30pm
Performance 12 - Sunday 31st May @ 1.30pm
Rehearsals: Tuesdays & Thursdays in Mowbray School from 13th Jan 2015.
There will also be some weekend rehearsals in the schedule.
Performance Venue: The Concourse Theatre, Chatswood.
Bump In to Theatre: Monday 11th May 2015
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Auditions:
All auditions are by appointment only in approximately 10 minute slots.
Book by emailing [email protected] from Thursday 20th November.
All Auditions & Call Backs will be held in Mowbray Public School:
635 Mowbray Road, Chatswood West, NSW 2066
All auditionees must be at least 16 years old on the day of the auditions
Audition Dates:
Saturday 29th Nov (10.00am – 6.00pm)
Sunday 30th Nov (4.30pm-9.00pm)
Tuesday 2nd Dec (7.45pm-10.30pm)
Thursday 4th Dec (7.45pm-10.30pm)
Dance Auditions: Sunday 7th Dec (4.30pm - 6.30pm)
Call Backs: Sunday 7th Dec (6.30pm - 8.30pm)
Please indicate preferred audition date/time.
Every effort will be made to meet your request.
A reply email confirming your audition date / time will be sent with your
‘Audition Music’ and ‘Audition Form’ attached.
Notes:
Auditions will be conducted in a ‘closed’ panel format consisting of Director,
Musical Director, Choreographer, Committee Representative &
Accompanists only
Audition forms will be emailed to all auditionees to complete in advance.
Please download, fill in and bring with you to auditions –
… and please remember to attach a headshot!
Please be aware that the audition panel may decide they do not need to hear
all of your prepared audition pieces.
No Dance Audition is required if auditioning for a place in the Ensemble
Due to the heavy performance schedule and the vocal demands of the roles,
we are 'considering' understudying the roles of Eva & Che. Understudies will
have a guaranteed performance on Sunday 24th May @1.30pm.
Audition Tips:
Whilst memorising audition music is not compulsory, it will certainly give
you an advantage, as it allows you to really ‘perform’ your song and therefore
show you off to your best!
It’s your 8-10 minutes to show off. Use them wisely & be prepared
Audition Outcome:
‘All’ auditionees will be contacted directly by the Production Team by phone
or email following the Call Backs on Sunday 7th December. The WTC Company
Website and Facebook page will also be updated with the Casting results as
quickly as possible.
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Named Roles:
Eva Peron Ambitious & enterprising woman who cunningly and
methodically advances from her small town existence to the heights of
political & social power. Though ruthless and determined - she becomes
beloved by the people (affectionately calling her “Santa Evita”). Dynamic
singer with HUGE vocal & emotional range - hardly off the stage! A belter
with legit range! Good Dance ability required. Goes from 15yo to mid 30’s
during the show. Actors auditioning for this role need to demonstrate a vast
emotional range from a determined slightly lusty teenager to an extremely
charismatic and powerful woman with total belief in her ambition.
Audition Songs: “You Must Love Me” & “Buenos Aires”
Juan Perón Highly ambitious military figure who becomes the President of
Argentina… in the process he creates a domineering & very powerful
government administration - all with Eva’s help! Publically confident, he is
very aware of his own physicality & vulnerability. Requires a rich strong
Baritone or low tenor. Some dance ability required (Tango Routine!). Ages
from mid 40’s - late 50’s during the show.
Audition Song: “She’s A Diamond” (Bar 20 onwards)
Che Our narrator, he is our charismatic, passionate & hopeful (yet cynical)
guide through the events of Eva’s life. He is present in most scenes playing
many different “roles or characters”, to provide insight, criticism and
commentary. A dynamic singer with huge vocal and emotional range.
Strong, secure and confidant performer. A true rock bari-tenor! Some
dance/movement ability required. Age: Mid 20’s - late 30’s.
Audition Songs: “High Flying Adored” & “And The Money Kept Rolling In”
Agustin Magaldi Tango Singer who is Eva’s first love interest. He is Eva’s
“ticket” from small town life to the excitement of Buenos Aires. A confident
performer - a crooner and a show man! Only in a few scenes, but is a key
featured player in them. Some dance / movement required. Any Age!
Audition Song: “Night of a Thousand Stars”
The Mistress Juan Perón’s young lover whom Eva sends packing. Has a look
of innocence, but with a grown up mind. Vulnerable, but not completely
naïve. Playing age between 15 & 20. Only in one scene - also part of ensemble.
Mezzo/Alto, light & lyrical voice. Non dancing role.
Audition Song: “Another Suitcase in Another Hall”
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Ensemble Auditions:
We are looking for approximately 25 - 30 people to be in the Ensemble. Both
male and female - various ages! Strong singers required - all voice types.
Good dance ability will be a plus!
Audition Song: Your choice of any Andrew Lloyd Webber song that you feel
best shows off your voice.
Please bring clean readable sheet music in the required key. A pianist will be
available on the day of your audition to play.
No unaccompanied singing or backing tracks please!
‘Dancer’ Auditions:
We
are
looking
for
approximately
8
very
strong
dancers
(half Male / half Female) A Tango / Ballroom background is a plus but not
essential!
As well as being involved in all Ensemble numbers, these dancers will be
featured in some additional sections.
To book an audition please email: [email protected]
Audition Date: Sunday 7th Dec (4.30pm- 6.30pm) in Mowbray Public School.
You will be required for the whole 2 hour period. Please wear comfortable
tight fitting clothes, which allow us to clearly see body lines & technique.
Changing facilities are available and most importantly, remember to bring
drinking water!
Girls, please wear heels or chorus shoes.
There will be a 10-15 minute warm up following which a routine will be
taught. After drilling, this routine will be performed as your audition. We will
also hear you sing on the day - mainly to assess dancers’ vocal type, pitch
and tuning abilities. Dancing ability will be the main deciding factor of this
audition. Singing will be accompanied by the Musical Director - nothing to
prepare in advance for this.
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Children’s Auditions:
We are seeking two groups of children for the production who will perform on
alternate nights - approximately 7 to 8 children in each group. The children
will be involved in a number of scenes throughout the show. Must be aged
between 7 & 13 on the audition day. We are looking for both boys and girls
with good singing voices and some dance/movement ability.
Audition Date: Tuesday 13th January 2015, 7.30pm at Mowbray Public
School.
Audition Song: “Santa Evita”
If interested, please forward your contact details & child’s name by emailing
[email protected]
You will be forwarded the audition form & audition music. We will then be in
contact early December to confirm all the audition details for 13th Jan 2015.
Company Membership, Fees & Commitments:
All performers cast in Evita must become Willoughby Theatre Company
Members. Fee: $25 (Under 16’s are made ‘Associate Members’ which carries
no fee).
There is also a one off Evita ‘show fee’ of $75 for all age groups. All Fees will
be collected during the first week of rehearsals and covers insurance costs,
rehearsal materials and a professional CD of photographs given to each cast
member.
Cast members will be required to commit to assist with Bump-In & Bump-Out
as well as helping with building & painting scenery on at least one or two
occasions - details & dates of these to be confirmed.
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