AUDITION INFORMATION: The Butler Did It

The Butler Did It

by Tim Kelly

Directed by Don Smith

Casting: 5 Male, 5 Female

AUDITION DATES/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Wednesday, April 6th starting at 7pm

Sunday, April 10th, starting at 12pm*

*This date may be used for some call backs as well as initial auditions. The director will not necessarily call back all of those who are being considered for roles.

Auditions will consist of readings from the scripts in various combinations of actors.

Please plan on reading more than once.

Audition sides will be provided at the auditions.

No monologue or other pre-prepared audition piece is required.

Resumes and headshots are not required, but are welcomed. Forms will be available at the time of the auditions for personal and contact information.

Lyric Music Theater welcomes both experienced and inexperienced actors. We try and make our auditions as relaxing and fun as possible.

Email the Director, Don Smith, at dsmith38@maine.rr.com with any questions about the production or auditions.

Audition Location

Lyric Music Theater

176 Sawyer Street

South Portland, Maine 04106

From the Director

This comedy parodies every English play ever written, but with a decidedly American flair. Miss Maple, a dowager with a reputation for clever weekend parties, invites a group of detective writers to eerie Ravenswood Manor where they are to impersonate their fictional characters. When a real murder takes place, laughs and thrills begin as the writers begin a zany search for the killer.

Performance Dates and Times

June 17, 18, 24 & 25 - Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 p.m.

June 19 & 26 - Sunday Matinees 2:30 p.m.

Character Summary

Haversham – age 20s-30s - A young maid and an ex-convict; a mousey creature cursed with the sniffles

Rita Eyeslesbarrow – age 30s–50s - A Social Secretary and Miss Maple’s companion

Miss Maple – age 50s or older – A well-known society hostess; a commanding dowager with a lively sense of adventure

Father White – age 60s or older – A mystery writer; his manner is slightly doddering

Chandler Marlow – age 30s-50s – A mystery writer; a tough “private eye” type

Louie Fan – age 30s-60s – A mystery writer with a bad “accent;” speaks staccato fashion

Rick Carlyle – age late 20s-40s – A mystery writer; debonair society man

Laura Carlyle – age late 20s – 40s – A mystery writer; debonair society wife

Peter Flimsey – age 30s-60s – A mystery writer; the very model of a proper English gentleman

Charity Haze – age 20s-30s – A mystery writer; an incredibly capable and attractive young woman

Show update: RENT

It's been almost a month since the cast of RENT began rehearsal, and what a long way the show has come! There are many parts that make a show come to life, and each one is getting all the attention it needs to bring the show to life.

In just a few short weeks, the cast has nearly memorized all of the music, dialogue, and blocking for the entire show. Director Michael Donovan and music director Bekkah Willey have given the cast all the basic guides they need. Having that in place, the cast members are working on developing deeper characters and emotions. For those who are unfamiliar with the show, the leads as well as the ensemble are playing characters who are homeless, drug addicts, homosexuals, afflicted with AIDS, living in poverty, or any combination of the above. The struggles of their characters may be similar to their own or to someone they know. And dealing with such modern and realistic struggles is a challenge for many cast members. But so far, they are doing a great job expressing the pain and hardships the show calls for. They have three weeks to experiment with these character traits and will no doubt have them polished for opening night.

The multi-level set is being used nightly and just needs a few finishing touches to  give the show as a whole more character. RENT takes place in various city locations, including an apartment building, at pay phones, on the street, and in a cafe. The stage itself is very limited, so the multiple levels help to create a sense of disconnection when needed. The unique decoration of the set also helps set the tone of the show by providing a sort of visual character to the audience.

Costumes are being pulled together to give each character their own identity.  As many of the ensemble members are playing several different characters, it is important to make sure each character is distinguishable. But costumes do so much more than just clothe the actors. Some of them find inspiration from their costumes and find them helpful in developing their characters.

In the next few weeks before opening night, lots of additions will be made to the show as a whole. The cast will have time to get accustomed to the set, lights and costumes will be added, and they will have some rehearsals with a full band (as they are currently working with one musician, music director Bekkah Willey on the keyboard). The cast and crew have put in a lot of work already, but still have quite a bit to do before opening night on February 18th!


Tickets for RENT are on-sale now, and are selling very quickly! Show dates and times are:

Friday, February 18th, 8pm

Saturday, February 19th, 8pm

Sunday, February 20th, 2:30pm

Friday, February 25th, 8pm

Saturday, February 26th, 8pm

Sunday, February 27th, 2:30pm

Friday, March 4th, 8pm

Saturday, March 5th, 8pm

All seats are $20 and can be purchased online, by phone at (207) 799-1421, or via email. More information as well as box office hours and show times can be found on the Lyric Music Theater website.

Home for the Holidays

Next at Lyric is our "Home for the Holidays" fundraiser! Start your holidays off on a great note and join us for holiday entertainment featuring many of your favorite Lyric performers. The show is made up of and fashioned for the young and old, and will have you toe-tapping and singing along with the tunes of yester year and today. 

Now, you may be thinking that you'll be joining us for some simple Christmas Carols and it will be "nice".  Oh boy, are you in for a surprise!  You can expect to be warmly greeted in the lobby by the Madrigal singers, their sweet harmonies reminiscent of the tunes Charles Dickens would have heard while writing his infamous "A Christmas Carol" in Victorian London.  You will then take your seats as you are transported and experience some of the most adorable, touching, and hilarious numbers I have ever seen in one show.  Complete with a small children's choir, showstopping ensemble numbers and tap dancing Santas, how can any "Scrooge" not believe in the Christmas spirit?  You'll soon remember what it is that brings together friends, family and makes your heart swell with joy. 

So, if you're having a hard time getting into the cheery swing of things, join us on Thursday, December 16 through Saturday, December 18 at 8 PM and Sunday, December 19 at 2:30 PM.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online, over the phone or at the box office in the lobby.  More information can be found at our website at http://www.lyricmusictheater.org/

A silent auction in the lobby is included and will help you check off everyone on your holiday gift list as well! 

AUDITION RESULTS

What a talented and strong cast this is!  If you love RENT, then this is going to be INTENSE.  Thank you again to all who came out to audition and support the theater.  Please remember that we will still need volunteers that can help make this show a huge success.  If you are interested in volunteering, please go to the website to submit your contact information and what you may be interested in assisting with.  Congrats again to the cast of RENT!

Rent

Mark……………………  Jason Phillips

Roger………………….  Chris Austin

Mimi……….…………...  Celeste Green

Collins…………………  Thomas Smallwood

Angel……………….….  Tyler Beck

Maureen………….……  Jennifer Miller

Joanne……………..….  Rebecca Rinaldi

Benny…………….……  Brian McAloon

Ensemble
Jonathan Carr

Will Carter
Brittany Cook
Jona Cormier
Kristi Drew
Chris Foulke
Kelsey Franklin
Melissa Morad
Dan Neuville
Adam Normand
Ashleigh St.Pierre
Jane Stevens

Annie Get Your Gun Review

What a great review from Mr. Scott Andrew!  A wonderful bonus to such a successful and exciting opening weekend.  He had some mighty fine words to spare fer the cast and crew of this here production.  A few highlights:

"Last weekend, Lyric Music Theater opened an outstanding community production of the show in South Portland. Over the years I've seen quite a few community productions of “Annie Get Your Gun,” and Lyric’s current offering is definitely the best." 

"Lyric has a fine cast of community actors, led by Cory Bucknam in the title role. She’s got a good voice, wonderfully articulate body language and an real empathy and enthusiasm for the part. She’s paired with David Allen Van Duyne as her love interest. Van Duyne sports a fine swagger – essential for the role – and the chemistry between him and the leading lady is palpable.

There are several fine supporting roles. One of the best is Janie Downey Maxwell as the deliciously disportive woman who unsuccessfully competes for Frank’s love. I also liked the secondary romantic pairing, Rebecca Washko and Brandon Pullen, and the four principal male character roles: Vince Knue as Buffalo Bill, Adam Noormand as his general manager, Jeff Newick as arch-rival showman Pawnee Bill and Louis Perrotta as Chief Sitting Bull." ~By Scott Andrew, The Forcaster: "Out & About: 'Annie Get Your Gun' is right on target"

Check out the full article here: http://www.theforecaster.net/content/pnms-outabout-112410

2011-2012 Season Announcement

Announcing the 2011-2012 Season!

1. Thoroughly Modern Millie  -  directed by Jonathan Miele (Sept.23 - Oct.8, 2011)
2. Meet Me in St. Louis  -  directed by Michael Donovan (Nov.18 - Dec.3, 2011)
3. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels  -  directed by Vince and Denise Knue (Feb.17 - Mar.3, 2012)
4. South Pacific  -  directed by Don Smith (April 20 - May 5, 2012)
5. Blythe Spirit (our summer show)  -  director not assigned yet (June15 - 24, 2012)  

**Please note that all selections are subject to change based on availability**

A "Behind-the-Scenes" Look of Annie Get Your Gun

The Blank Canvas!

I recently had the great opportunity to visit the cast of Annie Get Your Gun, and brought back with me a few juicy teasers for your enjoyment!

Rebecca Washko and Abigail Worthing

Once the music rehearsal (led by Music Director Rebekkah Willey) began, I waded through the shadows listening to the sweet sounds of "Moonshine Lullaby" and the vivacious chorus of “There’s No Business Like Show Business”.  I took time to wander around the room and observe the cast attentively as they crooned.  

Brandon Pullen  and  Rebekkah Willey

They all worked hard; Rebekkah often stopping to explain difficult parts of the written harmonies and playing them out slowly on the piano as the cast dutifully followed along in their song books and repeating the verses.  It was obvious that despite the hard work, they were having a total blast. I did my best to remain a wall flower as I listened. I snapped a few pictures and tapped my toe the entire time.  I think it was a true test of my will not to start singing along  to the well known and beloved tunes written by Irving Berlin and simply observe.

I couldn't help but notice that during rehearsal, costume designer Louise Keezer zoomed through the theater bringing down props, gowns, western styled hats and boots from the costume closets.  She took a moment to take a breather and share with me a few of the items she is preparing to try on the cast as "possibles" for the final costumes.  She she also shared with me that she is very excited to be working on this show; though she is still preparing for the undertaking of costuming such an enormous ensemble as this one.  Having worked with Louise in the past as an actress and a costuming helper, I have unmitigated  faith that she will, as always, out do herself and surprise us all with her pure genius.

I continued my meanderings into the box office where Kristi Drew, Producer for the show, was exercising her mutli-tasking skills.  She took a moment from her ever expanding "To Do" list to speak with me.  For those who don't know Kristi, she is a long time veteran of both Lyric Music Theater and Portland Players Theater.  In the past, she has usually been seen on stage, not working on the behind-the-scenes production side of a show.  Annie Get Your Gun will be the first show Kristi has been a producer for, as well as her first time working with director Wil Kilroy.

I asked Kristi what had led her to her wanting to try her hand a producing.  She replied that originally, she had been asked to join the Board of Directors at Lyric.  That is an understandably huge commitment, served purely on a volunteer basis.  Before she endeavored to join the board, she first hoped to learn the production side of theater.  She believes that by producing and experiencing the work that is required to get a show up and running she will be able to better understand the "behind the scenes" people and the effort they have to put into every run of a show that make those performing on stage look amazing.

I continued to ask Kristi if she was nervous attempting her first producing role.  Not only was Wil a director that she had never met or worked with before, but he was also a new director to Lyric. Kristi replied with a big smile stating that "Everyone has different styles and different ways of doing everything.  I was definitely very nervous, but very welcoming to the challenge." She elaborated that it is an equal opportunity to learn new practices of a new director and also gain her footing in the production staff.  Both of which will enrich her knowledge of theater from a perspective other than that of an actress.

I asked her if she has encountered anything (so far) that has been a big challenge for her and has there been anything as equally rewarding.  She laughed softly as she contemplated my questions before saying, "Yes, and I think that it is because I've never been on the other side of things. So scheduling, knowing who needs what nights off and when, has been difficult." She explained that in Community Theater, pretty much every person is there on a volunteer basis.  Those same people work all day and have families. As the producer, you are potentially dealing with a large ensemble of 20 and all of their scheduling needs and conflicts.  As for the reward part of my question, she remarked that the whole experience has been rewarding because you are able learn something new every day. She is, of course, anxious to see how everything from the production side and the performance of the actors merge together to create a final product, but that's just part of the process of getting everything done that needs to be done and ensuring you give the audience a fantastic experience.


My final question  for Kristi was what juicy teasers would she give us about what we could expect from this production, to which she mischievously replied, "All I'm going to say at this point is we have a fantastic ensemble. I think that the audience is going to be pleasantly surprised at the life they've given to this show. We've got a couple tricks up our sleeves, but other than that you'll have to come and see for yourselves what I'm talking about."

If you haven't already bought your tickets, you will want to do so immediately.  Many folks wait for the second or third weekends to attend the show or purchase tickets just before a showing.  As demonstrated with Evita, performances quickly sold out and those folks never got to see the spectacular performance.  So don't wait! Pre-order now online at www.lyricmusictheater.org!

Article and photographs by Crystal Giordano