The 2009-2010 season of the San Mateo High School Drama Department will be as follows:
FALL
LEADER OF THE PACK
The Ellie Greenwich Musical
Thursday, October 29, 2009 @ 7:30 PM
Friday, October 30, 2009 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 31, 2009 @ 2:00 PM
Sunday, November 1, 2009 @ 2:00 PM
Audition Dates: Monday and Tuesday, August 24 and 25, 2009, 3:15pm, Performing Arts Center
Join us for a celebration of the life and music of Ellie Greenwich, whose songwriting talents produced some of the greatest tunes to hit the 60’s charts. This loose biographical revue takes us from Ellie’s early days in the Brill Building to her dynamic partnership with Phil Spector, where she defined the sound for the great girl groups, like the Crystals, the Ronettes and the Shangri-Las. Along the way, her career is marked by one hit number after another, including Chapel of Love, Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, Hanky Panky, and of course the title song. Directed by Brad Friedman, choreographed by Erin Cole, Musical and Vocal direction by Larry Rice.
LEADER OF THE PACK CHARACTERS
ELLIE GREENWICH: The play tells Ellie’s story, and the actress must move from young, eager innocence to disillusionment to mature success. Must act and sing well and be able to move. Songs: A, My Name is Ellie, Jivette Boogie Beat, What a Guy, I Wanna Love Him So Bad, Rock of Rages, We’re Gonna Make It After All
DARLENE LOVE: The great 1960’s singer was also Ellie’s friend and serves as the narrator to the story. She sings many numbers with a thrilling belt, including Wait Till My Bobby Gets Home, Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry, Not Too Young to Get Married, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), River Deep, Mountain High, We’re Gonna
Make It After All
RONNIE SPECTOR: The famous performer, once married to Phil Spector, who was the
lead singer for the Ronettes until she broke off into her own solo career. Songs: Be My Baby, Baby I Love You, I Can Hear Music, We’re Gonna Make It After All
ESTELLE/NEDRA: The back-up singers in the RONETTES. (May double as ENSEMBLE.) Songs: Be My Baby, Baby I Love You, I Can Hear Music, We’re Gonna Make It After All
BOB.B. SOXX: Another great singer of the 60’s. Songs: Why Do Lover’s Break Each Other’s Hearts? “Keep It Confidential, We’re Gonna Make It After All
BARBARA ALSTON: The lead singer for the girl group, THE CRYSTALS. Songs: And Then He Kissed Me, Not Too Young to Get Married, Da Doo Run Run
PATTIE, MARY, DOLORES, MYRNA: Back-up singers for the CRYSTALS. Songs: And Then He Kissed Me, Not Too Young to Get Married, Da Doo Run Run. (The Actress playing PATTIE also has a terrific solo song called The Look of Love.)
SHELLEY and MICKEY: Ellie’s childhood friends and singing partners, who remain close to her throughout the show and sing in a couple of numbers. (May also double as ENSEMBLE.) Songs: Jivette Boogie Beat, Chapel of Love, We’re Gonna Make It After All
BETTY WEISS: The lead singer for the SHANGRI LAS. Songs: Leader of the Pack, Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
MARGE/MARY ANN: Back-up singers for the SHANGRI LAS. Songs: Leader of the Pack, Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
ROSIE GREENWICH: Ellie’s mother, a comical Jewish mother. Non-musical, but may double with ENSEMBLE.
JEFF BARRY: The perfect partner for Ellie, both personally and professionally – but not necessarily both. As the play chronicles the rise in success of this songwriting team, it also showcases their courtship, marriage and divorce. Must sing and move well. Songs: Doo Wah Diddy, Hanky Panky, I Can Hear Music, We’re Gonna Make It After All
GUS SHARKEY: Music producer who gives Ellie her first big break and guides her partnership with Jeff Barry. Always looking out for the next hit, always pushing the team to work harder. A nice comic role with some singing and movement. Songs: Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts?, Doo Wah Diddy, Hanky Panky, We’re Gonna Make It After All
MIKE LIEBER/JERRY STOLLER: Hit songmakers of the 60’s who are among the first to meet Ellie and recognize her talent. Sing and move and will probably double as ENSEMBLE. Songs: What a Guy, Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts?, Doo Wah Diddy, Hanky Panky
DICK CLARK: Yes, THAT Dick Clark, who makes a couple of cameo appearances. The great producer of AMERICAN BANDSTAND, the man that Ryan Seacrist emulates!
THE ENSEMBLE
Since Leader of the Pack is almost completely made up of musical numbers, the ENSEMBLE will work a lot and is extremely important to the show. They play secretaries and songwriters, promgoers, American Bandstand dancers and other roles as Ellie’s story proceeds. And they are involved in most of the musical numbers: Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home, What a Guy, Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts?, Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry, Doo Wah Diddy, Hanky Panky, Chapel of Love, Leader of the Pack, Da Doo Ron Ron, Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home), I Can Hear Music, Keep It Confidential, River Deep, Mountain High, We’re Gonna Make It After All
WINTER
42ND STREET
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble
February 5 – 14, 2010
Audition Dates: Monday and Tuesday, November 9 and 10, 2009, 3:15pm, PAC
Based on the great 1930’s Depression film musicals, full of glorious Busby Berkeley numbers, 42nd Street tells the story of Julian Marsh, the once great Broadway director who needs another hit, and of Peggy Sawyer, the fresh-faced kid from Allentown, PA, who wants to be a star. As they both struggle to keep the show afloat in the midst of money woes, wacky writers and a moody leading lady, the cast tap dances its way into your hearts with one show-stopping hit after another, including “We’re in the Money,” “Dames,” “The Shadow Waltz,” and “Lullabye of Broadway.” Directed by Brad Friedman, choreographed by Robyn Tribuzi, music by Til Tribuzi and vocal direction by Shawn Reifschneider.
42nd STREET CHARACTERS
This is a HUGE shows, folks! There are TEN huge production numbers, and dancers and singers figure into most of the other numbers as well. Be prepared for an intensive rehearsal schedule. Some of the numbers are dance intensive, but there are some numbers that emphasize singing, so we will be able to cast some people with minimal dance experience.
FEMALE
DOROTHY BROCK: The star of the musical “Pretty Lady,” Dorothy is a diva in the grand tradition of theatre: talented, temperamental and highly theatrical. She is nearing the end of her youth and is highly insecure about losing her luster. Strong acting and
singing skills, plus good movement are needed. Songs: Shadow Waltz, You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me, About a Quarter to Nine.
PEGGY SAWYER: The cutest little girl from Allentown, PA, Peggy has come to the Big Apple to be a Broadway dancer. Who knew that she might come out of it…. a star! Strong singing and tapping skills needed. Songs: Young and Healthy, Go Into Your Dance, We’re in the Money, About a Quarter to Nine, 42nd Street, plus chorus in many other numbers.
MAGGIE JONES: The co-writer of Pretty Lady, a Broadway veteran and a
funny, tough-talking but motherly dame. Good comedic acting and able to sell a song and move. Songs: Go Into Your Dance, Getting Out of Town, Lullabye of Broadway, Shuffle Off to Buffalo.
ANN REILLY: “Anytime Annie” is one of the wise-cracking, quick-tapping loveable chorus girls who, along with Phyllis and Lorraine, befriends Peggy. She’s in a LOT of numbers and
is featured in many, including Go into Your Dance, Dames, We’re in the Money, Sunny Side to Every Situation, Lullabye of Broadway, and 42nd Street.
PHYLLIS DALE: See Annie above.
LORRAINE FLEMING: See Annie above.
CHORUS GIRLS (including ETHEL, DIANE LORIMER, GLADYS) and TECHNICAL SUPPORT (Wardrobe Ladies, Script Girls, Cleaning Women)
MALE
JULIAN MARSH: The longstanding, long-suffering boy wonder producer-director, whose Broadway success story has hit a roadblock called the Depression. All he wants is one more hit before he retires, and Pretty Lady is his last chance. Strong acting role, with one big number: Lullabye of Broadway.
BERT BARRY: Maggie Jones’ partner in crime, a sweet and funny writer of musicals, with a way around a comic number. Songs: Getting Out of Town, Lullabye of Broadway, Shuffle
Off to Buffalo.
BILLY LAWLOR: The most fabulous of boy tenors, this singing tapping fool has a way of melting Peggy’s heart. Must possess a lot of charm, as well as excellent singing and tapping skills. Songs: Young and Healthy, Dames, We’re in the Money, Lullabye of Broadway, 42nd Street.
ANDY LEE: The choreographer of Pretty Lady and Julian’s go-to guy. Must dance and will dance in all major numbers, starting front and center with the curtain-raising tap.
PAT DENNING: The man who loves Dorothy Brock and hopes to take her away from the stage. Suave and charming. A strong acting role, with one solo in Getting Out of Town, but mainly a non-musical part.
ABNER DILLON: The multi-millionaire with a stake in Pretty Lady and an eye out for all the pretty ladies, especially Dorothy. A great, non-musical, comic role, although he does sing in Lullabye of Broadway.
MAC: The stage manager. Will probably double with chorus.
OSCAR: The accompanist. Will probably double with chorus.
DANCERS, STAGEHANDS, THUGS, a WAITER, POLICEMEN
SPRING
BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS
By Neil Simon
April 29 – May 2, 2010
Audition Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 3:15pm, Wrestling Room
Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical comic hit is the story of Eugene Jerome, a fourteen-year old boy who can’t decide between a career as a professional writer or playing for the Yankees. As a Depression-weary nation reacts to the first rumblings of war, Eugene narrates the adventures of his family in their cramped New York home in 1937. Will brother Stanley get his job back and repay his gambling debts? Will beautiful cousin Nora be allowed to audition for that Broadway revue? And will Eugene ever unlock the mysteries of the female sex or attain either of his career goals? Join us on his marvelous comic journey.
Directed by Brad Friedman.
BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS CHARACTERS
EUGENE MORRIS JEROME: Our 15-year-old hero whose dreams of playing with the Yankees, kissing his first girl and writing his memoirs are constantly being interrupted by the problems of his loud, loving, demanding family. Eugene narrates the story of his life with deadpan humor and the comic desperation of a young man drowning in puberty.
STANLEY JEROME: Eugene’s 18-year-old brother, whom he alternately worships and despises, dispenser of highly flawed information and wisdom, and constantly in trouble with his boss or his family.
JACK JEROME: The long-suffering, hard-working patriarch of the Jerome clan, whose sighs and complaints cover the warm, kind heart of a man whose greatest joy is helping those less fortunate, even when there’s nothing more he can give. A man of principle and great love.
KATE JEROME: Eugene and Stanley’s mother, the glue that holds the family together with hard work and a sharp tongue. A champion at nagging, inducing guilt, and all the gifts of the perfect Jewish mother.
AUNT BLANCHE: Kate’s sister, a widow with two daughters who accepted Jack’s gracious offer to spend a short stay with the Jerome’s – a stay that has now extended for years. Constantly overwhelmed by her daughters’ needs, full of gratitude and guilt over her living on her sister’s bounty, and resentful that she can’t seem to stand on her own two feet.
NORA: Blanche’s 16-year-old daughter, a lovely girl with dreams of Broadway stardom – despite the lack of any obvious talent, and the object of Eugene’s lust and affection. Her conflict with her mother forms one of the most dramatic arcs of the show.
LAURIE: Blanche’s younger daughter, around 12, who has a weak heart and plays it for everything it’s worth. Smart and funny, she tends to see things exactly for what they are and to speak her mind at the wrong moment.
AUDITION INFORMATION
All auditions require you to come prepared with audition material, completely memorized, for all directors. For the musicals, you must typically sing a song from a Broadway musical. We will make an exception for Leader of the Pack: we’re looking for a pop style song and will accept one from a similarly styled show or an actual 1960’s pop song (songs from Leader of the Pack will be accepted). For 42nd Street, please prepare a traditional Broadway song. For Brighton Beach Memoirs, you will need to prepare a short monologue from a 20th century comedy.
You must bring sheet music in the correct key for your song with you to auditions for the accompanist to play as you sing. We will not allow accompaniment tapes, nor will we let anyone sing á cappella (without music.) Music can be found in libraries and music stores.
For both musicals, you will be required to take part in a dance audition. Dress comfortably but not sloppily. Wear shoes that are good for dancing. (Simple sneakers should be all right, but avoid clunky shoes or high heels.) Bare feet and sandals are not allowed. Note that actors are traditionally expected to provide their own dance shoes for performances.
The two tricks toward a successful audition are to be prepared and be positive. Don’t pick your song or monologue at the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time to practice until you know your material backwards and forwards and feel confident presenting it. Warm up physically and vocally before auditions. If you have a resume, bring it. Be polite at the audition. Be a good sport, whether you get into the play or not! Finally, I normally urge you to familiarize yourself with the shows. This year it may prove a little difficult. There is no CD of Leader of the Pack available; however, you can check the song list under the character descriptions and YouTube many of these songs. A DVD of the original movie of 42nd Street is available, but it only contains a few of the songs from the show. There are two CDs of the Broadway show available; we highly recommend the original cast recording (with Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes), which is very superior to the revival. The play Brighton Beach Memoirs is available at most libraries and for sale at Amazon.com. There was a film version, a TV Movie I believe, also available at Amazon, but I can’t vouch for how similar it is to the play.
If you have any questions, contact drama director Brad Friedman at 558-2348 or e-mail him at bkfriedman@hotmail.com.