Gotta dance? Gotta sing? Then here's your big chance. The Alliance Theatre of Chantilly is now holding auditions for its summer production of "The Music Man."
"It's going to be a lot of fun," said director Elaine Wilson. "Last year's production of 'Oliver' was very much a community activity, with parents and children performing together."
Adult auditions are Thursday, April 15, from 7-10 p.m., and Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Chantilly High. Call backs will be Monday, April 19, from 7-10 p.m. (High-school students wishing to audition for adult roles should attend the adult auditions).
Youth auditions will be Wednesday, April 21, and Thursday, April 22, from 6-10 p.m. each night. Call backs will be Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m.-noon.
"We're looking for singers first — especially a lot of adult singers," said Wilson. "'The Music Man' is like a slice of Americana — songs we've all grown up with — but they're not that simple to sing. So we need some very strong adult singers over age 18. Although high-school students are encouraged to try out, too."
Dancers could be high-school students or children from area dance studios because their numbers are for young people. The lead roles are already cast. Experienced actor Jim Mitchell, who's performed in several local productions, plays music man Harold Hill. And Susan McCarthy, choral teacher at Lake Braddock Secondary School, will portray Marian the librarian.
The musical will be performed July 30-31 and Aug. 1 at Chantilly High. Altogether, Wilson and producer Pat Kallman, plus music director Greg Conrad, would like to have a cast of 50 youth and 20 or more adults. Any questions may be e-mailed to PBKallman@allvantage.com or Ewilson16@cox.net, or call Kallman at 703-263-2085.
At the auditions, hopefuls will be asked to perform one-minute vocal selections — if possible, from "The Music Man." Vocal/dance combinations should be limited to two minutes. Actors may be asked to read from a script supplied by the director, and an accompanist and tape/CD player will be available.
Besides actors, singers and dancers, a backstage troupe is needed to handle publicity, programs, scenery, lights, props, costumes, makeup, sound and computer work. Anyone interested in working on the crew should call Wilson at 703-830-1078.
The show also has a barbershop quartet, so anyone who performs with a barbershop singing group should also contact Wilson. "The harmony in their songs is quite lovely," she said. "But it needs to be done well."
Actors from age 7 through high-school seniors joining Alliance's Summer Stars experience (tuition, $275; siblings, $200) will also receive voice, movement, acting and auditioning training and will perform in the show. Call 703-263-2085.