Chester Theatre Group

The second round of Musical Chairs auditions is happening tonight at 7:00.

So, put down the cerveza and join us… sing a song, read a little and then you can go back out for Cinco de Mayo… :-)

The Chester Theatre Group will be holding auditions for its Summer production of MUSICAL CHAIRS, with Book by Barry Berg, Ken Donnelly and Tom Savage, and Music and Lyrics by Tom Savage. This production is to have both direction and musical direction by Clifford Parish of Bernardsville. MUSICAL CHAIRS is based on an original story concept by Larry J. Pontillo.

Auditions will be at the Black River Playhouse located on the corners of Grove Street and Maple Avenue in Chester, NJ on Saturday May 1st at 1:00 pm and on Wednesday, May 5th at 7:00 pm. Auditioners are asked to bring music in their key, an accompanist will be provided. Readings will be from the script.

Performances dates are to be determined.  Previously published dates may not be the actual dates.

ABOUT THE STORY

Joe Preston has not had a hit in years, and is hoping his new play will revive his career. He is at the mercy of an audience consisting of two typical “matinee ladies”, a married couple who fight all the time, an anxious young man waiting for his date, an illiterate rock singer trying to impress his date with some culture, a successful business man and his culture vulture wife and three critics–one of whom hates Preston’s work and another who begged his editor not to assign him to his show because Sam, his lover who recently jilted him, is in the cast. Also unexpectedly in the audience is Joe’s beautiful ex-wife who left NY Theater to become a TV Star. This bright show is about these audience members watching opening night of a new play and the drama and comedy aren’t only happening on the stage. Each audience member has a story and the audiences at MUSICAL CHAIRS get to hear them all. The NY POST said “it is clever, it is funny, and it is original.” And VARIETY called it, “a lively, entertaining musical.” The Sam French catalog states, “MUSICAL CHAIRS has marvelous music, hysterical comedy and at least 6 showstoppers which make this a surefire winner!”

CAST BREAKDOWN

With the exception of Sallie and Stage Manager – all are featured roles

• Maddie – Producer – 40+ – mezzo/belt
• Joe Preston – playwright – 35-50 – baritone
• Valerie Brooks – Joe’s ex-wife/tv star – 35-45 – mezzo/belt
• Roberta – matinee Lady #1 – 50+ – mezzo/belt
• Millie – matinee Lady #2 – 50+ – mezzo/belt
• Lillian – culture vulture wife – 40-60 – belt
• Harold – successful businessman – 40-60 – baritone
• Gary – concerned husband – 30-45 – tenor
• Janet – distracted wife – 30-45 – mezzo
• Brad – rock singer with big ego and small intellect– 20s – rock tenor
• Miranda – quirky insecure girl on first date with Brad – 20s – comedic mezzo
• Brown Suit – curmudgeonly old school theater critic -30+ – baritone – dancer
• Blue Suit – positive theater critic – 30+ – tenor – dancer
• Tuxedo –critic who had a personal relationship with actor in show – 30+ – bari/tenor – dancer
• Boyfriend – young guy waiting for new girlfriend to meet him at theater – 20s – baritone
• Sallie – new girlfriend who is late to show – 20s – non-singing role
• Stage Manager – non-singing role – male or female any age

For any questions regarding auditions, please contact the director at ChpMM@aol.com .