Audition Alerts

Lori Bajorek (prod.) is casting Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Lindsay Warren Baker & Amanda Jacobs, book-music-lyrics; Mark Lamos, dir.; Charlotte Wilcox, general manager; Tara Rubin Casting, casting dir. Rehearses Oct. 6-20; performs Oct. 21 at the Eastman Theatre, Rochester, NY.

Seeking-Jane Austen: 36, mezzo soprano/belt, quick-witted writer with a keen sense of humor, highly observant and opinionated about the society in which she lives, her favorite heroine of all her books is Elizabeth Bennet, is private about her writing to the world-at-large as dictated by the times, but isn’t shy when absorbed into the world she creates; Mrs. Bennet/Lady Catherine De Bourgh: female, late 30s-early 40s, soprano, Mrs. Bennet was once a young woman of beauty and good humor, now a wife and mother of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper, fancies herself nervous when discontented, the business of her life is to get her daughters married, Lady Catherine marks her self-importance by speaking with an authoritative tone, very rude to those she deems infrerior, including her creator Jane Austen, Darcy’s aunt and Mr. Collins’s patroness; Elizabeth Bennet: 20, soprano/belt, has a light and pleasing figure, has an easy playfulness about her though her manners are not of the fashionable world, is quick to observe and judge others based on her first impression; Mary Bennet/As Cast: 19, mezzo-soprano/belt, the only plain one in the family, works hard for knowledge and accomplishments, always impatient for display, though she has neither genius nor taste; Kitty Bennet/As Cast: 17, soprano/belt, enjoys the pleasures of society, somewhat silly and fretful, though of a more governing temper than Lydia; Lydia Bennet/As Cast: 15, soprano/belt, tall, stout, good-humored, boy-crazy, determined flirt, fond of society and amusement, unabashed, her behavior often causes her to look ridiculous to the world at large and causes her family embarrassment; Caroline Bingley/As Cast: 25, soprano, Bingley’s snobby sister, handsome woman with an air of decided fashion, good-humored when pleased and agreeable when choosing to, but more often proud and conceited, associates with people of rank; Charlotte Lucas/As Cast: 27, alto/belt, sensible, intelligent, Elizabeth’s close friend, not considered a beauty, perceived to be on the threshold of becoming an old maid; Wickham/As Cast: 27, baritenor, newly commissioned lieutenant in the militia, has all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address which is perfectly correct and unassuming, very sexy. The following roles have been CAST; performers will be considered as possible replacements-Jane Bennet: 22, soprano, the Bennet’s eldest daughter, sweet-tempered, composed, beautiful, sees fault in no one, shy by nature, keeps her emotions guarded and confides only in Elizabeth; Mr. Bennet: 45, bass/baritone, ensemble singing only, country gentleman, an odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, his principal enjoyments arise from the countryside and books; Fitzwilliam Darcy: 28, baritone, a good man, handsome bachelor of 10,000 pounds a year and Bingley’s trusted friend, tall, noble, his shyness is often mistaken for snobbery, a man of great responsibility inherited at an early age, honors his familial duties and does what he believes to be right based on his own judgment, admits when he is wrong, but that doesn’t happen often; Charles Bingley: 23, tenor, smart, young bachelor from the north of England of 4000 pounds a year, wonderfully handsome, extremely agreeable, sincerely genuine, held in high regard by his good friend Darcy, bullied by his snobby sister Caroline; Mr. Collins/As Cast: 25, tenor, the Bennet’s recently ordained cousin, tall, heavy-looking, has a grave and stately air, very formal manners, not a sensible man but eager to please, simultaneously pompous while feigning modesty; Mr. Gardiner/As Cast: 40s, tenor, Mrs. Bennet’s older brother, sensible, gentleman-like, greatly superior to his sister by nature as well as education, lives by trade in London.

Equity principal auditions will be held Sept. 2, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at AEA Audition Center, 165 W. 46th St., 2nd fl., NYC and Sept. 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Chelsea Studios, 151 W. 26th St. (btwn. Sixth & Seventh aves.), 5th fl., NYC. Prepare a brief traditional musical theatre song. Bring pix & resumes, stapled together. Expected salary: $570 min./wk., plus transportation and housing provided. Equity LOA Contract.