Casting Call for Boys and Girls for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood"
Casting call for boys and girls ages 8-18 for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" Stage Play. See details below. About the project: Based on Charles Dickens’ final unfinished novel, this hilarious whodunit invites the audience to solve its mystery by choosing the identity of the murderer. The tale is presented as a show-within-a-show, as the Music Hall Royale - a delightfully loony Victorian theatre company - presents Dickens’ brooding mystery. Musical numbers include “Perfect Strangers,” “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead,” “Off to the Races,” and “Moonfall.” Rupert Holmes’ musical creation The Mystery of Edwin Drood won Broadway’s highest honor, the Tony Award for Best Musical, and had a critically-acclaimed Broadway revival in 2012–2013. For Edwin Drood, Holmes was the first person in theatrical history to solely win Tony awards for Best Music, Best Lyrics and Best Book of a Musical. He also orchestrated the original Broadway production and its recent revival. Additional info: Audition sessions will be limited to timed appointments. All auditioners should present one song excerpt and one monologue within a 3-minute total time limit. Auditioners should provide their own electronic accompaniment (cell phone, smart speaker, etc.). The song excerpt can be from the show or another show of a similar nature. Rehearsals will begin on February 17. Performances are March 27 – April 19. If you are interested please apply.
13 roles
The leader of the music hall troupe. The Chairperson carries the majority of the dialogue and must be quick with a joke and able to improvise. S/he is in charge of keeping the pace of the show moving. This part can be played by either a man or a woman, and can be any age over 40ish. Baritone/Low Alto (D#3 – F#4 – can pop octaves if needed).
The Royale’s male lead, a devilishly attractive cad, and he knows it. In Drood, he is the antagonist. Choirmaster of Cloisterham Cathedral, and uncle of Edwin Drood. In love with Rosa Bud. Madness lurks beneath his smooth exterior. Bari-tenor (A2 – A4).
Prima donna and London’s leading male impersonator, charming but, as you might expect, with determination and a lot of ego. Must command the stage. As Edwin Drood, she is an attractive, rich, and popular young man who has everything. Mezzo (B3 – E5).
The not-so-innocent ingenue of the Music Hall Royale, Deirdre portrays the love interest of Drood, the young, beautiful and apparently fragile Rosa Bud. 16-30ish. True soprano (A3 – B5), with a high B natural that can’t be avoided.
Angela has been a favorite of London audiences forever, a staple of the stage. As the mysterious Princess Puffer, Madam, opium dealer and general purveyor of vice of all kinds, she is glamorous in her ruin. Serious low alto (F3 – D5) – must have a big chest voice and lots of rapport with the audience.
Janet is a long-standing member of the acting troupe, asked to play the mysterious Helena Landless who hails from a mysterious foreign colony not unlike India. 25-50ish. Mezzo (G3 – D5 [optional E5])
Victor is enjoying his premier performance with the Music Hall Royale. His character, Neville, is Helena’s twin brother. Very passionate and often angry. Bari-tenor (C3 – G4), strong ensemble singer.
This troupe member is a bit of an open book who plays an archetypal vicar, who is also a bit of a lurker, and was in love with Rosa’s mother. Must be significantly older than Rosa. Baritone (C3 – G4), strong ensemble singer.
evotee of the theatre, the everlasting understudy, who finally gets his moment. May have quite a major part if the evening turns out that way. Bari-tenor (A2 – Eb4 [opt G4 or Bb4]).
“Clown Prince of the Royale” who makes the most of every line and plays the drunkard sexton in Drood. Baritone or Tenor (B2 – F4) – ensemble singer.
Boy, any age younger than Cricker, Sr. As the Deputy, lowest in the pecking order, and very funny. Any voice range – ensemble singer.
Drawn from the company, these characters are contemporaries of Rosa Bud. (C4-D5)
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