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Auditions announced for PACIFIC OVERTURES
September 13 2011
Blackbird Theater holding auditions for Sondheim’s PACIFIC OVERTURES on October 1
Blackbird Theater will stage PACIFIC OVERTURES by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, February 2-18, 2012 at Lipscomb University’s Shamblin Theater. Produced in conjunction with the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville, PACIFIC OVERTURES will open Sakura Season, the month-long Japanese cultural observance which concludes with the popular Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Show.
Stephen Sondheim, the modern master of musical theater, is renowned for SWEENEY TODD, INTO THE WOODS, and COMPANY. But one of his most compelling works is the rarely produced gem PACIFIC OVERTURES.
In 19th century Japan, an unlikely friendship is forged between the samurai Kayama and the Americanized fisherman Manjiro in the wake of a U.S. naval mission to secure trade with the reclusive nation. When the shogun reluctantly agrees to America’s demands, Kayama and Manjiro - and all of Japanese society - must face the wave of Westernization that follows.
This innovative show blends the American musical form with Kabuki theater stylings to present the dramatic first contact between America and Japan - through the eyes of the Japanese.
PACIFIC OVERTURES features a gorgeous score and the peerless lyrics of Stephen Sondheim. Highlights include the soaring “Poems”, the comedic tour-de-force “Please Hello”, the delicate, diabolical “Chrysanthemum Tea”, and, best known, the beautiful (and chilling) “Pretty Lady”.
Blackbird Theater
Blackbird Theater is a professional non-profit theater company founded in 2010 by Greg Greene and Wes Driver, artists-in-residence working in collaboration with the Lipscomb University Department of Theatre. Their first three productions - their original TWILIGHT OF THE GODS, Tom Stoppard’s ARCADIA, and G.K. Chesterton’s MAGIC - have each won popular and critical acclaim. More at BlackbirdNashville.com.
The Audition
Auditions will be held on Saturday, October 1 from 11:00am to 6:00pm in the University Theater at Lipscomb University. Callbacks are on Saturday, October 8 from 11:00am-3:00pm in the University Theater.
For the audition, please come prepared with a 1 to 2 minute monologue and a song (no more than 3 minutes, please). Songs in the style of Sondheim’s are encouraged, and songs from PACIFIC OVERTURES are welcome.
Please bring:
- This actor information sheet
- Sheet music for your song
- Resume and headshot
- Your schedule conflicts between January 2 and Feb 18
The original Broadway production featured all asian males. This production, however, will use male and female actors, and all ethnicities are encouraged to audition. Of particular note is a role for a boy, age range 10-13, with a good singing voice.
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to secure your audition time.
The Production
Blackbird Theater’s production of PACIFIC OVERTURES will be directed by Blackbird co-founder Greg Greene, with musical direction by Benjamin van Diepen.
Rehearsals are January 2 through February 1, mostly weekday evenings and some weekend days, with a possible early rehearsal week mid-December.
Performances are currently scheduled for evenings of the first three weekends in February:
- Feb 2, 3, 4
- Feb 9, 10, 11
- Feb 16, 17, 18
Actors will be paid a modest fee per performance. Sorry, Blackbird does not currently offer Equity contracts.
Please contact Greg Greene at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the audition!