CHICAGO IS BACK — AUDITION INFORMATION ANNOUNCED
Following the legacy made by the Tony award-winning Broadway production and the multi-Oscar award winning movie, Footlight Productions are producing a spectacular reimagining that will pay homage to these monumental legends in brand-new production that can only be seen here in Geelong. Using the splendor of the incredible Palais Theatre this new Chicago is not to be missed!
Download the audition form here.
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse
Based on “Chicago” by Maurine Dallas Watkins
PRODUCTION STAFF
Producers - Peter and Margaret Wills
Director - Alister Smith
Musical Director - John Shawcross
Choreographer - Lochlan Erard
VENUE
The Palais, Moorabool Street, Geelong
Newly refurbished and renovated into a state-of-the-art venue for theatre audiences in Geelong.
PERFORMANCE DATES
• Opening performance – Friday 25 March, 2022
• Closing performance – Saturday 9 April, 2022
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CAST MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR PRODUCTION WEEK TECHNICAL AND DRESS REHEARSALS
• Tuesday 22 March – 12.30pm onwards
• Wednesday 23 March - evening
• Thursday 24 March – evening
REHEARSALS
The first rehearsal will be held on Monday January 10, commencing at 7pm.
All subsequent rehearsals will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7pm – 10pm and Sundays from 10am – 5pm.
All rehearsals will be held at Sacred Heart College, Newtown.
Please note - Sacred Heart is strictly a smoke free venue, and check in with a
QR code is required.
FEES
The fee for all cast members is $110 per person. This fee is due at the first rehearsal on January 10 and covers the following -
• Insurance
• Specialty make-up
• Branded Chicago T-shirt
• Entry to official Footlight functions.
Please note - No cast member can perform at The Palais without insurance.
FUNDRAISING
As a community theatre company, we rely on fundraising activities throughout the course of the production to enable us to hire extra technical equipment to enhance our shows. We ask that all cast members support our fundraising endeavors. More information about these will be given once casting is complete.
AUDITIONS
This brand-new production will require a cast of true triple threat music theatre actors and an ensemble that has excellent dance ability and understanding of Broadway style.
This production is a new creation so it will require a rehearsal process to match. The process will include some experimental rehearsal practices and a process that is explorative and inventive. We need a cast that is willing to work in this way through a true collaborative nature and work with extreme generosity.
VACCINATION
• All auditionees must be double vaccinated.
AUDITION AGE REQUIREMENT
• All auditionees must be 15 years of age by the first rehearsal on Monday January 10.
AUDITION AND CALLBACK DATES
• Auditions will be held at Sacred Heart College, Newtown – entry via the Aphrasia Street gate.
• Dance Auditions - Sunday 21 November – 10:00am
• Movers Audition – Sunday 21 November – 11:30am (For the roles of Billy Flynn, Mamma Morton, Mary Sunshine & Amos Hart ONLY)
• Vocal Auditions – Sunday 21 November – 1:30pm onwards
• Callbacks - Sunday 28 November – 10:00am onwards.
• Please note that you may be required for a substantial time, at any time, before 9pm on the callback day.
DANCE AUDITIONS
• The entire cast of this production will be required to dance so, all candidates will be required to attend the dance audition first.
• There are various levels of dance skills required from each character in this production. Please be prepared to dance to the best of your ability.
• Please bring with both character chorus shoes & Soft Jazz shoes that you’re comfortable and safe to dance in. If you don’t have these then a trainer or sneaker is recommended.
• Dancewear is necessary for the dance call with form fitting attire encouraged.
SINGING AUDITIONS
• Every cast member of this production will be required to sing and have a strong vocal ability. Principal cast need to have excellent understanding of style and ensemble cast will need to be extremely comfortable with vocal control while dancing.
• All auditionees are asked to prepare a song which clearly demonstrates your vocal range and fits within the character you’re auditioning for and style of the show.
• Please either provide your own backing for your audition, or bring sheet music in the correct key for our pianist to accompany you. Note – it will not be necessary to sing the whole song at the audition so please choose the section which will best showcase the range and quality of your voice.
THE SHOW
SYNOPSIS
Chicago is a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery - all those things we hold near and dear to our heart. Set in 1920s Chicago and based on real-life murders and trials, Chicago follows Roxie Hart, a wannabe vaudeville star who murders her lover and is arrested despite her attempts to convince her husband Amos to lie for her.
In the Cook County Jail, Roxie meets her hero, the famed double-murderess and nightclub performer Velma Kelly. When both acquire the same lawyer Billy Flynn, tensions come to a head as they vie for the media spotlight.
With catchy, sexy music and timeless lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Chicago is a musical spectacular that truly has that razzle dazzle that we all want to see.
CHARACTER SYNOPSIS
VELMA KELLY: Female, 25-35 (Range: Alto, E3-D5) Vaudeville performer who is accused of murdering her sister and husband. Hardened by fame, she cares for no one but herself and her attempt to get away with murder.
ROXIE HART: Female, 20-30 (Range: Mezzo-Soprano, F3-B4) Reads and keeps up with murder trials in Chicago, and follows suit by murdering her lover, Fred Casely. She stops at nothing to render a media storm.
MATRON "MAMA" MORTON: Female, 30-50 (Range: Alto, F#3-Bb4) Leader of the prisoners of Cook County Jail. The total essence of corruption. Accepts bribes for favours ranging from laundry service to making calls to lawyers. – Attend Movement Audition.
BILLY FLYNN: Male, 35-50 (Range: Baritone Bb2-G4) Established lawyer who hasn’t lost a woman’s case yet. Master of media manipulation who will get a girl off the hook as long as she can fork up the hefty $5,000 fee. - Attend Movement Audition.
MARY SUNSHINE: Female/male, 25-55 (Range: Soprano, Bb3-Bb5) Sob sister reporter from the Evening Star. Believes there is a little bit of good in everyone and will believe anything she is fed that matches her beliefs. Attend Movement Audition.
AMOS HART: Male, 30-50 (Range: Baritone, C3-F#4) Roxie’s faithful husband. Lies for her and tries to take the blame until he realizes that he has been two-timed by her. - Attend Movement Audition.
FRED CASELY: Male, 30-50 (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Roxie’s short-lived lover. Murdered for trying to leave Roxie.
LIZ: Female, 18-45 (Range: Ensemble, A3-C#5) Prisoner at Cook County Jail. She is imprisoned after shooting two warning shots into her husband’s head.
ANNIE: Female, 18-45 (Range: Ensemble, A3-C#5) Prisoner at the Cook County Jail. Murder’s her lover after finding out he already has six wives.
JUNE: Female, 18-45 (Range: Ensemble, A3-C#5) Prisoner at Cook County Jail. After her husband accuses her of screwing the milk man, he mysteriously runs into her knife ten times.
HUNYAK: Female, 25-45 (Range: Non-Singing Role) Hungarian Prisoner at Cook County Jail. The only English she speaks is the phase, “Not Guilty.”
MONA: Female, 18-45 (Range: Ensemble, A3-C#5) Prisoner at Cook County Jail. Murders her lover after he has a round of affairs with other woman, and an occasional man.
SERGEANT FOGARTY: Male, 35-55 (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Assigned to Roxie’s case. After asking the right questions, he manages to get Roxie to confess.
MARTIN HARRISON: Male, 35-55 (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Ensemble member who doubles as the Master of Ceremonies at times.
GO-TO-HELL-KITTY: Female, 21-40 (Range: Ensemble, A3-C#5) Steals the spotlight when she murders her husband along with three other women.
HARRY: (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Murdered by Go-To-Hell Kitty for sleeping around with three women behind her back.
AARON: (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Court appointed lawyer for Hunyak. He tries to get her to confess to speed along the trial.
JUDGE: Male, 40-65 (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Judge overseeing Roxie’s Trial.
COURT CLERK: (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Swears people in with their hand on the bible.
Ensemble – In addition to the specific characters outlined above, ensemble members will play various roles throughout-- Reporters, Doctor, Fan Dancers, Foreman of the Jury, Roxie’s Boys, etc.
MORE INFORMATION?
If you have any questions or would like to book an audition, please contact Peter Wills: 0409 969648 (all calls after 5pm please).