Casting Call for Feb. 10, 2012

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The Beverly Theatre Guild will stage the musical version of Louisa May Alcott's famous novel "Little Women" from April 27-29 in Chicago. | AP file photo

Updated: May 9, 2012 10:14AM

Here is a look at open auditions in the Southland and beyond.

APOSTLE CHRISTIAN THEATRE: This small dinner theater will conduct auditions for the contemporary and comedic interpretation of the medieval poem “The Death and Life of Everyman” by Patrick Rainville Dorn.

In this allegorical story, the Grim Reaper gives the startling news to Mr. Everyman that he will soon no longer live. As his doom approaches, Everyman tries to persuade family and friends to accompany him so he will not have to go alone.

Several roles will be doubled or tripled. The challenge for the actors will be to make each role as separate as possible. More than 10 roles are available for men and women, as well as one role each for a boy and girl around ages 7-10.

Auditions will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11. No monologues are required. Cold readings will be from the script. Those planning to audition can bring resumes and headshots if they are available.

Auditions, rehearsals and performances will be at Olympia Gardens firehouse, 2250 205th St., Chicago Heights.

Performances will be April 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29. There is no pay. However, actors will be fed on performance nights. Information: Andrea L. Fleming at (708) 267-4409 or ACTonstage.org.

CURTAIN CALL THEATRE: Auditions for the famous comedy “You Can’t Take it With You” will take place from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 12 and at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Curtain Call Warehouse Theatre, 12535 Old Plank Drive, New Lenox. Callbacks will take place Feb. 16 if necessary.

The show has a variety of male and female roles, with characters ranging in age from 19 to 65. Those auditioning should be prepared to fill out a conflict sheet at the casting call.

Rehearsals will start Feb. 19, with rehearsals from 1-4 p.m. Sundays and 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Information: ccctheatre.com.

BEVERLY THEATRE GUILD: This League of Chicago Theatres member will host open auditions for the final production of its 2011-12 Season, “Little Women, The Musical.” Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, the show features music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and book by Allan Knee.

The casting call will take place at 1 p.m. Feb. 12 and 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at Salem United Church, 9717 S. Kostner Ave., Oak Lawn. Callbacks, if needed, will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 15.

Auditions will consist of three minutes or less of a prepared Monologue (if the person audition has no monologue, he or she can do a cold reading from script; audition sides will be posted on the website prior to auditions).

The vocal audition should be 32 measures of a song, and those auditioning should provide sheet music in the key desired. They also should each bring a headshot and resume, if available.

Directed by David Zak, founder and former artistic director of Bailiwick Repertory Theater, this production also features Sharon Mason as musical director.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. April 27-28 and 2 p.m. April 29 at the Baer Theatre at Morgan Park Academy Arts Center, 2153 W. 111th St., Chicago.

Information: beverlytheatreguild.org or (773) 284-8497.

THE DRAMA GROUP: Billed as bringing Broadway to the south suburbs since 1931, this troupe will conduct auditions for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Charlie Misovye will direct the show.

The casting call for ages 18 and older only will take place from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 15 and 17. Auditions for ages 5-17 will take place from 2-6 p.m. Feb. 18. The open calls will take place at the Drama Group Studio Theatre, 330 W. 202nd St. (off Ashland Avenue and one block north of Marian Catholic High School), Chicago Heights.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is considered by many to be the best musical to have come out of the Rice and Lloyd Webber partnership. The show’s family-friendly story line, universal themes and catchy music provide an entertaining couple of hours that one can spend on stage or in the audience.

Characters needed include 20 men, 20 women and 40 children. Those auditioning should each be prepared to sing a song from the show, or bring sheet music in his or her key to sing a song of his or her choice. Attendees should wear comfortable clothing for dance or movement and each bring a photo that the production staff may keep.

Production dates are slated for May 4-6 at Bloom Theatre, 101 W. 10th St., Chicago Heights.

Character description and production information is at dramagroup.org.

This troupe is a community theatre group, which is non-equity and putting on a non-pay production. The Drama Group promotes diversity in casting.

Information: (708) 755-3444.

THEATER ON THE MOVE: The popular comic strip heroine Annie will take center stage again in what many consider one of the world’s best-loved musicals, “Annie.”

Auditions will take place from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Morgan Park Art Center, 2153 W. 111th St., Chicago. Those auditioning should each arrive prepared to sing a song of his or her choice from the show.

Information: (773) 239-2399, theateronthemove.com.

GRANDE PRAIRIE SINGERS: This group has been making beautiful choral music available in the Southland for more than a quarter of a century. Beginning in 1977 as the Park Forest Singers, the Grande Prairie Singers have grown to include the finest voices from 28 suburbs and villages.

Members come from all walks of life and range in age from 16 to 80. The group is always looking for new talent to fill the risers.

Vocalists who are age 16 and older need to be comfortable reading music and should prepare a solo selection to sing for the group’s director, Jo Rodenburg.

Appointments: (708) 481-8684.

MIDWEST MOTET SOCIETY: The group billed as the chamber choir for Chicago’s Southland is hosting auditions through March 13 for its spring concert cycle.

All voice parts are welcome and encouraged to audition. However, the group is especially seeking altos and low basses.

Rehearsals will begin March 13 and will take place on Tuesday evenings in Flossmoor.

The group will be preparing for “From Venice to Vienna: Music from the Salon,” a concert set for 4 p.m. June 10 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2901 Western Ave., Park Forest.

The repertoire to be sung includes Italian madrigals by Orazio Vecchi, Carlo Gesualdo, Giovanni Giacomo Gastoldi and Orlando di Lasso and German part-songs by Franz Joseph Haydn, Felix Mendelssohn, Johannes Brahms and Franz Schubert.

The Midwest Motet Society is led by Marie Grass Amenta, founder and music director of the group.

“Marie Amenta has a rich knowledge of the composers who truly love the choral instrument. She programs gems of pieces that are as fun to sing as they are to listen to,” MMS mezzo-soprano Ruth Hansen said.

MMS soprano Kari Coventry Smith added, “Rep is key. Many groups repeat much of the repertoire from year to year, but I look forward to each MMS season and being presented with new music to challenge and thrill me.”

“I haven’t sung music at this level, with this attention to detail and professionalism, since college,” MMS baritone Russell Hansen said. “Everyone on the South Side, and beyond, should get out and hear it because it’s an incredible treat when it’s performed at this level, and it simply isn’t done very often at all these days.”

Information: (708) 206-0380; midwestmotet.org.

THE CHANSONETTES: This singing group of south suburban women seeks new members as the Chansonettes begin a new season. Interested individuals who love to sing can contact Mary Anderson at (708) 748-1438 or Yetta Elder at (708) 799-1474.