Casting Call for Feb. 17, 2012

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Spotlight Theater has canceled the auditions set for Feb. 20-21 in New Lenox for "September" by Woody Allen. | AP file photo

Updated: March 18, 2012 8:09AM

UPDATED 2/20: This article was updated to note that the Spotlight Theater auditions for "September" have been canceled.

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

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. 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.

UPDATED 2/20: SPOTLIGHT THEATER: Auditions that were set to take place from 6:30-10 p.m. Feb. 20-21 at the Spotlight Theater Studio, 22032 Howell Drive, New Lenox, for the North American stage premiere of the emotional drama “September” have been canceled. More information is available in the comments section below.

The show was adapted from the film of the same name by Academy Award-winning writer-director Woody Allen.

The story begins and ends in a simple, cozy house in the country during the last few remaining days of summer 1987.

After a failed suicide attempt, Lane has moved into her country house to regain her emotional stability. Lane is joined by her best friend Stephanie who has come to keep her company, and escape a few problems of her own.

As the summer comes to a close, Lane feels she may finally be getting her life back on track. She has strong feelings for Peter, the handsome writer who has been renting her guest cottage, and believes he may feel the same about her.

So she plans to sell the country house and move back to New York to start a new life with Peter. But in his inimitable style, Allen shows us that life and relationships are never that simple.

Lane’s neighbor Howard, who comes to say goodbye to her before she leaves for the city, reveals amorous intents of his own, while Peter’s affections may not be as clearly defined as Lane hopes them to be.

If all this wasn’t enough, Lane’s brassy, ex-movie star mother, Diane, soon arrives with her new husband and an announcement that will send Lane’s life spiraling into uncertainty again, and dredge up startling secrets from the past.

A cast of nine is required including four roles for women (characters’ age range: 39-65), four roles for men (characters’ age range: 39-70), and one role that could be a man or woman (character age range: 36-57).

The characters’ ages do not have to be the actors’ actual ages, and all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.

Rehearsals (three per week) and performances will be at the Spotlight Theater Studio.

The rehearsal schedule, based on the availability of those cast, will be announced after auditions.

The performance dates are April 20–22 and 27–29 with the possibility of an extension. Actors will be paid a small stipend.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No prepared monologues are required.

Information: (708) 941-8294, Spotlight-Theater.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.