Aloha Performing Arts Company

Mon & Tues Dec 19, 20 6:30pm

APAC HOLDS AUDITIONS FOR "OKLAHOMA!"

Audition Workshop
Soon there will be a bright golden haze on the meadow around Kainaliu, as Aloha Performing Arts Company prepares to produce "Oklahoma!", the first collaboration between the legendary Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The company will hold auditions for this evergreen Broadway musical on Monday and Tuesday, December 19 and 20, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Aloha Theatre. APAC is seeking approximately 30 volunteer teen and adult actor/singer/dancers for the production, which will be the "snowbird" musical, presented February 17 through March 11, 2012. No stage experience is required, and newcomers are welcome.

Roles available include:

• Curly McLain, a handsome cowboy, a role created by Alfred Drake and played recently in the Broadway revival by Hugh Jackman
• Laurey Williams, Curly's love interest, an independent young woman
• Jud Fry, a mysterious, dangerous farmhand
• Aunt Eller, Laurey's aunt and a respected community leader
• Ado Annie, a flirtatious, gullible young woman
• Will Parker, a simple young man in love with Ado Annie
• Andrew Carnes, Ado Annie's father
• Ali Hakim, a Persian peddler enamored of Ado Annie
• Ike Skidmore, a local farm owner and host of the box social
• and Gertie Cummings, a giggly local farm girl, fond of Curly, who marries Ali Hakim.
• Also required is a singing, dancing chorus of cowboys, ranchers, farmers, and other community members.

Curly male baritone 22 – 33 lead
Laurey Williams female soprano 18 – 25 lead
Ali Hakim male 28 – 45 supporting
Aunt Eller female mezzo 40 – 60 supporting
Will Parker male tenor 25 – 35 supporting
Ado Annie Carnes female soprano 18 – 25 supporting
Jud Fry male baritone 27 – 40 supporting
Andrew Carnes male tenor 50 – 65 supporting
Gertie Cummings female 18 – 25 cameo
Ike Skidmore male baritone 40 – 65 cameo
Cord Elam male baritone 25 – 65 cameo
Fred male baritone 18 – 35 cameo
Farmers, cowmen, farmers; daughters N/A 15 – 65 chorus

Those auditioning need attend only one of the audition sessions. They should dress comfortably, with closed shoes, and be prepared to read from the script, learn a short dance combination, and perform part of a prepared audition song. An accompanist will be provided, as well as sheet music, if the audition song is from the show. Other prepared songs are welcome, but sheet music in the appropriate key must be provided for the pianist. No a capella or karaoke auditions will be allowed. Each auditionee will be asked to sing for approximately one minute, so the portion of the song which best shows range and confidence should be selected. Those auditioning will be seen in small groups in order of arrival, and the entire process will take about 30 minutes per group, after which time, the auditionees will be free to go. Registration will begin at 6:00 p.m. Perusal materials are available at the APAC office Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., or by appointment with managing director Sam Valenti.

For those who want to improve their audition skills, a special Audition and Cold Reading Workshop, taught by education director Kimberly Huff, will be held at the APAC Loft on Saturday, December 17, from 10:00 a.m. til noon. This workshop, for adults and mature teens, is designed for the actor who wants to work and grow. Tuition is $15 for those who register before December 12, and $25 for those who register from December 12-16.

"Oklahoma!", is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, "Green Grow the Lilacs," and is set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906. Several intertwining love stories unravel with humor and danger, as the audience is treated to some of the most famous songs in the Broadway canon, including "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'," "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top," "Kansas City," "I Cain't Say No," "People Will Say We're In Love," and, of course, the title tune, "Oklahoma!" Jerry Tracy will direct, assisted by Cathy Ellis. Joel Gimpel is music director, Marinella Savarese is vocal director, and Lee Vinson is choreographer. For more information, visit www.apachawaii.org, or call 322-9924.