Book by Marsha Norman, Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Based on the novel by Robert James Waller
(See Info Below)
Nate is thrilled to make his directorial debut at Aurora Players, where he previously played the Baker in the 2022 production of Into the Woods. Nate has been acting and directing in WNY since 2014. A proud Niagara University graduate, Nate began his career working for the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire for one season, and made his post-university professional debut in Buffalo at Irish Classical Theatre in Lion in Winter. As an actor, Nate has worked with Irish Classical Theatre, Alleyway Theatre, New Phoenix Theatre, Kenan Center, and the Lancaster Opera House, where he also directs. He briefly ran his own theater company, Pared Down Productions, where he served as Artistic Director, as well as performed and directed.
DETAILS:
PREPARATION:
Please prepare and bring 32 bars of sheet music from a Broadway musical to sing with piano accompaniment. There will be no dance audition. Sides from the script will be provided at call backs.
SYNOPSIS:
Francesca Johnson, an Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy, looks forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm while her family goes to the Iowa State Fair. When ruggedly handsome, National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid, pulls into her driveway seeking directions, what happens in those four days may very well alter the course of Francesca’s life. Set in 1965 Iowa, The Bridges of Madison County is a sweeping romance, driven by a lush and expressive score.
Please note: The Bridges of Madison County is an intimate story and we are looking for actors who are comfortable with and can authentically portray that intimacy. Those cast as Robert and Francesca will have several intimate moments. Aurora Players is committed to creating a comfortable and consensual atmosphere during rehearsals and for the performance.
CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS:
Francesca Johnson
Generous, luminous, and yearning, Francesca is married to a farmer, Bud Johnson, and living in Iowa with their two teenage children. Strong mezzo-soprano with an Italian accent.
Robert Kincaid
A ruggedly handsome, worldly, visionary photographer. Rich, bari-tenor voice.
Bud Johnson
Francesca’s loyal husband. Bud is an Iowa farmer, a good guy, diligent and dependable. Baritone.
Carolyn Johnson (about 14) & Michael Johnson (about 16)
Francesca and Bud’s children.
Marge & Charlie
The nosy but lovable neighbors.
Ensemble (any age)
Strong singers and character actors of all types and voice parts.
Questions? Write to info@auroraplayers.org or leave a message with our box office: 716-687-6727. Aurora Players welcomes all to audition, whether new or seasoned actors.
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Auditions will be held at Aurora Players’ Roycroft Pavilion Theater, 166 South Grove Street. Call backs will be on April 2, if needed. The show opens on Friday, June 6 and will run for three weekends through Sunday, June 22. Note: rehearsals begin April 14.
SYNOPSIS:
Set in 1934, this play, a winner of three Tony Awards, is a fast-paced farce filled with mistaken identities, slamming doors and unexpected, comic catastrophes. The play follows Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, as he prepares to welcome the world’s most renowned Italian opera tenor, Tito Merelli, known as ”Il Stupendo” by his fans, for a one-night performance in the starring role of Pagliacci. When Tito arrives late and accidentally takes a double dose of tranquilizers, Saunders and his assistant Max mistakenly believe he’s dead! To save the show, Saunders convinces Max to impersonate Tito. Max succeeds, but a whirlwind of chaos ensues when Tito wakes up and dons the same costume. The result is two identical tenors and two women in lingerie, each thinking she’s with Il Stupendo.
CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS:
SAUNDERS (50+)
General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company.
MAGGIE SAUNDERS (mid-20s)
Daughter of Saunders, and Max’s girlfriend.
MAX (late 20s)
Assistant to Saunders. Need to be able to sing tenor.
TITO MERELLI (30+)
A world-famous Italian tenor, known also to his fans as “Il Stupendo.” Need to be able to sing tenor.
MARIA MERELLI (30+)
Tito’s wife.
BELLHOP (any age)
A bellhop.
DIANA (30+)
Prima donna soprano of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company.
JULIA (50+)
Chairman of the Opera Guild.
Questions? Write to info@auroraplayers.org or leave a message with our box office: 716-687-6727. Aurora Players welcomes all auditioners, including new or seasoned actors.
