Theatre 29’s first main stage musical of the 2021 season, A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder, is seeking talent. Entertainment Reporter Charlie Thomas tells you how to get in on the merry mayhem
Theatre 29, reopening with the first major Broadway musical production since March of 2020, will be holding open auditions for its upcoming production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Book and Lyrics by ROBERT L. FREEDMAN Music and Lyrics by STEVEN LUTVAK, based on a Novel by ROY HORNIMAN.
When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn’t the only thing on Monty’s mind…
A knock-’em-dead, uproarious hit and the most nominated show of the 2014 Broadway season. With ten Tony nominations and four wins, including Best Musical, Book, Direction and Costumes, it also earned seven Drama Desk Awards (including Best Musical), four Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Best Musical) and one Drama League Award (Best Musical). A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is a murderous romp filled with unforgettable music, nonstop laughs, and scene-stealing roles.
ROLES AVAILABLE (11 Adults) The ages listed below are approximate stage ages. All characters have English accents. Most actors will be playing multiple roles. Minimum physical age to audition is 17 years old.
Montague “Monty” Navarro (20-30) Handsome, clever, charismatic, vulnerable and endearing. Discovers he is in line to become the Earl of Highhurst and intends to kill off the family that stands in his way. Gender: Male Baritone Vocal range top: Bb5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Miss Shingle (40-60) Monty’s unexpected visitor. A servant from Highhurst Castle and Monty’s mother’s friend and confidant. Gender: Female Soprano Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Sibella Hallward (20-30) A childhood friend of Monty. An enchanting girl of the upper middle class with aspirations above her station. She is also the girl Monty loves. Gender: Female Soprano Vocal range top: Gb5 Vocal range bottom: F#3
Phoebe D’Ysquith (20-30) Monty’s Cousin, sister to Henry D’Ysquith, a gentle woman of good breeding and manners and luckily below Monty in the line of succession. Gender: Female Soprano Vocal range top: high sustained C#6 with an optional Eb Vocal range bottom: G#3
The D’Ysquith Family (20- 50) A family of high position with vast wealth and influence. And many of them are ahead of Monty in the line of succession. The entire family will be played by one actor. Asquith D’Ysquith, Jr. – a dandy (20s) Lord Adlabert D’Ysquith – Eighth Earl of Highhurst (60s) Reverend Lord Ezekiel D’Ysquith – a clergyman (40s) Lord Adlabert D’Ysquith, Sr. – an elderly banker (60s) Henry D’Ysquith – a country squire (30s) Lady Hyacinth D’Ysquith – a benefactress (30s) Major Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith – a bodybuilder (40s) Lady Salome D’Ysquith Pumphrey – an actress (30s) Chauncey D’Ysquith – a janitor (30s) Gender: Male Baritone Vocal range top: G#4 Vocal range bottom: F#2/Bb3 Physical comedy and stamina is a necessity. Plays a full range of characters from the same family, ranging from an off-kilter priest to a closeted bee enthusiast to a lowly custodian (each of them intrinsic “English types”).
The following 6 ensemble members play every other role in the show and can be any age from 17-60.
Woman #1 Mourner; Tour Guide; Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Bridesmaid; Pub Owner’s Wife; Mrs. Pebworth; Phoebe’s Maid; 3rd Newsboy; Tailor; Selina Chard (Servant); Flower Girl Gender: Female
Woman #2 Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Bridesmaid; Mrs. Hetherington; 4th Newsboy; Tailor; Lady Eugenia D’Ysquith; Flower Girl Gender: Female
Woman #3 Mourner; Sibella’s Maid; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; Miss Evangeline Barley; Bridesmaid; Miss Hayes; Tailor; Hilda (Servant); Flower Girl Gender: Female
Man #1 Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; 2nd Clerk; Skater; Tailor; Groomsman; Tom Copley; Dr. Brownlee; 1st Newsboy; Weightlifter; 3rd Actor; Ancestral Bust; Walter (Servant); Dr. Pettibone (Medical Examiner); Prison Guard Gender: Male
Man #2 Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; 1st Clerk; Skater; Tailor; Groomsman; Pub Owner; Mr. Cross; 2nd Newsboy; Weightlifter; 1st Actor; Lord Asquith’s Physician; Ancestral Bust; Mr. Waters (Servant); Chief Inspector Pinckney Gender: Male
Man #3 Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Tailor; Groomsman; Pub Patron; Henry’s Employee; Mr. Goodsall; 2nd Actor; Alfred Gorby (Butler); Lord High Steward (voiceover); Magistrate Gender: Male
The production will be directed by Gary Daigneault with Music Direction by Scott Clinkscales and Choreography by Lisa Goldberg. Auditions will be Held on Sunday, August 15, at 2:00 pm at Theater 29, 73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms. Rehearsals start August 16 and will be held weekdays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The show will run for 12 performances weekends from October 1-24, 2021.
Please come prepared to sing a song from musical theatre (No pop tunes please), be prepared to move, and there will be cold reading. Bring background music on a digital device that can be connected to a music system. There will be an accompanist if you choose to bring sheet music. Covid-19 vaccination is required. For further inquiries contact the director at [email protected].
