While rehearsals are well underway for their next main stage production of the family musical “Rapunzel”, Theatre 29 has announced auditions for their season finale production. Arts & Entertainment Reporter Charlie Thomas tells you how to get to Avenue Q…
Theatre 29 will hold open auditions for the musical comedy Avenue Q on Sunday, March 20th at 5 p.m. on the Theatre 29 Main Stage (73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms). Award-winning Director Charles Harvey is seeking a multi-ethnic ensemble of strong singer/actors featuring 5 men, 5 women, with an additional 4 male or female (could be played by either) performers for this production. All roles are open to audition. Due to the nature of the material contained within the show, everyone who is auditioning must be at least 18 years old before the first rehearsal. Also seeking interested parties in working behind the scenes as technicians and stagehands.
Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart. The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that, although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life.
Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score, not to mention puppets, Avenue Q is a truly unique show that has quickly become a favorite for audiences everywhere. While it is similar to a beloved children’s show; a place where puppets are friends, Monsters are good and life lessons are learned, the show addresses with humor some very adult issues, therefore we will not be admitting any audiences under the age of 13.
A complete breakdown of the characters can be found on the Theatre 29 website at theatre29.org/auditions. If you are unable to attend the auditions on March 20th but would still like to be considered for the show, contact the director. PROOF OF FULL COVID-19 VACCINATION IS REQUIRED. For more information, contact Director Charles Harvey by e-mail at [email protected].
Auditioners must be prepared to sing 16 – 32 bars (a maximum of 2 minutes) of a fully memorized Broadway style song that showcases their vocal range and in a style that is consistent with the character they are auditioning for. No original songs or A cappella. It should be something that the performer is very comfortable with and is the best showcase of their vocal talent. An accompanist will not be provided, therefore, auditioners will need to bring accompaniment on CD or digital device such as smartphone or digital player. Refer to our website: theatre29.org/auditions for more details and audition resources including sample songs by character and backing tracks for those new to the process. Auditioners will also be asked to read from the script. Puppeteers are not required to have ventriloquism skills, it is not necessary.
Rehearsals will run Monday through Friday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. beginning March 21. Avenue Q will run weekends at Theatre 29 from May 13th through June 5th with performances Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Open roles include
Princeton – A fresh-faced kid just out of college and the protagonist. Puppet.
Gender: Male, Age: 20 to 25, Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Kate Monster – A Kindergarten teaching assistant, who is a little bit older than Princeton. Puppet.
Gender: Female, Age: 25 to 30, Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: F#3
Nicky – A slacker who lives with Rod. Puppet.
Gender: Male, Age: 20 to 30, Vocal range top: B4, Vocal range bottom: B2
Rod – An investment banker who is Republican and a closeted homosexual. Puppet.
Gender: Male, Age: 25 to 30, Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: A2
Trekkie Monster – A reclusive creature obsessed with the Internet and all it has to offer. Puppet.
Gender: Male, Age: 30 to 40, Vocal range top: Eb4, Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Lucy the Slut – A vixenish vamp with a dangerous edge. Puppet.
Gender: Female, Age: 25 to 30, Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: F3
The Bad Idea Bears – Two snuggly, cute teddy-bear types with very bad ideas. Puppets.
Gender: Male and/or Female, Age: 20 to 40, Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Mrs. Thistletwat – Crabby and ancient. Kate’s boss. Puppet.
Gender: Female, Age: 50 to 65
Brian – A laid-back guy with dreams of being a stand-up comedian, betrothed to Christmas Eve. Actual person
Gender: Male, Age: 30 to 45, Vocal range top: F#4, Vocal range bottom: B2
Christmas Eve – A therapist who recently moved to Avenue Q from Japan. Actual Person
Gender: Female, Age: 30 to 45, Must be of Asian descent. Vocal range top: F#5, Vocal range bottom: B3
Gary Coleman – Yes, that Gary Coleman. Lives on the Avenue and is superintendent of the apartment buildings. Actual Person
Gender: African-American Female, Age: 30 to 40, Vocal range top: Bb5, Vocal range bottom: D3
