Audition Information
Show : The Secret Garden Genre: Musical Director: Amy Helsby Music Director: Lyle Corrigan Producer: Michael Schneider Stage Manager: Ellie Patte SHOW SYNOPSIS: The story begins in India. The year is 1906. Mary Lennox, a bitter 10-­‐year-­‐old child escapes to her bedroom during an extravagant dinner party hosted by her wealthy parents. Often left alone, Mary’s mother and father were too busy entertaining guests to spend any time with their only daughter. Orphaned by a sudden outbreak of cholera, Mary is sent back to England to be cared for by her uncle, Archibald Craven, who is a reclusive widower. Still grieving over the loss of his beloved wife, Lily, who died years earlier during the birth of their bed-­‐ridden son, Colin, Archibald casts a dark shadow over the manor. To escape the painful memories of his past, he often travels abroad, leaving Misselthwaite Manor to be cared for by his housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock. Martha Sowerby, Mary’s chambermaid, tends to Mary in Archibald’s absence. She tells Mary about a locked up garden that belonged to Mrs. Craven before she died. After Lily’s passing, Archibald locked its entrance and buried the key, allowing no one to enter. With the help of Dickon, Martha’s brother, and a friendly robin, Mary unearths the key and gradually begins to tend to this secret garden. As the flowers start to blossom and bloom, so too does Mary’s personality start to soften and she becomes more pleasant to be around. Occasionally at night, Mary hears a sad weeping sound coming from other parts of the Manor. Upon further exploration, she discovers it is actually Archibald’s son, Colin, who is as bitter and disagreeable as Mary used to be. As Archibald is a hunchback, both he and Colin are convinced that the boy will develop the same condition. Archibald only visits Colin at night, where he reads him stories in secret. During the day, he leaves his brother, Dr. Neville Craven, to look after Colin and make sure he is receiving the proper treatments. Mary vows to make regular visits to see Colin, and the two discover many similarities about their lifestyles, including the fact that they are indeed cousins. As spring approaches, Colin begins to resent the fact that Mary is spending the majority of her days outside in the garden with Dickon. Eventually Mary convinces Colin that he should see his mother’s spectacular garden and as soon as he does, the magical healing powers of the garden start to restore his health. Colin begins to walk and plans to surprise his father upon his return home from Paris. When Archibald arrives home, he is drawn to the sound of the children playing outdoors. As he approaches, he becomes aware that they are, in fact, inside the walls of the garden. Colin immediately runs into his father’s arms to welcome him home. Archibald, Neville, Dickon, Colin, and Mary realize the importance of friendship and family as Archibald willingly gives over the garden to Mary’s care. By nursing her secret garden back to life, Mary has restored both life and hope to not only herself, but all those around her. AUDITIONS DATES: Sunday, November 24th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm Monday, November 25th from 7:00pm – 10:00pm Wednesday, November 27th from 7:00pm – 10:00pm All auditions are booked timed auditions – please log onto the Theatre Website at www.oshawalittletheatre.com and click on the “Auditions” tab to register. If you experience any difficulties then please contact Amy Helsby at [email protected] . CALL BACKS: Sunday, December 1st, 2013 from 7:00 -­‐ 10:00pm AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Please prepare TWO contrasting songs from musicals (other than Secret Garden) that showcase your range and ability. Keep in mind the classical, almost operatic style that this show demands and choose something that requires the similar emotional commitment, characterization and vocal control. In addition, you are also asked to prepare a short monologue, keeping in mind the era, style and accents required. LOCATION: Oshawa Little Theatre 62 Russett Avenue Oshawa, ON L1G 3R5 REHEARSAL DATES: Rehearsals begin Sunday, January 5th, and will be held Monday & Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 10:00 and Sundays afternoons from 1:00 – 6:00pm. Additional Thursday rehearsals will begin in March and you will be notified in advance of the starting date of these rehearsals. PERFORMANCE DATES: March 27, 28, 29 April 3, 4, 5, 6* April 10, 11, 12 *April 6th is a matinee performance beginning at 2:00pm Cast must be available for ALL performances and must be members of Oshawa Little Theatre in order to rehearse and perform. CASTING INFORMATION: Major Characters • Lily, Mary’s aunt, Mr. Archibald Craven’s wife, now dead, soprano (D-­‐C) • Mary Lennox, a ten-­‐year-­‐old girl, mezzo (B-­‐E) • Mrs. Medlock, Mr. Craven’s housekeeper, spoken • Dr. Neville Craven, Mr. Craven’s brother, baritone (C-­‐F#) • Martha, a housemaid, mezzo (F-­‐D) • Archibald Craven, Mary’s uncle, and lord of Misselthwaite Manor, tenor (C-­‐A flat) • Ben Weatherstaff, head gardener, baritone (F-­‐D) • Dickon, Martha’s brother, tenor (C-­‐G) • Colin Craven, Mr. Craven’s 10-­‐year-­‐old son, soprano (A-­‐E flat) • Mrs. Winthrop, headmistress • Major Shelley • Mrs. Shelley Supporting Characters – Dreamers • Rose Lennox, Mary’s mother, mezzo (B flat – G) • Captain Albert Lennox, Mary’s father, tenor (B flat – G) • Alice, Rose’s friend, soprano (E flat – B) • Lieutenant Wright, officer in Mary’s father’s unit, baritone (B flat – F) • Lieutenant Shaw, fellow officer, tenor (B flat – F) • Major Holmes, bass (F# -­‐ F) • Claire Holmes, his wife, soprano (A – G) • Fakir, tenor (G – B) • Ayah, Mary’s Nanny in India, alto (G – G) Servants: • Timothy, bass (F – D) • William, tenor (G – G) • Betsy, alto (G – G) NOTE: The characters referred to collectively as the Dreamers are people from Mary’s life in India who haunt her until she finds her new life in the course of this story. They occasionally sing directly to the audience, appearing and disappearing at will. All question and inquiries should be directed to: [email protected]