PUHI — Are you a theatrically minded individual with a voice of gold? Kaua‘i Community Players has announced auditions for its upcoming musical production “Working,” based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, adapted by Stephen Schwarz
PUHI — Are you a theatrically minded individual with a voice of gold?
Kaua‘i Community Players has announced auditions for its upcoming musical production “Working,” based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, adapted by Stephen Schwarz — composer of “Wicked” and “Gospel” — and Nina Faso.
The production is being directed by Ross Martineau, with musical direction by Arnold Meister. Auditions will be held Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse.
“It’s actually a show that I was involved with probably 25 years ago, a show that I had done when I was in college,” Martineau said.
Auditioners should prepare a pop-rock or folk song, or similar genre show tune, that shows off their range, as well as be prepared to read from a script. Adult actors and singers of all ages and voice types are needed to deliver strong, touching monologues and songs about working in America.
“There will be about 12 roles for 24 parts,” Martineau said. “I’m looking for actors who can sing.”
The musical will open May 3 and run for three weekends through May 19. “Working” paints a vivid portrait of the men and women the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the phone operator, the waitress, the mill worker, the mason and the housewife. It is a musical exploration of people from all walks of life.
Although he said the subject matter might sound a bit “mundane,” Martineau promises audiences a “surprisingly interesting and exciting” production.
“It’s humorous, it’s touching,” he said.
The strength of the show is in the core truths that transcend specific professions, according to the release. The key is how people’s relationships to their work ultimately reveal significant aspects of their humanity, regardless of the trappings of the job itself.
“Working” is set in contemporary America, contains timeless truths and allows the audience to get a rare glimpse of the actors and technicians working to put on a show. The music is written by several composers, including Stephen Schwarz, Mary Rogers and James Taylor.
In addition to auditions for “Working,” KCP is preparing to kick off its 2013 season with the production of “Dixie Swim Club,” a poignant comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, directed by Jo Grande.
The production opens March 15 and runs for three weekends through March 31 at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances start at 4 p.m.
In “Dixie Swim Club,” five southern women — whose friendships began many years ago on the college swim team — set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free for husbands, kids and jobs, the characters meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other’s lives. The play focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of 33 years.
The Puhi Theatrical Warehouse is located at 4411 E Kikowaena St., behind the Harley Davidson dealership. For more information, call Dottie Bekeart at 635-6475 or visit www.kauaicommunityplayers.org.
