THEATER: Signature holding auditions for ‘Horrors’
That man-eating plant is coming to town again. Signature Productions — one of Vegas' best sources for musicals — is holding auditions for "Little Shop of Horrors" in late March and early April. The popular Howard Ashman/Allan Menken songfest, based on a campy Roger Corman film, is set to play the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Center July 25 through Aug. 27. There is no pay.
Tryouts are scheduled for 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. March 29 and 30, as well as April 2 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Nevada Ballet Theatre, 1651 Inner Circle Drive. A dance call is set for April 2 from 2 to 4 p.m., by invitation only. Callbacks, also invitation only, will be held April 5 and 6 from 7:30 to 10:15 p.m.
If you can't make those times, there's still hope: You can contact director Erik Ball at ErikBall123@gmail.com to schedule different dates. You can also audition via a DVD or online posting.
Actors who are cast will be contacted by phone April 11; those not cast will be notified by email the same day.
Ball said auditionees should prepare a 32-bar vocal selection from the show or something similar. (Songs from other shows will require your own sheet music.) Headshots and resumes are also requested.
Rehearsals will begin the week of May 18 and will be held at the Nevada Ballet Theatre and/or Faith Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School, 2015 S. Hualapai Way.
Ball said all roles are available. Here's a breakdown:
SEYMOUR — Mid to late 20s. Our insecure, naive, put-upon, florist's clerk hero. Above all, he's a sweet and well-meaning little man. He is not a silly, prat-falling nerd, and therefore should not be played as the hero of a Jerry Lewis film. We're looking for an honest, but very awkward unsung hero. (Low A to High G)
AUDREY — The bleached-blond, Billie Dawn-like, secret love of Seymour's life. If you took Judy Holiday, Carol Channing, Marilyn Monroe and Goldie Hawn, removed their education and feelings of self-worth, dressed them in spiked heels and a low-cut black dress, and then shook them all up in a test tube to extract what's sweetest and most vulnerable, that'd be Audrey. (Low A to High D)
MR. MUSHNIK — Their boss. A failure of an East Side florist. His accent, if he has one, is more that of middle class New York than of Eastern Europe. He seldom smiles but often sweats. (Low G to High E flat)
ORIN — A tall, dark, handsome dentist with a black leather jacket and sadistic tendencies. He is not, however, a leftover from the movie version of "Grease." Think instead of an egotistical pretty-boy — all got up like a greaser but thinking like an insurance salesman and talking like a radio announcer.
CRYSTAL, RONNETTE AND CHIFFON — Three female street urchins who function as participants in the action and a Greek Chorus outside it. They're young, hip and the only people in the whole cast who really know what's going on, as they act in a "Greek Chorus" capacity. (All ethnicities will be considered.)
VOICE OF THE PLANT (AUDREY II) — Voice-over role. The sound is a cross between Otis Redding, Barry White and Wolfman Jack. Think of The Voice as that of a street-smart, funky, conniving villain — Rhythm and Blues' answer to Richard the Third.
VARIOUS OTHER SPEAKING/SOLO ROLES — Approximately 12-16 ensemble roles including featured character parts and soloists.
More information is available at signatureproductions.net.
