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GAOS 2008 Spring Show |
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Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack. Performances 17-19 April and 25-27 April 2008
Contact: The Directors |
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A present day theatrical troupe is presenting Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew in Baltimore, Maryland. The cast includes Fred Graham and his former wife, Lilli; also Bill Calhoun, an irresponsible gambler, and the girl whom he is interested in, Lois Lane. Bill breaks down and confesses to Lois that he is involved with gangsters, who have his I.O.U. for $10,000 from a crap game. This is not the first time Lois has had to tolerate Bill's escapades, and she inquires poignantly why he cannot behave himself . Meanwhile Fred and his ex-wife--though divorced--begin to realize that their one-time tender feelings for each other have not completely died out. They start to reminisce about the shows in which they had appeared--including an old-fashioned Viennese operetta. Just before the opening night of The Taming of the Shrew, Fred sends his star, Lola, flowers. By mistake they come to Lilli's dressing room--further proof to her that Fred still loves her. She now openly reveals that that love is reciprocated ("So In Love").
On stage, the performance of The Taming of the Shrew is taking place. As a play within a play, we learn that Bianca cannot get married until her older sister, Katherine, has found a husband ("Tom, Dick and Harry"). When Petruchio arrives in Padua to seek out a rich wife ("I've Come to Wive it Wealthily in Padua") he is chosen for Katherine. The latter, a shrew, makes no attempt to conceal her feelings about men, while Petruchio knows that Katherine is not the woman of his dreams ("Were Thine That Special Face"). Nevertheless, he agrees to marry her.
We are now transferred from Shakespeare's Padua back to the intrigues within the theatrical company. Having learned that Fred's flowers were meant for Lola, Lilli bursts into a fit of temper, and announces hotly that she is leaving the company for good. Her departure, however, is delayed by the arrival of gangsters coming to collect from Bill the $10,000 for his I.O.U.
In the second act we return to The Taming of the Shrew. Petruchio and Katherine are now man and wife. Since her violent tempers and caprices are complicating Petruchio's life to no end, he begins to recall nostalgically his single-blessedness. Backstage, when Bill reprimands Lois for flirting with one of the actors, she makes light of her tendency to be fickle. But, for all his troubles with Lois, Bill has good cause for cheer. There has been a violent shake-up in the gangster world, as a result of which Bill's I.O.U. is no longer valid. Bill and Lois are now reconciled, and Katherine and Fred return to each other.
Act One
* Ouverture
Scene 1: Stage of Ford Theatre, Baltimore:
* "Another Op'nin', Another Show"
Scene 2: The Corridor Backstage:
* "Why Can't You Behave?"
Scene 3: Fred and Lilli's Dressing-rooms:
* "Wunderbar"
* "So in Love"
Scene 4: "The Taming of the Shrew" - Padua:
* "We Open in Venice"
Scene 5: "The Taming of the Shrew" - Street Scene, Padua:
* "Tom, Dick or Harry"
* "I've Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua"
* "I Hate Men"
* "Were Thine That Special Face"
Scene 8: "The Taming of the Shrew": The Church Square:
* "Finale Act I - So, Kiss Me Kate"
Act Two
* Entr'acte
Scene 1: Theatre Alley:
* Too Darn Hot
Scene 3: "The Taming of the Shrew" - Petruchio's House:
* "Where is the Life That Late I Led?"
Scene 4: The Corridor Backstage:
* "Always True to You in My Fashion"
Scene 5: Fred and Lilli's Dressing-rooms:
* "From This Moment On"
Scene 6: The Corridor Backstage:
* "Bianca"
* "So In Love"
Scene 7: Before the Curtain:
* "Brush Up Your Shakespeare"
Scene 8: "The Taming of the Shrew": Baptista's Home.
* "Finale Act II - So, Kiss Me Kate"
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Auditions will be held on Male Roles Fred Graham / Petruchio: Egotistical writer, producer, actor, and superman! He was formerly married to Lilli Vanessi, and is the producer and director of “Taming of the Shrew”. Bill Calhoun / Lucentio: Lois Lane’s former cabaret partner, a Broadway hoofer. He is heavy gambler and in love with Lois. Plays Lucentio, one of Bianca’s suitors in “Taming of the Shrew”. Harry Trevor / Baptista Minola: Easy going, casual, a seasoned performer. Plays Baptista, the long-suffering father of Katharine and Bianca. General Harrison Howell: A wealthy, important, and dignified politician who is engaged to Lilli Vanessi. He has money invested in “Taming of the Shrew”, and also has a history with Lois Lane. First Man:/"aide" to Katherine: Sent by the Boss to collect a debt, this intimidating gangster is not an Einstein, but he has a certain kind of wit. He sings a duet with the Second Gangster and plays half the donkey for Finale Act Two. Second Man:/"aide" to Katherine: The other gangster (also intimidating) sent by the Boss. He and First Gangster have obviously been a team for a while. This one also has his own brand of humor and plays half the donkey for Finale Act Two. Pops (Stage Doorman) / Padua Priest: Knows all the actors and spends most of the time sitting in the Stage Doorman’s Booth and taking part in the action on stage. Sings opening song and chorus numbers. Plays the Priest in “Taming of the Shrew”. Flynt / Gremio: Aide to General Howell / First suitor for Bianca. Riley / Hortensio: Aide to General Howell / Second suitor for Bianca. Paul: Fred Graham’s busy and helpful dresser. Female Roles Lilli Vanessi / Katharine Minola: A movie star and the ex-wife of Fred Graham; she is now engaged to General Harrison Howell, an influential politician. Plays Katharine, the shrewish daughter of Baptista.. Lois Lane / Bianca Minola: A lively and saucy cabaret performer in her first musical theatre production. Fred Graham’s discovery, but partners with Bill Calhoun. Plays Bianca in “Taming of the Shrew”, the obedient daughter of Baptista Minola and younger sister to Katharine. Hattie: Lilli Vanessi’s busy and helpful dresser. She sings the opening song. Dance Captain Leads the dancers in backstage scenes. Sings in all chorus numbers. Other small roles (male/female) will be chosen among those who audition – Ralph (Stage Manager), Gregory Servant to Petruchio, Stagehand #1 (electrician) & Cab Driver / Nathaniel Servant to Petruchio, Stagehand #2 (assistant electrician) / Philip Servant to Petruchio, Stagehand #3 (carpenter) & Driver for General Howell, Wardrobe Lady, Haberdasher, Musicians. Chorus( 12 women & 10 men ): The chorus is vital for the show and take part in numerous scenes, sing well-known show stopping songs, and are involved in the back stage and on stage goings on. Some of the smaller roles will also be distributed to chorus members. Dancers( 8 ): A few major dance numbers; participation in certain ensemble numbers. Good level of dancing required! Audition Information
Acting Auditions All those trying out in the auditions must act out one of the texts from the list (details above). They may be assigned different roles to interpret during the course of the session. PLEASE NOTE that it is not necessary to learn the text by heart, however it might be useful to have read it before the auditions. Dancing Auditions Important information * Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes to the audition. If you wish to audition but cannot make the above dates, or for more
information, please contact: |
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| BALTIMORE PLAYERS | SHREW PLAYERS |
| Pops (Stage Doorman) | Padua Priest |
| Hattie Lilli Vanessi’s dresser | ensemble singer |
| Paul Fred Graham’s dresser | ensemble singer |
| Ralph (Stage Manager) | ensemble singer |
| Lois Lane - A night club singer in her first featured role on the stage. | Bianca Minola |
| Bill Calhoun - A broadway hoofer, Lois’ partner and chronic gambler. | Lucentio |
| Lilli Vanessi - A star stage and screen actress, the former wife of Fred Graham. | Katharine Minola |
| Dance Captain | Gregory Servant to Petruchio |
| Fred Graham - Writer, Producer, director, actor and superman. | Petruchio |
| Harry Trevor - A veteran character actor | Baptista Minola |
| Stagehand #1 (electrician) & Cab Driver | Nathaniel Servant to Petruchio |
| Stagehand #2 (assistant electrician) | Philip Servant to Petruchio |
| Stagehand #3 (carpenter) & Driver for General Howell | Haberdasher |
| First Man - Gunman-enforcer & Half the donkey for Finale Act Two. | [“Aide” to Katharine] |
| Second Man - Gunman-enforcer & Half the donkey for Finale Act Two. | [“Aide” to Katharine] |
| Flynt – Aide to General Howell | Gremio (first suitor) |
| Riley – Aide to General Howell | Hortensio (second suitor) |
| General Harrison Howell - Career military officer, politician and Lilli’s new man. | |
| Wardrobe Lady | Ensemble singer |
