Special to the Herald
The Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center is holding open auditions for Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan!
The production is directed by Jenny Congiardo and Jamy Dinkins, with music direction by Julia Hood, choreography by Amber Nadelkov, and technical direction by Jam Atkins.
From the creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation, The Producers, comes this monster musical comedy. The comedy genius, Mel Brooks, adapts his legendarily funny film into a brilliant stage creation – Young Frankenstein!
Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a flirtatious lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. “It’s alive!” he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.
Audition dates: Wednesday, August 7 and Thursday, August 8 from 6 to 10 p.m..
Audition requirements: Please prepare up to 32 bars of a comedic or uptempo song that showcases your acting ability. Please bring sheet music if you have it, as well as an accompaniment track (please bring the track on a cell phone or laptop). An accompanist will be available on Wednesday only, and we welcome auditions with tracks either day. We will also be learning a short dance combination in dance shoes or sneakers, so wear comfortable clothes. There is no required monologue, but a short joke is always welcome!
Complete Online Audition Form - https://airtable.com/app4RdzegJSN4mqHN/shr13l7mUngSCTRsf
It is preferable that you audition in person, but if you are unable to make auditions, video submissions will be considered through Wednesday, August 7. Fill out the audition form and send your video to [email protected]
Callbacks must be in person.Callbacks: Saturday, August 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Invite only. You will receive an email or text from the production team regarding your callback status.
Rehearsals: evenings Weekly – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. until tech and performance weeks, which will be evenings from 6 to 10 p.m. See the link below for preliminary rehearsal dates but final dates will be determined once we have cast conflicts. We will aim for 3 evenings a week.
Please use this link to view a preliminary rehearsal schedule (subject to change): https://bit.ly/3zxIu0p.
Performance dates: Friday to Sunday, October 11 to 13, and Thursday to Sunday, October 19 to 22.
Actor Acknowledgement: All roles are volunteer and non-Equity.
Please forward all audition questions to the Production Team, at [email protected].
Roles: All roles are available. We are seeking and highly encouraging all actors to submit regardless of race/ethnicity, disability, body type, age, orientation, or gender/gender identity, regardless of how any roles have been portrayed previously. We strive for a diverse cast of people who want to have a fun and positive community theater experience!
FREDERICK FRANKENSTEIN – Brilliant brain surgeon, professor, and grandson of mad scientist Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein. Baritone Bb2-G4, male presenting, age listed as 30s-40s. Tap dancing is a plus.
THE MONSTER –The misunderstood creation of Dr. Frankenstein. Baritone. Must be able to emit howling/monster/grunting sounds with fervor. Baritone Bb4-Db2, male presenting, age indeterminate, imposing stature. Tap dancing preferred.
IGOR – Frederick’s faithful, bright-eyed, eager servant and friend–with a hunchback. Baritone Bb2-G4, male presenting, age unimportant. Cockney accent preferred.
INGA – Frederick’s bubbly, naive young assistant. Sexy & flirtatious. A resident of Transylvania. Soprano w/ belt & yodeling G3-A5, female presenting, age listed as 20-30s. Excellent dancer with tap preferred. German accent preferred.
ELIZABETH BENNING –Self-loving, “madcap”, boisterous fiancé of Frederick. Mezzo w/ strong belt F#3-F5, female presenting, age listed as 30s-40s.
FRAU BLÜCHER – Intense, stern housekeeper of Frankenstein estate. Former lover of Victor Frankenstein. Alto E3-C5, non-binary or female presenting, age listed as 40 to 60. Romanian accent preferred.
INSPECTOR HANS KEMP – Head of the police in Transylvania, with a wooden arm and leg. Justice-driven. Baritone A2-F4, non-binary or male presenting, age listed as 40-60s. German or Romanian accent. Potential to also play Blind Hermit (a lonely, blind town hermit, hoping for a friend).
FELIX/ZIGGY –Well-intentioned village idiot. Baritone D3-Eb4, male presenting, age listed as age 20s-30s. Also is a member of the ensemble for chorus numbers.
VICTOR VON FRANKENSTEIN–The infamous Dr. Frankenstein and Frederick’s grandfather. Baritone C#2-F4, male presenting, age listed as age 40s-60s. Also is a member of the ensemble for chorus numbers.
ENSEMBLE – Diverse ensemble cast of men, women, and non-binary actors with strong vocals and theater dance skills. Various feature roles including a barbershop quartet, gravediggers, villagers, medical students, passengers, and mad scientists. Ability to speak with accents is a plus.
The Ritz Theater at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center seeks actors with comic solid timing for the hilarious comedy musical, Mel Brooks, “Young Frankenstein the Musical." Director Jenny Congiardo will fill 9 roles and an ensemble for this two-act production. All roles are open.
Ritz Theater at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
201 S. Magnolia Avenue, Sanford. Box Office: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Two Hours Before Shows, 407-321-8111. www.ritztheatersanford.com/theater
