Book, Music, and Lyrics by

Meredith Willson

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  ​Directed by                            Music Direction by                       Choreography by

Shaun Toohey                        Wendy Berkelaar                          Tara Morden
 

Audition Notice​

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Information Meeting

Sunday, March 2 at 7pm

17 Fairmont Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1X4

 

Audition Times

Please arrive on time for check in, administration and incidentals. Each audition group will be needed for approximately 90 minutes.

• Tuesday, March 4 – booking slots at 6 pm (under 14 years old), 7 pm and 8 pm

• Wednesday, March 5 – booking slots at 6 pm (under 14 years old), 7 pm and 8 pm

• Thursday, March 6 – booking slots at 6 pm (under 14 years old), 7 pm and 8 pm

• Friday, March 7 – booking slots at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm

• Note: the 6 pm audition slots on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are reserved for anyone under 14 years of age.

• Note: Anyone in the cast & crew of Beautiful who wishes to audition will receive reserved slots on Saturday, March 8.
   

Callbacks

If needed, callbacks will be held on Saturday, March 8 at 1 pm

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First Rehearsal

Wednesday, March 12 at 7 pm

• Note: All auditions and rehearsals take place at Orpheus House, 17 Fairmont Avenue
   

​Performances

All performances take place at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Drive, starting Friday, May 30 and continuing through Sunday, June 8. Performances start at 7:30 pm, except on Sundays when performances start at 2 pm. There will be no performance on Monday, June 2.

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About the Show​

There’s trouble in River City! When smooth-talking con man Harold Hill arrives in a small, tight-knit town in Iowa, he expects to dupe its residents with his elaborate moneymaking scheme. Despite his complete lack of musical literacy, he will convince everyone that he is a brilliant bandleader and recruit all the youth in town to form a band, pocketing the cash for instruments and uniforms. The problem? Some of the town members, especially the stern librarian, Marian Paroo, don’t quite buy Harold’s story. As Harold struggles to keep his scheme afloat, he also finds himself increasingly attached to the townspeople, who have all experienced a positive change since Harold came to town. Complicating matters even more, Harold is also falling head-over-heels for the beautiful Marian.

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Audition Eligibility

The show requires performers of a variety of ages and ethnicities. Everyone is encouraged to audition. Auditions are by appointment only. No walk ups are permitted.

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Orpheus strongly encourages individuals from equity-seeking communities and intersecting identities to submit. Orpheus is committed to providing our teams with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment and fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. Please advise us of any accommodation measures required which would enable you to audition.

 

Audition Booking

To book an audition, click on either button above or below as of: 

• Monday, February 10 for Orpheus Members

• Monday, February 17 for All

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General Orpheus Audition Notes

• Auditions are by appointment only.

• Please arrive a few minutes before your appointed audition time. The Production Assistants will support all those auditioning by providing forms, taking photos, submitting music for the accompanist, answering questions and generally keeping things organized. The audition form will also be available on the Orpheus website to print and fill out before arrival, if desired.

• All those auditioning will learn a short dance routine and perform it as a group for the directing team. The dance routine instructions will be available on the website. Following the dance audition, each person will sing and read individually. Sides, which are short sections of the script selected for the auditions, will be available on the website ahead of time and will also be provided at the audition. All three portions of the audition (i.e. dancing, singing and reading) are mandatory for everyone.

• Please wear clothes and footwear that you can move in comfortably. 

• You are encouraged to do your own vocal and physical warm-up prior to your audition.

• An accompanist will be provided for each audition. Those auditioning must bring a printed copy of their selected music and in their preferred key, with piano lines intact. The accompanist is not able to transpose your piece to a different key. Please note that a capella auditions, self-accompaniment, and karaoke tracks are not permitted. The Music Director might ask you to do a vocal range check as part of the audition process.

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Roles

 

Harold Hill: Our story’s unsuspecting protagonist. A con man, traveling under the auspices of a salesman, he eventually falls in love with Marian Paroo. Charismatic and charming. 

Stage Gender: Male

Stage Age: 25 to 45

Vocal range top: F4 – Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Tap experience beneficial​

 

Charlie Cowell: A traveling salesman who is on to Harold Hill’s schemes. Tirelessly attempts to prove to everyone the true con man behind Harold Hill.

Stage Gender: Male

Stage Age: 25 to 60

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Mayor Shinn: A blustery politician who is all too “self-important.” Begrudgingly married to Eulalie, he is skeptical of the town rumor mill.

Stage Gender: Male

Stage Age: 50 to 60​

 

The Barber Shop Quartet, including:

• Ewart Dunlop: Tenor member of the quartet formed by Harold Hill.

Stage Gender: Male
Stage Age: Indeterminate
​Vocal range top: F5 – Vocal range bottom: F3​

 

• Oliver Hix: Baritone member of the quartet formed by Harold Hill.

Stage Gender: Male
Stage Age: Indeterminate
Vocal range top: F4 – Vocal range bottom: B2

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• Jacey Squires: High tenor member of the quartet formed by Harold Hill.

Stage Gender: Male

Stage Age: Indeterminate

Vocal range top: C5 – Vocal range bottom: C3

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• Olin Britt: Bass member of the quartet formed by Harold Hill.

Stage Gender: Male

Stage Age: Indeterminate

Vocal range top: C4 – Vocal range bottom: F2

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Marcellus Washburn: Harold’s chummy old friend and former con man, now lives in River City and is trying to settle down.

Stage Gender: Male

Stage Age: 30 to 50

Vocal range top: A4 – Vocal range bottom: G2​

 

Tommy Djilas: A young man from the wrong side of town. He is secretly courting Zaneeta.

Stage Gender: Male

Stage Age: 15 to 20

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Male Ensemble includes: Constable Locke, Newspaper Readers, River City Townspeople, Traveling Salesmen and more.

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Marian Paroo: The stuffy town librarian and music teacher. Intelligent and naturally skeptical. She eventually falls for Harold Hill.

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: 20 to 30

Vocal range top: A5 – Vocal range bottom: G3

Tap experience beneficial​

 

Mrs. Paroo: Cheerful and always plotting. An Irish widow and mother to Marian and Winthrop.

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: 45 to 60

Vocal range top: Eb5 – Vocal range bottom: Ab3​

 

Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn: Mayor Shinn’s peacock wife. A serial gossiper and snob, she has no trouble expressing her opinions.

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: 40 to 50

Vocal range top: D5 – Vocal range bottom: D4​

 

The “Pick-a-Little” Ladies, including:

• Alma Hix

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: Indeterminate​​

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• Maud Dunlop

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: Indeterminate

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• Ethel Toffelmier

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: Indeterminate

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• Mrs. Squires

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: Indeterminate

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Zaneeta Shinn: The Mayor’s daughter who is in love with Tommy. Sweet and outgoing. Appears to be daffy at times.

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: 15 to 20

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Female Ensemble includes: River City Townspeople

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The Children, including:

• Amaryllis: A slightly bratty piano student of Marion Paroo.

Stage Gender: Female

Stage Age: 8 to 12

Vocal range top: E5 – Vocal range bottom: C4

 

• Winthrop Paroo: Marian’s baby brother. He is very shy because of a noticeable lisp. He embraces Harold Hill and the marching band.

Stage Gender: Male

Stage Age: 8 to 12

Vocal range top: Eb5 – Vocal range bottom: C4

 

Youth Ensemble: Various Children to play townsfolk and members of the youth band.

Stage Age: 8 to 17

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Notes from the Director

Hello from River City! The Music Man is one of Broadway’s most beloved classics, with timeless songs like Seventy-Six Trombones, Ya Got Trouble, and ’Til There Was You. I am excited to be part of this show, to celebrate a piece of musical theater history, and the entire production team is thrilled that you are interested in joining us on the journey.​

 

Whether you’re a singer, a dancer or an actor, the show offers roles that suit a variety of skills. There is something for everyone in this production. Although the show is set in rural Iowa in 1912, and we do wish to honor that, this modern production encourages people of all ages, genders and ethnicities to audition. It’s a show that centers on community and connection, and our goal in rehearsing and performing is to bring cast members closer together and to create a memorable and collaborative experience.​

 

Auditioning for The Music Man is a chance to challenge yourself, have fun and be part of something magical. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting out, this show offers a fantastic opportunity to grow as an artist. The story is heartwarming, comedic, full of energy, and will be as rewarding for the cast as it is for the audience. It’s a great opportunity to shine in a role that challenges and expands your abilities.

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To accomplish this, however, the time commitment needed is not small. Before you audition, please make sure you are able to fulfill that obligation. Care will be taken to make sure your time is not wasted, but it is essential that you are willing to spend the time required to produce a memorable and quality production.

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Hope to see you all in River City!

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Notes from the Music Director

Please prepare a 32-bar cut of your audition piece, which shows off your range. Trying out for Harold Hill? Show us your best storytelling and charm through song. Want to audition for the role of Marian? Break out those soprano chops!

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Regardless of which role you’re going for, try to choose a piece that matches the style of the show – something from the same composer or the same general time period.

 

Important: Make sure your sheet music has a piano part and not just a vocal line. If you bring a photocopy, make sure the entire bottom line of the piano score is intact.

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Most of all, remember to breathe and have fun!

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Notes from the Choreographer

Our goal is to deliver a high-energy production with a large cast of varying ages. There will be movement opportunities for people of all abilities and skill levels. The style itself blends comedy with musicality, requiring most cast members to dance and move in large ensemble numbers. With a vaudeville/ragtime-inspired spirit, the show emphasizes characterization and personality – so bring plenty of energy and playfulness to your dance audition. We’re looking for strong dancers, particularly in the roles of Tommy and Zaneeta.

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A recording of the audition dance will be posted on the Orpheus website one week prior to auditions. We encourage you to review the video carefully as you prepare. Come ready to move in comfortable dance attire. Running shoes, jazz or character shoes will work for your audition.

 

Let’s see your best River City moves!!​​