Culver City Observer -

Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for PIPPIN, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Book by Roger O. Hirson, on Saturday, March 16 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm and Sunday, March 17 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Callbacks will be held on Monday, March 18 at 7:00 by appointment only. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Alison Boole, Music direction by Catherine Rahm and produced by Lyndsay and Jeremy Palmer for Kentwood Players under special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Performance dates are May 17 through June 22, 2019 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.

Those auditioning should read the play before auditioning to become familiar with the characters. Please allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions and you will be asked to note any conflicts.

EVERYONE MUST SING. Please prepare 32 bars of a standard musical theatre song. From the show is okay, but not required. An accompanist will be provided; please bring sheet music in the correct key. Be prepared to dance as well. Kentwood Players practices color blind casting; all ethnicities will be considered for any role. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the production team at Pippin@kentwoodplayers.org.

Character Breakdown

Kentwood Players practices color blind casting; all ethnicities are encouraged to audition and will be considered for every part.

Leading Player – Female or Male (age open) - The ultimate 'ring leader.' Masterfully charming and manipulative, the Leading Player is a chameleon of sorts. Strong dancer preferred. Obsessed with putting on a great show for the audience. Vocal range (female) Mezzo with a strong belt and mix to D5, (male) Tenor to A4

Pippin – Male (18-25) - Our story's young and confused protagonist. He is longing to find his purpose in life. Naive, innocent, and discontent. Must move well. Vocal range - Tenor to C5

Charles – Male (50-65) - Pippin's demanding father. As the King of the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne is more comfortable wielding a sword than breaking bread. He wears his years with great pride. Vocal range - Baritone to E4

Lewis – Male (20-30) - Pippin's half-brother, Fastrada's son. Thinks very highly of himself. Vocal range - Baritone to E4

Fastrada – Female (35 – 50) - Pippin's conniving stepmother. A seductress, who is no stranger to deceit and betrayal, she is both sexy and smart. Skilled at using her sexual appeal to her benefit. Dancing ability preferred. Vocal range - Mezzo with a strong belt to B5 and mix to E5

Berthe – Female (50-70) - Pippin's saucy grandmother. A brassy broad full of wisdom, grace, and sass. She tries to help Pippin and encourages him to live his life to the fullest. Vocal range - Alto to C5

Catherine – Female (20-35) - A widow and mother. She is a beautiful and a hopeless romantic. She encounters Pippin at his lowest point and eventually falls in love with him. Vocal range - Mezzo to E5

Theo/Thea – Male or Female (6 to 10) - Catherine's son (or daughter). Vocal range - Boy soprano to C5

Ensemble – Males & Females all ages – Singers and dancers. The players who portray Charlemagne's Army, Monks, Nobility, Peasants.

Press Release for PIPPIN auditions

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For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production and upcoming auditions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook and Twitter.

To meet the PIPPIN production team and learn more about Kentwood Players, the public is invited to attend our general membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Westchester Playhouse located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.

Press Release for PIPPIN auditions

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THE FACTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR LISTING

WHO: Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for PIPPIN, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and Book by Roger O. Hirson. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Alison Boole, Music direction by Catherine Rahm and produced by Lyndsay and Jeremy Palmer for Kentwood Players under special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

WHAT: The award-winning musical PIPPIN, tells the story of a young prince who longs to find passion and adventure in his life. PIPPIN originally debuted on Broadway 1972 with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. This beautiful and thought-provoking musical uses the premise of a magical and mysterious performance troupe, led by a Leading Player, to lead the audience through Pippins adventures. Ben Vereen and Patina Miller won Tony Awards for their portrayals of the Leading Player in the original Broadway production and the 2013 revival, respectively, making them the first two actors of different sexes to win a Tony for the same role.

WHEN: Auditions will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm and Sunday, March 17 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Callbacks will be held on Monday, March 18 at 7:00 by appointment only. Performance dates are May 17 through June 22, 2019 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.

WHERE: Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.

HOW: The Kentwood Players welcomes all ethnicities to audition. Those auditioning should read the play before auditioning to become familiar with the characters. Please allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions and you will be asked to note any conflicts. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the production team at Pippin@kentwoodplayers.org.