2017 General Auditions

2017 Season Update

Note: The Miracle Worker is no longer part of Altarena’s 2017 season. In its place, Altarena will be presenting The Elephant Man. Please see the updated casting notice below.

Audition Information

Auditions have been completed.

2017 Shows

Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical

By Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman
Directed by Rachel Robinson
Jan 6-Feb 19

Casting: 1/F, 1/M

  • Rosemary Clooney: Female 25+to play 40. Singer, film actress, wife, mother: this is Rosemary in 1968 (age 40) as she is recovering from her infamous breakdown on stage in Reno, Nevada. We chart her rise to stardom through flashbacks and then through her healing process and reinvention. Seeking seasoned singer/actress who excels at a variety of musical styles.
  • The Doctor: Male 30+ to play Rosemary Clooney’s psychiatrist, along with a wide variety of other roles, both male and female, including Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Seeking a seasoned dramatic actor who can sing, move well and who can instantly convey a range of recognizable and believable characters.

Performances (17 shows): Jan 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, Feb 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12
Possible Extension (4 shows): Feb 16, 17, 18, 19


Be My Baby

By Ken Ludwig
Directed by Courtney Johnson
Mar 10-Apr 16

Casting: 3/F, 3M

  • Maude Kinch: 50+ British, upper class
  • Gloria Kinch: 20+ British
  • Female Ensemble: 35+ British, Scottish, American
  • John Campbell: 50+ Scottish, lower class
  • Christy McCall: 20+ Scottish
  • Male Ensemble: 35+ British, Scottish, American

Performances (15 shows): Mar 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31, Apr 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9
Possible Extension (3 shows): Apr 13, 14, 15


The Elephant Man

By Bernard Pomerance
Directed by John Maio
May 12-Jun 18

Casting: 3/M

  • Fredrick Treves: Plays mid to late 30’s.
    A surgeon and teacher, Treves brings Merrick to the hospital for study. He also rescues Merrick after Ross abandons him. He appears to genuinely care about Merrick, but he also hopes to garner attention from his association with him. Treves is a rigid and uncompromising Victorian gentleman. He is shocked when Mrs. Kendal shows Merrick her naked body. In the end, Treves becomes disillusioned with his life and finds no satisfaction in his job or his family. Yet by the play’s conclusion, he does seem to understand that his life was changed for the better by knowing Merrick.
  • Lord John: Plays late 20’s to 50’s.
    Lord John is involved in some shady financial dealings. When a great deal of money is lost, it is implied that John will be leaving town quickly. ALSO PLAYS: Pinhead Mgr, London Policeman, Will, etc.
  • Snork: Plays 20’s to 50’s.
    Snork is a porter who brings Merrick his meals. It is he who finds Merrick’s body after he dies. ALSO PLAYS: Conductor, Townspeople, etc.

All other roles have been cast.

Performances (15 shows): May 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, Jun 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11
Possible Extension (4 shows): Jun 15, 16, 17, 18


Nonna and the Dressmaker (World Premiere)

By Mercedes Cohan
Directed by Daniel Cawthon
June 28-July 9

Casting: 3/F, 6/M

  • Maria Romano: (25-30) She’s engaged to Carlo. Angelo is her father and Nonna is her grandmother.
  • Anna “Nonna” Romano: (over 55) Angelo’s mother and Maria’s grandmother. She’s very down to earth and outspoken. Very spry for her age and she’s not afraid to voice her opinion or play practical jokes.
  • Belle Levi: (25-30) She’s married to Benjamin. She has been working as a dress designer in her parents’ tailor shop
  • Angelo Romano: (over 40) He works at the bureau of records. Maria’s widowed father and Nonna’s son.
  • Benjamin Levi: (25-35) Belle’s husband. When the war broke out he joined the partisans.
  • Carlo Dominico: (25-35) Maria’s fiancé. He’s been working as a translator for the Germans.
  • Policeman DeLorenzo: (over 18) Charged with the task of seeking out Jews, foreigners and anyone without proper paperwork. Also some other minor roles.
  • Policeman Cassini: (over 18) Subordinate following orders of the other policeman, but not very enthusiastic about the job. Also some other minor roles.
  • Mario Barbieri: (over 30) A barber. Also some other minor roles.

Performances (9 shows): Jun 28, 29, 30, Jul 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9


Castle Happy (World Premiere)

By Jeff Dunn and John Freed
Directed by Clay David
Jul 20-30

Casting: 3/F, 6/M

  • Marion Davies: Mezzo-soprano, A3 to E5, warm, vivacious, late 30s (was 41 in 1938)
  • Patricia Van Cleve: Soprano, C4 to G5, must come across as a petulant 17-yr old girl.
  • Bette Davis: Mezzo-soprano, G3 to E5 with alto belt, 30s but already world-weary (was 30 in 1938)
  • Arthur Lake: Tenor, B2 to G4, comic pratfaller/dancer, 20s-30s, (was 33 in 1938)
  • W. R. Hearst: Baritone, A2 to F#4, tall, robust, commanding but gentle, 55+ (was 75 in 1938)
  • Charlie Chaplin: Tenor, C3 to E4, comic dancer, 40s-50s (was 49 in 1938)
  • Errol Flynn: Tenor, 20s-30s, C3 to E4, lady and man-killer (was 29 in 1938)
  • Clark Gable: Baritone, B2 to E4, avuncular, 30s (was 37 in 1938)
  • Stevens: Baritone, proper and not-so-proper gay butler, 30s-50s

Performances (9 shows): Jul 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30


The Savannah Sipping Society

By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten
Directed by Katina Letheule
Aug 11-Sept 17

Casting: 4/F

  • Randa: 45-70
  • Dot: 45-70
  • Marlafaye: 45-60
  • Jinx: 45-60

Performances (15 shows): Aug 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, Sept 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10
Possible Extension (4 shows): Sept 14, 15, 16, 17


Oklahoma!

By Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
Directed by Megan McKinley Beaudreau
Musical Direction by Mark Dietrich
Choreography by Kate McGinity
Sept 29-Nov 12

Casting: 6/F, 7/M

  • Laurey
  • Ado Annie
  • Aunt Eller
  • Gertie Cummings
  • Curly
  • Will Parker
  • Jud Fry
  • Ali Hakim
  • Andrew Carnes
  • Cord Ellam
  • Ensemble (M & F)

Performances (18 shows): Sep. 29, 30, Oct 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, Nov 2, 3, 4, 5
Possible Extension (4 shows): Nov 9, 10, 11, 12


Honky Tonk Angels

By Ted Swindley
Directed by Katina Letheule
Nov 24-Dec 17

Casting: 1/F

  • Darlene: 20-25 soprano

The roles of Angela and Sue Ellen have been cast.

Performances (15 shows): Nov. 24, 25, 26, 30, Dec 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17


Auditions will take place at Altarena Playhouse – 1409 High St. in Alameda.

Sign up for an audition slot!