2017 production handbook chicago - nebula.wsimg.com
TRANSCRIPT
ProductionHandbook2017
1.
2017PRODUCTIONHANDBOOK
2017PRODUCTIONCALENDAR TERM1
WednesdayFebruary15 CastAuditions–Session1(bysignuponly) 3.30pm–7pm
ThursdayFebruary16 CastAuditions–Session2(bysignuponly) 3.30pm–7pm
FridayFebruary17
MondayFeb20
DanceCall
AdvanceDance-byrequest
3.30pm–5.30pm
Lunch
ThursdayFebruary23 CallbackAuditions–byrequest 7pm–9pm
FridayFebruary24 Casting–DirectionTeam TBC
WednesdayMarch1 Castpublished–www.rscproduction.com.au
Applicationsfornon-castpositionsopen
5pm
5pm
**Thefollowingrehearsalsarescheduledtogetaheadstartonsomeofthemoretime-consuming
aspectsoftheproduction.Pleasenote:NotallcastwillberequiredfortheTerm1rehearsals**
MondayMarch6 SpecialistDanceRehearsal1 Lunch
TuesdayMarch7
MondayMarch13
EnsembleSingingSession1
LABOURDAY
3.30pm–5.30pm
TuesdayMarch14
MondayMarch20
EnsembleSingingSession2
SpecialistDanceRehearsal2
3.30pm–5.30pm
Lunch
ProductionHandbook2017
2.
TERM2
TuesdayApril18 Rehearsal1–FullCast
FullCastMeetingandParentInfoNight
3.30pm–6.30pm
7pm–7.45pm
TuesdayApril25
MondayMay1
ANZACDAY-NOREHEARSAL
SpecialistDanceRehearsal
Lunch
TuesdayMay2 Rehearsal3 3.30pm–6.30pm
MondayMay8 SpecialistDanceRehearsal Lunch
TuesdayMay9 Rehearsal4 3.30pm–6.30pm
MondayMay15 SpecialistDanceRehearsal Lunch
TuesdayMay16 Rehearsal5 3.30pm–6.30pm
MondayMay22 SpecialistDanceRehearsal Lunch
TuesdayMay23 Rehearsal6 3.30pm–6.30pm
MondayMay29 SpecialistDanceRehearsal Lunch
TuesdayMay30 Rehearsal7 3.30pm–6.30pm
MondayJune7 SpecialistDanceRehearsal Lunch
TuesdayJune6 Rehearsal8 3.30pm–6.30pm
MondayJune12 QUEENSBIRTHDAYHOLIDAY
TuesdayJune13 Rehearsal9 3.30pm–6.30pm
MondayJune19 SpecialistDanceRehearsal Lunch
TuesdayJune20 Rehearsal10 3.30pm–6.30pm
MondayJune26 SpecialistDanceRehearsal Lunch
TuesdayJune27 Rehearsal11andSitzprobe 3.30pm–9pm
TERM3
WednesdayJuly19–
FridayJuly21
ProductionCamp
MtEvelynRecreationCamp
12pm–
1.30pm
TuesdayJuly25 StageRehearsal 3.30pm–6.30pm
FridayJuly28 StageRehearsal 8.50am–3.15pm
TuesdayAugust1 StageRehearsal 3.30pm–9.00pm
Allcastwillberequiredforanagreed20minutecostumingcallatsomestageoverthisweekend.
SaturdayAugust5 TechnicalBump-in
CostumeWorkingBeeandChecking
Asrequired
SundayAugust6 TechBump-inandLightPlotting(nocast) Asrequired
TuesdayMarch21
MondayMarch27
EnsembleSingingSession3
SpecialistDanceRehearsal
3.30pm–5.30pm
Lunch
TuesdayMarch28 EnsembleSingingSession4 3.30pm–5.30pm
ProductionHandbook2017
3.
CostumeWorkingBeeandChecking
MondayAugust7 TechandStageCrewRehearsal(nocast) 3.30pm–9pm
TuesdayAugust8 FullDressRehearsal1(5pm) 3.30pm–9pm
WednesdayAugust9 FullDressRehearsal2(7pm) 6pm–10pm
ThursdayAugust10 Performance1–PreviewPerformance(12pm) 8.50am–3.15pm
FridayAugust11 Performance2–OpeningNight(7.30pm) 5.30pm–10.30pm
SaturdayAugust12 Performance3–Matinee(4.30pm) 2.30pm–7.30pm
SundayAugust13 Performance4–Matinee(2.30pm) 12.30pm–5.30pm
WednesdayAugust16 Performance5(7.30pm) 5.30pm–10.30pm
ThursdayAugust17 Performance6(7.30pm) 5.30pm–10.30pm
FridayAugust18 Performance7(7.30pm) 5.30pm–10.30pm
SaturdayAugust19 Performance8(7.30pm)–ClosingNight 5.30pm–11pm
MondayAugust21 Bumpout(Years7-10only) 9am–11.30am
AfterthesailingsuccessofAnythingGoesin2016,RingwoodSecondaryCollegeisdelightedtolaunchthelongawaitedandtheatricallyelectrifying–CHICAGO.ThisshowhasneverbeenstagedatRingwoodSecondaryCollegeandwearebeyondexitedtointroducestudentsandtheentireschoolcommunitytothisclassicBroadwaymusical.
ABOUTTHESHOWCHICAGOisaniconicBobFosseAmericanmusicalwithmusicandlyricsbyclassicwritingpartnersJohnKanderandFredEbbwhoalsowrote(SweetCharity,Cabaret,Curtains,KissoftheSpiderWoman)SetinProhibition-eraChicago,themusicalisbasedona1926playofthesamenamebyreporterMaurineDallasWatkinsaboutactualcriminalsandcrimesshereportedon.Thestoryisasatireoncorruptionintheadministrationofcriminaljusticeandtheconceptofthe"celebritycriminal."TheoriginalBroadwayproductionopenedinandranfor936performancesuntil1977.BobFossechoreographedtheoriginalproduction,andhisstyleisstronglyidentifiedwiththeshow.FollowingaWestEnddebutin1979ChicagowasrevivedonBroadwayin1996,andayearlaterintheWestEnd.TheBroadwayrevivalholdstherecordasthelongest-runningmusicalrevivalandthelongest-runningAmericanmusicalinBroadwayhistory.The2002filmversionofthemusicalwontheAcademyAwardforBestPictureandrevampedtheMovie-Musicalgenre. SHORTSYNOPSISIn themid-1920s in Chicago,Velma Kellyis avaudeville performerwhomurdered both her husband and hersisterwhenshefoundtheminbedtogether.Velmaeventuallyisarrestedforhercrime.Meanwhile,wehearofchorusgirlRoxieHart'smurderofherlover,nightclubregularFredCasely.
Roxie convinces her husband Amos that the victim was a burglar, and Amos cheerfully takes the blame.However,whenthepolicementionthedeceased'sname,Amosbelatedlyputstwoandtwotogether.Thetruthcomesout,andRoxieisarrested.Sheissenttothewomen'sblockinCookCountyJail,inhabitedbyVelmaandothermurderesses.TheblockispresidedoverbythecorruptMatron"Mama"Morton,whosesystemofmutualaidperfectlysuitsherclientele.ShehashelpedVelmabecomethemedia'stopmurder-of-the-weekandisactingasabookingagentforVelma'sbigreturntovaudeville.
ProductionHandbook2017
4.
VelmaisnothappytoseeRoxie,whoisstealingnotonlyherlimelightbutalsoherlawyer,BillyFlynn.RoxietriestoconvinceAmostopayforBillyFlynntobeher lawyer.BillytakesRoxie'scaseandre-arrangesherstoryforconsumption by sympathetic tabloid columnist Mary Sunshine. Roxie's press conference turns into aventriloquistactwithBillydictatinganewversionofthetruthtothepresswhileRoxiemouthsthewords.
RoxiebecomesthenewtoastofChicagoassheproclaimsquiteboastfullywhileplanningforherfuturecareerinvaudeville.AsRoxie'sfamegrows,Velma'snotorietyisleftinthedustandinan"actofpuredesperation",shetries to talk Roxie into recreating the sister act but Roxie turns her down, only to find her own headlinesreplaced by the latest sordid crime of passion. Separately, Roxie and Velma realize there is no one they cancountonbutthemselvesandtheever-resourcefulRoxiedecidesthatfakingapregnancyinprisonwouldputherbackonthefrontpage.
Alittleshyonthearithmetic,Amosproudlyclaimspaternity,butstillnobodynoticeshim.VelmatriestoshowBillyall the tricks shehasplanned forher trialbuthe ispreoccupiedwithhismore recent cases.Roxiehasaheated argumentwith Billy and fires him. She is brought back down to earthwhen she learns that a fellowinmatehasbeenexecuted.
Roxie’strialdatearrives,andBillycalmsher,tellingherifshemakesashowofit,shewillbefinebutwhenhepassesallVelma'sideasontoRoxie,sheuseseachone,downtotherhinestoneshoebuckles,tothedismayofMamaandVelma.Aspromised,BillygetsRoxieacquitted,butjustastheverdictisannounced,someevenmoresensational crime pulls the pack of press bloodhounds away, and Roxie's fleeting celebrity life is over. Billyleaves,donewiththecase.Amosstayswithher,gladforhiswife,butshethenconfessesthattherereallyisnobaby,makingAmosfinallyleaveher.Leftinthedust,Roxiepullsherselfupandextolsthejoysoflife.SheteamsupwithVelmainanewactinwhichtheydanceandperform"HotHoneyRag"untiltheyarejoinedbytheentirecompany.
THEAUDITIONPROCESSGeneralAuditionandDanceCallAuditionsforcastareopentoanystudentofRingwoodSecondaryCollegein2017.Thecastsizeiscappedaccordingtothedimensionsofthestage,costumingandadministrationrequirements.Therefore,theauditionprocessiscompetitive.Auditionsareconductedindividuallyandinfrontofapanelofproductionteammembersasappointedbythedirector.Castingdecisionsareentirelyatthediscretionoftheproductionteamandaremadeinaccordancewiththespecificrequirementsoftheshow.Studentsmustselectandprepareonesongfromthelistbelow.Foreachsong,thesheetmusicandbackingtrackexcerpttobeusedintheauditioncanbefoundontheAUDITIONSpageoftheproductionwebsitesometimeafterTuesdayFebruary7,2016.(Keepcheckingback–itmighttakeawhiletocompile.AFacebooknotificationwillgooutwhenitisready.)Studentswillalsobeaskedtocompletea‘coldread’ofsomedialoguefromtheshow.YouwillbeaskedtoreadthedialogueinanAmericanaccent.Studentsmustsignupforageneralauditionslotononeofthefollowingafternoons:
• WednesdayFebruary15between3.30pmand7pm• ThursdayFebruary16between3.30pmand7pm
Signingupisanonlineprocessandmustbecompletedthroughthewebsite: www.rscproduction.com.au/auditions.htmlThislinkwillbeavailableforusefromTuesdayFebruary7,2017.
ProductionHandbook2017
5.
****Inadditiontothegeneralaudition,therewillbeadancecallonFridayFebruary17from3.30pmuntil5.30pm.CHICAGOisaheavydanceshowandallprospectiveleads,principaldancersandensemblemembersMUSTattend.Pleasenotethatanyonewhoattendsthedancecallonly,withoutsigningupforamainaudition,cannotbeconsideredforapositioninthecast.YouMUSTattendageneralauditiononeithertheWednesdayortheThursday. Songsforfemales Songsformales
AllThatJazz–VelmaKelly AllICareAboutIsLove–BillyFlynn
Roxie–RoxieHeart MrCellophane–AmosHeart
WhenYou’reGoodToMamma–Mamma
Morton
ALittleBitOfGood–MarySunshine
Allcandidateswillbeconsideredforallroles,irrespectiveoftheirsongchoicesatauditions.However,itwouldmakesensetochooseasongthatgivesanindicationofyourdesiredrole.CallbackAuditionsFollowingthegeneralauditions,somestudentswillbeinvitedtoasubsequentcallbackauditiononThursdayFebruary23.Thissessionwillrunfrom7pmuntil9pm.Asalways,noinferenceaboutcastingdecisionsshouldbedrawnfromwhetherornotstudentsareinvitedtothisaudition.Additionallytherewillbean‘AdvanceDanceCallback’onMondayFebruary20atLunchtime.Thiswillbeorganizedbyrequestonly.CastAnnouncementThecastfor2017’sproductionofCHICAGOwillbepublishedonthewebsiteat5pmonWednesdayMarch1st.Thosewhoauditionedunsuccessfullywillbeaffordedpriorityinjoiningotherareasoftheshow.Wemaychoosetodoublecastsomeprincipalroles,butthisshouldnotbetakenasagiven.
CASTINGREQUIREMENTS–CHICAGOCHICAGOisashowwithastunningarrayofleadroles,cameos,actingroles,dancepartsandterrificensembleparticipation.Prospectiveauditioneesareexpectedtodosomeresearchintotheshow,itscharactersandpotentialinterpretations.TheProductionTeamencourageseveryonetorelaxanddotheirabsolutebestintheaudition.However,theyarealsoonthelookoutforcandidateswhocandemonstratethattheyhaveconsideredpossibleinterpretationsofcharacterandsong. PrincipalCharacterBreakdownLadies…·VelmaKelly:Sarcastic,sexy,tough,funny.Velmaisaformervaudevilleperfor.5merwhoalsoservesasthehostess.Sheoftentalksdirectlytotheaudience.Shekilledherhusbandandhersisterafterfindingthemtogether.Usedtobeingthe"headliner"shelearnstoholdhertongueandmakenicetosavehervaudevillecareer.Needstobeastrongactress,singeranddancer.VocalRange:Alto-MezzoDance:Strong
ProductionHandbook2017
6.
·RoxieHart:Innocent,sexy,desperate,selfish.Roxieisnotverybrightandneverthinksabouttheconsequencesofheractionsbeforeshesaysordoesthings.Everymoveisselfish,everyideafoolishandill-considered,andyetsheremainsstrangelysympatheticbecauseweknowherselfishnessisnotmalicious;butchildish.AllRoxiecaresaboutisgettingintoVaudeville.Needstobeastrongactress,singeranddancer.VocalRange:Mezzo-SopranoDance:Strong·Matron"Mama"Morton:Strong,funny,powerfulandtough.ThematronoftheCookCountyJailwhobelievesthatallfavorsshegivesshouldbereciprocatedorpaidfor.IfBillyistheAgent,MamawouldbeconsideredtheManager.Needstobestrongcharacteractorwhocansingwell.VocalRange:AltoDance:Limited…andGentlemen·BillyFlynn:Persuasive,manipulative,masculine.Billyisasuave,educatedlawyerwhocanpersuadeanyonetodoanything.Billywilltakeanycaseaslongasitissuretoputmoneyinhispocket.BillyisalotlikeaHollywoodAgent.Needstobeastrongcharacteractorwhocansinganddancewell.VocalRange:BaritoneDance:Limited(potentialtoaddmore)·AmosHart:Charming,funny,vulnerable,timidman.Amosisanaverageguy,notverygoodlooking,notverysmart.Manipulatedeasily,AmosistheonlycharacterinChicagowhosemotivesareentirelypure,neverselfishandhe'stheonlycharacterwhoreallylosesultimately.Strongcharacteractorwhocansingwell.VocalRange:BaritoneDance:None·MarySunshine:SobsisterreporterfromtheEveningStar.Believesthereisalittlebitofgoodineveryoneandwillbelieveanythingsheisfedthatmatchesherbeliefs.WearelookingforamalesopranoorcountertenorwhocansinglegitimatelyuptoahighBflatwhomustplayawomanwiththeimageofagoodnaturedtalkshowhostessbutisactuallyahighpoweredgossipcolumnist.Mustbeagoodcomedian.VocalRange:CountertenorDance:MinimalOtherCharactersMURDERESSES:·Liz:PrisoneratCookCountyJail.Sheisimprisonedaftershootingtwowarningshotsintoherhusband’shead.·Annie:PrisonerattheCookCountyJail.Murder’sherloverafterfindingouthealreadyhassixwives.“OneofthoseMormons,ya’know.”
ProductionHandbook2017
7.
·June:PrisoneratCookCountyJail.Afterherhusbandaccusesherofscrewingthemilkman,hemysteriouslyrunsintoherknifetentimes.·Hunyak:HungarianPrisoneratCookCountyJail.TheonlyEnglishshespeaksisthephase,“NotGuilty.”Whichfollowshertohergrave.·Mona:PrisoneratCookCountyJail.Murdersherloverafterhehasaroundofaffairswithotherwoman,andanoccasionalman.Iguessyoucouldsayitwas“artisticdifferences.”ENSEMBLE:AssortedOthers:·FredCasely:SleepingwithRoxieHartandisshotandkilled.Mustplaya“regularguy”inthefirstscenebutplayanoverlydramaticversionofhimselfinthecourtroomscene.Thispersonmaydoubleasamale/femaledancerormaybecastasacameorolewithlittlerehearsaltime.·SergeantFogarty:AssignedtoRoxie’scase.Afteraskingtherightquestions,hemanagestogetRoxietoconfess.·MartinHarrison:DistrictAttorneywhoisprosecutingRoxie.Thisactorcoulddoubleasanensemblemember·Go-To-Hell-Kitty:StealsthespotlightwhensheMurdersherhusbandalongwiththreeotherwomen,sheiswealthyandgoescrazytellingeveryoneto"go-to-hell".Hercrimesarelabeled“LakeShoreDriveMassacre.”·Harry:MurderedbyGo-To-HellKittyforsleepingaroundwiththreewomenbehindherback.·Aaron:CourtappointedlawyerforHunyak.Hetriestogethertoconfesstospeedalongthetrial.·Judge:JudgeoverseeingRoxie’sTrial.·CourtClerk:Swearspeopleinwiththeirhandonthebible.“Blah,Blah,Truth,Truth.Selp-youGod.”·MasterofCeremonies:Thisspeakingrolewillbedividedupamongstthemostoutgoinganddynamicensemblemembers.Thinktheringleaderofacircuswhoannounceseachact.
ProductionHandbook2017
8.
RECOMMENDEDRECORDINGSThereareanumberofcastrecordingsofCHICAGOfloatingroundinseverallanguages.Pleasebecarefulaboutwhichoneyouchoosetolistento,asmanyhavesubstantialdifferencestothescorethatwewillbeusing.Bothofthebelowrecordings(availableoniTunes)aregoodtolistento,astheyarebothprettyfaithfultothescorethatwearepresenting.Bothrecordingsareoutstanding.However,rememberthattheywon’tnecessarilymatchupexactlywithwhatwearegoingtoaskyoutoperform.Nonetheless,theyareessentiallisteningforanyoneintendingtojoinourcast.
ChicagoTheMusical[NewLondonCast
Recording(1997)]Chicago[1996BroadwayRevivalCast]
TheLondonCastismorecompleterecordingwithlesscutsandmoredialogueincluded.Trytoavoidwatchingthe2002filmversion.It’sverydifferentfromthestagemusical.Asalways,therearealsoanumberofinterpretations,bothamateurandprofessional,thathaveillegallyfoundtheirwayontoYouTube–alwaysworthabitofalookaswell.
NATUREOFTHECOMMITMENTBeforechoosingtoaudition,itisimportanttounderstandthenatureofthecommitmentrequired.Acceptingapositioninthecastimpliesacommitmenttothetimeandcostinvolved.TIMEReviewthe2017ProductionCalendaratthebeginningofthisdocument.Thereisanexpectationthateveryoneisavailableforthecalltimesaspublishedonthisschedule.Wearealwaysflexible
ProductionHandbook2017
9.
whenappropriatenotificationofabsenceiscommunicatedwellinadvance.Anypotentialconflictsmustbeaddressedandresolvedimmediately.Itisastudent’sresponsibilitytoorganizework,sport,danceandothercommitmentsaroundourschedule,particularlyinTerm3.Failuretohonourthesecommitmentsornotifyofabsenceinadvanceisdisrespectfultothecompanyasawhole.Thereisafurtherexpectationthatallcastmemberswillpreparefullyforeachrehearsalandpracticetheirsongs,linesandroutinesonaregularbasis.RegularrehearsalswillalwayshappenonTuesdayafternoonsfrom3.30pmuntil6.30pm.Pleasenotethatleadsmayberequiredtoremainbehindforsomeadditionalrehearsalafterthis.DecisionsaboutthiswillbefinalisedearlyinTerm2.Weeklyscheduleswillbepublishedinadvance,anditmaybepossiblethatsomecastwillfinishslightlyearlieronsomeweeks.However,weneedeveryonetobeavailableupuntil6.30pm.Additionally,therewillbeseverallunchtimerehearsalsforleadrolesandspecialistdancers(onMondays).Thesewillberuntogivetheattentionandfocusthataleadrolerequires. COSTCastmembersareresponsibleforthefollowingcosts:
• ProductionLevy(Cast)–thisraisesmoneytooffsetcostsassociatedwithcostuming,theProductionHoodieorT-Shirt,onecopyofthesouvenirDVD(eitherFridayorSaturdaynight),copyingofrehearsalmaterialandafternoonteaatregularrehearsals.
o $80percastmembero $65percastmemberifmorethanonefromthesamefamily
• ProductionCamp–compulsoryforallcastandorchestra(July15-17)o $240-$265perstudent–costtobeconfirmedinTerm1.
• Otherexpensesmayincludesomebasiccastsupplycostumerequirements.
FULLCASTMEETINGANDPARENTINFORMATIONEVENINGOnTuesdayApril18,wewillbeholdingourfirstcastmeetingfortheseason,inconjunctionwithaParentInformationEvening.ThiswillbetheofficiallaunchofthecompanyforCHICAGOandisdesignedtokickstarttheproductioninadvanceoftherehearsalperiod.Inadditiontodealingwiththebasicinformationandquestions,thiswillalsobewhenscriptsandotherrehearsalmaterialwillbedistributed,aswellasensuringthatalladministrativemattersarecompleted.Opportunitiesforparentinvolvementwillalsobeoutlined.
EXTRApARTSExtrap.ArtsaimstosupportthePerformingArtsprogramofRingwoodSecondaryCollegebyprovidingpracticalassistancewherepossible.ItencouragesparentswithaninterestinthePerformingArtsandtheRSCprogramtocontributetheirtimeandskillsinaninformal,supportiveandsocialenvironment.
ProductionHandbook2017
10.
Themajoroperationforthisgroupisinthecostumeroomandthereisalwaysdemandforanyonewhohassometimetovolunteer.Sewersareparticularlyencouragedtolendahand,butallhelpisvaluableandanyskillsarewelcome.ParentrepresentativeswillspeakattheInformationEveningabouthowmuchfunitistobeinvolved.Certainly,wecannotsucceedaswedowithoutthisvaluablesupport.
MARKETINGANDTICKETSALESTicketsforCHICAGOwillgoonsaletomembersofthecompanyandtheirfamiliesonTuesdayMay16.GeneralsaleswillcommenceonTuesdayMay23.Allsaleswillonceagainbefunneledthroughtheproductionwebsite,withopportunitiestoattributesalestomembersofthecast.Therewillbeasignificantprizedrawonclosingnightforthetopticketsellers.PricesforticketswillbedeterminedduringFebruary/MarchandcommunicatedattheInformationEvening.Marketingtheshowistheresponsibilityofeverysinglecastmember.Tothisend,eachstudentincasttakesontheresponsibilitytogenerateatleast20ticketsales.Ifthisoccurs,wecanenjoyanothersuccessfulseasoninsalesandplaytofullhouseseveryshow.Promotionalmaterialisprovidedtosupportticketsalesandofcoursesocialmediawillhelpgeneratebuzzaroundtheshow.
Thankyouforyourinterest.Weknowit’sgoingtobeanotherterrificyearandthiswillbeagreatproduction.Seeyouallsoon.KarlMcNamara GaynorBorlase MichaelKent MichaelPhillipsProducerDirector
Choreographer AssistantDirector ProducerChiefPatron
AnnmarieStelfoxProductionManager
KateTannerChoreographer
JessikahJemmesonAssistantChoreographer/Director
KevinBonnettMusicalDirector
February2017