Neshaminy Valley Music Theatre seeks actors, dancers and singers of all levels of experience, ages seven and up, for its 64th annual musical production Annie.
Auditions for adult roles and ensemble will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19 and Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Special auditions for the role of Annie and orphans will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, from 7 to 10 p.m. All auditions will be at Neshaminy High School, 2001 Old Lincoln Highway in Langhorne.
The production will be directed and choreographed by Barrymore Award-nominated director/choreographer Stephen Casey, and performed on March 27, 28 and 29, and April 3 and 4, 2020, at the high school auditorium.
The Tony Award-winning musical is based on Harold Gray’s long-running comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan. The show follows Annie as she is taken from her orphanage, and the clutches of the evil Miss Hannigan, to stay at billionaire Oliver Warbucks’ mansion for the holidays. When Annie wins the hearts of Warbucks and his staff, they set out on an epic mission to find Annie’s parents. Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan, in partnership with her brother Rooster and his girlfriend Lily, attempt to make some money out of this unique situation. The stories become intertwined as Annie’s story hits the national spotlight.
Opening on Broadway in 1977, Annie won the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Score. Since then, the show has had two Broadway revivals and has been performed all over the world. A film version in 1982 starred Bucks County native Aileen Quinn as Annie, who had performed as a child (before the film) with Neshaminy Valley.
Lead roles include Annie, Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, Miss Hannigan and Grace Farrell, as well as Daniel “Rooster” Hannigan, Lily St. Regis, orphan girls, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Drake the butler, and more than 20 supporting and minor speaking/featured roles, including a half dozen featured singing roles. The show has six ensemble song and dance numbers.
Those auditioning are requested to come prepared to sing a short excerpt of a song from any show or genre, be prepared to learn and perform a short dance/stage movement routine in small groups, and possibly to read an excerpt from the script. Individuals are asked to bring sheet music for the song they will sing for the accompanist, sing a song from Annie, for which the accompanist may have the music, or sing a cappella. Auditions are done in the order individuals sign in.
Call backs for those being considered for the lead roles will take place the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Individuals who are auditioning and who are under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Previous casts have included individuals who have performed professionally, along with those who have their first performance experience with the Theatre. Participants come from throughout the Delaware Valley. All cast and crew are volunteers. Neshaminy Valley has received national recognition for its annual productions, including 32 nominations and six wins from the International Music & Entertainment Awards.
Those cast in the show should be prepared to attend rehearsals up to three evenings a week, usually held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting in early January, with some weekend dates closer to the opening of the production.
NVMT is also looking for set builders, scenic painters, stage crew, including lighting and sound, as well as volunteers to work on marketing, ticketing and other administrative tasks.
The Theatre was founded in 1956 as a nonprofit, scholarship grant organization and has awarded more than $154,000 in scholarships to talented local high school seniors who plan to pursue their education in the fine or performing arts.
For more information, visit nvmt.org, email nvmt@verizon.net or call 267-733-8876.
