Information NightInformation Night

Information Night13 August 2007

IntroductionsIntroductions

• Director – Paul Metzger• Music Director – Judy Hayward• Choreographer – Donna O’Bryant Metzger

– Tap sequences – Val Psoinas• Stage Manager – Dana Bissett• Technical Director – Dennis Schneider• Set Design

– John McAllister (lead), Dennis Schneider, Paul Metzger• Lighting Design – Craig Brennan, Dennis Schneider• Sound – Mike O’Keefe• Properties – Gretchen Gray• Costumes – Suzanne Cady

• Other production team roles still available!

Information Night13 August 2007

OverviewOverview

• Romantic comedy set in the Roaring Twenties• Tony award for “Best Musical”, 2002

– Opened April 18 at Marquis Theatre in 2002, ran for 903 performances

• Synopsis:– Set in New York City in 1922 (during Prohibition)– A young girl from Kansas (Millie) comes to New York in search

of a new life for herself as a “modern”– Millie’s plan is to find a job as a secretary for a wealthy man and

then marry him– The owner of her dingy hotel kidnaps young girls to sell to the

Far East– Her wealthy boss falls in love with Millie’s best friend– The man Millie falls in love with doesn’t have a dime to his name

(or so he tells her)– Multiple love interests and story lines, with characters who are

not who they appear to be – high jinks ensue!

Information Night13 August 2007

Philosophy on DirectingPhilosophy on Directing

• The primary role of a director is to set the vision for the production, and to clearly communicate that vision

• The difference between a good production and a great one is what the actors are doing when the focus is not on them. It’s not just about acting … it’s about reacting.

• Characters are key … the actors need to know– Why they’re on stage at any given moment– What their character was doing prior to their entrance– Where their character was prior to the entrance

• Let actors explore the process of building their characters, but keep them guided towards the director’s vision

• Music and choreography are critical … they help tell the story and evoke the emotions in a scene

• Ensemble productions require that the cast get to know each other … preferably before tech week!

Information Night13 August 2007

CastTotal cast size ~40 (3 leads, 6 supporting, 11 character, 20 ensemble)

Leads:Millie Dillmount — A girl from Kansas who has just moved to New York to start a new life and marry a rich husband.

Age: 18 – 30 Voice: Mezzo Dancing: Intense (MUST tap)Miss Dorothy Brown — A charming, ditzy, out-of-touch rich girl

Age: 21 – 30 Voice: Soprano (high: C6) Dancing: minimalJimmy Smith — Millie's macho and charming love interest.

Age: 21 – 35 Voice: Tenor Dancing: minimal

SupportingTrevor Graydon — Milie's handsome and wealthy boss

Age: 25 – 50 Voice: Baritone Dancing: noneMrs. Meers — A former actress who runs a cheap hotel for struggling actresses. She dresses as if Chinese and speaks

with a phony Asian accent.Age: 32 – 55 Voice: Belt Dancing: minimal

Bun Foo — Assistant to Mrs. Meers. Asian and speaks Chinese throughout most of the show.Age: 20 – 40 (male) Voice: tbd Dancing: none

Ching Ho — Assistant to Mrs. Meers. Asian and speaks Chinese throughout most of the show.Age: 20 – 40 (male) Voice: tbd Dancing: none

Miss Flannery — The bossy and uptight Office ManagerAge: 21 – 42 Voice: tbd Dancing: moderate

Muzzy Van Hossmere — A wealthy and well-traveled nightclub singer. African-American preferred.Age: 35 – 55 (female) Voice: Alto Dancing: none

Other Named Character RolesWomen: Alice, Cora, Daphne, Ethel Peas, Gloria, Lucille, Mathilde, Rita, Ruth — Lives in the same hotel as Millie. (must tap)Men: Dexter, Kenneth, Rodney

EnsembleMuzzy's Boys, Office Staff, Pearl Lady, Letch, Policemen,George Gershwin, Dorothy Parker, Mama

Information Night13 August 2007

Information Night13 August 2007

Scenes (Act One)

• 1.1 – Exterior 1922 Manhattan street• 1.2 – Lobby of the Hotel Priscilla, Residence for Young Ladies• 1.3 – Laundry room of the Hotel Priscilla• 1.4 – Office of the Sincere Trust Insurance Company• 1.5 – 12th Floor hallway of the Hotel Priscilla• 1.6 – NYC street, at the secret entrance to the speakeasy• 1.7 – Police station, mugshot photos being taken• 1.8 – Police station jail cells• 1.9 – 12th Floor hallway of the Hotel Priscilla• 1.10 – Muzzy Van Hossmere’s penthouse• 1.11 – Terrace of Muzzy’s apartment• 1.12 – 12th Floor hallway of the Hotel Priscilla

Information Night13 August 2007

Scenes (Act Two)

• 2.1 – The Sincere Trust Insurance Company• 2.2 – Window ledge outside Millie’s office• 2.3 – 12th Floor of the Hotel Priscilla• 2.4 – The floorshow at Café Society• 2.5 – Muzzy’s dressing room• 2.6 – The dining room at Café Society• 2.7 – Lobby of the Hotel Priscilla• 2.8 – A dark hallway of the Hotel Priscilla

Information Night13 August 2007

Song ListSong List

• Not for the Life of MeMillie

• Thoroughly Modern MillieMillie and Ensemble

• Not for the Life of Me (Reprise)The Hotel Girls

• How the Other Half LivesMillie and Miss Dorothy

• Not for the Life of Me (Reprise)Bun Foo and Ching Ho

• The Speed TestTrevor Graydon, Millie, Flannery, Ensemble

• They Don't KnowMrs. Meers

• The Nutty Cracker SuiteJimmy, Millie, Miss Dorothy, Ensemble

• What Do I Need with Love?Jimmy

• Only in New YorkMuzzy

• JimmyMillie

• Forget About the BoyMillie, Miss Flannery, Ensemble

• Ah! Sweet Mystery of Live (I'm Falling in Love with Someone)Trevor Graydon and Miss Dorothy

• I Turned the CornerJimmy and Millie

• MuqinMrs. Meers, Bun Foo, Ching Ho

• Long as I'm Here with YouMuzzy, Millie, Muzzy's Boys

• Gimme GimmeMillie

• The Speed Test (Reprise)Millie, Graydon, Muzzy, Jimmy

• Ah! Sweet Mystery (Reprise)Miss Dorothy and Ching Ho

• FinaleJimmy, Miss Dorothy, Ensemble

Act One Act Two

Information Night13 August 2007

Dance OverviewDance Overview

• Various styles of dance required for this show– Tap (2 numbers)– Musical theatre dance – Charleston and 20’s dance styles

• Choreographed dance numbers geared to talent of cast

• Available to the cast throughout the audition and production process for questions

• Shoes for auditions– Character or jazz shoes for women, jazz shoes for men (if you

have them … sneakers otherwise)– Heeled character tap shoes

Information Night13 August 2007

Background on the 1920sBackground on the 1920s

Period Dances of the 1920s

Facial Exercises by Colleen Moore

Information Night13 August 2007

AuditionsAuditions

• Auditions– 1-2 minute song, not from the show

Bring sheet music … accompanist will be provided– Dance auditions

General audition is eight counts of eight, “Charleston style” Tap audition is four counts of eight (optional)

– Readings from the show (sides are on the web site)– No monologues required … no cold readings

• Further information is on the Actorsingers web site– http://www.actorsingers.org/inside/millie