Stage Director: Julie May

Musical Director: Florrie Marks

When: Thursday March 19 at 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., Saturday March 21 at 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., and Saturday March 28 from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Where: Roosevelt Community Center, 464 S. Old Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063

Sign Up: https://tinyurl.com/rvco-gd or email auditions@rvco.org for an audition time. Please provide your name and phone number.

Rehearsal dates and times Sundays 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. at the Roosevelt Community Center, 464 S. Old Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063.

• Lead only rehearsals August Wednesday 26, Sunday 30, & Monday 31.
• Full cast script read through Wednesday September 2.
• Full cast rehearsals start Wednesday September 9.

Tech week dates and times: (Currently dates are tentative)

Sitzprobe: Saturday October 31, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Tech: Sunday November 1, 1:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Tech run-throughs: November 2-4 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Show dates: November 7 - 15 (Currently dates are tentative)

Performance Site: Strath Haven Middle School, 200 South Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086

Audition Information

• To audition for a role, you must sing and read the selections provided — readers and a pianist are provided to read with you and play for you. Due to time constraints, you may be asked to only sing or read one excerpt. You are not required to memorize the music or the dialog for the audition.
• Click on the character name for the audition material.
• If time allows, you may audition for up to two roles.
• Email your audition form to auditions@rvco.org and bring a copy to your audition.
• The day of your audition, if you cannot make your scheduled time or need to cancel, please call (484) 981-9108.
Additional Information
• If you are cast in a minor role, you will also be part of the ensemble and perform in ensemble numbers wherever possible.
• A chorus call will be sent late Summer for those who wish to join the ensemble.
• Cast members are required to pay a $25 membership fee.

Character Descriptions

Character/Description/Voice Range Audition Music & Readings
Rudolph The Grand Duke of Pfennig Halbpfennig (Baritone) Miserly. Planning his impending marriage to Baroness von Krakendfeldt, with plans for the populace to foot the bill. Learns of a plot by the Theatrical Troupe to overthrow him and feels vulnerable, so finding a way to save himself becomes paramount. Music: No. 11 "When you find you're a broken-down critter," verse 1 (pp. 147-149, mm. 6-46) No. 12 "He has insulted me…to the death!" (p. 169, mm. 107-113, Rudolph's line) Dialog: p. 124 after No. 9a "I don't feel at all comfortable…" TO Baroness' "Practically off" p. 153 after No.11 "Who are you sir?" TO Ludwig's "You Would?"
Ernest Dummkoff Theatrical Manager and Thespian (Tenor) Producer of the Theatrical Troupe. The "brains" behind the planned overthrow of the Grand Duke. Putting himself out there to be the next Grand Duke. Madly in love with Julia Jellicoe who does NOT return his ardor and affection. Music: No. 3 "Were I a king in very truth," verse 1 (pp.45-47, mm. 6-43) Dialog: p. 53 after No. 3 "Elected by my fellow conspirators" TO Julia's entrance p.54/ dialog "She's mine" TO bottom
Ludwig "Head Comedian" The Leading Man/actor; Dramatic Actor implied (Baritone) Short on common sense, but comprehends complicated situations—a "Statutory Duel"—pick a card….high card wins…..loser "dies" (ceases to exist on paper and in the eyes of the law) but is in fact still very much alive. Very much in love with Lisa. Can be manipulative. Music: No. 1a "Pretty Lisa" (pp. 24-25, mm. 79-110) No. 12a "Oh, a monarch who boasts intellectual graces" (pp. 184-187, mm. 250-282) Dialog: p. 153-4 after No. 11 "I see a magnificent ,,, to…Good I say….devil of a quarrel" p. 259 after No. 15 "Yes, I expect you'll often have a few words"
Dr. Tannhauser Notary (High Baritone) A lawyer/attorney with all the answers—right or wrong—to a knotty situation. Can change on a dime. Has a ready answer for any situation…. how to resolve any new, but related issue. A consummate lawyer. Music: No. 6 "About a century since," verse 1 (pp. 79-80, mm. 4-27) Dialog: p. 88 after No. 6 "Dies, ipso facto, a social death" TO "…..a clean slate"
Prince of Monte Carlo (Baritone) Formerly down on his luck Prince and in dire financial straits. With the invention of Roulette, now rolling in money, and therefore arrives at the door of the Grand Duke to whom his daughter the Princess was engaged 20 years prior. Ready to FINALLY unite his kingdom and Rudolph's duchy. French Accent possible. Music: No. 27 "Take my advice" (pp. 342-344, mm. 4-44) Dialog: p. 335 after No. 25 "Well, my dear, here we are at last" TO "...not convincing." p. 341 after No.26 FROM top TO "You didn't expect me?"
Viscount Mentone Attendant to the Prince Head attendant who was collected from the back alleys of Monaco (by the Costumier) to fill out the retinue of the Prince for his visit to the Grand Duke. Part of the Prince's "Window Dressing". TO BE CAST FROM OTHER AUDITIONS
Ben Hashbaz Costumier Flamboyant. Very proud of his work with the Supernumeraries, but in reality of very low status. Possibly Cockney, which may slip out from time to time, especially when hovering over the supers. TO BE CAST FROM OTHER AUDITIONS
Herald Charged with announcing the entrance of the Royal duo (Baritone) Man of great self importance Music: No. 23 "The Prince of Monte Carlo," pp. 313-314, mm.1-9 and p. 320, mm. 37-38
Six Nobles (4 Tenors / 2 Basses) TO BE CAST FROM OTHER AUDITIONS
Princess of Monte Carlo betrothed to Rudolph (Soprano or Mezzo Soprano) Long awaiting this journey to Pfennig Halbpfennig. Very spoiled! Very opinionated. Very manipulative. French Accent possible. Music: No. 25 "With a brilliant staff a Prince should make a show (pp. 325-329, mm. 19-39; sing the "original" staff) Dialog: p. 335 after No. 25 "Yes, papa, and if you hadn't fortunately discovered"
Baroness Von Krakenfeldt fiancée of Rudolph (Contralto) A perfect match for the Grand Duke. As miserly as he is. Very much feels they were made for each other. She does love a good party and great champagne! Gets tipsy easily. Music: No. 21 "Come bumpers – aye, ever so many," verse 1 (pp. 303-306, m. 2-34) Dialog: p. 124 after No. 9a "Rudolph! Why, what's the matter?" p. 279 after No. 17a "Is this court..," TO "…isn't born to it."
Julia Jellicoe an "English" Comedienne - The Leading Lady, Dramatic Actor implied (Soprano) She IS the Leading Lady and she WILL play the most important part in EVERYTHING. Haughty and ambitious.. Music: No. 16 "I have a rival" (pp. 263-268, mm. 31-62) No. 19 "No, no! (pp. 287-291, mm. 90-to the end) Dialog: pp. 53-54 after No. 3 "Herr Dummkopf, a word with you, if you please."
Lisa a Soubrette – Ingenue (Soprano or Mezzo Soprano) Sweet, radiant, madly in love with and adored by Ludwig. Not much of a match for Julia. Music: No. 12d "The die is cast – my hopes have perished" (pp. 213-216, mm. 474-509) Dialog: p. 33 after No. 1a "And as we produce our magnificent classical revival"; read all women's lines
Olga, Gretchen, Bertha, Elsa (Soprano or Mezzo Soprano) A bit "catty," take pot shots at Lisa prior to her wedding…out of her hearing….they don't hesitate to let their opinions be known. Enjoy partying. Music: No. 1, pp. 18-19, mm. 37-48 "If her dress is badly fitting" [sing the top staff in m. 48] Sing all 4 parts in this passage as if it is for one person Dialog: p. 44 after No. 2-2a beginning with Olga: "He's sure to be elected…"; read all women's lines

Show Synopsis

In Gilbert & Sullivan's final collaboration, a troupe of actors conspires to overthrow an unpopular and miserly Grand Duke. Things go awry when their plot is accidentally revealed, prompting a series of disputes and political successions settled by "statutory" duel—an ingenious law that renders the legal death of the adversary who draws the lowest from a deck of cards. Hilarious entanglements, including thwarted marriages and questionable legal contracts, imbue this topsy-turvy comic opera with a wit that only Gilbert and Sullivan can contrive.

Director's Note:

One major premise of this show is that this is a troupe of Bavarian, Austrian, or German actors. They are "blessed" with the FABULOUS, ENGLISH Julia Jellicoe. Quoting Ernest: "The lovely English comedienne - the beautiful Julia, whose dramatic ability is so overwhelming that our audiences forgive even her strong English accent." And, in fact, in the original production, all the D'Oyly Carte players had British accents EXCEPT Julia, who had an Hungarian accent. Similarly, our Julia will have an Austrian/German/Hungarian accent.

Side note:

The first Julia was exactly as described above. Ilka Pálmay was a Hungarian-born singer and actress. Pálmay began her stage career in Hungary by 1880. In 1895, Pálmay began to perform in London, and in 1896 she created the leading role of Julia in The Grand Duke. In 1897, Pálmay returned to Hungary and spent most of the rest of her long and successful career in Hungary and Austria.