DEAR EDWINA-THE MUSICAL AUDITIONS

[Actnowcasting]

Act Now Entertainment looking for boys and girls aged 9-18 for roles in the Musical ‘Dear Edwina jr’ To be staged in February 2013 in London. Rehearsals for this production will be held at weekends in Richmond Upon Thames. We are delighted to announce that the director and choreographer for this production will be Drew McOnie who recently choreographed Jason Robert Brown’s “13” at The Apollo Theatre for the NYMT. Drew’s other work includes Soho Cinders, Dames at Sea, James & The Giant Peach and Good Morning Midnight.

Dear Edwina premiered Off-Broadway at the DR2 Theatre in New York in 2008 This production received two 2009 Drama Desk Award nominations, for Outstanding Music (Zina Goldrich) and Outstanding Lyrics (Marcy Heisler)

To Audition please send you details (Photo, age, local authority, experience) to actnowvegas@gmail.com by no later than Friday 26th October. Private Audtion Slots will be held on Sunday 28th October in Richmond.

(Please note that no fee is available for this production nor is there any fee to pay)

Below is a character breakdown

Dear Edwina, jr. CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
The creator, director and choreographer of The Dear Edwina Show and is the main-staple of the play. Her character goes through a tremendous arc throughout the series of events in the play; from frustration to relief, anger to joy, horror to happiness... all within one afternoon in her own garage! The role of Edwina demands your most talented actor to pull off her bossy yet lovable character. Also, since the play is designed around her and she has the most stage time, the actor playing Edwina should feel more than comfortable onstage. Edwina’s music is also a bit challenging. Your actor should have a strong, clear voice with good diction. A musical background would be helpful.
BECKY
Edwina’s enthusiastic friend and the top of the cheerleading pyramid for the Paw Paw Wildcats. Cheerleading consumes her life and creating new cheers for everyday occasions brings her great joy. This girl even cheers her anger! Becky is a vocally non-demanding role with only a few vocal lines. Stage presence is more important when it comes to casting Becky. Cast the loudest, most outgoing unshy person you can. Athletic ability, if not cheerleading experience, would be helpful, but not necessary.
SCOTT
A neighbor boy who is helplessly in love with Edwina. He dotes on her every move and is always conniving a way to gain her attention. Choose a strong actor who feels comfortable being bold with his emotions. A good singer is a must for this role. Scott’s song requires vocal dexterity and is demanding in style. An actor with strong comedic timing will be an asset to your production during Scott’s ‘transformation.’
KELLI
Edwina’s neighbor and Paw Paw, Michigan’s resident ballerina. The character of Kelli can go one of two ways, depending on your talent pool. If you have a cast member with a background in ballet, great! Let her go wild, perhaps even choreograph her own piece, and turn “Poshkonozovich Dance” into a showcase. If the actor playing Kelli has no ballet experience, not a problem. We’ve all flapped our arms and stood on our tippy-toes pretending to be ballerinas, have her do the same and turn it into a comedy bit! No one said Kelli was a good ballerina.
BOBBY
Edwina’s new next-door neighbor. He is a friendly and compassionate character who goes out of his way to help others. The character of Bobby will be able to get away with imperfections throughout the show, as he is a last minute replacement for Lars. Cast an actor who is outgoing and gets along with everyone.
BILLY
One of the VANDERPLOONK triplets and a neighborhood friend of Edwina. He works double duty on The Dear Edwina Show by performing onstage and serving as Box Office Manager.
ANNIE
Edwina’s friend and the Girl Scout of Paw Paw. Annie works for and collects her Girl Scout badges like they were buried treasure. No matter what problem may arise, she is prepared with the know-how and resources to solve it in a flash – A MacGyver for the new generation! She is perky, energetic and helpful... maybe even too helpful.
Major Roles without solos: (sing in the company/chorus numbers only)
KATIE SPOONAPPLE
Edwina’s little sister and a math wiz. Although she arrives at the end of the play, she has the very important role of influencing Edwina’s thoughts and feelings. It is Katie that brings about the climax of the play, showing Edwina the “best advice of all.” Choose an actor who looks younger than Edwina or is diminutive in stature.
ANN VAN BUREN
The Kalamazoo Advice-A-Palooza talent scout. She is represented only by a brief voice-over that may be recorded beforehand. When it comes to casting this voice, think very L.A., sweetie darling.
Minor Roles with solos:
CORDELL
One of the VANDERPLOONK triplets and a neighborhood friend of Edwina. He works double duty in The Dear Edwina Show by performing onstage and serving as House Manager.
APHRODITE, CARRIE, ABIGAIL, PERIWINKLE, ZIGGY
Each of these characters are ‘letter readers’ in The Dear Edwina Show. They each have vocal solos (aside from the Marching Band, who only sing backup vocals) whereby they explain their dilemmas in hopes of receiving Edwina’s advice. Consider casting these roles from your ensemble or you can have any of the other characters above perform one of the roles.
VLADIMIR
Edwina’s scary uncle from afar. The actor should be a strong enough singer to feel comfortable with their own song and a strong enough actor to engage the audience with their story (and keep them engaged through the duration of the song). Impeccable diction is a must for this character as Vladimir’s lines are written with a Transylvanian “Dracula” accent in mind. The actor may be pulled from the company or, depending on your cast size, carry just this one role.
CHEF LUDMILLA, WILLIAM, SONOMA, FAIRY FORKMOTHER
These characters form a team to instruct the rest of the company on how to set a table in “Fork, Knife, Spoon.” Each actor should have strong music and vocal skills. Actors may be selected from the company or, depending or your cast size, carry just their one role.
SUSIE, NAPKINS
Susie and The Napkins are a local band who have just come from a Battle of the Bands concert at the Paw Paw Community Center to sing “Say No Thank You.” Susie and The Napkins should be able to move well, if you choose to choreograph the number. Johnny and The Queen act out the story in the lyrics. They are not required to sing, but to merely speak in rhythm during the song. Be sure you cast someone who can ‘feel the beat.’ Your actors may be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, carry their one role.
HARRY
Lola’s cousin and the reason she flies from Lima, Peru, to Honolulu. He is a fun, happy-go-lucky character show just wants to make sure his favorite cousin is having a good time. Harry may be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, carry this one role.
MARY SUE BETTY BOB
Mary Sue Betty Bob’s backup for “Put it in the Piggy.” The girl company members play the “Girls” and the “Pigs” are played by the boy company members.


FARMER JERRY, GIRLS, PIGS
Mary Sue Betty Bob’s backup for “Put it in the Piggy.” The girl company members play the “Girls” and the “Pigs” are played by the boy company members.
LOLA
New to America, Lola expresses her shyness in the song, “Hola, Lola.” It would be helpful if this actor speaks Spanish or has a good ear for languages. She may be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, carry this one role.
KIDS 1, 2, & 3/BOYS 1, 2, & 3
May be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, may be assigned separate roles.
Minor Roles without solos: (sing in the company/chorus numbers only)
LARS
One of the VANDERPLOONK triplets and a neighborhood friend of Edwina. He is incredibly accident- prone and twists his ankle in the first scene. Lars has many prat falls before he actually twists his ankle. Casting an actor with good physical comedy skills would be helpful (always remember that any staged fall or injury should be carefully choreographed and rehearsed to prevent a real injury. Safety first!). You may want to consider having Lars return to the stage a little while after his injury in a wheelchair, a cast or leg brace, or on crutches. This adds to the comedy of the play and opens up the casting of Lars for the actor who wants to be in your show so badly but isn’t exactly Baryshnikov.
FRANK
A rude, self-centered, bratty, offensive, disrespectful, socially inept child and the subject of Vladimir’s song, Frankenguest. This non-singing role requires the actor to speak their lines during musical breaks in the song. Cast an “over the top” actor and you’ll be just fine.
FRANK’S MA
This non-singing role requires the actor to speak their lines during musical breaks in the song. Cast an “over the top” actor and you’ll be just fine.
MYRA/MYRON SPOONAPPLE
Edwina’s little sister/brother and musical director of The Dear Edwina Show
JOE/JO SPOONAPPLE
Edwina’s older brother/sister. Percussionist of The Dear Edwina Show.
JOHNNY, QUEEN OF BOOLA BOOLA
Susie and The Napkins are a local band who have just come from a Battle of the Bands concert at the Paw Paw Community Center to sing “Say No Thank You.” Susie and The Napkins should be able to move well, if you choose to choreograph the number. Johnny and The Queen act out the story in the lyrics. They are not required to sing, but to merely speak in rhythm during the song. Be sure you cast someone who can ‘feel the beat.’ Your actors may be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, carry their one role.
KIDS 4, 5, 6 & 7
May be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, may be assigned separate roles.
CHEERLEADERS
May be selected from the company or, depending on your cast size, may be assigned separate roles.