The Show
Director and Choreographer: Dean McKerras (Palmerston North)
Musical Director: Amanda Maclean (Gisborne)
Production Dates: ON STAGE @ the War Memorial Theatre July 13th– July 20th 2019
Show Synopsis:
Act One
The action takes place on a small Greek island. Sophie sends off three wedding invitations envelopes in the mail addressed to the three men who could possibly be her father. Sam, Bill, and Harry are the candidates to walk her down the aisle.
Donna, Sophie's mother, greets friends Tanya and Rosie, who have just arrived for the wedding. Sam, Harry, and Bill also arrive at the Taverna. Sophie admits that she was the one who sent the invitations. Donna comes out, sees Sam, and is overcome with emotion. Donna tells her friends that Sam, Bill or Harry might be Sophie's father.
Sophie asks Sky, her fiancé, to promise he will never leave her. Sky promises before Eddie and other friends lead him off for his stag night.
At Sophie's "hen night", Donna, Tanya, and Rosie perform in their old costumes as Donna and The Dynamos. Sam, Bill, and Harry show up, and Sophie lets them join the fun, dancing with each one. Later, Sophie asks Bill to give her away at the wedding and he agrees. Sky and his stag party return and join Sophie's bachelorette festivities. Both Sam and Harry offer to give Sophie away. Sophie leaves the dance in a state of shock.
Act Two
Sophie has anxiety over her three prospective fathers. Donna thinks Sophie is upset because she wants to call the wedding off. Sophie storms off. Donna is left alone, feeling hurt. Sam approaches Donna, and they look back on how things used to be.
Sophie finds Sky and confesses to him about her plan to bring Sam, Bill, and Harry to the wedding. Sky accuses her of using their wedding as a ploy to find her father and walks off. Sophie tries to go after him, but Sam stops her. Sam explains to Sophie that he left Donna to get married and have kids, only to end up divorced and remorseful. Sophie, convinced that her love for Sky is stronger, leaves him to find Sky.
Sophie enters with her wedding dress and asks Donna to help her get ready. Sophie asks Donna to be the one to give her away. Donna walks Sophie down the aisle. As the ceremony is about to start, Sophie suggests to Sky that they not get married and instead go see the world. With a priest still present, Sam proposes to Donna, who accepts. There ends up being a wedding after all!
Characters
*Note the ages listed are the stage age of the character and not necessarily your actual age.
Donna Sheridan - Female, Age 35-45. Mezzo-Soprano, Alto.
The owner of the Taverna on the Greek island of Kalokairi: Sophie’s mother. She is the former lead singer of “Donna and the Dynamos”. Honest, straight and hard-working, she is the most naturalistic and vulnerable of the characters. Delivers some of the biggest solos in the show.
AUDITION SONG – THE WINER TAKES IT ALL
Sophie - Female, Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, 18 – 25.
A very special young woman who is determined to find the romance and happiness she feels eluded her mother. Has an adventurous spirit even though she pursues a conventional marriage. Must be able to move extremely well.
AUDITION SONG – HONEY HONEY
Tanya - Female, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto. 35 – 45.
A former singer in the “Dynamos”. Rich, sophisticated, acerbic, funny and witty. Actress who sings. Must be able to move extremely well.
AUDITION SONG – DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW
Rosie - Female, Alto, 35 – 45.
Also, a former singer in the “Dynamos” who now writes for and runs a feminist press. She’s confident, strong and funny on the outside but shy underneath. Kooky and fun, good comic actress, a bit of a clown. Actress who sings. Must be able to move extremely well.
AUDITION SONG – TAKE A CHANCE ON ME
Sky - Male, Tenor, Baritone, 24 – 30.
Sophie’s fiancé. Athletic, attractive – was a successful businessman. Left to help Donna with her taverna and marry Sophie.
AUDITION SONG – LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME
Sam - Male, Baritone, 35 – 45.
May be Sophie’s father. Left Donna 20 years ago because he was engaged to another woman. Charming, successful architect. Actor who sings. Should be able to move well.
AUDITION SONG – KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU.
Harry - Male, High Baritone, Tenor, 35 – 45.
May be Sophie’s father. British financier, wealthy, buttoned-up and conservative but trying to reconnect with his freer, youthful self. Also, an actor who sings. AUDITON SONG – OUR LAST SUMMER
Bill - Male, Baritone, 35 – 45.
May be Sophies father. A travel writer with no possessions or strings. Good-natured, always ready for adventure. Funny, comedic actor. Should be able to move well.
AUDITION SONG – THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC
Pepper - Male, Baritone/Tenor, 20 – 29.
Sky’s friend. Helps run the hotel.
Charming, loves women, always flirting. Must be able to dance.
AUDITION SONG – MAMMA MIA
Eddie - Male, Baritone/Tenor, 20 – 29.
Another friend of Sky and a hotel worker. Laid-back, easy going, Must be able to dance.
AUDITION SONG – MAMMA MIA
Lisa - Female, 18 -25.
Sophie’s friend who arrives to be a bridesmaid. Very energetic and kooky. Must be able to dance.
AUDITION SONG – HONEY HONEY
Ali - Female, 18 – 25.
Sophie’s friend. Impulsive and fun. Should contrast to Lisa and Sophie. Must be able to dance
AUDITION SONG – HONEY HONEY
Ensemble Males and Females. 15 +
Dynamic dancers with vocal range. Strong actors and singers.
AUDITION SONG – MAMMA MIA
Rehearsal & Season Dates
Please note that there will be rehearsals during the school holidays as well as on Easter Monday afternoon and Queens Birthday Weekend. Initially rehearsals will be Monday (Principals) and Wednesday (Full Company) evenings and Sunday (Full Company) afternoons. Our Director will return for an intensive full week of daily rehearsals kicking off on Sunday 2nd June (Queens Birthday Sunday Evening). Following this week there will be rehearsals Monday, Wednesday and Friday Evenings, as well as full days on Saturday and Sunday. Below is a proposed rehearsal schedule, note not all cast will be required all the time.
Our rehearsal time frame is a 13-week period which will require a significant commitment from all. Please consider your availability carefully prior to committing to the 2019 season of Mamma Mia. If for any reason you may not be able to attend any of the usual rehearsals, you must detail this on your audition form prior to auditioning and this will be taken in to consideration in the audition process. Your participation in this production requires a huge commitment in both time and professionalism in order to ensure a production of the highest possible quality, therefore please do not audition if you are not in a position to fully commit to the rehearsal schedule and the show as a whole. You will not be able to be involved in any other production during the rehearsal period.
Auditions
It is intended that the show will be cast from those people presenting themselves at the auditions, no role is pre-cast. All ethnic groups and those 13 years and over are welcome to audition, however casting preference will go to over 15-year olds.
EVERYONE AUDITIONING must complete the On-line Audition Application, and MUST ATTEND the Group Vocal & Dance Audition on the morning of Saturday 13th April.
Those wishing to audition for a principal role will need to attend one of two group sessions on Saturday afternoon (one for Female Principal Roles and one for Male Principal Roles). Please also be prepared to attend call backs on Sunday 14thof April between 10am and 2pm if necessary.
Preparation for Auditions
Links to folders containing the Music and Dialogue can be found below or collected from Stephen Jones Photography, 111 Gladstone Rd. Please learn both the audition song Mamma Mia as well as the chorography taught at the Pre-Audition Workshop (see link below).
Those indicating a wish to audition for principal roles will need to learn their preferred character’s allocated dialogue and specific audition song. Please learn off by heart so that you can show the audition panel how well you can act during your audition. You can indicate that you wish to audition for more than one part, however the audition panel will consider everyone for different parts regardless of which part you audition for. Please prepare for the one role you would most like to perform, although you may be asked to try for an alternative part.
A pianist will be provided, OR you may sing with your own non-vocal backing track of the allocated song (please bring on CD or USB stick in .wav or .mp3 format).
Please arrive in plenty of time for the above audition times.
Expectations
Links & Contact Details
Audition Songs/Music Score: http://tinyurl.com/y2x7fms7
Audition Principal Role Dialogue: http://tinyurl.com/y52tuj93
Audition Choreography - Dancing Queen (Everyone): https://youtu.be/NS5TqSM7xwc
Audition Choreography - Voulez Vous (Advanced Dancers Only): https://youtu.be/zrTVHisSK0g
Any enquiries regarding auditions can be directed to:
Heather Derby
Phone 021 0225 2579 / 863 1456
hetha.d@gmail.com
All cast and crew will be required to be financial members of Musical Theatre Gisborne and agree to abide by the societies membership rules.
As part of this production you will be considered to be a good-will ambassador for both Musical Theatre Gisborne and for the show. It is expected all cast and crew meet that responsibility both in person and online. All cast are required to agree and adhere to a code of conduct that covers health and safety, personal wellbeing, responsibilities to fellow cast and crew members, and social media usage.
Please advise any issues with this at the time of your audition.