“My Fair Lady” Information Night

May 14 – 7:30 p.m. @ Christ Church (1700 Mazo Crescent)

Clarkson Music Theatre proudly presentsLerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady”. Join us in this classic musical about a Cockney girl who just “wants to be a lady”. Our fairy tale story will have fabulous sets, costumes, a Cinderella story, irrepressible characters, foot tapping dance, and timeless music that will leave you feeling “loverly”.

Director /Choreographer Michael MacLennan***

Music DirectorJenny Peace

ProducersRita Ferguson, Christine McMahon, Mike Giguere

Stage ManagerJohn Dalgleish

Presented At Meadowvale Theatre, 6315 Montevideo Road, Mississauga, ON L5N 4G7

Nov.17,18,22,23,24@ 8 p.m. /Nov.18, 24, 25 @ 2 p.m./

Synopsis: Pompous phonetics Professor Henry Higginsvows that he can make a duchess of “this guttersnipe” – a lowly cockney flower girl he has found on the streets. His subject is Eliza, who agrees to speech lessons so she can realize her dream to ‘work in a flower shop… and be a lady’. Despite the warnings of many (including Mrs. Pearce – Henry’s housekeeper) and his own mother), Higgins and phonetics –friend Colonel Pickering struggleto re-make their live doll.Eliza leaves behind the world of her ne’er-do-well father Doolittle, and when she becomes the toast of society (even catching the eye of Freddy), it is as much her own intelligence and tenacity as her lessons that raise her from her base origins. My Fair Lady is set in Edwardian England and includes the pageantry of the Ascot, and the slums of Covent Garden. Featuring classic music such as “I Could Have Danced All Night”, “Get Me To The Church on Time”, “I’ve Grown Accustomed to her Face”, “The Street Where You Live” and more, this musical is “just loverly”. Join us, won’t you?

***The participation of this artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors' Equity Association, under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT)

Rehearsal Detail:

  • Rehearsal /Audition Venue: Christ Church, 1700 Mazo Cres. (Clarkson Road and Truscott)
  • Rehearsal Dates: Monday and Wednesday evenings 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm / Saturday from 10 am to about 4:30 p.m. Rehearsals begin August 20, 2018 and run as scheduled till we open Nov.16. (no rehearsal Labour Day [Sept.3] or Thanksgiving Day [October 8])
  • Additional dates: ALL CAST MUST ATTEND RELEVANT DATES AS LISTED.
  • Cast Costume Parade – Sunday Oct. 28at the Scarboro costume warehouse
  • Principals with Orchestra Rehearsal - Oct 28afternoon
  • Full Cast and Orchestra rehearsal – Sunday Nov.4
  • Move-In to Theatre - Sunday Nov.11 (8 am to 11 p.m.)
  • Dark Week Nov.12 – 15(6 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
  • Performed @ Meadowvale Theatre:Nov.17,18,22,23,24@ 8 pm /Nov.18, 24, 25 @ 2 p.m.
  • Attendance policy– Strictly enforced. Attendance at rehearsals is imperative. You will be required to declare your conflicts for the rehearsal schedule at the time of audition.

Volunteering:

It costs $2,300 to put each cast member on stage, not including the number of volunteer hours donated by our support crew. Without ticket sales and a sizeable infusion from fund-raising, productions cannot break even. Thus, CMT feels it is reasonable to require all cast members to contribute ten hours toward the production (e.g.: set construction and painting, fund-raising, other). All Cast members are encouraged to own steel toed shoes to promote a safe work environment while you work in the Tannery and at Load-In.

Fees

  • Clarkson Performing Membership Fees $40 Single Membership / $50 Family Membership
  • There is also a $15 fee to help defray the cost of printed materials. A Binder will be included with your script.

Auditions

  • Auditions are by appointment May 28, 29 and 30 available from 7 pm to 10:30 pm
  • Book youraudition by emailing after April 1st, 2018

Audition Requirements

  • 5 minute time slots booked from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.at Christ Church.
  • Candidates should prepare one verse and one chorus–preferablyanyclassic music theatresong (in the style of Berlin, Lerner and Loewe, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Porter).Whatever you choose, please select a song appropriate for the role which interests you. Bring accompanist’s music double sided, suitably bound in a binder.
  • You may be asked to do a cold readingat your audition– show us your Cockney and high British accents.
  • All Candidates will be required to participate in one of two 20 minute movement workshopsoffered from 7:40 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 8:40 pm to 9 p.m. on the evening of their audition. Please come dressed appropriately. Auditions will be booked around these workshop times. Plan to attend the workshop time closest to your audition time.
  • The Dance Corps will be identified at the Dance Workshop.

The CallBack June 2 - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.@ Christ Church

  • Successful candidates will be invitedon Thursday May 31via emailto attend the Call Back on Saturday, June 2.
  • Call backs will be private and only involve the audition panel and the finalists involved.
  • Finalists will sing a proscribed selection for your character from “My Fair Lady” (required titles will be sent to the candidates with their Call Back invitation).
  • Candidates will also perform cold readings partnered with various partners.
  • Please note that candidates may be cast in a role without a call back.
  • Successful candidates will be invited to accept their roles on or about June 2-4.

The Cast Breakdown

The Ideal Castwill be 35 members strong, with strong vocals, ranges evenly split SATB.

The Ensemble

  • All cast members, including Clarkson members in good standing, will be required to audition.
  • There are many featured roles in “My Fair Lady”. Ensemble who would like to be considered for any of the featured roles in “My Fair Lady” should indicate as such on their audition sheet.
  • Participants must be able to negotiate the stairs at Meadowvale and be able to move well. We cannot guarantee dressing rooms on the main level.

ENSEMBLE: Bartender, Harry**, Jamie***, Mrs. Hopkins, Professor Karpathy, Bystander, Cockneys, Butler, Footman, Lord Boxington, Lady Boxington, Mrs. Eynsford –Hill, Maids and Servants *** (Strong SATB required in Ensemble) (*** = Featured singing role)

The Dance Corps: 6-8 dancers

7 DEDICATED PRINCIPALS

Eliza DoolittleA cockney flower girl working outside Covent Garden. Strong willed. Must move well. Mezzo Soprano with a belt. Age 20 to 30s

Henry Higgins A world-renowned phonetics expert of the upper class British society. Arrogant and self absorbed. Must move well. Baritone. Candidate must sing well. Age 35 to 50

Colonel PickeringRetired British officer and author. Friends with Higgins and a fellow phonetics enthusiast. Bass Baritone. Age 40 to 70.

Freddy Eynsford HillUpper class young man who becomes completely smitten with Eliza.

Tenor. Age 20 to 30

Alfred P DoolittleEliza’s boisterous and charismatic Cockney father who works as a dustman Strong Dancer. High Baritone. Age 50 to 60’s

Mrs. PearceHenry Higgins’ housekeeper. Alto. Age 40 to 60

Mrs. HigginsHenry’s long-suffering mother. Age 60 to 70.

Performance Numbers

Act One:

  1. Overture
  2. Why Can’t the EnglishHiggins
  3. Wouldn’t It be Loverly?Eliza and Select Ensemble
  4. With a Little Bit of luckDoolittle, Harry, James
  5. I’m an Ordinary ManHiggins
  6. Reprise Little BitDoolittle and Ensemble
  7. Just You WaitEliza
  8. Servants ChorusServant chorus
  9. Rain in SpainHiggins, Eliza, Pickering
  10. I Could Have Danced All NightEliza, Mrs. Pearce, Maids
  11. Ascot GavotteFull Ensemble
  12. On The Street Where You LiveFreddy
  13. Promenade and WaltzEnsemble

Act Two:

  1. You Did ItHiggins, Pickering, Mrs. Pearce, Servants
  2. Just you Wait repriseEliza
  3. Reprise Street where you liveFreddy
  4. Show MeEliza, Freddy
  5. Flower MarketEliza and Cockney men
  6. Get me to the ChurchDoolittle and Ensemble
  7. Hymn to HimHiggins
  8. Without YouHiggins, Eliza
  9. I’ve Grown AccustomedHiggins
  10. Curtain CallCast

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN CMT’S MY FAIR LADY. SEE YOU AT AUDITIONS!!!