Description:

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in downtown Arlington Heights, IL announces general auditions for My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra (Fall 2020), conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson, book by Todd Olson. My Way will be directed by Michael Mejia and musical direction by Ken McMullen. Seeking strong non-Equity adult actors/singers/dancers and actors/singers who move well. Particularly seeking BIPOC actors, who are strongly encouraged to audition.

Audition Dates:
Will be cast from the virtual audition submissions.

Pay:
Rehearsals - Flat fee
Show(s) - Per show pay
**Good pay

My Way Description:
My Way is an award winning musical revue featuring more than 50 songs recorded by 'Old Blue Eyes'. It is not an impersonation, but rather a classy tribute to Frank Sinatra's style, his era and some of the 20th century's most beautiful songs. It is set in a stylish nightclub and performed by four singers who each bring out a facet of Sinatra with their vocal style.

My Way Character Descriptions:
Man #1 - Male-identifying. Leader of the pack. Is the center of the party and able to guide the audience through the life of Sinatra with ease. Smooth, classy and wants all the attention. Man #1 should have a deep/rich strong velvety baritone voice in the Sinatra sound. Man #1 sings many of the Sinatra standards, so needs to have a feel for Sinatra's unusual phrasing and distinctive vocal style, but not an impersonation. Should be able to dance or at the very least move extremely well. Tap dance skills are a big plus as there are several tap/dance breaks, but tap is not essential to be cast.

Man #2 - Male-identifying. 1940's big band crooner. Should have a strong legit lyric baritone voice and be an excellent part singer. Sings up to a G. Listen to the Sinatra recordings with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra to understand that smooth easy vocal style. Man #2 should also have a natural and unaffected flair for comedy as he carries much of the show's humor and lighter moments. He spends much of the show trying to learn how to be "cool". Moves well. Tap dance skills are a big plus as there are several tap/dance breaks, but tap is not essential to be cast.

Woman #1 - Female-identifying. Represents the female-identifying version of Frank ("rat pack" period). She is classy, drips with style, and sophistication. Vocally she is a strong mezzo-soprano, who can also belt and has soprano capability. Her vocal style is based on great singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and Judy Garland. She sings through a wide range vocally and must also be a capable part singer. Should be able to dance or at the very least move extremely well. Tap dance skills are a big plus as there are several tap/dance breaks, but tap is not essential to be cast.

Woman #2 - Female-identifying. Energetic and youthful. She represents the era's leading actresses. Vocally this character needs to have a smooth liquid big band sound of the 40's. She is a mezzo-soprano but needs a strong soprano capability as well. She should be a capable part singer. Should be able to dance or at the very least move extremely well. Tap dance skills are a big plus as there are several tap/dance breaks, but tap is not essential to be cast.

Understudies - An understudy for each role will be hired as well.

Metropolis' Procedures
The health and safety of our artists, staff and patrons are our first priority. As such, symptom questionnaires and daily temperature checks will be required for artists and staff. Prior to in-person rehearsals, artists and staff will need to test negative for Covid-19. (Please note: Free local test sites are available locally). Additionally, our theatre, stage, dressing rooms, green room, bathrooms, and lobby have been disinfected and protected with an EPA and FDA registered antimicrobial coating. These sites will be cleaned daily. Our HVAC systems have been sanitized and upgraded to MERV 13 filtration levels. All performances will include social distancing of artists and mandatory masks for patrons in keeping with the State of Illinois guidelines. Artists will be separated from patrons behind an 8' tall plexiglass barrier with a distance of 14' to the first row of seats.

Metropolis' Policies
Metropolis PAC contracts prohibit discrimination. Metropolis PAC is committed to diversity and engages in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion and equity. As such, Metropolis PAC encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers of all abilities, to attend every audition.

Performance Location:
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
111 W. Campbell Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Time Commitment:
Rehearsals - Monday, August 10, 2020 - Monday, September 7, 2020: Weekly rehearsals include 7:00pm-10:00pm Mondays-Thursdays, 1:00pm-5:00pm Saturdays, and 6:00pm-10:00pm Sundays. There is a designated evening off each week. Understudy rehearsal Friday 9/25, 12:00pm-5:00pm. Please note that the plan is to hold initial rehearsals virtually.

Tech Week - Tuesday, September 8, 2020 - Wednesday, September 16, 2020: Actors with tech week conflicts will not be under consideration. Schedule is as follows: Tuesday 9/8-Thursday 9/10, 6:00pm-11:00pm; Sunday 9/13, 12:00pm-11:00pm; Monday 9/14-Wednesday 9/16, 6:00pm-11:00pm; Thursday 9/17-Friday 9/18, 3:00pm-5:30pm TBA; there are no rehearsals Friday 9/11-Saturday 9/12.

Previews & Performances - Thursday, September 17, 2020 - Saturday, October 31, 2020: Standard performance schedule includes 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; 3:00pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.

Material To Prepare:
To be considered for My Way, please prepare 16-32 bars of two songs in a jazz/blues big band style of the 1940s-1950s. Female-identifying actors' songs should highlight their full range. Also prepare a 1 minute comedic monologue. Also, please share a link to any dance footage and if a tapper, please include 16 counts of your tap skills.