AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT!
PAGEANT
Written by Bill Russell, Frank Kelly, Albert Evans
Directed by Matt Reher
Auditions: Monday, February 28th @ 6:00pm
Callbacks: Wednesday, March 2nd @ 7:00pm (if needed, by invitation only)
Performance Dates: May 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29
*PLEASE NOTE: IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP OUR ACTORS, CREW, AND STAFF SAFE, THE RITZ WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FROM ACTORS WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 AND HAVE RECEIVED AN APPROVED BOOSTER.*
The Ritz Theatre Company is currently seeking a diverse company of male-presenting artists for our upcoming production of PAGEANT. All roles are open, and all actors auditioning to be a contestant must sing well, walk/dance well in heels, and have strong comic timing.
For the audition, actors should prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. There will be no MP3 or a Capella singing allowed. In addition, please come prepared to dance and expect to stay until released.
THE STORY:
PAGEANT is a pageant that takes its shots not by mocking pageants, but by being one. Six women (played by male-presenting actors) vie for the title of Miss Glamouresse competing in evening gown, talent, swimwear, spokesmodeling, and answering calls from the Glamouresse Beauty Crisis Hotline. Each contestant is over-the-top but grounded in their own skewed reality. Judges are selected from the audience, and those judges vote and determine the winner each night. Every night is a different show!
THE CHARACTERS:
FRANKIE CAVALIER: (35-50, any ethnicity) Our genial host, and he loves that job! Frankie is a local third or fourth-tier celebrity, perhaps as a weekend weather-report reader or a spokesman for a used car dealership. Strong singer who moves well.
MISS BIBLE BELT: (18-35, any ethnicity) Ruth Ann Ruth believes that she, plus God, equals a majority in any situation. An unwavering belief in His Plan affords her a righteous attitude and manic cheerfulness. She’s the belter of the group. TALENT: Singing and playing handbells.
MISS DEEP SOUTH: (18-35, any ethnicity) As the resident Southern Belle, Laurinda Summerford has a very narrow and ritualized sense of “femininity” which is frequently outraged by the other contestants’ behavior and attitudes. TALENT: Singing and ventriloquism.
MISS GREAT PLAINS: (18-35, any ethnicity) Bonnie Louise Cutlett is over-rehearsed yet misses the mark. She is sincere in her admiration for Glamouresse, though some of the company’s beliefs seem quite exotic to her. She is honored to represent the heartland and its country folk. TALENT: Poetry.
MISS INDUSTRIAL NORTHEAST: (18-35, any ethnicity) Consuela Manuela Rafaella Lopez has charisma and a permanent smile on her face. Her talent has been gleaned from watching the variety show “Sabado Gigante” on Spanish television. TALENT: Roller-skating while playing the accordion (accordion can be faked).
MISS TEXAS KITTY: (18-35, any ethnicity) Kitty-Bob Ames is the professional of the group. Her mother and grandmother are previous Miss Glamouresse title holders. Her hair is big, and her confidence says “winner” all the way. TALENT: Tap dance.
MISS WEST COAST: (18-35, any ethnicity) Karma Quinn is sweet-natured, free-spirited, and possibly a member of a cult. This pageant is the most structed event of her entire life. TALENT: Modern/interpretive dance.
