Bye Bye Birdie and Yours, Truly Auditions

Auditions will be Saturday, December 21st from 12p-4p.  Please pick an audition time below.  Auditions are free and walk-ins are always welcome!

Final Casting Calls will be made starting Thursday, December 26th.

For questions please contact Cole Butcher, Production Stage Manager, 239-434-7340 ext. 125 or [email protected].

Bye Bye Birdie
Cast: 6 Women (20’s–60’s), 5 Men (20’s–60’s), 2 Boy (10–18), 2 Girls (15–18), Additional Adult and Teen Ensemble w/ featured roles
Rehearsal Begins: Monday, January 13th @ 7:00pm
Performances: Wednesdays-Sundays, March 4th-April 5th
**Sensory Friendly performance on Tuesday, April 10th**

For full list of rehearsals, techs, and performances click here: Bye Bye Birdie Audition Conflict Sheet

For Sides click here: Bye Bye Birdie Sides

Yours, Truly
Cast: 1 Women (40-60’s), 2 Men (40’s–60’s)

For full list of Artis rehearsals & performances, and TNP rehearsals, tech, and Performances click here:  Yours, Truly Audition Conflict Sheet

CONCERT VERSION Rehearsal Begins: Tuesday, April 14th @ 7:00pm
CONCERT Performances: April 26th, 2020 @ 5:00pm and 7:30pm at Artis-Naples’ Daniels Pavilion

FULL VERSION Rehearsal Begins: Monday, September 7th @ 7:00pm
FULL Performances: Wednesdays-Sundays, October 20th to November 22nd in the Tobye Studio

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN  

LEE KELSON:   Actor should be in 50s or 60s, capable of suggesting a range of ages.  The Romantic Baritone.  A triple threat plays piano, sings like a dream and tells jokes like an MC.  Often called The Ghost of Russ Columbo, he kept his dreamboat looks into old age with an energy that was eternally youthful, but now and then haunted by what’s been lost.

ANNETTE KELSON:  A WOMAN in her early 80s.  Cast younger to suggest a range of ages.  This ex-showgirl looks great in a simple housedress, has aged well, keeping her dancer legs.  A mix of fire and ice, a wry sense of humor, a withering deadpan, she can stand up for herself and doesn’t need many words to do it.  Smart! Actor should be able to sing and dance.

GARY KELSON:  The son, a MAN late 50s, athletic.  He still holds himself like a ballplayer, talks and tells jokes like a salesman and has the controlled energy, intense concentration and wound-tight emotional core of a great baseball pitcher which he once was.  At times, also haunted by what’s been lost; a comparable trait he shares with his father. This show may feature the TRUE Gary Kelson in this role.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Directly from the era of jazz comes a new cabaret-style musical featuring the music of Lee Kelson – a singer with the Glenn Miller Modernaires. Uncovering original Songs with a Cole Porter/Sondheim kick, this musical is inspired by the true story of Lee and Annette Kelson, who sacrificed the spotlight for their son – a sacrifice that was only truly discovered upon Lee’s passing. Full of witty retort and nostalgia, Lee and Annette are returned to the spotlight by the love of their son Gary. Co-Written by Naples resident Gary Kelson, based on his family’s story, this musical is a regional premiere production.

Auditioners are asked to prepare a style appropriate (Cole Porter, Sondheim) singing standard, with sheet music, for the audition.