Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman Music by Alan Menken
?????? Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screenplay by Charles Griffith. Originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Kyle Renick, Producing Director) Originally produced at the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization
Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia)
CASTING BRIEF
GASWORKS THEATRE
Albert Park, Melbourne
April 25 – May 11, 2024
The Producer & Creative Teams are committed to upholding the values of diversity and inclusivity by creating a safe and supporting space during auditions, the rehearsal period and production performances. They believe in promoting representation on and off stage and encourage individuals from a diverse mix of races, gender identities/expressions and neurodiversity to audition for all roles.
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SYNOPSIS
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is a darkly comedic musical that follows the tale of Seymour Krelborn, a meek and downtrodden flower shop assistant who makes the ultimate deal with the Devil that leads to dire consequences. After discovering a mysterious and exotic plant, he quickly learns that ‘Audrey II’ is far more insidious than he first realised
Come to the dark, neon-soaked streets of Skid Row in this of an Off-Broadway record smash that has leapt meteorically from cult classic to beloved theatrical phenomenon. This fresh and gritty adaptation puts human behaviour under the microscope and depicts a society on the brink of collapse, where survival means making decisions you never thought you’d have to make.
Exploring themes of ambition, manipulation and the choices we make when we are desperate, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is a carnivorous adventure you won’t want to leaf behind!
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PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Quirky Productions
​Director: James Cutler
Musical Director: Katie Weston
Choreographer: Tamara Finch & James Rooney
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Lighting Designer: Jason Bovaird
Sound Designer: Marcello Lo Ricco
Costume Designer: Luke Taylor
Set Designer: Stuart Dodge
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QUIRKY PRODUCTIONS
Quirky Productions is an independent theatrical company committed to generating work for the immensely talented people they have met in their many years of producing, directing and choreographing theatre. At the same time producing high quality, affordable entertainment for its audiences.
In 2008, Tamara and James began Quirky Productions to create opportunities not just for onstage talent, but for people with skills in all areas of theatrical productions. Quirky offers opportunities for directors, musical directors, choreographers, designers, and technical personnel to work side-by-side and to share the creative experience. They also look to cast some of Australia’s headline theatre performers, in order to pass on their knowledge to performers from Melbourne’s flourishing Musical Theatre scene. Working with the best in the business and paying a fee to all cast and production personnel is a vital aspect of Quirky Productions
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OUR DIRECTOR - James Cutler
James has worked extensively throughout Australia and beyond as a director, performer, theatre-maker and educator. Having a Masters in Directing, James has directed musicals, opera, plays and immersive theatre. He worked as assistant to director Lonny Price on the English National Opera's production of Carousel. Other directorial credits include The Last Five Years, Parade, Sweeney Todd (Fed Uni), Gilligan's Island, The Australian premiere of In The Heights and Titanic (both with Stage Art) Side Show, Floyd Collins and Once On This Island (Octave). As a performer, James most notably performed in the Australasian tour of School of Rock the Musical, (ensemble, U/S Dewey Finn). He toured the world as Lead Soloist with Aida Cruises and Australia/New Zealand with 'California Dreaming' (JTM). Other performance credits include Birdboot in The Real Inspector Hound and Lady Bracknell in The Importance Of Being Earnest (Artefact Theatre), and Leo Frank in the Australian Premiere of Parade. James is passionate about musical theatre, immersive theatre, and creating fresh encounters with familiar works.
OUR MUSICAL DIRECTOR – Katie Weston
Katie Weston is a Melbourne based Singer, Actor, Musician and Composer. Her highly acclaimed, new Australian musical Bloom, with lyrics and book by Tom Gleisner, made box office records for Melbourne Theatre Company at Melbourne’s Arts Centre this year. Other original music theatre works include: Falling Forward and Sugartown. Weston is a Green Room Award nominated Musical Director and a two-time Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Award winning actress. Music Direction credits include: Legally Blonde (JTC) and RENT (JTC). Stage and screen credits include: Neighbours as Antonia Harmon (2023), Suddenly: A New Musical (Film - DHB Theatrical), Vivid White (Melbourne Theatre Company), The Last 5 Years (KWM) and as Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar (CLOC). Weston is also an in-demand frontwoman, vocalist and pianist for live and studio events, including fronting her touring powerhouse rock show Uninvited: The Songs of Alanis Morissette. As a recording artist, releases include her original rock EP Say The Word (2010) and her forthcoming EDM record, Conversation Ended. Qualifications include: Master of Music in Contemporary Voice/Music Theatre (Melb Uni), Bachelor of Music Composition (VCA), Adv.Cert in Contemporary Music (NMIT), Adv.Cert in Video Production (Open Channel), Post Grad Dip in Teaching (LaTrobe). She is currently Head of Music at Leibler Yavneh College and operates Katie Weston Music, Australia. Weston is proudly represented by Ian White Management.
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KEY DATES
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Rehearsals: March - May 2024
Monday & Wednesday evenings - 7.30pm - 10.30pm
Sunday afternoons - 1pm - 5pm
Rehearsal Venue: Carlton North
Production Dates 2024
Production Week: Sunday 21 April - Wednesday 24 April
Performance Season: April 25, 26, 27, 28, May 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Performance Venue
GASWORKS THEATRE
Albert Park
Payment
All cast members will be paid a honorarium of $1,500
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AUDITION INFORMATION
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​All auditionees will be required to submit a video audition. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an in-person audition.
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First Round: VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
Closing date: Friday 27th October 11:59 AEDT
Submissions should include the following uploads:
• HEADSHOT (JPEG or PNG file, clearly labelled with the performer’s name)
• Current CV (in PDF format)
• Audition video - 2 songs & monologue
Please present two songs that showcase your vocal range, style and skill.
♫ 1 song in the style of Alan Menken: 32 bar cut, showing musical theatre and character storytelling.
No songs from Little Shop of Horrors.
♫ 1 song in the style of 80’s pop/rock/RnB:
• Audition dialogue - Please record & submit from the Audition Character Monologues
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Audio requirements on video:
• Please play an instrumental or piano accompaniment in the background while you sing your songs. No a cappella.
• Please make sure the level of the backing track is not higher than the level of your vocals
• No reverb or effects to be used. Raw video audio only.
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Filming hints:
• Avoid looking directly at the camera or in complete profile to the camera unless told otherwise. Eyeline just off camera is great.
• Keep the camera steady and avoid zooming in and out. Best to keep the frame still and in a mid-shot (chest and head) unless told otherwise.
• Please avoid filming in front of a window.
• If you use smartphone to record, ensure that it is landscape, not portrait.
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If you are successful in securing a second-round audition, you will be notified and dialogue & music will be forwarded to you.
Second-Round: IN-PERSON AUDITIONS
Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th November, 2023: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Sunday 12th November, 2023: 1:00pm – 5:00
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DANCE CALL & CALLBACKS
Sunday 19th November, 2023: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Auditionees who are invited to the callback will be sent dialogue & music
specific for characters they are called back for
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CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
AUDREY
Female identifying
Age 18+
Vocal range - top: D5 / bottom: G#3
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This actor needs to be okay with having simulated violence performed against them.
The actress playing Audrey should defy the conventional portrayals associated with the role and present a woman who embodies the complexities and beauty of a real-life individual. There’s more grit to Audrey that we often see.
From a humble working class background, Audrey has a tough exterior and has been battered by life’s challenges. Although she may be rough on the outside, her beauty emanates from within. Strength and sincerity are central to who she is; an eternal optimist. Far from a caricature, realism is key here.
Speaks with a working-class New York accent
(eg Brooklyn, The Bronx,
SEYMOUR
Any ethnicity, male identifying
Age 18+
Vocal range top: G4 / bottom: A2
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There is no set ‘look’ for this character, and any performer is encouraged to present for this role if they feel they can embody their own version of The Everyman Hero. Actors interested in this role should lean into the realism of the character, but still find the comedic beats.
A withdrawn and unassuming underdog driven by desperation and longing for escape. Unremarkable on the surface, he is genuinely good-hearted but finds himself caught between ambition and the consequences of a fateful decision. Throughout the story, Seymour grapples with his conscience, ultimately revealing his inner strength and determination.
Speaks with a working class New York accent
(eg Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens).
THE STREET URCHINS:
Ronnette, Crystal & Chiffon
We strongly encourage BIPOC performers (including Black/Blak/peoples) to apply for these roles.
Any age 18+
Vocal range top: F5 / bottom: Ab3
VOCAL NOTE: (Katie Weston to write this - this is what I wrote until she can write it)
We are interested in different vocal styles and encourage people who come from alternative vocal backgrounds such as pop, R&B, rock, jazz and soul. As always, vocal blend is crucial as these three work very closely throughout
Ronnette, Crystal and Chiffon are sassy Skid Row locals who embody resilience, street smarts, and a shared understanding of life's struggles. As Greek Chorus they narrate the events of the story through fierce dance moves and bucketloads of personality.
Note about casting the Urchins:
We will be breaking free from the traditional combination of three females and are open to all gender identities and expressions for these pivotal characters. The dynamic trio offers an exciting opportunity for performers to push boundaries, challenge conventions and leave a truly lasting impact. May be suited to a professional or aspiring drag artist. Performers auditioning for these roles are encouraged to explore strong choices that will leave an indelible mark on the production.
MUSHNIK
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Could be played by a male or a female.
Age: middle aged/elderly
Vocal range top: F4 / bottom: G2
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An irritable, middle-aged Jewish New Yorker, Mushnik experiences the hopelessness of Skid Row head-on as owner of a failing flower shop. Initially with a gruff, beaten-down demeanour, Mushnik grows opportunistic and greedy when he begins to see Seymour as a means to salvage the struggling business. The performer in this role must embrace realism but still find the comic beats. Be aware this is quite a physical role.
ORIN SCRIVELLO, D.D.S,
+ additional cameos
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male identifying
Age: 25+
Vocal range top: G4 / bottom: G2
The abusive, egotistical dentist who is Audrey’s boyfriend. He is boastful, loud and obnoxious, with a sadistic personality that rivals Hannibal Lecter. His fondness for nitrous oxide proves to be his undoing. Must be okay with simulated violence against a woman. Also plays a range of other roles including a Customer, characters in the song ‘The Meek Shall Inherit’ and Patrick Martin.
AUDREY II (The Plant)
Vocal range top: G4 / bottom: G2
Seymour’s newest plant who becomes an overnight sensation. An ‘anthropomorphic cross between a Venus flytrap and an avocado’ with a huge appetite for human flesh
AUDREY II - Puppeteer
Age: 20+
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The puppeteer will handle multiple sizes of puppet and is required on stage for much of the show. and sing in the song ‘Skid Row’ as a Wino.
The performer should have puppetry experience and be physically able for this demanding role, working in sync with the voice of Audrey.
Should you have questions, please email info@quirkyproductions.com
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