Bradford Little Theatre is holding auditions for the production of the musical comedy “Bye, Bye Birdie.”
Auditions are scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 27, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 1; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 3 at Togi’s Playhouse at 18 Welch Ave. in Bradford.
Officials are looking to field a huge cast of more than 30 characters for the show scheduled for April 13-15 at the Bradford Area High School auditorium.
“Bye, Bye Birdie” revolves around rockstar Conrad Birdie, the biggest thing to top the charts. Women love him, men want to be him, and teenage girls scream at the mere mention of his name.
But when the United States Army drafts Birdie, manager Albert Peterson and his longtime love Rose Alvarez hatch a plan: Send Conrad to small-town America to plant a goodbye kiss on one lucky fan to be televised on live TV. Their selection of Kim MacAfee sends wholesome Sweet Apple, Ohio, into chaos. Kim’s boyfriend, Hugo, can’t take the humiliation, Rose can’t take another minute of Albert’s devotion to the music business, and Sweet Apple can’t take its teens’ riotous “Rock-n-Roll” rebellion.
“Bye Bye Birdie is a family show through and through,” co-director Dani Newman said. “Colorful, cute, and sweet, this classic includes some of the most famous songs in musical theater, including ‘Put On a Happy Face,’ ‘Kids’ and the lively number ‘A Lot of Livin’ to Do.’”
At the auditions, participants will be asked to read lines and sing a short vocal selection.
“If auditioning for a singing role, please come with a prepared number of your choosing on a media device,” BLT officials said. “If auditioning for a specific principal character, please also prepare a musical number sung by that character. Please wear comfortable clothing, as you will be asked to learn a small dance routine.”
Those auditioning must be at least 14 years old, unless auditioning for the role of Randolph, which is open to boys 10 and older.
“We have male and female lead roles, supporting and featured roles for adults and teens,” co-director David Merwine said. “There are spoken-only roles, dancing-only roles, comic roles, ensemble chorus roles that don’t require dancing, and more. If you don’t have time to rehearse more than once a week until close to show, we can still use you.”
BLT’s music direction will be by Shane Oschman.
A list of characters and more information about the show can be found at www.bradfordlittletheatre.org or on the group’s Facebook page.
