Audition Notice: Merrily We Roll Along

Please include the following in your e-mail submission:.

1. Indicate preferred audition date and the character for which you would like to audition.

2. Folk auditioning for only ensemble should identify which principal role they would cover and will be asked to prepare the material for that role.

3. Please attach a current resume and headshot.

4. Pronouns.

5. For the role of Frank & Ensemble tracks - Indicate any ability to play piano & level of proficiency (ex. beginner, chords only, advanced, Grade 5 RCM, etc…) This is not a requirement for these roles.

Please note:

• Dry Cold Productions is committed to diversity and inclusion. The creative team will consider all submissions. Actors of any ethnicity, ability, identity, neurodiversity, or gender are encouraged to audition.

• In-person auditions will be granted at the discretion of the creative team. Only those selected for an audition will be contacted. For those who cannot attend, self-tape auditions will be considered.

• Only Manitoba residents or those with Winnipeg ties can be considered.

• Equity members cast in this production will be engaged under a CAEA ITA contract.

• Equity members will be given priority. Submissions by Non-Equity members are welcome.

• ***Proof of Vaccination & Booster Status must be attached with Audition Submission***

Audition Requirements

Actors will be asked to prepare character specific songs and sides from Merrily We Roll Along. Strong actor/singers & versatile, trained singers are encouraged to submit. An ability to move is an asset.

Dry Cold wants to see you at your absolute best so familiarity with the material is strongly advised. That said, feel free to hold the sides as they absolutely do not need to be memorized. An Accompanist will be provided. All audition material can be found at www.drycoldproductions.ca (see the bottom of this page) by Tuesday, October 31st, 2023.

About the Play

Based on George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s 1934 play, Merrily We Roll Along follows the successful career of Broadway composer turned Hollywood producer Franklin Shepard. Throughout the course of the show, during which time regresses from 1976 to 1957, we learn how Frank accomplished this - with the help of his best friends Charley (who authors the books and lyrics) and Mary (who is a writer in her own right and is always around for support and guidance). The trio of friends are inspired to become big players in American musical theatre and vow to “change the world” after witnessing the Russian Sputnik satellite orbiting the earth on a cold October night. Over time Franklin learns the genuine cost of fame and fortune as he alienates his beloved friends and family along the way. He gives up his original dreams for ones with more financial and fewer emotional benefits, ultimately realizing that he has left himself with nothing of any value. Dry Cold is thrilled to present the Manitoba Premiere of Merrily We Roll Along to Winnipeg audiences - a spirited, poignant, and moving cautionary tale for anyone who has ever pursued a dream.

Character Breakdown

The roles of Mary & Joe Josephson are on offer. All other roles are available.

As with most Sondheim shows, the creative team is excited to see strong actor/singers with an exceptional ability to interpret character.

Note on Ages: As the six lead roles decrease in age approximately 20 years over the course of the show, the creative team is seeking artists who can inhabit this range. Frank, Mary, Charlie, and Beth will be cast in a similar age range, while Gussie and Joe will read slightly older.

Franklin Shepherd

Handsome, charismatic, and charming, he is a mover and shaker. This composer turned Hollywood-producer barrels forward, climbing the ladder of success - leaving those who love him behind in the dust. He exudes suave confidence but is deeply sad and flawed.

Vocal Range: Tenor or Natural High Baritone
Range: A2 - Ab4
Male identifying, reads 25-45 yrs. old

Charley Kringas

Easily agitated and stubborn, he is passionate almost to a fault. Charley is a playwright more comfortable in his own artistic bubble than being out on the town doing the “business” of show business. He is constantly fighting for things to return to the way they were. Very principled and rarely budging, he can be quite a hothead.

Vocal Range: Tenor or Natural High Baritone
Range: A#2 - G#4
Male identifying, reads 25-45 yrs. old.

Mary Flynn (Cover Only & Ensemble)

A successful novelist-turned-critic she is hopelessly in love with Frank. An excessive personality, this sardonic softie goes from a caring, optimistic friend to an embittered alcoholic. Fiercely loyal and quietly reminiscent, Mary implores the boys to forget their differences and return to the good old days. She is their support system, always at the expense of her own well-being.

Vocal Range: Soprano with a strong mix – belt up to a Eb5 would be a plus but not a deal breaker
Range: G3 - Gb5
Female identifying, reads 25-45 yrs. old

Beth Spencer

Once a Midwestern hopeless romantic trying to make her way in NYC, she becomes the breadwinning wife of Frank who longs to settle down and live a “normal” life. She is quiet, sometime naïve, but strong. At the core of Beth is a set of strong, moral values that she holds on to very tightly – which is reflected in her unforgiving honesty. She is Frank’s champion.

Vocal Range: Soprano with a strong mix (A3 - G5)
Female identifying, reads 25-45 yrs. old

Gussie Carnegie

An unapologetically narcissistic Broadway star who absolutely thrives on attention. This “secretary turned star” is a climber - flamboyant to the point of insensitivity - empowered by her own ingenuity. She is massively talented and incredibly resourceful. She never changes herself, just the people around her. Gussie is ruled by her impulsive, insatiable, and often unattainable desires.

Vocal Range: Mezzo with a strong Broadway belt (G3 - C5)
Female identifying, reads 30-50 yrs. old

Joe Josephson (Cover Only & Ensemble)

A big-talking producer whose business-smarts are unparalleled in the commercial theatre. He smokes cigars. His marriage to Gussie castrates him, and when she leaves him, it sucks him dry. He ends up pathetically begging for a handout from his ex-wife.

Vocal Range: High Baritone Range: A2 - F#4
Male identifying, 40-60 yrs. Old

Franklin Shepard JR

Son of Beth and Frank. He has been kept from his father. Energetic, innocent, and eager to please.

Vocal Range: Unchanged voice (sings well & be able to hold a harmony)
Male identifying, 7-12 yrs. old.

Ensemble

Aside from the above listed roles Dry Cold requires an additional 4-5 versatile character actor/singers to play a variety of roles with solos and speaking parts. These actors will also serve as understudies for the principal roles.

Vocal Range: All voice types and any identity of varying ages - 18+

These Ensemble roles include: Jerome: Frank’s lawyer, KT: Ambitious TV personality, Meg Kincaid: Young starlet looking for success in LA, Ru: Aspiring screenwriter, Scotty: Frank’s hot shot agent, Frank’s Friends: Bunker, Dory, Terry, Tyler, Others: Judge, Photographer, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, Auditioner, Pianist, Roommate, Minister, TV Crew, Party-goers

Audition Sides

Ensemble

Music: Please prepare the "Opening Doors" full company cut (mm 231-End), as well as the musical material for the principal character you would potentially cover; see instructions for each principal character.

Sides: Please prepare sides for the principal character you would potentially cover; see instructions for each principal character. **You may be asked to cold read a very short secondary character scene in the audition**.

Franklin

Music: Please prepare the "Opening Doors" full company cut (mm. 231-End), as well as the "Growing Up" cut (mm. 49-65). If called back, we will ask you to prepare the "Our Time" cut (m. 45-End).

Sides: Frank Package – Frank #1 Side & Frank #2 & Charley Side

Charley

Music: Please prepare the "Opening Doors" full company cut (mm. 231-End), as well as the "Franklin Shepard Inc" cut (mm. 34-49). If called back, we will ask you to prepare the "Good Thing Going" cut (m. 19-End) and the "Our Time" cut (m. 45-End).

Sides: Charley Package - Charley & Mary Side & Frank #2 & Charley Side

Mary (Cover/Ensemble)

Music: Please prepare the "Opening Doors" full company cut (mm. 231-End), as well as the "Like It Was" cut (mm. 74-100). If called back, we will ask you to prepare the "Now You Know" cut (m. 175-End). 

Sides: Mary Package - Beth & Mary Side & Charley & Mary Side

Beth

Music: Please prepare the "Opening Doors" full company cut (mm. 231-End), as well as the "Not A Day Goes By" cut (m. 26-End). If called back, we will ask you to prepare the "It's A Hit" cut (mm. 73-93). 

Sides: Beth Package – Side #1 & Beth & Mary Side

Gussie

Music: Please prepare the "Opening Doors" full company cut (mm. 231-End), as well as the "Act 2 Opening" cut (mm. 21-36). If called back, we will ask you to prepare the "Growing Up" cut (mm. 20-37).

Sides: Gussie Package – Gussie #1 & Frank & Gussie

Joe (Cover/Ensemble)

Music: Please prepare the "Opening Doors" cut for Joe (mm. 112-145), not the full company version.

Sides: Joe Package - Side #1 & #2

Franklin JR

Music: Please prepare the "Opening Doors" full company cut (mm. 231-End), as well as a short song of your choice that shows your range.