OPEN AUDITIONS FOR SHE LOVES ME

AUDITION DATES:
Sunday, July 26 at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m.

PRODUCTION:
Book by Joe Masteroff , Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Directed by Richard K. Stoodley, Music Direction by John Krause, Choreography by Trevor Jones

PLAY SYNOPSIS:
She Loves Me is a classic, romantic musical comedy about two feuding perfume clerks in 1930s Budapest who intensely dislike each other. Unbeknownst to them, they are each other’s secret "Dear Friend" pen pal, having fallen in love entirely through anonymous letters. 

The heartwarming story explores several engaging elements:

• The plot: Amalia Balash and Georg Nowack are constantly clashing while working at Maraczek's Parfumerie. Meanwhile, outside of work, both find comfort and romance responding to "lonely hearts" newspaper ads and writing to their mystery admirers. The audience gets to watch the comedy and tension unfold as Georg discovers his workplace rival is actually his dream pen pal, and sets out to win her heart. 

• With a charming, Golden Age score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (who also wrote Fiddler on the Roof) and a book by Joe Masteroff, it is known for its sweet, nostalgic, and emotional musical numbers

ROLES:

• Georg Nowack: 30s-60s - The store's assistant manager. He is shy, intelligent, and a hopeless romantic. He is secretly carrying on a passionate, anonymous correspondence with his "Dear Friend".

• Amalia Balash: 30s-60s - The newest sales clerk at the parfumerie. She is an engaging, well-read woman who is highly principled but can be nervous and headstrong. Unbeknownst to her, she is Georg's mystery pen pal.

• Mr Maraczek: 50s-70s - The genial but authoritative owner of Maraczek's Parfumerie. He values Georg but finds his life thrown into turmoil by suspicions regarding his wife's fidelity.

• Ilona Ritter: 30s-60s - An attractive, thirty-something sales clerk at the shop. She is outgoing and street-smart, but tends to get tangled up with the wrong men.

• Steven Kodaly: 30s-60s - A handsome, dapper, and sleek sales clerk. He is a well-liked employee but ultimately a shallow womanizer who takes advantage of women.

• Arpad Laszlo: 16-22 - The store's indefatigable, ambitious teenage delivery boy. He is sharp, eager to learn, and fully expects to own the parfumerie one day.

• Ladislav Sipos: 40s-70s - A fretful, middle-aged salesman with a family. He acts as a grounded friend, advisor, and peacemaker to Georg.

• Head Waiter: Any age, any gender - The snobby, easily irritated Maître D' at the Café Imperiale who despises disruptions to his establishment's romantic atmosphere.

• Busboy: 20s-40s - A clutzy, deeply comedic worker at the Café Imperiale prone to physical comedy and pratfalls.

PRINCIPAL ROLES VOCAL RANGES:

• Amalia Balash

  • Vocal Type: Legit Soprano

  • Vocal Range: \(C_4 - B_5\)

  • Notes: Demands a bright, soaring upper register with strong classical technique and dramatic control. 

• Georg Nowack

  • Vocal Type: Lyric Baritone

  • Vocal Range: \(B_2 - F_4\) (with some sources extending up to a \(B_{4}\))

  • Notes: Expressive and conversational, requiring warm, rich storytelling paired with great acting. 

• Ilona Ritter

  • Vocal Type: Mezzo-Soprano / Belt

  • Vocal Range: \(F\sharp_3 - E_5\)

  • Notes: A stylistic mix of musical theatre belt and operetta/legit, requiring excellent comedic timing. 

• Steven Kodaly

  • Vocal Type: High Baritone or Tenor

  • Vocal Range: \(B_2 - A_4\)

  • Notes: Requires a sharp, slick, and soaring voice to play the confident, shallow ladies' man. 

• Mr. Maraczek

  • Vocal Type: Baritone

  • Vocal Range: \(B_2 - C_4\)

  • Notes: Solid, weighty lower-to-mid range reflecting his commanding, paternal presence. 

• Ladislav Sipos

  • Vocal Type: Baritone

  • Vocal Range: \(A_2 - E_4\)

  • Notes: Character baritone role requiring warm phrasing and a very grounded, conversational sound. 

• Arpad Laszlo

  • Vocal Type: Tenor / High Baritone

  • Vocal Range: \(B\flat_2 - E_4\)

  • Notes: Youthful and energetic; demands an agile, bright, and charming voice. 

AUDITIONS - WHAT TO EXPECT:

• You should prepare a song of your choice that will best show off your voice ... in a style similar to the music of She Loves Me or any other contemporary musical theater piece. Accompaniment will be provided.

• Familiarize yourself with the music of She Loves Me, as you may be asked to sing from the score.

• You also may be asked to cold read scenes from the script, so be prepared to stay for the duration of whichever night you arrive. (It is not necessary to be at both nights.) Please arrive with loose-fitting clothing and solid footwear, as you will be asked to do some movement at the auditions. 

• If you are cast, rehearsals will begin the first week of September for most of the cast, with a few of the lead roles needed for a small snippet of entertainment from the show for Player's Season Preview on August 9th. (Don't worry if that date is unavailable for you; we will work with whoever is available and it won't affect if you are cast.)

• Players will be looking for an ensemble cast of around 10-12 people of mixed age and gender to represent customers, waiters, bus people, townsfolk, etc. There are a number of specialty vocal roles, which will be pulled from the ensemble members. This ensemble team will be very busy throughout the entirety of the show.

• Also...searching for a stage manager, and a prop person. You may express your interest in either attending one of the auditions, or by reaching out to the director or Players of Utica. 

PRODUCTION DATES:
October 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25.