Auditions
About GVT
Greenbrier Valley Theatre, the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, is located in the “Coolest Small Town in America” Lewisburg, WV. GVT aims to create live, professional theatre in West Virginia and to enlighten, enrich, and enliven the life of our Region through the arts. GVT is committed to building a company-wide culture that highlights the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We aim to prioritize these practices in the operation of our institution. We firmly believe that everyone has a story worth telling. We value diverse life experiences, heritages, and are dedicated to a non-discrimination policy without regard to age, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religious beliefs, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, political persuasion, or beliefs. GVT is dedicated to equitable treatment for all to ensure that artists, staff, volunteers, students, guests, and patrons feel welcomed.
Preparation:
In-person auditions are now closed. If interested in a part in an upcoming show, please self-tape 32 bars of a song and a monologue to auditions@gvtheatre.org.
Words and Music By Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil Book By Douglas McGrath
CAROLE KING- Must believably play ages 16-29. Female identifying. An aspiring singer/songwriter. A unique, appealing, funny, and vulnerable girl from a Jewish family in Brooklyn. Talented, good-natured, unassuming, and often the peacemaker in difficult situations. A reluctant star with no pretense and a passion for music. Must be able to play the piano.
GERRY GOFFIN- Must believably play late teens-late 20s. Baritone/tenor. Male identifying. Carole’s boyfriend, songwriting partner, and eventual husband. Innately sympathetic, wounded, and tortured. An ambitious artist always striving for more.
CYNTHIA WEIL- Must believably play late teens-late 20s. Strong belt. Female identifying. A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with Barry. Carole’s best friend. She is sophisticated, smart & chic with a quick wit. Although self-confident and sarcastic, she is also extremely likable.
BARRY MANN- Must believably play late teens-late 20s. Male Identifying High rock tenor. A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with Cynthia. He is good-natured, appealing & neurotic. Ambitious, but likable. Piano & Guitar skill a plus.
DON KIRSCHNER- 40’s-60’s. Male Identifying. Seeking a strong actor. This is a non singing role. An influential music publisher and producer. He is a fast-talking, energetic force of nature. Powerful, direct & sometimes intimidating, but he has a real affinity for his writers and artists. A hitmaker.
GENIE KLEIN- 40’s to 60’s. Female Identifying. Normally a Non-Singing Role. Carole’s Jewish mother. Once an aspiring playwright, she has been broken down by life & her husband’s infidelity. Protective of Carole and unforgiving of her husband’s mistakes.
BETTY/ENSEMBLE- (Plays 18 (reads younger), Female identifying) Normally a Non-Singing Role / Alto. Carole’s childhood friend.
NEIL SEDAKA / RIGHTEOUS BROTHER / LOU ADLER / ENSEMBLE- (18 to 30, male identifying) Vocal Range: Baritone / Tenor. Singer-Songwriter / Righteous Brother / Record Producer.
GENE VINCENT (GUY) / RIGHTEOUS BROTHER / NICK / ENSEMBLE- (18 to 30, male identifying) Vocal Range: Baritone / Tenor. Righteous Brother / A composite of Carole’s second husband Charles Larkey and James Taylor
MARILYN WALD / ENSEMBLE- (plays 18 to 20s, Female identifying) Vocal Range: C5. A singer based on Marilyn Powell, the first girl singer to record a cover of a Beatles track when only 15.
THE DRIFTERS- (plays 16-30’s,A black male singing group comprising four members) Vocal Range Bass – Tenor. The Drifters sang many of Carole’s, Gerry’s, Cynthia’s, and Barry’s early hits. Members drifted in and out and many of these formed other groups of Drifters as well. Songs: Some Kind of Wonderful, Up on the Roof, On Broadway, The Locomotion.
LEAD DRIFTER / ENSEMBLE- Vocal Range: A4 (Belt) / Eb5 (Falsetto). Male identifying.
BACK-UP DRIFTER / ENSEMBLE- Vocal Range: Up to C5. Male identifying.
BACK-UP DRIFTER / ENSEMBLE- Vocal Range: Up to C5. Male identifying.
BACK-UP DRIFTER / ENSEMBLE- Vocal Range: Up to C5. Male identifying.
THE SHIRELLES- (plays 16 to 30s,A black female singing group comprising four members) All have belt/mix. A historical mashup of The Chiffons, The Crystals, and The Cookies. The Shirelles sang many of Carole’s and Gerry’s early hits. The Shirelles formed in Passaic, New Jersey in 1957. They consisted of schoolmates Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Addie “Micki” Harris, and Beverly Lee.
LUCILLE (DON KIRSCHNER’S SECRETARY) / SHIRELLE / ENSEMBLE- (plays 16 to 30s) Vocal Range: Alto.
JANELLE WOODS / SHIRELLE / ENSEMBLE- (plays 18-20s, female identifying) She and Gerry begin having an affair. Janelle is based on Earl-Jean Reavis (McCrea) of The Cookies who had a child with Gerry while married to Carole. Vocal Range: D5.
LITTLE EVA / SHIRELLE / ENSEMBLE- (plays 18-20s, female identifying) A babysitter for Carole; Gerry performs one of Carole’s and Gerry’s hits.Vocal Range: E5
UPTOWN GIRL/ SHIRELLE / ENSEMBLE- (plays 18 to 20s, female identifying) Vocal Range: D5
MALE IDENTIFYING ENSEMBLE:
Except for the Principles, the Ensemble play the rest of the characters. All will be required to sing, move, and simulate playing instruments. Age: 18 to 30s. Vocal Range: SATB. Understudies will be cast from the ENSEMBLE.
FEMALE IDENTIFYING ENSEMBLE:
Except for the Principles, the Ensemble play the rest of the characters. All will be required to sing, move, and simulate playing instruments. Age: 18 to 30s. Vocal Range: SATB. Understudies will be cast from the ENSEMBLE.
LITTLE BIG MAN/COMIC (LBM)/ OPRY COMIC / VEGAS COMIC / CARNEGIE
HALL COMIC: These characters can be played either by one actor, or a combination of actors depending on availability and preference.
As LBM: A mid-age southern, warm, friendly, and funny small town disc jockey, does announcer gigs and comedy routines on the local scene as well. As Opry Comic: Old country humour. Comedy routine provided. As Vegas Act: Henny Youngman style of lounge comedy popular in Vegas showrooms of the 50’s and 60’s. Comedy routine provided. Choice of Las Vegas Novelty act (plate juggler, dog act, comic, etc) can be used as alternative in this spot as well.
Also plays Carnegie Hall Comic.
PATSY: She matures throughout the evening and is definitely able to handle a crowd with a song. Glamorous, down-to-earth, outspoken, loves to sing, generous, warm-hearted, with a gifted voice.
JORDANAIRES: A Gospel quartet, they do back up vocals for Patsy, singing commercials as well as their own spot in both acts. They tour with Patsy.
Music By Chris Miller Lyrics by Nathan Tysen Book By Mariana Elder (as listed by MTI)
Pete (plays 13-16, Male Identifying) Jake's younger brother. Intense and very imaginative. He is skeptical of the coal mining industry. Curious and adventurous. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: B2
Jake (plays 18-21, Male Identifying) Pete's older brother who dropped out of school to work in the mines. He is constantly suppressing his anger. Cynical, conflicted, jaded, determined. Vocal range top: G#5 Vocal range bottom: C4
Dusty (plays 13-16, male identifying) Pete's best friend. A simple-minded teen who is weary of Pete's adventures. Generally amiable, loves to talk. Religious. Vocal range top: A6 Vocal range bottom: D4
Chet (plays 18-21, male identifying) Jake's best friend and co-worker in the mines. An outgoing guy, but a bit of a wise-ass. Stubborn, loyal. Vocal range top: D6 Vocal range bottom: D4
Frances (plays 13-16, female identifying) A feisty runaway living in the hills. She has a dry wit and short temper. Brave, confident, controlling. Vocal range top: C6 Vocal range bottom: G3
Dad / Pete's Fantasy Men (30-45, male identifying) Appears as Pete's "Alamo" fantasies (Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie), and as his father in the mines. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: B2
Dead Miners A group of four men, ranging in age, who appear as ghosts in the coal mines. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: E2. Looking for actor/musicians for these roles. (Guitar, upright bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, lap-steel guitar)
By Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon (as written in script)
MARY BENNET—(20, female identifying) Finally coming in to her own, she is no longer the plain, boring girl she once was. She has a fire in her now. She is intelligent, curious, and lively, but her family only sees her as a future spinster. She does not suffer fools. She wants to live.
ARTHUR de BOURGH—(25, male identifying) A studious, unsociable only child who has never been around women or large families. He is a loner who prefers books to people. He has recently inherited a large estate and has no idea what to do next.
ELIZABETH DARCY—(22, female identifying) married to Mr. Darcy. Confident, charming, and witty. She makes a fun and surprising lady of the house. She is best friends with her sister Jane.
FITZWILLIAM DARCY—(30, male identifying) A loving, generous, and smart (if slightly stiff) husband. He is quiet and vigilant and thus sees what others often miss. He knows what being lovelorn is like.
JANE BINGLEY—(24, female identifying) married to Mr. Bingley. She is seven months pregnant with her first child and is sweet and optimistic as ever. The kindest heart in the house.
CHARLES BINGLEY—(25, male identifying) Gracious, happy, and ever focused on the love of his life, Jane. A good friend and always ready with a smile.
LYDIA WICKHAM—(17, female identifying) Flirtatious, youthful, self-centered. Her marriage to Mr. Wickham is a sham but she will not admit this. She is the person you want to have at your party: energetic, engaging, unstoppable.
ANNE de BOURGH—(20s, female identifying) Only daughter of the late Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lived in her mother’s very large shadow, never having to ask for anything or speak for herself her entire life. Judgmental and impatient, just like her mother.