Arts & Entertainment
OPEN AUDITIONS FOR
The Pirates of Penzance
Auditions will be held by video submission only.
Please provide two contrasting songs: one comedic, one ballad (minimum 32 bars, maximum one verse, chorus, bridge, chorus) that show off your range and acting abilities.
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For submission, please click the link below!
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If you have any question, please email us at nenaproductionstheaterproject@gmail.com
Submissions must be uploaded no later than Friday, January 10, 2025.
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Performances will take place March 6, 7, 8, 9, 2025 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, NJ.
SYNOPSIS
Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular show, The Pirates of Penzance, is a rollicking, delightfully funny tale of a band of soft-tempered pirates. Mistakenly apprenticed to a pirate (instead of a pilot) by his nursemaid Ruth at the age of eight, the handsome Frederic is now twenty-one and, though quite fond of the group of joyous and fun-loving pirates, chooses to abandon his profession and “lead a blameless life henceforth,” dedicating himself instead to their eradication. Shortly after leaving them, he encounters a gaggle of beautiful maidens (one of whom, Mabel, steals his heart) and their father, the eccentric Major-General. The whole group has a run-in with the pirates themselves before escaping on the false premise that the Major-General is an orphan -- a fact these tenderhearted pirates simply cannot help but take into account, given the fact that the majority of them are orphans themselves and “know what it’s like.” Just as Frederic is ready to lead a band of lily-livered policemen to take out the Pirate King and his men, a secret is uncovered that will change his fate forever, but, naturally, all comes out right in the end. Beloved since its premiere in 1879, The Pirates of Penzance (or The Slave of Duty) is a delightful farce of a classic that is fun for all ages.
Character Descriptions
The Pirate King: Swashbuckling, athletic, sexy -leader of the Pirates of Penzance. 30+
Baritone
Major-General Stanley: Personifies “dignified respectability.” Quirky. 60s+ Baritone or Tenor.Must be able to sing patter song –needs excellent diction.
Mabel: Young and beautiful. One of Major-General Stanley’s daughters. A bit of a diva, but sweet and funny. 25+. Lyric soprano (Range is two octaves up fromC4, i.e., C4 to C6, but with extra top notes)
Frederic: The Pirate Apprentice. Young, handsome, and genuine. For him, duty is before all. Early 20s (Age 21 per script). High Tenor
Ruth: She is a proper English nanny, who later joins the pirate ranks. 40s or 50s (Age 47 per script). Mezzo or Contralto–sings up to F#.
Sergeant of Police: Obeys his duty and the law, but is a coward at heart. 40s-60s Bass or Baritone.
Samuel: The Pirate King’s right hand man and Lieutenant, earnest and simple minded. Baritone, Bass, or Tenor.
Edith: One of Major-General Stanley’s daughters. 20 to early 30s. Soprano.
Kate: One of Major-General Stanley’s daughters. 20 to early 30s. Mezzo-soprano.
Isabel: One of Major-General Stanley’s daughters. 20 to early 30s. Soprano.
Chorus of Daughters-Teens, 20s to 30s. Sopranos, Sopranos 2, Mezzos, Altos, Contraltos
Chorus of Pirates–All Ages. Baritones, Tenors, Basses, or Altos
Chorus of Constables–Adults all ages. Basses, Baritones, Tenors, or Altos