Manoa Valley Theatre

DESPERATE MEASURES, A Wild West musical comedy by David Friedman and Peter Kellogg.

M?noa Valley Theatre

Director/Choreographer – Miles Phillips

Music Director – Jenny Shiroma

AUDITIONS - By Appointment Only

Sunday, November 14th – 2:00 - 5:00 PM

Monday, November 15th – 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Auditions will be held at M?noa Valley Theatre. Please call the office to make an audition appointment: 808-988-6131

Due to the close proximity of the cast, everyone must be fully vaccinated to be cast in this production. Please bring proof of full vaccination to auditions.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

When the dangerously handsome Johnny Blood’s life is on the line, he must put his fate into the hands of a colorful cast of characters including a mysterious Sheriff, an eccentric Priest, an authoritarian Governor, a Saloon Girl gone good, and his sister the "Sister."

In a world where "justice never was too just" can his friends band together and pull off the greatest caper yet, or will Johnny be left hanging? This witty and wild new musical comedy takes the Bard’s "Measure for Measure" whittles it down to 6 central characters, throws in a glorious score, a LOT of comedy (both physical and verbal (in rhyming couplets no less), then really shakes things up by setting it in 1890s Arizona territory.

– Winner: 2018 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Off-Broadway Musical, and the Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:

Rehearsals begin November 18th.

General Rehearsal Schedule is Monday-Friday 6:30-9:30. Weekends will be added once technical and dress rehearsals begin.

The show opens January 13th and runs through January 30th, with likely extensions through February 13th. Cast must be available for the entire run.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Most of the Desperate Measures cast is continuing from the initial production, which was postponed the night before Covid lockdown. The principal roles have been filled by the returning

cast. We are specifically looking for versatile singing actors and dancers to complete the ENSEMBLE who, in addition to their performance in the show, will actively understudy and rehearse to step in for the leads should the need arise.

ENSEMBLE: 6 versatile singing actors (3 Men & 3 Women) who cover the principal roles as well as play various characters ("Big Swede," "Dream Johnny," "Dream Bella," Nuns, Saloon Girls, Clerks, Bartenders, Cowboys, Navajos, Prospectors, etc.) throughout the show. Some dance, great voices required.

UNDERSTUDY ROLES (cast from the ENSEMBLE):

JOHNNY BLOOD: A hot-headed young cowboy; 21-25; Country-and-Western style Tenor with

a solid G, optional B. Moves well. Any ethnicity.

FATHER MORSE: Franciscan priest; Irish; 40s to 60s; Baritone.

SHERIFF MARTIN GREEN: Mid-to-late 30s; Baritone up to an F. Any ethnicity.

SUSANNA AKA SISTER MARY JO: A novice nun and Johnny’s sister; 19-22; Legit soprano with belt mix. Up to a G. Some dancing. Any ethnicity.

GOVERNOR VON RICHTERHENKENPFLICHTGETRUBER: German; 40s or 50s; Baritone

with low A. Some dancing.

BELLA ROSE: A saloon girl in love with Johnny; 23-28; High belt up to an E. Some dancing. Any ethnicity.

Note: We are interested in casting roles with actors of any ethnicity. The more diverse the

better!

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Prepare 2 brief (1 minute) songs (1 ballad, 1 uptempo) in the style of the show. Songs from the show are absolutely welcome. You will most likely only be asked to sing one song, so start with the song that best shows your suitability for the show or a specific role.

An accompanist will be provided. Sheet music must be in your key. No transposing on sight, no a capella singing, no recorded accompaniment.

Harmonica skills are a plus for one cast member. If you play well, please point that out on your audition sheet and bring along your harmonica.

Callbacks will be held by invitation within a day or two following the auditions.

Dance/Movement will be included in the callbacks. When called back, sides and character specific songs from the show will be assigned. So familiarize yourself with the score in advance.

The Original Cast Recording of Desperate Measures is available on Amazon, iTunes, and YouTube, to name a few.

A perusal copy of Desperate Measures will be kept in the administration office at MVT, for reading/research during business hours.