Chess the Musical Audition Announcement

AMERICAN COAST THEATER COMPANY

SEEKING VIRTUAL SUBMISSIONS FOR:

 

CHESS THE MUSICAL

A lightly staged Rock Opera Concert

By Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of the pop group ABBA, lyrics by Tim Rice

 

Rehearsal Dates: May 6 – June 5, 2024 at the Lyceum Theater in Costa Mesa.

Performance Dates: June 6 – 16. There is some pay for principles.

 

VIDEO SUBMISSION:

Please submit an upbeat rock opera song with proper belt or mixed vocal in respective range. Looking for rock tenors, baritones, basses, and soprano 1 & 2. All roles available. Songs from CHESS are encouraged. Physicalize the character with emotional truth/depth. Video auditions should be submitted to SKBerkompas@gmail.com with subject CHESS Submission. Include headshot/resume.

Deadline: Submit an unlisted U-Tube channel link in the email by January 3.

 

IN-PERSON CALLBACK:

A group callback will be held in-person on January 9 from 6pm – 9pm, by invitation. Callbacks will include more singing from the show; sides, and possibly a prepared dramatic monologue. Sides will be provided to those in advance by January 5 via email.

 

DESCRIPTION:

CHESS is set in the 1980s during the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. It is a story about the romantic triangle between two players in a World Chess Championship, one Russian and one American, and the Hungarian-born American woman who manages one and falls in love with the other.

 

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

FLORENCE – strong belt voice (to E). 20s-30s. Born in Hungary, has been brought up in America. She is clever, theatrical, touching, vivacious, volatile.

 

FREDDIE – rock Tenor (to C). late 20s-30s. An American chess champion. A cross between Bobby Fisher and John McEnroe. Arrogant and temperamental, but a genius; his chess playing is revolutionary. Artistry, obsessiveness, and danger.

 

ANATOLY – Baritone (to G sharp). 30s-early 40s. A Russian chess champion. Unexpectedly charming. Doesn’t seem like a romantic hero at first but becomes one. Intelligent, feeling, passionate.

 

MOLOKOV – Bass (down to F sharp). 40s-50s. Not a fake, comic, stage Russian. Intellectually formidable. Seemingly a father figure to Florence. Anatoly’s chess “second”. An actor who sings well.

 

SVETLANA – strong belt Soprano 2 voice. 30s. Anatoly’s wife. Domestic, wholesome, homey. A dramatic contrast to Florence. Not a contemporary cosmopolitan woman.

 

WALTER – Bass-Baritone (down to G sharp). 50s. A marketing agent. Seemingly respectable, substantial, trustworthy. An actor who sings well.

 

ARBITER – rock high Baritone (up to A). 30s-40s. International businessman. Smooth, but with a quick temper.

 

MALE & FEMALE ENSEMBLE: Need 15 strong singers who can act.

 

All genders, races, ethnicities, ages, and abilities are encouraged to submit.

Announcing our Summer 2024 Season!!

Music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson
Lyrics by Tim Rice

Directed by Susan K. Berkompas 

Showing: June 6 – June 16

A lightly staged Rock Opera Concert

From the members of musical pop sensation ABBA that brought us Mamma Mia, Chess is set in the 1980s during the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. It is a story about the romantic triangle between two players in a World Chess Championship, one Russian and one American, and the Hungarian-born American woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. Hit rock songs like “One Night in Bangkok” and “Nobody’s Side” are guaranteed showstoppers; and ballads “I Know Him So Well” and “Heaven Help My Heart” bring humanity to the true character pawns in this allegory.

Purchase tickets at ACTCtickets.com

By John Boynton Priestley

Directed by Connor Berkompas

Showing: June 21 – June 30  

A gripping thriller, boldly reimagined 

When a mysterious Inspector unexpectedly arrives at the prosperous Birling family home, their celebratory dinner is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman.

The Inspector’s suspense-filled investigation threatens the very foundation of the family’s lives, leaving them to re-examine their responsibility to the outside world and each other. 

Written in 1944, J. B. Priestley’s powerful thriller reinvents the popular “drawing room” murder mystery, turning the genre on its head. 

Purchase tickets at: ACTCtickets.com

 

Coming to the Lyceum Theater this December: ACTC’s Christmas Cabaret

We are bringing traditional Christmas music standards to the Lyceum Theater from the 1940’s and 1950’s eras…everything from Frank Sinatra to Bing Crosby to Judy Garland and some sacred music too! Come celebrate Christmas with a live band and two sets of sisters and brothers newly engaged to be married, yes, in real life! You’ve seen them on the stage many times, and they are all stars!

Showing December 15th, 16th and 17th at the Lyceum Theater in Costa Mesa. Tickets are available for purchase at http://actctickets.com

 http://actctickets.com

Announcing our 2023 Summer Season!

Forever Plaid 

Showing: May 26 – June 18
By: Stuart Ross
Directed by: Susan K. Berkompas
This goofy musical is made for anyone who enjoys the pop hits of the 1950’s, barbershop quartets, and enjoys the boyish charm these “Plaids” bring to the stage.
Forever Plaid is a widely successful musical celebrating the goofy reincarnation of four male singers killed in a car crash on their way to a big concert. This deliciously fun revue is chock-full of classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies! Singing in close harmony, all while squabbling boyishly over the smallest intonations, the “Plaids” are a guaranteed smash, with a program of beloved songs and delightful patter that keeps audiences rolling in the aisles when they’re not humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the 1950s.


Around the World in 80 Days
Showing: June 23 – July 9

By: Jules Verne

Adapted by: Mark Brown
Directed by: Susan K. Berkompas & Connor Berkompas
Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in this whirlwind of a show as they travel over seven continents in Mark Brown’s adaptation of one of the great adventures of all time!
Stampeding elephants! Raging typhoons! Runaway trains! Unabashedly slapstick! Hold onto your seats for the original amazing race! Join fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg and his faithful manservant as they race to beat the clock! Phileas Fogg has agreed to an outrageous wager that puts his fortune and his life at risk. With his resourceful servant Passepartout, Fogg sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. But his every step is dogged by a detective who thinks he’s a robber on the run.

2020 Summer Events Postponed

Lyceum Theater COVID-19 Update

Dear Patrons,

We are deeply grateful for your support of the ACTC and the Lyceum during this unprecedented time, as we continue to do our part to slow the spread of Coronavirus. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been impacted by COVID-19, and we truly wish health and safety for you and your family.

In previous communication we made a promise to closely monitor COVID-19 updates and government mandates regarding the reopening of our theater. As hopeful as it is to see local businesses beginning to reopen under Governor Newsom’s Phase II plan, we have yet to receive official clearance from Vanguard and the Governor’s office to reopen the Lyceum Theater for our scheduled July events.  We understand there are still many unknowns and plans continue to change daily, but in communication with Vanguard and ACTC’s Artistic Producing Director, we have made the difficult and unfortunate decision to cancel The Marvelous Wonderettes scheduled for July 2-27, as well as both ACCT Workshops.

The Marvelous Wonderettes will be postponed until Summer 2022, and ACCT’s workshops will be postponed until July 2021.

Regarding future events at the Lyceum Theater:

While there may be additional unforeseen scheduling changes, please know this is our commitment to you so that you may purchase your season ticket subscriptions with confidence: if performances are rescheduled or cancelled, you will always have the option to receive a full refund, credit for a future performance within our season, or donate the tickets to Vanguard’s Theatre Department and receive a tax deduction for the total ticket value. Vanguard University’s ACTC is a not-for-profit organization and relies on community support to present high-quality performances, impactful education programs, and free community events. Please consider donating your tickets if you are able. Your donation will help us re-open safely and strongly as soon as possible.

Please know as we look forward to our upcoming 21/22 theatre season this fall, everyone at Vanguard and the Lyceum is working diligently to present a safe, healthy and enjoyable venue for us all to once again share the joy of live theatre.

 

Sincerely,

Sarah Bordelon

Lyceum Theater Manager

 

2020 Summer production announced!

This summer take a trip back to the bubblegum pop decades of the ’50s and ’60s when ACTC presents

The Marvelous Wonderettes!

This smash Off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy: four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives and loves, the girls serenade us with classic ‘50s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Lipstick on Your Collar.”  In Act II, the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their ten-year reunion. We learn about the highs and lows the girls have experienced in the past decade and are charmed to find that no matter what life throws their way, they will conquer it together. Featuring over 30 classic ’50s and ’60s hits, The Marvelous Wonderettes will keep you smiling in this must-take musical trip down memory lane!

Performing May 22 through June 28

Fridays at 7:30 pm

Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm

Sundays at 2:00 pm

Click here to visit the show page

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