QUEEN ESTHER, The Musical in Concert
Director: William Whitefield
Saturday March 22 and Sunday March 23 (2 performances)
Music by William Whitefield, Book by Lenora Conway, Lyrics by William Whitefield & Lenora Conway
Queen Esther tells the story of an orphan girl who becomes the Queen of Persia without disclosing her Jewish heritage. When King Xerxes is convinced by his viceroy Haman to annihilate the Jewish population, she must step up and disclose to the king her true identity to save her people from peril.
Rehearsals will begin on or around February 7th and will take place on scheduled weeknights for leads and Saturday afternoons for all cast members.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
ESTHER: Mezzo (belt with mix and soprano) Early 20s, a bit fragile, with a gentle beauty. Grows stronger, more mature, and more decisive during the play. Orphan girl who becomes the Queen of Persia and must eventually reveal her Jewish descent to King Xerxes to save her people and herself from execution.
XERXES: Lyric Baritone (to a G) King of Persia. Mercurial in temperament with a rich, deep voice. Can be harsh sounding at times, romantic at others. 30s to 40s
HAMAN: Tenor (to an A) Thoroughly dislikable. Arrogant, pompous, self-righteous, with a whining voice. 20s to 40s. Xerxes’ viceroy.
VASHTI: Contralto (belt to a D) Mid 30s or older, quite strong and determined. Xerxes’ first queen who is banished upon her refusal to appear and dance before the king and his party goers. Attractive, strong dance or good mover.
MORDECAI: High Baritone or Tenor Mid 40s or older. Rich, convincing, cantor-like voice. Gives the feeling of a wise sage. Always a bit somber. Esther’s uncle with political aspirations.
HEGAI: Baritone Mid 40s or older. A very busy, involved “butler” to the king and queen. The Head Eunuch who is sometimes a bit removed. Always attentive to Esther and Xerxes.
LEAH: Contralto (Belt to a B, mix to an E, sings low) Mid 40s or older. Mother figure to Esther, matronly, loving and a shining example to Esther.
REBECCA: Mezzo 30s, Leah’s friend and woman of the village who discovers Esther when she arrives.
ENSEMBLE who also play the following roles: WOMEN OF THE COURT, MEN OF THE COURT, SOLDIERS, EUNUCHS/ADVISORS, GIRLS, MAIDS, MESSENGERS, MOURNERS, SERVANTS
Into the Woods
Director: William Whitefield, Lisa Cesnik Ferguson
Music Director: Dallas Bono
September 26-28 and October 3-5 (6 performances)
Book by James Lapine, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
“The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make.” — MTI
Into the Woods is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Narrator: (G2-E4) Male, An intellectual and pleasant story-teller who helps to orchestrate the show and illustrate lessons to the audience.
Cinderella: (G3-G5) Female 20-30, A young, earnest maiden who is constantly mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters.
Jack: (B2-G4) Male 20-30, The feckless Giant killer who is 'almost a man.' He is adventurous, naive, energetic, and bright-eyed.
Jack's Mother: (Bb3-Gb5) Female 50-65, Browbeating and weary, Jack's protective mother who is independent, bold, and strong-willed.
The Baker: (Ab2-G4) Male 35-45, A harried and insecure baker who is simple and loving, yet protective of his family. He wants his wife to be happy and is willing to do anything to ensure her happiness but refuses to let others fight his battles.
The Baker's Wife: (F3-G5) Female 35-45, Determined and bright woman who wishes to be a mother. She leads a simple, yet satisfying life and is very low-maintenance yet proactive in her endeavors.
Cinderella's Stepmother: (A3-F#5) Female 40-50, The mean-spirited, demanding stepmother of Cinderella.
Florinda And Lucinda: (C4-Ab5) Female 25-35, Cinderella's stepsisters who are black of heart. They follow in their mother's footsteps of abusing Cinderella.
Little Red Ridinghood: (Bb3-F5) Femle 15-20, A spoiled young girl who is strong-willed, quick-witted, fearless, yet youthful and naive.
The Witch: (F3-G5) Female 45-55, Sarcastic, ugly-then-gorgeous, obsessive protector of Rapunzel who is straightforward and aggressive.
Cinderella's Mother: (E4-F4) Female 40-55, Deceased with her soul guarding and aiding her daughter from a tree.
Mysterious Man: (G2-Eb4) Male 50-65, A mischievous vagrant and nosy meddler. He is a good-natured protector and observer.
Wolf: (Bb2-Gb4) Male 30-35, Hungry and insatiable hunter who takes advantage of the weak by misleading and captivating his prey.
Rapunzel: (B3-A5) Female 20-30, A loopy-but-lovely maiden who is sheltered by the Witch and terribly lonely. She yearns to experience the world.
Cinderella's Prince: (B2-F4) Male 30-40, Vain and gorgeous, he is a disloyal lover who is currently searching for the next new, exciting thing.
Rapunzel's Prince: (C#3-E4) Male 30-40, Just as vain and gorgeous as his Prince brother, he is always chasing the newest, most exciting endeavor.
Giant: (Voiceover) Female 40-60, The Giant's wife is an angry and vengeful 'monster.' She is seeking restitution for her loss.
A Christmas Carol
Director: Lisa Cesnik Ferguson, William Whitefield
Music Director: Dallas Bono
December 5-7 & 12-14 (6 performances)
By Charles Dickens, Adapted by Shannon Rood and Lisa Cesnik
A Christmas Carol is a miraculous story of community, social responsibility, and spiritual redemption....In 1843 Dickens wrote this novel in 5 staves to raise awareness of the profoundly unjust society that he was living in - built on abuse of employees and children (child labor) and the appalling conditions and poverty and abuse.Join us as we delight in following Ebenezer Scrooge on his magical, ghostly journey from a cold, lonely place of darkness and selfishness to a warm world of light and music and hope.Character Breakdown
SINGERS: There are Christmas Carols, Groups, Duets and Solo’s throughout the script.
ENSEMBLE: The Ensemble operated as a “Victorian Greek Chorus”, keeps the action moving and keeps Dickens beautiful storyline in the forefront. Ensemble does sound effects for the ghosts, narrates the production and participates in Christmas Carols of all types. Everyone cast, with the possible exception of the performer who plays Ebeneezer Scrooge will be in the Ensemble.
Ebeneezer Scrooge - A miser who hates Christmas. The story of Scrooge’s journey from misery to redemption is the core of this holiday ghost story.
Jacob Marley - Scrooge’s business partner until he died. The first ghost that visits Scrooge. Must have a strong, resonant voice.
Fanny - Ebeneezer’s younger sister, who he loved very much.
Young Caroller - Scrooge’s scares this person away from the door
Bob Cratchit - Employed in the office of Mr. Scrooge. Earnest, hard working
Mrs. Cratchit - Spouse of Bob Cratchit, disapproves strongly of Mr. Scrooge’s treatment of Bob. Mother of Peter, Belinda, Martha and Tiny Tim
Martha Cratchit - Child of the Cratchits
Peter Cratchit - Child of the Cratchits
Belinda Cratchit - Child of the Cratchits
Tiny Tim - The youngest child of the Cratchits
Solicitor #1 - Visits Mr. Scrooge asking for donations for the poor and is rejected.
Solicitor #2 - Visits Mr. Scrooge asking for donations for the poor and is rejected.
Joe - One of the townspeople, going through Scrooge’s belongings after he dies.
Charwoman (or man) - One of the townspeople, going through Scrooge’s belongings after he dies.
Mrs. Dilber - One of the townspeople, going through Scrooge’s belongings after he dies.
Young Scrooge - A sweet young version of Scrooge as a little schoolboy.
Slightly Older Scrooge - In love with Belle, working for Fezziwig
Interrupting Ensemble Member - Comic relief at the beginning of the play and the beginning of ACT 2.
Dick Wilkins - works with Fezziwig, Scrooge's best friend from the past "Father" (Belle's Spouse)
Belle - Scrooge was engaged to Belle and very much in love. Belle broke off the engagement, when he changed and began to worship money.
Fred - Fanny’s surviving son and Scrooge’s nephew. Lighthearted and jovial.
Fred’s Wife - Welcoming, charming hostess. Smart and quick.
Ghost of Christmas Past - beautiful speaking and singing voice. This visit (Act One) is full of heart and lyrical.
Ghost of Christmas Present - This ghost shows Scrooge what his current life is like. Straightforward, Bombastic, Bounteous. This visit has more urgency.
Man #1 - Stranger to Scrooge, converses with the other man about his death and his money.
Man #2 - Stranger to Scrooge, converses with the other man about his death and his money.
Caroline - Concerned about going to debtors prison with her husband. Overjoyed to find out Scrooge is dead.
Man - Caroline’s Husband, Concerned about going to debtors prison along with his wife, Caroline. Overjoyed to find out Scrooge is dead.
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come - No spoken lines, but a terrifying presence
Mr. Fezziwig - Few lines, and important presence.
Mrs. Fezziwig - Zero 0 lines, lovely warm lady, a “vast, substantial smile”
Young Caroler - Soloist for Silent Night as the spell is slowly creepily broken and Scrooge eventually wakes up in bed.
Ignorance and Want - A boy and girl OR 2 puppets. Starving children.