(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Strollers will hold auditions at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts for "Children of Eden" on Sunday, September 10th from 2:00pm-5:00pm and Monday, September 11th from 7:00pm-10:00pm; callbacks will take place Wednesday, September 13th from 7:00pm-10:00pm. This is a musical by Stephen Schwartz that will be directed by Carol Cornicelli with musical direction by Michael Nuzzo.
This is a musical about humanity; about family; about taking first steps, exploring, falling, creating, loving, letting go; about living. Father/Mother (The Creator) learns and grows as a new parent as much as any of the “human” characters.
The Storytellers (Greek chorus, heavenly host) tell the story and move the plot along by narration and stepping into the scene at times. All of the lead and supporting characters in the play, with the exception of Father/Mother, are “chosen” from among the Storytellers, and when their role has “ended,” they rejoin the multitude.
Performances will take place across 3 weekends: Friday & Saturday, November 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18 at 8:00pm; Sundays, November 5, 12, 19 at 2:00pm.
The Strollers is seeking a large multi-ethnic, non-Equity cast of children, teen, and adult singer/actors. There are 16 roles available and many featured parts in the ensemble.
CHILDREN OF EDEN Cast Break-Down
Father/Mother: (Tenor/Alto) A very human All-Mighty Being who creates the universe and all its creatures, including Man & Woman with minds of their own, and learns that parenting is not as easy as He/She thought.
Storytellers: The heavenly host – both adults and children – who set the scenes and advance the action of the play, they are always present; always watching and interacting with this newly created world. All characters except for Father/Mother begin and end as a Storyteller, and sing the choral numbers whenever possible. For those who are primarily Storytellers throughout the show, there are many solos and featured roles, including the following listed below. The Storytellers are the heart & soul of this show.
Lead Roles:
Adam: (Tenor) Young, optimistic and obedient, until he has to make a painful choice, which leads to his growing into a protective father.
Eve: (Mezzo/Belt) Very excited and curious about everything, whose explorations lead to pain, as well as profound discovery as a wife and mother in the wilderness.
Cain: (Tenor/Pop) Discontent, longing to find signs of other human life, he has inherited a strong will and curiosity from his mother.
Abel: (Tenor) Young, faithful and obedient, he neither understands nor shares his brother’s wanderlust.
Noah: (High Baritone/ Tenor) A direct descendant of Adam, and husband and father of three sons, he obediently builds an ark at Father’s request, although he bemoans the destruction of the world despite the fallibilities of its human inhabitants. He also is faced with a painful choice.
Mama Noah: (Mezzo/Belt) Noah’s wife and mother of his three sons, she is the rock upon which his house is built.
Japheth: (Tenor) The youngest son of Noah, he is idealistic and determined, and does not let the curse of God get in his way when he falls in love with a woman from the doomed race of Cain.
Yohah: (Mezzo/Belt) She is a “daughter of the race of Cain” cursed by Father for an ancient fall from grace, and servant to Noah’s family. She is also in love with Japheth, but faces the futility of this love with great courage.
Supporting and Featured Roles:
Snake: (SATB) Five singers (5-part harmony), each manipulating a section a large puppet’s body. A seductive and very smooth operator.
Young Cain & Abel: Represent Cain and Abel as young boys in a memory sequence.
Generations Soloists: Strong male and female vocalist(s) to lead off Act II with the (Tenor/Mezzo/Belt) show-stopping song,” Generations," with an African/Calypso flavor.
Shem & Ham: (Tenor or Baritone) First two sons of Noah.
Aphra & Aysha: (Alto or Soprano) Wives to Shem & Ham
The Strollers is a community theater troupe in Maplewood, New Jersey. They have been in continuous operation since 1932. Each year they produce a season of two plays and a musical, as well as a children's theater production in midwinter. They welcome anyone with an interest in the arts and a willingness to work toward a common goal, whether onstage or behind the scenes. Their diverse membership includes people of all ages and from all walks of life. Whether you have always been a theater person or just enjoy the fun of working on a creative project, The Strollers welcomes you.
Their monthly meetings include a workshop program, providing first-time playwrights and directors a forum for showcasing and experimenting with new works and ideas. Workshops also offer actors opportunities to perform in somewhat more casual and less time-consuming venues than a full play may demand.
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