The Playhouse Company is holding April auditions in Durban and Johannesburg for versatile performers to be among the stellar cast of an exciting, new staging of one of the most loved of musicals – Disney’s tuneful family spectacle, the sumptuous Beauty and the Beast.
An all-new production, laden with romance, enchantment and magic created by a top-notch creative team, is poised to become the must-see show of the year when it runs at Durban’s Playhouse Opera theatre from November 20 to December 29, 2019.
Featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Wolverton, the glittering new production will be directed by the award-winning Ralph Lawson, whose many credits include directing such Playhouse Company successes as West Side Story and My Fair Lady. Choreography for Beauty and the Beast will be by the iconic Adele Blank.
The hit Broadway production of “the tale as old as time” premiered in 1994, three years after the release of the multiple-award-winning Disney animated film which inspired the stage musical. That movie became the first animated feature film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.
A 2017 live-action movie remake of the musical was also hugely successful, featuring a stellar cast including Audra MacDonald, Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci.
Featuring such popular songs as the romantic title chart-topper, the joyously theatrical Be Our Guest and the swaggering and comical Gaston, Beauty and the Beast tells of a cold and selfish prince. He is turned into a towering beast but, through his growing friendship with a kind and caring young woman that he imprisons in his enchanted castle, learns the error of his ways. The musical is a veritable feast of fun and fantasy for the whole family!
Auditions for Beauty and the Beast, the flagship production of the Playhouse Company’s festive season treats, will be held in Durban on Monday, April 22 (Family Day) and in Johannesburg on Thursday, April 25.
Roles require versatile performers who sing, act and dance. Please dress accordingly.
A song from Beauty and the Beast would be preferable for the vocal audition, but a suitable number from any Broadway musical would suffice. Those auditioning will need to provide relevant sheet music for the pianist should they choose to audition with a song other than from Beauty and the Beast.
Note: Those auditioning should take along a CV and a head and shoulder photograph of themselves.
Bookings for auditions are essential. No walk-ins will be permitted.
To book to audition in Durban on Monday, April 22: Contact Kipi Skweyiya at 031 369 9463 during office hours (9am to 1pm) from Monday to Thursday, April 15 to 18, only. Note that no voice-mail messages will be returned. This is a dance and singing audition.
To book to audition in Johannesburg on Thursday, April 25: Contact Kipi Skweyiya at 031 369 9463 during office hours (9am to 1pm) on Monday, April 22, or Tuesday, April 23, only. Note that no voice-mail messages will be returned. There are no call-back dates at this stage. This is a dance and singing audition.
Media enquiries: Palesa Kwitshana
Palesa Kwitshana
Marketing Manager
The Playhouse Company
Tel: 031 369 9460
Cell: 079 433 4821
marketingmanager@playhousecompany.com
