Auditions - Chess

Auditions - Chess

Posted by Footlite Musicals

Posted: Jun, 02, 2016

Performing

 Indianapolis, IN, Unknown

Chess Auditions At Footlite Musicals
July 6th and7th at 6:30PM

Possible call back on the 8th.

Producer ​​​ Bobbi Griffis
Director ​​​Tim Spradlin
Vocal Director ​​​John Phillips
Conductor ​​​ Matthew Konrad Tippel
Tech Director​​​ Dom Piedmonte
Lighting Designer ​​ Maria Matters
Sound Designer ​Eric Matters
Stage Manger ​​Michelle Tasker
Assistant Director. ​​Amada Lane
Property​​​ Melissa Yurechko

ABOUT THE SHOW

Chess is a rock opera with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA, Mamma Mia) and lyrics by Tim Rice (Aladdin, Evita). The musical dates back to a 1984 concept album, with staged productions in London in 1986 and New York in 1988.
In Chess, the game of chess is used as a metaphor for romantic rivalries and the US-Soviet rivalry during the Cold War. The main characters form a love triangle: Freddie, the ill-mannered American Grandmaster, Anatoly, the intense Russian champion challenger, and Florence, the passionate Hungarian-American female chess second. Florence arrives at the international chess championship as the chess second to the American but falls in love with the Russian. From Italy to Bangkok, Thailand, the main characters, and the politicians and spies around them, all struggle to get the upper hand.

PRINCIPAL ROLES:

Florence Vassy- strong belt voice (to E). Hungarian-born. Late 20s – Mid 40s. Freddie Trumper’s chess second and former lover. She is strong, clever and has worked very hard to become the professional she is today. She has strong unresolved internal conflict regarding her traumatic childhood. She has a soft spot for Freddie and continues to be dedicated to him professionally but falls in love with Anatoly, Freddie’s chess rival.

Freddie Trumper (“The American”) – Rock tenor (to C). Late 20s – Mid 40s. The American chess champion (a cross between John McEnroe and Kanyae West. Arrogant and temperamental, but a chess genius. He is obsessed with his sport and his success in it.
**We are working with the rights holders about lowering the key for “Pity The Child” so his high end to an A.

Anatoly Sergievsky (“The Russian”) – Baritone (to G sharp). Early 30s – Late 40s. The Russian chess champion. Unexpectedly charming. He doesn’t seem a romantic hero at first but he becomes one. An intelligent, feeling, passionate man. Falls in love with Florence, but is married to his estranged wife Svetlana. He must decide where his duties lie: his country, his chess game or either of the two women in his life.

Alexander Molokov – Bass (down to F sharp). 40’s-60’s Anatoly’s chess second—and a KGB agent. Not above manipulating others to further his political aims. Intellectually formidable and fiercely patriotic. Russian accent a plus.

Svetlana Sergievsky – strong belt voice. Late 20s – Mid 40s. Anatoly’s wife. Domestic and wholesome, but still effortlessly elegant. Loves her husband, but knows that she’ll never be able to combat his flaws and obsessions.

Walter de Courcey- Bass-Baritone (down to G sharp). 40’s-60’s A marketing agent. At first, seems to be purely business/economically driven—but he is secretly a manipulative covert US government agent. We think he is the funny man but he is as smart as the Russians.

The Arbiter- rock high baritone (up to A). International chess figure. At once, he is smooth and flamboyant, but with a quick temper, he’s the chess tournament’s referee.

Gregory Vassy – Hungarian. Vocal range: low A to high G. Gregor is the father of Florence,

Young Florence: Between five and ten.

Nikolai: 20’s-30’s. Molokov’s assistant

Ensemble: They are looking for a cast of 30. The Ensemble will be made up of singers and dancer/movers. Act One is very busy for the Ensemble. Lots of music that is not on the recording.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to text the director at 317-698-9881.