Casting call goes out for winter children’s theater
Gilroy – Wonderland is heading to Gilroy come February and young thespians will have a chance to audition for their favorite part in a wacky remake of the classic “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
The Gilroy Community Services Department has joined forces once again with John Bisceglie Presents for their winter production. Bisceglie’s madcap version of the story, called “Wonderland Live,” is set in 1976 against the backdrop of “The Dating Game” and will feature plenty of funky songs from the ’60s and ’70s. Bisceglie, who has produced or directed nearly 30 shows in Gilroy, said he worked hard to pick songs for “Wonderland” that weren’t featured in other shows.
Major roles will include Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter among others. But there will be plenty of chorus roles as well for singing flowers, dancing cards and flying butterflies. The show is open to children ages 5 to 18.
“We are always looking for new kids,” said Bisceglie, creator and director of the show. “We have lots of opportunities for first-timers and kids who are looking to tackle a bigger role.”
Families should remember Bisceglie shows are known for their zaniness and over-the-top characters. The director suggested that children show up for the auditions with a snazzy song to sing instead of the old stand-by of “Happy Birthday”
“It should be something with some energy to it,” Bisceglie said. “Something with pizzazz to really show off your character and personality.”
Call backs for the major roles will be based on the auditions, but Bisceglie said the show will have 40 to 50 feature roles in addition to the chorus parts that will be assigned after the rehearsals start. The feature roles will include cameos of popular television characters from the same era as the music, such as the Brady Bunch or the Partridge family – many of them with speaking parts or singing solos.
“After rehearsals start, children can get a CD to practice a song at home, come back to the rehearsals and try out for it,” Bisceglie said. “They’re not as intimidated. They see the fun of rehearsal and they are comfortable with me and not so shy.”
All children who’d like to participate in “Wonderland Live” are required to try out and Bisceglie has a plan to help kids prepare for their auditions. Hopefuls can visit www.jbpresents.org and click on the magic potion “yes … count me in” link to let Bisceglie know which audition they will attend and to have practice lines e-mailed to them. Families can also contact the Gilroy Community Services Department to sign up for an audition day and receive lines.
For more information visit www.jbpresents.org or call 846-0460.
Wonderland live
Starting now – visit www.jbpresents.org, or call 846-0460 for audition practice lines
Auditions
Saturday, Oct. 8
11am ages 5 to 8
Noon ages 9 to 13
1pm ages 14 to 18
Sunday, Oct. 9
1:30pm ages 5 to 8
2:30pm ages 9 to 13
3:30 pm ages 14 to 18
Rehearsals
Saturdays 10am to 5pm (except holidays) Oct. 15 through Jan. 28
Show opens
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Feb. 3 to Feb. 19.
