Mt. Vernon Register-News

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December 23, 2009

RLC auditioning for musical

Staff Report

INA — Singers, dancers and actors are wanted for roles in “Cabaret” which has been chosen as the Rend Lake College upcoming spring musical.

“There are many great parts in this lively musical filled with jazzy tunes and sophisticated dance numbers,” RLC Theatre Director Tracey Webb stated. “This is a funny show that will have the audience tapping its toes, but there also is a stark seriousness about the dangers of pretending life is grand while the world degrades around you.”

Set during the rise of the Nazis, “Cabaret” is the story of a writer, Cliff, who visits a nightclub on New Year’s Eve in Germany and falls in love with the star of the club, an English girl named Sally Bowles. Sally is the quintessential “flapper” and takes life very lightly. She is a party girl and he is a serious writer battling a case of writer’s block.

At the Kit Kat Club where Sally performs, the master of ceremonies presents songs and numbers that are entertaining and provide a bit of foreshadowing throughout as the Nazis begin insidiously taking over the country. The gorgeous Kit Kat Club Girls do most of the dancing while the emcee provides wry commentary throughout.

The auditions will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Rend Lake College Theatre on the Ina campus. Adult performers age 16 and older who can both sing and dance well are needed for the challenging musical.

Auditioners must bring a prepared song with sheet music or a karaoke CD. Singing along with a voice on a CD is not allowed, nor can karaoke music on an iPod or MP3 player be accepted. The director needs to make certain the cast members can sing along with the orchestra. For those with sheet music, an accompanist will be provided for them. Auditioners also may be asked to sing scales during their auditions.

Auditioners will cold read excerpts from the script with other actors. After the cold read, they will execute a few simple dance steps Webb will teach them at the top of the auditions. Auditioners must show up on time.

“It is a fairly tough musical to pull off, so I’m looking for great talent,” Webb said.

Those cast in the show will rehearse Mondays through Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at the theatre. In order to be in the show, cast members will sign up for a free class, Theatre 1102, which covers the rehearsals. If cast members are still in high school, they must obtain permission to enroll in this course.

Performances of “Cabaret” will run Thursday, March 4, through Sunday, March 7, 2010.

Anyone interested in auditioning for the show can contact Webb at 437-5321, ext. 1295 or by e-mail at webbt@rlc.edu for more information.

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