SIGN UP FOR AUDITION TIME SLOT

The UC Davis College of Letters and Science’s Department of Theatre and Dance is holding auditions for the award-winning musical comedy “Pippin” Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 27 to 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Wyatt Pavilion Theatre on Old Davis Road. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to audition, all roles are open.

Actors are expected to perform a song they have prepared and read scenes from the script. Accompaniment will be provided. There will be dance audition – so wear something you can move in.

“Pippin” will be directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Mindy Cooper with music direction by Graham Sobelman.

The production runs Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 24 and March 3 at 2 p.m. at UC Davis. Rehearsals will begin Thursday, Jan. 4 and will be take place in the evenings and on Saturdays.  

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS- PIPPIN

This is a modern-day interpretation of the show. It asks the question – What if our best hope is a young man who, in his desire to find himself, must first cut the puppet strings that tie him to generations of corruption and greed? This “Pippin” is set in today’s political environment of upheaval, its own special brand of a circus. Everyone cast must move well, and have a sense of musicality vocally, as well as work well in an ensemble setting.

PIPPIN Our story’s young and confused protagonist. He is longing to find his purpose in life. Naive, innocent, and discontented. Eventually finds love, and meaning in life. Gender: Male // Age Range-  20’s // Vocal Range: TENOR. Role model- Think an older Baron Trump

LEADING PLAYER The ultimate Master Of Ceremonies.  Masterfully charming and a great manipulator, the Leading Player is a chameleon of sorts, a true ring leader. Excellent mover. Gender: Male or Female // Vocal Range: Db3 – Ab4 . Role model- Steve Bannon meets Criss Angel

CHARLEMAGNE Pippin’s demanding father. As the King of the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne is more comfortable wielding a sword than breaking bread. A powerful and manipulative force. Gender: Male // Age Range- 40’s // Vocal Range: BASS/BARITONE .Role model- Donald Trump

BERTHE (Cameo role) Pippin’s saucy grandmother. A brassy woman full of wisdom, grace, and sass. She tries to help Pippin and encourages him to live his life to the fullest. Gender: Age Range- 50’s // Vocal Range: BELTER/MEZZO character voice.

CATHERINE A widow and young mother. She is a beautiful and a hopeless romantic, who possesses graceful elegance. Ingenue with a strong inner core. Gender: Female // Age- 20’s Vocal Range: MEZZO SOPRANO

THEO- Catherine’s innocent and delightfully obstinate young son. Gender- male, played by male or female. Age range- 8-12. Vocal range- tenor.

FASTRADA Pippin’s conniving stepmother, she is both beautiful and smart. Devious, crafty, cunning, untrustworthy. Dedicated to gaining the throne for her darling son, Lewis. Gender: Female // Eligible Age Range – A well preserved 40. Vocal Range: ALTO/BELTER  Role model- a hybrid of all 3 Trump wives.

LEWIS Charlemagne and Fastrada’s son. Strong and not bright. Pippin’s half-brother and after Pippin, heir to the throne. Addicted to the physical, Lewis loves weight lifting, Lewis loves wrestling, but most of all, Lewis loves Lewis. Requires good physicality. Gender: Male // Eligible Age 20’s. Role model- Donald Trump Jr.

ENSEMBLE- Ensemble members play Nobles, Beggars, Peasants, Farm Animals, headless corpse, Corpseless head, etc.

For more information about the UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance, visit their website at http://arts.ucdavis.edu/theatre-and-dance.