Performers Wanted For Musical "Fall River"
The 2023-2024 season "Fall River" world premiere - musical in search of actors who sing. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE CONSIDERED. See more info below. About the project: The sensational 1892 trial of LIZZIE BORDEN, for the horrendous murders of her father and step-mother, locked the nation in its grip. This was a “first” in America: one of the first murder trials covered by female reporters, one of the first trials to allow women into the courtroom. And it was the first time a well-bred, young, American woman, was tried for such a crime…something unimaginable for the time. The Borden murders and subsequent trial is filled with characters and drama worthy of an opera. So, although Rick Vale is known more as a comedic writer, he was drawn to this dark, true, American, tale; both as a composer and playwright. The cast will help in finalizing this story of Victorian mores, sensational murder, and female empowerment, meeting as needed, and infrequently, from October through February, until the rehearsal window – when we will rehearse each night until the performances. A female “Greek chorus” of journalists, observers, women of Fall River and friends, along with the leading roles (all female roles will sing/all male roles will be spoken only) will be accompanied by live piano and cello, on set. Is this an opera or music theatre? Yes. Additional info: Auditions: September 30th & October 1st, 2023 Saturday from 2:00pm – 5:00pm – no appointment necessary. Sunday from 2:00pm – 5:00pm – APPOINTMENT ONLY, PLEASE. Video auditions are welcome, and must be received by 5:00pm October 1st. Please prepare 16 measures of song that shows your tone, volume, and range. Playing March 21, 22, 23, 24, 2024. Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 7:30pm / Sunday at 3:00pm. Rehearsal Window: February 26 – March 19th with “workshop & editing” from the auditions up to the rehearsal window. Please see the flyer attached. If you are interested, please apply.
24 roles
MEZZO/ALTO: A “mature” woman who narrates or “presides” over the story. She is an elegant Victorian lady in a “grey-olive” dress. She is the only member of the cast who breaks the fourth wall, and has the power/freedom to move back and forth in time as needed in telling the story.
MEZZO: Daughter of murder victim, Andrew Borden. Wealthy though not ostentatious. Should “read” as 30-ish. Lizzie is the picture of a Victorian spinster: holding her feelings in check, to the point of being thought, “odd”. Should have a strong voice and the ability to go from “public uprightness” to private grief.
SOPRANO/MEZZO: Older sister to Lizzie, daughter of Andrew, a spinster also living in the same house as Andrew, Lizzie and Andrew. She is also the picture of Victorian attributes and understated wealth: thrifty, clever, educated and 1892 “Yankee”.
MEZZO: Irish maid in the Borden house. Since the prior maid was named Maggie, the Bordens (except for Abby) never bothered to call her by her real name. Bridgett will need a thick brogue and be a bit younger than Emma and Lizzie. She is intelligent but superstitious and cautious of the police.
SOPRANO: Next door neighbor and first on the scene.
SOPRANO/MEZZO: Friend and former next-door neighbor.
YOUNGER THAN ANDREW, BUT MATURE (may sing): Second wife of Andrew Borden, following the death of his first wife (Lizzie and Emma’s mother, Sarah Anthony Morse) when Lizzie was an infant. By all accounts Abby was loved by the community; always there to help out a friend or neighbor in sickness and celebration. She could not, however, garner the affections of Lizzie and Emma. She needs to “read” older than Lizzie and Emma, but younger than Andrew.
SINGING. A FEMALE “GREEK CHORUS” (12? with/VARIOUS SINGING & SPEAKING ROLES as well).
SINGING. A FEMALE “GREEK CHORUS” (12? with/VARIOUS SINGING & SPEAKING ROLES as well).
SINGING. A FEMALE “GREEK CHORUS” (12? with/VARIOUS SINGING & SPEAKING ROLES as well).
SINGING. A FEMALE “GREEK CHORUS” (12? with/VARIOUS SINGING & SPEAKING ROLES as well).
SINGING. A FEMALE “GREEK CHORUS” (12? with/VARIOUS SINGING & SPEAKING ROLES as well).
Lizzie and Emma’s uncle, brother to their mother and Andrew Borden’s first wife, Sarah Morse. Horse-trader, questionable repute, questionable income.
“City Missionary” in Fall River at the Central Congregational Church, where Lizzie attended. He was by her side during the murder and trial, supporting her throughout. He was a widower at that point, and almost 40 years older than Lizzie.
Father of Lizzie and Emma, older – described by those who knew him as “well-admired but not well-loved”. He was, by all accounts, the love of his daughter Lizzie’s life – and she his. He was a superb and notoriously tight businessman who owned much property in Fall River, was well-known and wealthy, but not a spendthrift. It Andrew Borden were an actor, he would be a natural to play Ebenezer Scrooge.
Associate counsel for the defense, family attorney and long-time BORDEN family friend – sometimes a bundle of nerves, but considered by most as “the ablest corporation lawyers in the state”.
Associate Counsel for the defense, previous US Congressman, and Governor of Massachusetts – very well-respected, a “fatherly” type…brilliant attorney.
Reads as mid-40s : District Attorney of the Southern District of Massachusetts, for the Prosecution, a large-built and solid man, former state congressman and senator, later to be the state attorney general. A formidable gentleman.
Reads as older mature male: Justice, presiding over inquest, hearing, trial – and the production.
One of the main officers involved in the investigation and trial.
Across the street neighbor, friend and doctor to the Borden family .
SPEAKING ROLES.
SPEAKING ROLES.
SPEAKING ROLES.
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