Book by James Lapine
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Director and Choreographer: Gary De Mattei
Musical Director: Caryn Hartglass
Location – Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126
Playful People Productions
announces
ADVANCED SUMMER WORKSHOP
We are excited to announce the first advanced SUMMER workshop of its kind here at Playful People Productions geared specifically for the serious-minded performer who’d like to commit to an intensive workshop while putting on a show!
New York-based theatre artists Gary De Mattei (Director/Choreographer) and Caryn Hartglass (Musical Director) are returning to lead us in presenting one of Sondheim’s most popular works. Together they will take the participants through a series of movement, vocal, and acting exercises that will give them valuable tools to use with both musical theatre and nonmusical theatre performance.
As with last year’s production of Fiddler on the Roof and this year’s The Music Man, Playful People Productions will be incorporating a small ensemble of musicians to play live during each performance. NO TRACK!
Most of the roles have been cast. We are holding Supplemental Auditions for specific roles. Check our Supplemental Auditions page for details.
James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece… and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching.
The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
Character Breakdown
1. Narrator
An intellectual and pleasant story-teller who helps to orchestrate the show and illustrate lessons to the audience.
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Mysterious Man
A mischievous vagrant and nosy meddler. He is a good-natured protector and observer.
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: G2
2. Cinderella
A young, earnest maiden who is constantly mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters.
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
3. Jack
The feckless Giant killer who is ‘almost a man.’ He is adventurous, naive, energetic, and bright-eyed.
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: B2
4. Jack’s Mother
Browbeating and weary, Jack’s protective mother who is independent, bold, and strong-willed.
Vocal range top: Gb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
5. The Baker
A harried and insecure baker who is simple and loving, yet protective of his family. He wants his wife to be happy and is willing to do anything to ensure her happiness but refuses to let others fight his battles.
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
6. The Baker’s Wife
Determined and bright woman who wishes to be a mother. She leads a simple, yet satisfying life and is very low-maintenance yet proactive in her endeavors.
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: F3
7. Cinderella’s Stepmother
The mean-spirited, demanding stepmother of Cinderella.
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: A3
8, 9. Florinda And Lucinda
Cinderella’s stepsisters who are black of heart. They follow in their mother’s footsteps of abusing Cinderella.
Vocal range top: Ab5
Vocal range bottom: C4
10. Little Red Ridinghood
A spoiled young girl who is strong-willed, quick-witted, fearless, yet youthful and naive.
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
11. The Witch
Sarcastic, ugly-then-gorgeous, obsessive protector of Rapunzel who is straightforward and aggressive.
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: F3
12. Cinderella’s Mother/Grandmother/Giant
Deceased with her soul guarding and aiding her daughter from a tree.
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: E4
Giant
Voiceover. The Giant’s wife is an angry and vengeful ‘monster.’ She is seeking restitution for her loss.
13. Cinderella’s Prince
Vain and gorgeous, he is a disloyal lover who is currently searching for the next new, exciting thing.
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: B2
14. Wolf
Hungry and insatiable hunter who takes advantage of the weak by misleading and captivating his prey.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: Gb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
15. Rapunzel
A loopy-but-lovely maiden who is sheltered by the Witch and terribly lonely. She yearns to experience the world.
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: B3
16. Rapunzel’s Prince
Just as vain and gorgeous as his Prince brother, he is always chasing the newest, most exiting endeavor.
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: C#3
17. Snow White
Small role with no solo singing.
Vocal range top: Ab5
Vocal range bottom: C4
18. Sleeping Beauty
Small role with no solo singing.
Vocal range top: Ab5
Vocal range bottom: C4
19. Cinderella’s Father
A drinker, out of touch with his family but harmless and well-meaning. No solo singing.
Vocal range: Open
20. Prince’s Steward
Surly and bureaucratic, full of self-importance. No solo singing but plenty of good lines.
Vocal range: Open
This is an advanced training workshop. We will NOT accept those who have conflicts.
TEEN COMPANY (ages 12-19)
Teen Company Rehearsal Dates:
July 9 – August 5
Monday through Friday from 9:30am-4:30pm
15-minute morning break, 1/2 lunch, 15-minute afternoon break each day
Teen Company Performance Dates:
Thursday, August 2 at 2:00pm
Friday, August 3 at 2:00pm
Saturday, August 4 at 7:00pm
Sunday, August 5 at 7:00pm
ADULT COMPANY
Adult Company Rehearsal Dates
June 18 – August 5 (July 2-6 off)
Monday through Thursday from 6:30pm – 10pm
Saturdays from 1-5pm
Adult Company Performance Dates:
Thursday, August 2 at 7pm
Friday, August 3 at 7pm
Saturday, August 4 at 2pm
Sunday, August 5 at 2pm
Gary De Mattei is an actor, director, producer, filmmaker, writer and teacher living in New York City. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the nonprofit theatre company, The Artist’s Theatre Repertory Ensemble (TheATRE). Before moving to New York in 2008 Gary worked extensively in Bay Area theatre as an actor, director, writer, producer, teacher, and arts administrator. He was the co-founder and producing artistic director of Theatre On San Pedro Square (TOSPS) in San Jose from January of 2000 to April of 2008. During that time Gary produced plays and musicals that showcased local, national and international theatre artists. Gary was the Theatre Department Chair at Presentation High School in San Jose. During his tenure at Presentation Gary directed plays and musicals and taught acting. His theatre department was awarded the prestigious Best High School Musical Award from the American Musical Theatre. Gary is a Bay Area Theatre Critics Award nominee for his portrayal of Fiorello H. LaGuardia in Foothill Music Theatre’s production of Fiorello. A proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, Gary trains at HB Studio in New York under the guidance of his acting teacher Austin Pendleton. For more about Gary go to his website, GaryDeMattei.com.
[/ult_team]A classically trained singer, Caryn Hartglass has performed in opera and musicals in the United States and abroad. Some of her favorite roles include Queen of the Night (Magic Flute), Blonde (The Abduction From The Seraglio), Rosina (Barber of Seville) Aldonza, (Man of La Mancha), Dot (Sunday in the Park with George), Johanna (Sweeney Todd), Eva Peron (Evita) and Cunegonde (Candide) for which she was nominated for a Bay Area Theatre Critics Award. She won two international operatic vocal competitions: the Eisteddfod Classical Voice Competition in South Africa and the Concours International D’Oratorio et de Lied in France and recorded a collection of French, German and American art songs on the French label, Ligia Digital. Caryn studied voice with the legendary coloratura Mady Mesplé in Paris. Audio and video clips of her musical performances can be accessed at CarynHartglass.com.
[/ult_team]ADULT COMPANY
Tuition: $500
TEEN COMPANY
Tuition: $1,500