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| Threepenny Opera
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 | 3 to 5 main male singing roles: Tiger Brown, MacHeath, Mr. Peachum, Street Singer (?), Lucy(?) |
| 4 to5 main female singing roles: Polly, Jenny, Mrs. Peachum, Lucy(?), Street Singer(?) |
| 5 to 7 minor male speaking roles: Gang, Filch, Smith, Constable, Reverand Kimball |
| 5 or more minor female speaking roles: Nelly, Dolly, Betty, Vixen, Kitty Coaxer, Gang member(s) (possibly) |
Expect that auditions will include cold readings and a short prepared song. Select a number that will exhibit your vocal range, vocal strength, your vocal character and stage presence. Accompaniment will be provided, please bring sheet music (already transposed if necessary). Private accompaniment is welcome. If you wish to prepare an audio tape of a song(s) to compliment your audition, we will accept but the tape will not be returned. For singing parts the emphasis will be on ability to "sell" the song as well as vocal ability.
Preparing for the audition, it is recommended that you read the play. Translations are very similar, since the MacDonald translation is not in circulation you may use the Manheim/Willett or the Vesey/Bentley translations. There is a CD available via Amazon.com for those who might wish to become familiar with the music and lyrics. There is one dance, a tango, in this musical which only involves Mac and Jenny. Scene changes will be choreographed movement, not dance.
Good singing voices are needed for Mac, Polly, Mr and Mrs. Peachum, Lucy,
Tiger Brown and Streetsinger. For other parts singing is not important to role.
There will be extensive doubling of roles. These supporting, but critical, parts
will require versatile actors with ability and flexibility to do different
characterizations and voices, I am not looking for charactactures. I am
contemplating the following combinations but will not make final decisions until
auditions:
Filch and Matt of the Mint
Lucy Brown and Nelly
Reverend Kimball and Dolly
Street Singer and Beggar #1
Crook-fingered Jake and Beggar #3
Chain-saw Bob and Vixen
Ned, Beggar #4, and Betty
Weeping Willow Walter and Constable Smith
Jimmy and Constable
Kitty and Beggar #4
These combinations will bring the cast to about 16 in number. An actor
auditioning for these character roles should be prepared to demonstrate several
speaking voices and characterizations.
Rehearsal dates and times to be determined after consultation with cast and will start with several days of read through and discussion. There will be no rehearsals the week of Thanksgiving and the week after Christmas. Rehearsals will be planned to be considerate of and respect all performer's time, usually starting with a physical warm-up of about 15 minutes. All actors will also be expected to assist with set changes.
The following character sketches are merely ideas that actual casting may modify. Race in any part is undetermined and casting is open to all possibilities. With doubling up of roles, gender may be flexible in some parts or the actor will be playing another gender. Depending on ability to play an instrument, actors may be used as orchestra members. However ability to play an instrument is not required for actors. All members of the orchestra, running crew, house managers and box office will also be dressed as whores, beggars or thieves.
Tiger Brown, Police Commissioner, old friend of MacHeath
SONGS: The Gang Song: a Duet with MacHeath
Lucy Brown, Child of Tiger Brown, Police Commissioner
SONGS: Jealousy Duet: a Duet with Polly, mid-twenties
Jenny, A Whore, MacHeath was her Pimp
SONGS: Tango for a Pimp: a Duet with MacHeath;The Socrates Song aka The Song of
Solomon: a solo
between 35 and 55, looks very hardened and worn by life, a face that shows wear
the voice should also show this.... throaty and husky?
Polly Peachum, Daughter of the Beggar King
SONGS: Pirate Jenny: a solo; Love Duet: a Duet with MacHeath;Barbara Song: a
solo; First Threepenny Finale: The Uncertainty of Human Circumstances: with
Peachum and Mrs. Peachum; Polly's Song: a duet with MacHeath; Jealousy Duet: a
duet with Lucy
aged between 18 and 25
Mrs. Celia Peachum, Wife of the Beggar King
SONGS: Kids Today: a Duet with Mr. Peachum;First Threepenny Finale: The
Uncertainty of Human Circumstances: with Peachum and Polly ;The Ballad of Sexual
Imperative: a Solo,;Second Threepenny Finale: What Keeps a Man Alive: with
MacHeath and chorus; The Ballad of Sexual Dependency: a Solo
aged between 40 and 60
Mr. Jonathan J. Peachum, the Beggar King
SONGS: Peachum's Morning Song, a Solo; Kids Today: a Duet with Mrs. Peachum;
First Threepenny Finale: The Uncertainty of Human Circumstances: with Mrs.
Peachum and Polly; The Song of Inadequacy: a Solo
aged between 40 and 60
MacHeath, murderer and thief, womanizer, aspiring businessman
SONGS: The Cannon Song: a Duet with Tiger Brown; Love Duet: a Duet with Polly;
Polly's Song: a Duet with Polly ;Tango for a Pimp: a Duet with Jenny ;The Ballad
of the Easy Life: a Solo; Second Threepenny Finale: What Keeps a Man Alive: with
Mrs. Peachum and chorus; A Call From the Grave: a Solo; Ballad in Which MacHeath
Begs All Men's Forgiveness: a Solo
aged between 25 and 50
Street Singer,narrator
SONGS: The Flick Knife Song (Mac the Knife): a Solo
gender open, may take on various roles as needed depending on casting, if can
play accordion or similar instrument would be great but not required
Smith, Constable, Reverand Kemball
will probably be doubled up with other parts
Gang Members, Mac's gang of thieves: Matt of the Mint, Crook-fingered
Jake, Chain-saw Bob, Ned, Weeping-Willow Walter, Jimmy
SONGS:Gang sings Wedding Anthem for the Less Well-Off, some other chorus parts
some of gang could be female
Whores: Nelly, Vixen, Dolly, Betty, Kitty
Beggars: three speaking roles: Filch, a new beggar; 2 others, total number to be determined
SONG: Everyone Sings the Finale Anthem.For more information contact: Melody Fetske, fetske@folger.edu, (703) 437-4736 (Home) (202) 675-0354 (Work)
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