Welcome everyone to our spring season and our upcoming production of “Guys and Dolls.” You will be nervous. That is a good thing. The key is to channel your nerves into good positive energy. It is important to remember that the we want you to be great.
- One on One Audition Meetings – contact Mr. Scarrone for a time and date – These will begin after Thanksgiving
- December 2nd – Guys & Dolls Workshop – For ALL Members
- January 3rd – Guys & Dolls Auditions 3:00 – 9:00
- January 8th – Guys & Dolls Callbacks 3:00-9:00 (Details and Those Needed Will Be Called-Different & Various Times)
- January 17th & 18th – Younger Company’s Production of Fame Jr. Anyone wanting to help, contact Anabelle & Anastasia
- March 14th & 15th – An Evening With Will (Shakespeare That Is)
- April 25, 26 & 27 Guys & Dolls
Guys & Dolls is a classic American musical comedy and we believe you will thoroughly enjoy working on the show and the fun that it will bring to our organization.
There is a myriad of information on YouTube regarding various productions. We will be focusing on the 1992 version as well as the English West End version.
You can choose a song from the show (Rehear score will be available) or a song of your choice. Hot Box Only Auditioning will be singing in the group auditions , “Bushel & a Peck”
Feel free to utilize both in your preparation for auditions.If you choose to audition for a Hot Box Dancer it not be necessary for you to sing alone, you will be able to sing in a group for your audition. Please note on the form the separate time that has been scheduled for you. Ensemble auditions will also not need individual singing auditions.
Audition Tips
- To memorize or not to memorize? Always a popular question. We do not require the songs or scenes be memorized. That said, the more familiar you are with the material, the more effective your audition will be.
- Be as familiar with the play and the characters as is possible. Here’s the Guys And Dolls script (PDF)
- Be confident – even if you have never done this before, walk into the audition as if you own the place.
- Make bold choices – you need to show us your stuff. These are bigger than life characters, don’t just stand and sing. have fun!
The Characters in Guys and Dolls
Sky Masterson: Male. Baritone B to Eb. Charismatic, cool and charming. Sky is a suave, intelligent and confident gangster who naturally commands others’ respect and attention. He has buckets of stage presence, he is familiar with attracting the attention of the ladies but finds himself falling in love with the one woman who brushes off his advances. He surprises himself by discarding his spontaneous, freewheeling lifestyle for a conventional romance. Some dance/movement ability required.
Sarah Brown: Female. Soprano to High A. Conventional, respectable and principled, Sarah is initially a little too buttoned-up for her own good. She has genuine passion or her calling and compassion for her ‘fold’ but gives Sky an initial frosty response. she allows her straight-laced persona to slip and falls exuberantly and madly in love. She goes on a journey of reconciling her feelings with her beliefs, and changing some of her prejudices about Sky so that her head can follow her heart.
Nathan Detroit: Male. Baritone Organizer of the floating crap game. With a tendency towards neuroticism Nathan is a lovable rogue who is always struggling to stay one step ahead of the pack and looking for the big break he never seems to get. Funny, frustrated but romantic his heart is torn between the camaraderie of his gambling circle and the woman he loves.
Miss Adelaide: Female. Mezzo Lead performer at the ‘Hot Box’ a somewhat tacky and dodgy cabaret joint. Strong comic actress required with dancing ability. She spends the whole show with the symptoms of a cold, acting through sneezes and congestion. She adores Nathan but is driven crazy by his antics with the gambling ring and having been engaged to him for 15 years.
Nicely-Nicely Johnson: Male. Tenor Best pal to Nathan Detroit. With a voracious appetite and boundless enthusiasm, Nicely is ‘nice’ by nature and name. Comic, cheerful and likeable he delivers hilarious one-liners and a big, Broadway showstopper (‘Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat’) with equal aplomb.
Benny Southstreet: Male. BaritoneNicely’s pal with whom he sings the duet ‘Guys & Dolls’ and trio ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’. Upbeat, sometimes nervy, he is more of a novice in the gangster business and further down the pecking order.
Harry the Horse: Male. Another gangster. Has come into money by collecting the reward on his father. Sidekick and mouthpiece to Big Jule, so, though a pleasant rogue, is more on the ball and can be a cool customer who is able to stand his ground when necessary. Sings with ensemble but not alone.
Big Jule: Male. Speaking role. Powerful, intimidating, high status gangster from out of town, whose reputation precedes him. A man of few words but much clout. There is comedy in his straight-talking bluntness.
Arvide Abernathy: Male or Female. Sarah’s Aunt/Uncle and significant member of the Salvation Army mission. Wise, warm and caring.Sings ‘More I cannot wish you’ to Sarah.
General Matilda B. Cartwright: Female mezzo. Stage age 40+ cameo Regional representative of the Salvation Army. Powerful, matronly, no-nonsense with a formidable presence and, it transpires, a sense of humor.
Rusty Charlie/Charlene: Male or Female. Sings the trio ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’ with Nicely & Benny.
Lt. Brannigan: Male or Female . Non-singing role. Member of the local police force, wise to the gangsters’ exploits and trying to keep them in order Commands respect from Nathan and the guys.
Hot Box Girls: female. Number to be determined – Will sing in a group and will have a dance audition in a group. Please learn “Bushel and a Peck” for the audition lyrics below)
We are looking dancers to make up this chorus of performers who back-up Adelaide in her nightclub act. Strong dancing, singing in the group and character performance required. They perform 2 numbers with Adelaide. The Hot Box girls will also be in numerous acting scenes.
Ensemble: The ensemble make up the characters of Times Square, gangsters and their molls, Salvation Army personnel and other cameos. Featured male and Characters will be required for the Opening in Runyonland and Broadway, Havana Sequence and for the Crapshooters Dance. They will all double into the ensemble.
We are looking for strong performers who can create individual, well-drawn characters. Other roles (including Joey Biltmore, Agatha, Angie the Ox, Liver Lips Louie, Waiter etc.) will be cast from the ensemble.
About GUYS & DOLLS
One of Broadway’s most hilarious shows, Guys and Dolls has been described as theperfect musical comedy. It is based primarily on the Damon Runyon short story “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown,” which describes the unlikely romance between apure-at-heart urban missionary and a slick Broadway gambler.
The show’s second romantic storyline involves Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide, who have been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan organizes of the “oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York” and Adelaide is the main attraction at the Hot Box nightclub. Guys and Dolls opened on Broadway on November 24, 1950. Producers Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin, longtime Damon Runyon fans, assembled an exceptional team to bring the author’s racy, hard-shelled, but basically soft-hearted characters to the stage. The team, which included composer/lyricist Frank Loesser, bookwriter Abe Burrows, director George S. Kaufman and choreographer MichaelKidd, created a show that received unanimous ecstatic reviews and was praised as one of the most well-constructed musicals in Broadway history.
In 1951, New York Times drama critic Brooks Atkinson wrote of Guys and Dolls:“During the decade in which the musical stage has been developing into a form of art, we have all appreciatively paid our respects to the dynamic unities of Oklahoma, Brigadoon, Carousel, South Pacific, and The King and I. They have made art and considerable enjoyment out of a form of theatre that used to be a hackneyed convention.
But none of them has been written and staged with more skill and finish than Guys and Dolls. It is a triumph of style. In the case of Guys and Dolls luck has been a lady.Everyone associated with the production has helped everyone else, and they are in top form.”
Accent Help-You Can Find More on YouTube
The show is highly stylized piece that takes place in New York. Most characters speak with a New York/Brooklyn/Gangster type accent. Don’t stress over the accent, but just have fun trying different styles.
Audition Monologues for Guys and Dolls
Choose one of the monologues below to perform at auditions. You do not have to memorize it; just try to be very familiar with it. As you perform, show as much personality and character as you can. Please read over all of the monologues, as you may be asked to read an additional one. Choosing your monologue is an important part of the audition preparation. A polished monologuegives you the opportunity to showcase your acting skills and demonstrate your connection to specificcharacters. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
- Familiarize yourself with the show (Googling “Guys and Dolls musical” will give you good info).Read the script, listen to the music (available on Spotify and YouTube), watch samples of performances on YouTube and read all of the audition information that is provided.
- Think through it: Which role(s) do I see myself in? Which role(s) do I think the directors will seeme in? Consider all the possibilities – and don’t limit yourself! Be open to discovery and trying something new.
- Choose a monologue that captures the essence of the characters that you would like to be considered for. (But understand that the audition team will consider you for all roles unless you state you are not interested in specific parts.)
- Rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse some more! Get comfortable with the character and your piece. Memorization is preferred, but not required. Bring your script if it will allow you to better show the character.
Sky Masterson (A charming but self-assured gambler. Sky is immensely likeable and oozes style.) Nathan, let me tell you a little story . . . When I was a young man, about to go out in the world, my father says to me a very valuable thing. “Son,” the old guy says,” . . . one of these days in your travels a guy is going to come to you with a brand new deck of cards and offer to bet you that he can make the Jack of Spades jump out of the deck and squirt cider in your ear. But son, do not bet this man, for as sure as you are standing there you are going to wind up with an earful of cider.” Now, Nathan, I do not claim that you have been clocking Mindy’s cheesecake; however, if you are really looking for some action, I will bet you the same thousand that you do not know the color of the necktie that you have on.”
Sky Masterson – When I was a young man about to go out into the world. My father says to me a very valuable thing. He says to me like this: “Son,” the old guy says, “I am sorry that I am not able to bankroll you to a very large start, but not having any potatoes to give you I am now going to stake you to some very valuable advice. One of these days in your travels a guy is going to come to you and show you a nice brand-new deck of cards on which the seal is not yet broken. This guy is going to offer to bet you that he can make the Jack of Spades jump out of the deck and squirt cider in your ear. But son, do not bet this man, for as sure as you can stand there you are going to wind up with an ear full of cider.” Now, Nathan, I do not claim that you have been clocking Mindy’s cheesecake. However if you’re really looking for some action, I will bet you the same thousand that you do not know the color of the necktie you have on
Nathan Detroit (A good-hearted gambler and craps game organizer. He loves Adelaide but can’t quite quit his gambling ways.) Adelaide, did Nicely explain to you about tonight? I hope you ain’t sore about it? (He tries to embrace her – she pulls away.) Sweetheart! Baby! How can you carry on like this over one lousy elopement? Adelaide, please! I can’t stand it. We’ll get married. We’ll have a home, a little white house with a green fence – just like the Whitney colors.
Nathan Detroit – I ain’t scared. I am perfectly willing to take the risk, providing I can figure out a bet on which there is no chance of losing. Sky likes crazy bets . . . Ooh! Look – run into Mindy’s Restaurant and ask Mindy how many pieces of cheesecake he sold yesterday and how many pieces of strudel. Now beat it – here comes Adelaide. If she hears I am running the crap game she will never set foot on me again.
Nathan Detroit – What do you mean? A marker ain’t just a piece of paper that says I.O.U. One thousand dollars signed. A marker is a pledge which a guy can’t welch on it. It’s like not saluting the flag. My marker is as good as gold, only Joey Biltmore don’t think so – It don’t seem possible. Me without a livelihood. Why, I have been running the crap game ever since I was a juvenile delinquent. I’m broke! I couldn’t even buy Adelaide a present today, and you know what day today is? It is mine and Adelaide’s fourteenth anniversary. Yeah. We have been engaged fourteen years. Go ahead – shoot me! Put me in cement. At least I know where I am. Here I risk my neck to set up a crap game. I even promise to get married on account of it. So look how Iend up. Broke in a sewer. Believe me, my tough friend from Chicago, there is nothing you can do to me hat would not cheer me up.
Miss Adelaide – (Nathan’s fiancé and a lead performer at the Hot Box nightclub. She loves Nathan more than anything in the world and desperately wants to get married.) Nathan, darling, this book is very interesting. The doctor gave it to me. I went to him about my cold. The doctor asked me how long I had had it, and I told him a long time so he said to read this book, because he said it might be due to psychology – the kind of psychology that tells you why girls do certain kinds of things. (She shows Nathan a box.) What do you think I got in this box? It’s a wedding veil, Nathan. I’ve had it for three years. I won’t show it to you, because it’s bad luck . . . Would you like to see it?Or
Miss Adelaide – Hello Nathan, dear. You go ahead, girls. Order me a tuna fish on rye and a chocolate sundae with tomato ketchup and mayonnaise. We gotta get back to the Hot Box and continue rehearsing. That slave driver Charlie – He’s been working us all day. Finally I says “Look, Charlie, I’m starving! I gotta get outa here and get something to eat.” And he says, “You don’t want to eat. You just want to sneak out and meet that cheap bum, Nathan Detroit.” I told him. I says, “I’ll meet whoever I want!” (Sneeze) (Nathan – how is your cold?) My cold is the same. I went to the doctor and he asked me how long I had had it, and I told him a long time. I thought it was on account of my dancing with hardly any clothes on, which is what I usually wear, and he gave me this book to read, because my cold might be due to psychology. It is very interesting and tells you why girls do certain things.
Sarah Brown – (Serves as Sergeant of the local mission. She is idealistic, sheltered, and straight laced. She is passionate about her cause and wishes to convert the gambling sinners to saints.) Brothers and Sisters, resist the Devil and he will flee from you. That is what the Bible tells us. Hear me, you gamblers, with your dice, your cards, your horses. Just around the corner is our little Mission where you are always welcome to seek refuge from this jungle of sin. Join me, Brothers and Sisters, in resisting the Devil. The Save-a-Soul mission is located at 409 West 49th Street, open all day and all night.
Lieutenant Brannigan (A New York police officer who is on to Nathan’s illegal craps game. A tough no-nonsense character.) Tell me, Nathan. When is the happy day? These good fellows are nice enough to give you a bachelor dinner. You should at least tell them the wedding date. Hey, why don’t you elope? You can drive down to Maryland . . . They’ll marry you right away. They don’t even ask you for a blood test. My congratulations to you, Nathan. And I only hope there is nothing in heredity.
General Matilda Cartwright (The head of the Save-a-Soul Mission) It is wonderful to see our Mission graced by the presence of so many evil-looking sinners. Now, who would like to start the ball rolling by giving testimony? Come, brothers – I know it is difficult. But let one of you give testimony to the sin that is in his heart. Anyone?
General Cartwright – Good morning Sarah, Arvide. I got in early this morning. I’ve spent the last hour trying to find you. There is something I want to talk to you about. (Sarah – Will you come in and have lunch?)No, I don’t have time, dear. I have several other calls I need to make. Sarah, we at headquarters have come to a definite conclusion. We have decided to close this branch of the Mission. Sarah, there are so many calls on us – so many other places where our work is needed. If I thought the mission had a chance – (Sky – I promise a dozen genuine sinners at the next meeting.)Hallelujah!
MIMI – HOT BOX DANCERS – Anybody see an earring out here?(Seeing Nathan Detroit You! I’m all dated up tomorrow with Society Max and he breaks it on account of your dopey crap game Honest, Adelaide, I pity you (seeing her earring on the floor) Oh, here it is. Thank goodness. I spent a whole two bits on these last week. They match my shoes, you know. Goodbye Adelaide and good riddence to you, you two bit gambler! Humph!
ARVIDE/ Uncle/Aunt – Not so fast, Sarah, not so fast. Look, suppose we don’t have a big meeting tonight – suppose nobody is there at all. We’ll explain it to the General. Remember, sinners are not respectful and well behaved – as we saw last night when they gambled in our mission. But some day they’ll be praying there. Even a man like Sky Masterson. He came here to seek refuge, but now he is seeking you. I knew it the minute he started picking on you. What I didn’t know was that you were going to get stuck on him! And don’t try to get over it – it’s not pneumonia you know! I’ve always taken care of you, Sarah. All I want is for you to be happy.
Nicely Nicely Johnson – Poor Miss Sarah! I wonder why a refined doll like her is mixed up in the Mission dodge. It’s too bad that such a doll wastes all her time being good. How can she make any money at that? Hey! Benny! Sky was just following Miss Sarah, and you should have seen her. She give him a look that would have cooled off a moose at mating time. No way is he taking her to Havana. He couldn’t take this doll to New Rochelle! Hey, where’s Nathan? He ought to start lining up the game. I suppose he is trying to see Adelaide. She’s mad at him again. That Mis Adelaide. She is always taking his mind off honest work.
Benny Southstreet – Hey! Nicely! Sky was just following Miss Sarah, and you should have seen her. She give him a look that would have cooled off a moose at mating time. No way is he taking her to Havana. He couldn’t take this doll to New Rochelle! Hey, where’s Nathan? He ought to start lining up the game. I suppose he is trying to see Adelaide. She’s mad at him again. That Mis Adelaide. She is always taking his mind off honestwork.
Harry the Horse – Hey Benny Southstreet! Tell me, what about Nathan Detroit? Is he got a place for his crap game? I’m loaded and looking for some action. I just collected five thousand dollars – on account of I collected the reward on my father. (to Nathan Detroit) Where’s the game Detroit? If you do not have no place for your game, tell us, and we will seek elsewhere for our entertainment. I hope, Detroit, you will not spoil our evening, inasmuch as I happen to be entertaining a very prominent guest tonight. I think you might have heard of him. I want you to meet Big Jule (Julie) from Chicago. What do you say Big Jule, should we stick around or shall we blow?
Lieutenant Brannigan – Any you guys seen Nathan Detroit? The Nathan Detroit who’s been running a floating crap game around here, and getting away with it by moving it to a different spot every night. You can tell him for me: I know that right now he’s running around trying to find a spot. Well, nobody’sgonna give him a spot, because they all know that Brannigan is breathing down their neck!
Big Julie – Wait a minute. Where are you all going? I came here to shoot crap and I don’t care who is tired. I am out twenty-five G’s so nobody leaves. Give me the dice I am shooting a thousand! Detroit, I am going troll you willy nilly. If I lose, I will give you my marker and if I win you will give me cash. And to change my luck, I will use my own dice. I had them made for me especially in Chicago. I had the spots taken off for good luck. But don’t worry, I remember where the spots formerly were.