Hello! We are so excited to see you for 1940’s Radio Hour.
All materials can be found below, under your role name.
B.J.
CLICK HERE for materials.
Please sing ‘You Go To My Head’ or anything from the Great American Song Book.
CLIFTON
CLICK HERE for materials.
Please sing ‘I Got A Gal In Kalamazoo’ or anything from the Great American Song Book.
GINGER
CLICK HERE for materials
Please sing ‘Blues In The Night’ or anything from the Great American Song Book.
CONNIE
CLICK HERE for materials.
Please sing anything uptempo from the Great American Song Book.
WALLY
CLICK HERE for materials.
Please sing ‘Blue Moon’ or anything from the Great American Song Book.
POPS
CLICK HERE for materials.
This role does not require singing, but if you are so inclined you are more than welcome to prepare a Christmas carol or a song from the Great American Song Book.
JOHNNY
CLICK HERE for materials.
Please sing ‘Our Love Is Here To Stay’ or anything from the Great American Song Book.
BIFF
CLICK HERE for materials.
Please sing ‘AIn’t She Sweet’ or anything from the Great American Song Book.
Please also include a clip of your trumpet playing.
ANN
CLICK HERE for materials.
Please sing ‘That Old Black Magic’ or anything from the Great American Song Book.
LOU
CLICK HERE for materials.
This role does not require singing, but if you are so inclined you are more than welcome to prepare a Christmas carol or a song from the Great American Song Book.
GENEVA
CLICK HERE for materials.
Please sing ‘I Got It Bad’ or anything with a blues feel from the Great American Song Book.
CLICK HERE for a link referencing the Great American Songbook.
1940’S RADIO HOUR BREAKDOWN
Producing Artistic Director: Lauren Kennedy Brady
Director: Julia Murney
Music Director: Kevin Lawson
Casting Director Wojcik Casting Team
Rehearsal Period: Nov 20th – December 6th
Technical Rehearsals Begin: December 7th
Estimated Rehearsal Times: Weekdays: 5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Saturdays and/or Sundays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. One TBD Day off per week.
Show Run: December 13th-24th
Show Schedule: Wednesdays – Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 + 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
AEA Local Actors:
SPT Tier 6 ($549 minimum)
Non-Union actors from out of town:
Payment – $300 weekly, travel, housing, shared car
[ANN COLLIER] (Female Identifying – 35-45 – All Ethnicities) The ‘old standard’ in the Radio show since its start in 1936, she sings like Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and Peggy Lee (all rolled into one). She is the calm in the storm of the live show. A fan favorite, she’s the lead singer, charged with addressing the gravity of the war overseas. Caught up in a no-win relationship with Johnny. Has a Ginger Rogers style comedic dance number. Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Principal
[CLIFTON] (Male Identifying – 30s-50 – All Ethnicities) head of production as well as the announcer on air at WOV, we see him in various states of hysteria as he tries to corral the cats and get through tonight’s live show. Very genuine and vulnerable, he is like Jimmy Stewart with a mic style like a young Bob Hope…during the broadcast, he is the de facto host and leads most of the advertising sections. Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Principal
[JOHNNY CANTONE] (Male Identifying – 30s-40s- All Ethnicities). The star vocalist with WOV who never fails to mention that he’s on Sinatra’s band wagon (meaning he thinks he knows ol’ blue eyes far better than he does). An ex-boxer, a lothario, and sadly an alcoholic who gets drunker as the broadcast goes on. He’s not a bad guy, he’s just a lost guy whose career never caught fire and it’s eating him up (he pays girls at the stagedoor to scream for him), so he acts like nothing fazes him. Uses alcohol to protect himself, voice like velvet. In a relationship with Ann that’s barely there anymore (and most likely never was). Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Principal
[BJ GIBSON] (Male Identifying – 18-24 – All Ethnicities) – the third of the Gibson brothers to work for the Cavalcade, he is squeaky-clean and good looking, needs to be able to tap, also has a jitterbug number with Connie, who-according to WOV publicity-he is dating (though he has to compete with her being in love with essentially every man she sees). Would love to be given more to do in the show but doesn’t quite have the guts to put himself forward…but gets the chance tonight and nails it (to his and most everyone else’s surprise). Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Principal
[GINGER] (Female Identifying – 25-35– All Ethnicities) a waitress turned featured Cavalcade performer, she’s one of those people who’s just sexy without ever even trying. She simply can’t help it. It’s hard to pin down whether she’s not the brightest or just doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. It’s probably both. Sweet to everyone and is guile free. She doesn’t care about being a star-she just wants to enjoy everything…from her gum and her makeup to reciting ads for Eskimo pies to singing her songs. Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Principal
[LOUISE COHN] (Female Identifying – 35-45 – All Ethnicities) – Known as Lou, she’s the company stage manager who keeps all the plates spinning and never breaks a sweat. Takes her job(s) seriously, doesn’t suffer fools but never judges the madness around her. Can keep four or five conversations going at once. In addition to making sure everyone is generally where they are supposed to be before and during the broadcast, she’s also the choreographer and the foley artist. Just don’t ask her to sing. She only does that if she feels like it. Supporting
[POPS BAILEY] (Male Identifying – 60+ – All Ethnicities) Non-singing role, a crotchety, wizened stage doorkeeper who is a racing bookie on the company phone and reads hidden copies of Show Girl magazine. Fought in WW1 and has a son off fighting in the Pacific. Underneath the gruff is a big softie with a special paternal place in his heart for Ann. Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Supporting
[CONNIE MILLER] (Female Identifying – 18-24 – All Ethnicities) a bobbysoxer from Ogden, Utah, she is perennially in chaste love. She handles the cute comedic numbers as well as being part of a dance team with B.J. who is also her sweetheart-according to WOV publicity, at least. The only problem is she has a crush on anyone near her who has talent, so B.J. has to work overtime to keep her focus. Needs to be able to tap, also has a jitterbug partner number with B.J. Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Supporting.
[GENEVA LEE BROWN] (Female Identifying – 18-35 – Black) – beautiful high-class singer from Kansas City who’s played everything from Chesterfield’s to The Cotton Club, Ella Fitzgerald style scat and sass, piano playing skills a plus. She’s the life of the party, whether you think so or not. A fabulous musician, she’s in demand all over town. The Cavalcade is lucky to have her and she knows it. Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Supporting
[WALLY] (Male Identifying – 18-25 – Any Ethnicities) Tenor/baritone, poodle-eyed young hopeful from Altoona, Pennsylvania who came to NYC to work for his uncle at the drugstore around the corner but longs to to get his big show-biz break. We are in love with him as soon as we meet him. Innocently and honestly enamored by everything at the radio station, he is confident he has learned all the routines and tonight gets the chance of a lifetime. Not really ready for prime time, but his heart is firmly in the right place. Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Supporting.
[BIFF BAKER] (Male Identifying – 18-25 – All Ethnicities) – trumpet player with the Zoot Doubleman orchestra, he’s been in Army basic training and is back playing with the Cavalcade for one night before he ships out tomorrow. Plays all the tunes with the band but also has some step outs where he sings and speaks a bit. Should be comfortable singing in the style of the 1940s American Songbook. Supporting.
Storyline: A different time is evoked in this marvelously theatrical and winning show, a live broadcast of The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room on December 21, 1942. The spirit of that bygone era, when the world was at war and pop music meant “Strike Up the Band” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” (both of which are in this show), is captured as the harassed producer copes with (among others) a drunk lead singer, the delivery boy who wants a chance in front of the microphone, the young innocent bobbysoxer who is seemingly in love with every guy in the room, and the trumpet-playing G.I. who chooses a fighter plane over Glenn Miller. All in the midst of a huge snowstorm. A true ensemble show, there’s no way they can get through the broadcast without each other.