Auditions

Auditions will be held on Monday, January 28 and Tuesday, January 29 at 7pm in the Playhouse. Everyone auditioning needs to prepare 16 bars from any song and bring the sheet music in with them. Also, any male intending on trying out for the lead needs to prepare a one minute monologue that makes extensive use of descriptive hand gestures. Actors/Actresses must be age 16+ to participate.

"Kismet" means "Fate".

Kismet was originally produced as a play in 1911 and have been seen in several different movie versions as well as this musical. It is the "folktale" of a cunning street beggar (Hajj) who, in a mere 24 hours, marries his daughter (Marsinah) to the Caliph of Baghdad, foils the dastardly and despicable plots of the dangerously greedy Wazir and gets away with murder (literally) before being sent into exile with the Wazir's luscious and willing wife (Lalume).

The musical is set in the mystical Orient and conjures images of Sheherazade and the fabled Sindab. Bizarre musical renditions - kind of heavy oriental operetta with a '50's boogie beat. The show begs for incredible costuming - lots of sheers and brocades. Tony Bennet made the song "Stranger in Paradise" famous in the '50's - you may be familiar with it. One review said of the Broadway rendition in 1953 "...noisy, spectacular and vigorous. The biggest and brightest of magical carpets, it may not be subtle or original, but nobody intended it to be. It is melodic and gay. What's more, it has one great virtue in that it continually spoofs itself." If anyone remembers the RPI production of "Edwin Drood", keep in mind that this story must be just as over the top and still remain totally convincing. It is a terribly shallow show - BUT FUN!!!!

Cast:

Main Characters:

Hajj - male age 32-50. Poet, beggar, lots of lead songs
Marsinah - his daughter, aged 15-30. a few lead songs - some romantic duets
The Wazir - quintessential bad guy, over the top sinister, solos and must command stage
Lalume - his wife, voluptuous, oversexed and more intelligent than he. several solos
The Caliph - male ingénue lead, several solo numbers but limited character

Several supporting roles

Jawan- big character role of most infamous thief in the area. not a singing role
The Bangle Man - selling jewels in the street, solos
Policeman - second to the Wazir, sidekick sort, ever present
Princess Zubbedya and Princess Samahris - both after the Caliph, songs and featured dance
Ayah to each Princess - sing song to "sell" the princesses to the Caliph, also dance.

Street and Palace peoples:

beggars
dancers
sellers
Doorman
Guards
Attendants
Slave girls
Widow
Princesses of Ababu (female dancers)
Diwan Dancers (male)

Intent:

I would hope to cast around 35 people - up to 40 if we have an excited, committed turnout for auditions. Come and give it a try. Anyone who has always wanted to get on stage for a change is welcome. I would encourage staunch "techies" to take part, just as I will encourage all actors to get involved with tech in production of the show. I like having fun when putting a show together and will do my best to produce a quality production without beating anyone up about it.