It has been a couple of years, but the volunteer players at Kaleidoscope Theatre are itching to get back on stage.
COVID led to the cancellation of many things, including good ol’ live theatre. This week Kaleidoscope is hosting auditions for their summer production, Sweet Charity. Becky Neuman is directing the Neil Simon musical and is excited to be getting back at it.
“I just received all the materials and as the closer we are getting to auditions, I just thought ‘this is going to be so much fun!’” said Neuman. “It’s always a lot of work but it is a lot of fun.”
It has been a couple of years since the theatre group has been able to put on a production, and their tradition is to present a musical every other summer.
“We miss the one we did last year, so we are going to try and pick it up this year,” said Neuman.”The last one we did was Sister Act in 2019.”
Neuman is familiar with Sweet Charity.
“It has some great music like ‘Hey Big Spender’ and ‘Riddle of Life’ and ‘If My Friends Could See me now,’” she said.
Sweet Charity premiered on Broadway in 1966 and was brought to the Hollywood screen with Shirley McLaine starring as Charity Hope Valentine, desperately seeking love in New York City in the 1960s. Charity tries, again and again, to find her dream and make something of herself.
They have had one round of auditions already and they are happening again on Wednesday, April 27, and Thursday, April 28. They are also looking for musicians to make up an ensemble. She says not only are audience members looking forward to the production but so are potential performers.
“I have had people texting me saying it is so nice to be thinking about doing another show,” she said. “My biggest concern is about getting enough men, that’s always the concern. A lot are working, and a lot like to sing on their own but have never done something on stage.”
Auditions begin at 7:30 p.m. on each day. They are looking for four males and for females as well as a chorus. Please come prepared with a short song and wear something easy to move in. Please enter Kaleidoscope through the public entrance.
