Auditions
OPEN CALL FOR bright star
Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company is holding open auditions for BRIGHT STAR on March 8 and 9, 2025.
Book by Steve Martin, Music by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Lyrics by Edie Brickell, Conceived by Edie Brickell and Steve Martin
Producing Director Jay Dysart; Artistic Director/Stage Director, Megan O’Toole; Musical Director, Curtis Heard
This is a fully staged production, with professional live orchestra.
This is a volunteer theatre performance.
Reimbursement/Per Diem will be offered for all roles.
DATES
REHEARSALS:
Begin April 1 and run Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm-10:30pm and Saturdays from 10:00am-6:00pm.
PERFORMANCES:
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 7pm May 30-June 1, June 6-8, and 13-15.
AUDITIONS:
Saturday, March 8 from 11:00am – 3:00pm.
Sunday, March 9 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm.
No appointment necessary.
Callbacks (if required) Tuesday, March 11 at 7pm
Video Submissions Accepted
Video submissions will be accepted until March 9. Please submit video audition materials to [email protected].
AUDITION INFORMATION
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Be prepared to sing 32 bars (or one minute) of music in the style of the show, and/or that demonstrates your vocal range and power. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music. Resume and headshot are not required, if submitted they will be viewed post-audition.
Auditions, rehearsals and performances are in the historic sanctuary at First Congregational Church of Long Beach at 241 Cedar Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802. Direct questions to [email protected] or (562) 366-0085.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
LONG BEACH LANDMARK CASTING COMMITMENT:
As a company we are committed to consistently evaluating our practices to better reflect and serve our vibrant and diverse community. We welcome non-traditional and identity-conscious casting in all our productions. We are seeking and encouraging all actors to audition, regardless of race/ethnicity, physical ability, body type, age, orientation or gender/gender identity.
All Roles Open
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS AND VOCAL RANGES
Descriptions are a guide only and may be flexible.
Alice Murphy – Plays Alice at age 16-17 and age 36-37. Alice at 36-37: an editor of a southern literary magazine; intelligent, attractive, professional–but with an air of melancholy. Alice at 16-17 is intelligent, rebellious, high-spirited, adventurous – looking to break out of small-town life and experience the world. Must be a strong singer comfortable in folk and bluegrass styles.
Vocal range: F3-C5
Billy Cane – A young soldier returning home from WWII; an aspiring young writer; fresh, open, optimistic, charming, and a little naïve.
Vocal range: C3-A4
Jimmy Ray Dobbs – Plays Jimmy Ray at age 18-20 and 38-40. Jimmy at 18-20: in flashbacks as Mayor Dobbs’ son and young Alice’s love-interest; handsome, boyishly charming and intelligent; from a family of wealth and power and is being groomed by his father for a similar future in the family business; an independent thinker who is not afraid to stand up to his father for what he believes in; he has a sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion. Jimmy at 38-40: Sad, remorseful, hopeful. Still very much cares for Alice.
Vocal range: C3-A4
Major Josiah Dobbs – The Mayor of Zebulon; a political and financial powerbroker – distinguished, an imposing and controlling presence; has a genuine interest in protecting his son’s future and his family name, but in doing so, is ultimately pushed to a point of extreme and irrevocable cruelty.
Vocal range: A2-G4
Margo Crawford – A small-town bookstore owner; a childhood friend of Billy’s who now harbors romantic feelings towards him; a natural beauty with a keen intellect.
Vocal range: B3-F#5
Daryl Ames – An assistant at a literary magazine. Funny, with a dry and officious sense of humor. Insecure, and perhaps a bit socially awkward, but endearing and innately likeable.
Vocal range: C3-E4
Lucy Grant – A junior editor at a literary magazine. An ambitious, professional young “modern” career woman of the 1940’s. Strong, forthright and provocative with a sharp sense of humor.
Vocal range: A3-D5
Daddy Murphy – Alice’s father; Authoritative, strict, devoutly religious, hard-working, a poor but proud farmer.
Vocal range: A2-G4
Mama Murphy – Alice’s mother. A caretaker to her family and her rural community. A warm, loving, sensible woman. Hardworking, with great inner strength and compassion.
Vocal range: G3-C5.
Daddy Cane – Billy’s father. A widower. Spry, good looking. Kind-hearted, if a bit lonely.
Vocal range: C3-A4
Stanford Adams – Loyal assistant to Mayor Josiah Dobbs. Professional, hovering.
Vocal range: Baritone,Tenor
Florence – Works at Margo’s bookstore. She is a very supportive friend to Margo, always willing to help out. She is a romantic and often gets caught up in dreams.
Vocal range: A3-C5
Edna – Works at Margo’s bookstore as well. She is energetic, hard-working, and optimistic. Falls in love with Max.
Vocal range: C4-E5
Max – A young resident of Zebulon who frequents the bookstore. He’s naive and very earnest. At first, he has a crush on Margo, but later becomes Edna’s beau.
Vocal range: open
Dr. Norquist – Alice’s doctor in Zebulon, Dr. Norquist values the picture of a perfect community and, along with Mayor Dobbs, tries to preserve Zebulon’s image.
Vocal range: open
Ensemble – Includes supporting roles, Government Clerk, Townspeople
All Vocal ranges