The Redlands Community Music Association along with Liberty Productions announces the auditions for 1776, the Broadway musical, featured as part of the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival.  Auditions will be held on Saturday, February 21st, from 9am to 4pm at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church located at 1551 Reserviour Road, in Redlands. 

The show, directed by Diana Schleiger Combs, will run July 23rd, 24th and 25th at the Redlands Bowl.  The music for this production is under the direction of Scott Smith, and with choreography provided by Michael Milligan.

The cast consists of 25 men, age 15- 70+, and 2 women.  There is no chorus in this production.

The two female roles are Abigail Adams, (age 30-50) soprano, and Martha Jefferson, (age 18-35) mezzo-soprano.  Martha Jefferson must have strong knowledge of ballet.

Please come prepared to sing 16 bars of music.  An accompanist will be provided.  Plan to be ready, if asked, to sing a song from the show if you are seeking a specific role. Tenors must be able to sustain a high A note.  Wear comfortable clothing as a light dance will be required.  Bring resume and a recent photo.

The cast consists of 25 men, ranging in age from 15-70+ and 2 women.  The role of Richard Henry Lee have been cast.  All other roles are open.

• John Adams (baritone to tenor) lead role of the show.  Must be able to play early to mid 40’s age and smaller stature is desired. Solo singing throughout  the entire production. 
• Thomas Jefferson (baritone) Six feet or taller, soft spoken author of the declaration.  Can play the violin a plus.
• Benjamin Franklin (baritone) Must be able to play witty 70+ aged character. Sings small solo lines throughout.
• Edward Rutledge (high baritone-tenor) Must speak with elegant southern accent, he is the delegate from South Carolina.  Sings solo “Molasses , to Rum, to Slaves”.
• John Dickinson (baritone to tenor) Strong dramatic role ranging from cool to antagonistic .  Sings solo “Cool Conservative Men”
• Abigail Adams- (soprano) the wife of John Adams.  Ages 30-50 years, must be able to play late 30’s.  No dance is required.  Solo work throughout.
• Martha Jefferson (mezzo-soprano) The wife of Thomas Jefferson.  Ages 18-35, to play late 20’s.  A strong knowledge of ballet required.  Sings solo “He Plays the Violin”.
• The Courier (tenor) Ages 15-30  to play a teenager.  Sings solo “Mama Look Sharp”.
• John Hancock (baritone) strong, statesman or leader appearance.  Sings a solo part in “Cool Conservative Men”.
• Charles Thompson (high baritone to tenor)  the very business-like secretary.  Sings solo in “Is Anybody There?”.
• Col. Thomas McKean (bass to tenor) delegate from Delaware, speaks with a Scottish accent.
• Stephen Hopkins (any range) to play crusty, out-spoken, 70+ aged delegate from Rhode Island.
• Andrew McNair (baritone to tenor) is the custodian for the building. Actor must be able to play 55+ or older seasoned character.  Strong comedic skills and abilities to improvise is a plus. He sings in trio for “Momma Look Sharp”.
• A Leather Apron (High baritone to tenor) must play late-teen to early 20’s aged apprentice to custodian.  He sings in trio for “Momma Look Sharp”.

All remaining Congressional member roles are open to any age to play 25+ to 70+.  Characters’ ages, vocal range and stature are to be determined by director at the time of the audition.  All efforts to keep this historically accurate will be considered. 

Added dates for the show to run in additional locations after the Bowl’s performance are being planned for mid-August through early September week-ends.  These will be announced as soon as they are formalized.  Participation in these additional  performance dates is not required for an actor to be cast in the Bowl’s show, however, but it is a plus.

Any additional questions can be emailed to RedlandsBowl1776@yahoo.com.