Ann Arbor's Penny Seats theatre company to hold open auditions for summer musical Little Me May 5 and 6

For their third summer foray in West Park, Ann Arbor’s Penny Seats theatre company will be presenting the musical Little Me. Auditions for the show will be held at the Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Avenue) on Sunday, May 5, 4-9 pm (open call) and Monday, May 6, 6-10 pm (callbacks). Any actors who are unable to attend on Sunday are welcome to audition on Monday night. Principal actors cast will be paid a small honorarium.

Written by the stellar team of Neil Simon/Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh, the musical Little Me, originally choreographed by Bob Fosse, is perhaps best known for contributing the songs “I’ve Got Your Number,” “Real Live Girl,” and “The Other Side of the Tracks” to the catalogue of American pop standards and for comedian Sid Caesar’s Tony-nominated turn playing six different characters.

Little Me is the autobiography of the optimistic, yet spectacularly accident-prone, Hollywood star Belle Poitrine (née Schlumfert), who rises from poverty on the wrong side of the tracks - to wealth, culture and a position in society, wooing many men along the way.

Directed by Shannon McNutt, who has worked extensively throughout Southeast Michigan, teaches in Canton, and is a professional actress herself, Little Me will run from July 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 in West Park. All shows start at 7:00p.m. with picnicking beginning at 5:30p.m. The rest of the production team includes JP Hitesman (producer), Victoria Gilbert (choreographer), Rebecca Biber (music director), and Sean Murphy (technical director).

Character descriptions and synopsis follow. Music cuts will be available on the Penny Seats website at www.pennyseats.org. Memorization is not required but please be prepared to sing vocal selections from the show as well as read from the script.

If you have questions, please email info@pennyseats.org or call 734-276-2832



Little Me Character Descriptions





Patrick Dennis A famous writer, ghost-writing Belle's autobiography









Older Belle Poitrine (Alto/Belt)





§ Younger Belle Poitrine (Soprano) Began her life as a girl from the “wrong side of the tracks.” She must go out into the world and seek wealth, culture and status in order to marry her true love, Noble.





Momma Mother of Belle. A hooker with a heart of gold.









George Musgrove (Baritone) A young, handsome gambler who falls in love with Belle







Mrs. Eggleston Noble's mother



The Men in Belle's life (All may be played by the same actor --- Vocal ranges can be flexible)



· Noble Eggleston Belle's true love from moment they meet; he has wealth, culture, status.



Mr. Pinchley Old rich man







Val du Val An entertainer









Fred Poitrine A World War I private









Otto Schnitzler Movie director









Prince Cherney A Prince









Noble Junior





§ Bernie and Benny Buchsbaum (Tenor) Two theatrical producers who take advantage of Belle's notoriety to make her a vaudeville star (despite her lack of talent) and later produce her self-financed film career.





Pinchley Junior Mr. Pinchley’s son









Ramona Nightengale Noble's fiancee, chosen by his mother









Yulnick Prince Cherney's confidante.









Mrs. Kepplewhite Mr. Pinchley's secretary.









Numerous female and male cameo roles (Variety of vocal ranges)





Synopsis

Little Me is the autobiography of the optimistic, yet spectacularly accident-prone, Hollywood star Belle Poitrine (née Schlumfert), who rises from poverty on the wrong side of the tracks --- to wealth, culture and a position in society. She was born in Venezuela, Illinois and lives with her highly dubious Momma. In her teens, Belle set her sights on Noble Eggleston, who lives on the right side of the tracks, but whose mother puts an abrupt end to their ambitions. Biding her time, Belle succeeds in landing a rich, 80-year old, skinflint, Mr. Pinchley. When he dies under suspicious circumstances, Belle is arrested and put on trial for murder. She is acquitted; however, the notoriety of the trial brings her a vaudeville offer and romance with Val du Val who modestly considers himself to be the world's greatest entertainer.

Further romances develop for Belle along the way, including the myopic Fred Poitrine, Prince Cherney of Rozenzweig and the imperious film director, Otto Schnitzler. Each romance, in some unexpected way, advances both Belle's career and her fortune. Each romance however, ends in bizarre circumstances ---- nothing simple for our Belle!

Fred Poitrine dies as a result of lodging his finger in a typewriter, Val du Val is drowned when the ship on which he and Belle were returning to America sank. By suing the steamship company, Belle becomes very rich and Hollywood claims her. Otto spears himself on a stage dagger. Prince Cherney suffers a hearts attack after losing everything gambling in the casino in Monte Carlo, where he had staked everything on a number that Belle had chosen. Belle nurses him and in gratitude, Prince Cherney makes her the Countess Zoftig. At last Belle has social status.

Finally, after much misunderstanding and partner changing, Belle walks off into the sunset with her reformed alcoholic, Noble Eggleston.