REGISTRATION: Individuals who want to get involved in this PCOS production, either onstage or behind the scenes, are asked to complete a registration form.

 

Something Rotten Auditions

September 20/21 (Port Colborne Community Living)

 

Call Backs: September 23, (Port Colborne Community Living)

 

Fill out your online registration form ahead of time to avoid line-ups:

https://forms.gle/svdJdZ7o3jaXV2Li9

 

Annual Society membership fee will be due. (Cash, cheque or e-transfer available)

Open to ages 13yrs & up.

 

REHEARSAL AND SHOW ATTENDANCE:

 

All Cast Members should assume that they must be available for the following rehearsals, with dates to be finalized when they are known:

 

Every WEDNESDAY evening starting mid-September, 7:00 to 10:00 pm, until performances start

Every SUNDAY afternoon from October 22, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, until performances start

Some SATURDAY dance rehearsals (beginning in October) will take place at the discretion of the choreographer

REHEARSAL SCHEDULES will be published in advance and every effort will be made to adhere to the schedule as published

 

Please read the ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

 

SHOW DATES:   Preview Performance on February 14

Show Dates: February 17, 18, 24, 25, March 1, 2, 3, 2024

 

AUDITIONS

 

AUDITIONS for solo roles will take place in September. Location Port Colborne Community Living. Dance and Chorus Auditions will take place after the roles below have been cast.

 

CHORUS: Townspeople, Bard Boys, Puritans -- SATB

 

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

 

Available characters exist for all ages and genders, typically as follows, although note that the list below is subject to change and should not be considered definitive:

 

Female and Gender Fluid Roles

 

Bea (Female)

Casting ages 20s to 40s

Alto with very good belt and lower extension

Nick’s wife and “Right Hand Man”. She loves and supports him despite his questionable decision making and lack of success. Bea resorts to dressing up like a male to make ends meet for her growing family. She is a strong leader and a powerful woman who is quite persuasive when she wants to be. She ultimately saves the day. Comedic acting a plus.

Songs: Right Hand Man, Bottom’s Gonna be on Top, Right Hand Man Reprise

 

Nostradamus (gender fluid role)

Casting ages 40s to 60s

Baritone / Mezzo / Alto with high belt

A soothsayer who “almost” sees the future correctly. A bit loony. This character predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Seeking a comedic performer who sings and moves very well. (Baritone / or Mezzo)

Songs: A Musical, Make an Omelette, Welcome to America

 

Portia (Female)

Casting ages 20s to 30s

Soprano with a strong mix

A quirky Puritan girl whom Nigel meets on the street. Portia is the only daughter of Brother Jeremiah and the love interest to Nigel Bottom. They fall madly in love with each other over their mutual love for Shakespeare and poetry. Portia and Nigel set out to convince Jeremiah and the other puritans that they should be together rather than following the "star-crossed lovers" idea. Comedic actress who sings well.

Songs: I Love the Way, We See the Light, Welcome to America

 

Minstrel (gender fluid role)

Casting ages 25+

Tenor / Alto / Soprano

The Minstrel is a narrator of sorts for the show with the main purpose of introducing the cast and welcoming the audience to the Renaissance era of the show. This performer opens the first and the second act. The performer playing the Minstrel will likely also play other roles in the show.

Songs: Welcome to the Renaissance, Welcome to the Renaissance Reprise, (Other musical numbers throughout the show)

 

Tom Snout, Peter Quince, Snug, Francis Flute, Robin (gender fluid roles)

Casting ages 20+

All Voice Types

These characters are individual members and characters within Nick Bottom’s theatrical troupe.

Although these particular characters must present as male, they can be played by either male or female performers

Songs: God, I Hate Shakespeare, The Black Death, Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top, It’s Eggs, To Thine Ownself Be True, To Thine Ownself (Part 2), Something Rotten, (possibly other numbers as well)

 

Lord/Lady Clapham (gender fluid role)

Casting ages 40+

All Voice Types

Lord/Lady Clapham is a flamboyant theatre producer. Comic speaking role. This actor will also be in the ensemble

Songs: Welcome to the Renaissance, A Musical, Will Power, Shakespeare’s after party, Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top, We See the Light, Make an Omelette, Shakespeare in Court

 

Male and Gender Fluid Roles

 

Nick Bottom (Male)

Casting ages 20s to 40s

High Baritone or Tenor

The main protagonist of the show. A struggling renaissance writer at the end of his rope. Nigel’s older brother. Incredibly jealous of the success of William Shakespeare and will do anything to beat him. He is responsible for creating the first musical, Omelette, after guidance from the misguided Nostradamus. Seeking a comedic actor who sings - tap dance skill a plus.

Songs: God, I Hate Shakespeare, Right Hand Man, God, I Hate Shakespeare (Reprise), A Musical, A Musical Tag, The Black Death, Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top, It’s Eggs, To Thine Own Self (Part 2), Something Rotten, Make an Omelette, To Thine Own Self Reprise, Welcome to America

 

Nigel Bottom (Male)

Casting ages 20s to 30s

Tenor

Nick’s younger brother. A sweetly naïve young writer and poet, a little awkward. He's not very confident, as shown when he doesn't think his work is very good despite the outstanding quality of his writing. He is very gullible and can easily be manipulated. He falls in love with Portia and ultimately finds confidence in himself through art and love. Seeking a comedic actor who sings very well.

Songs: God, I Hate Shakespeare, Right Hand Man, The Black Death, I Love the Way, Will Power, Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top, We See the Light, Nigel’s Theme, To Thine Own Self Be True, To Thine Own Self (Part 2), To Thine Own Self Reprise, Welcome to America

 

William Shakespeare (Male)

Casting ages 20s to 40s

Rock Tenor or high baritone

A renaissance rockstar. Classic Mick Jagger type performer. William Shakespeare is both the real-life author of many plays and rival to Nick Bottom. Shakespeare, also referred to as “The Bard” throughout the show, gets all of the praise and attention from his adoring fans leaving writers like Nick and Nigel in his shadow. Shakespeare is portrayed as a rock star, and his sonnets are performed as rock songs during the song Will Power. Seeking a comedic actor with a pop/rock voice style, tap dance skills a plus.

Songs: Will Power, Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top, Hard to Be The Bard, Something Rotten, Make an Omelette

 

Nostradamus (gender fluid role)

See above for character description and audition requirements

 

Brother Jeremiah (Male)

Casting ages 40+

Baritone

The Puritan father of Portia and secondary antagonist in Something Rotten!. He is very strict and refuses to let his daughter engage in "fulfilling her lustful desires". He shows nothing but disrespect towards everyone, but especially playwrights like Nick and Nigel. A deeply repressed person. He despises playwrights, poets and all things ungodly. Seeking a comedic actor who sings.

Songs: Welcome to the Renaissance, We See the Light (Will likely participate in other musical numbers)

 

Minstrel (gender fluid role)

See above for character description and audition requirements

 

Tom Snout, Peter Quince, Snug, Francis Flute (gender fluid roles)

See above for character description and audition requirements

 

Lord/Lady Clapham (gender fluid role)

See above for character description and audition requirements

 

Shylock (Male)

Casting ages 40+

Baritone or Tenor

Jewish landlord/tax collector who loves theater more than anything. It was illegal at that time to hire someone who was Jewish, so when Nick is forced to hire Shylock, he has to watch out or he could be hanged. An investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt. Comic character.

Songs: Bottom’s Gonna Be On Top (Other ensemble songs throughout the show)

 

PORT COLBORNE OPERATIC SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP FEES

 

Board of Directors: $25.00 unless covered by one of the following.

Adult Cast: $25.00

Child Cast (under 18 years of age): $20.00

Behind the Scenes or Front of House: $15.00

Directors & Department Heads: $10.00

 

CHILDREN not chosen to be part of the cast will receive a full refund of their Membership fee ($20.00). Refunds will be made by e-transfer unless arrangements are made to pick up the refund.

 

ADULTS who have auditioned but do not wish to remain in the show will be refunded $20.00 of their $25.00 Membership fee. If adults have not auditioned and decide to leave the show, they will be refunded the full amount of their Membership fee ($25.00). Refunds will be made by e-transfer unless arrangements are made to pick up the refund.

 

VOLUNTEERS wishing to participate behind the scenes or in the front of house may do so without paying a membership fee, but must sign a personal consent form and a liability waiver.