Ovation! Performing Arts Northwest is excited to announce auditions for our upcoming production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" (Revised Edition). Our director has some exciting things planned with digital backgrounds and animation to be integrated with on-stage action for this production. We will be partnering with Bainbridge Performing Arts and showing in the newly renovated Buxton Center on January 9th-19th, 2025. Rehearsals will take place at the Ovation! studio at 600 Ericksen Ave NE, Ste 103 and will begin on Sunday, September 22nd. Rehearsals will generally be on Tuesday evenings, Wednesday evenings, and Sunday afternoons, with an occasional morning. A more complete rehearsal schedule will be provided before rehearsals begin.
First and foremost, we will be double casting this show. We are hoping to cast a younger lead group (ages 12-17) and an older lead group (ages 18 – youthful adults.) There are a total of six lead parts. When not performing in their lead role, actors will be performing as the chorus and in smaller support roles. Everyone will be in every show. In addition, regardless of how you identify or present, all roles are open to everyone if you are capable of performing the songs and nailing the essence of the character (see character descriptions below).
Auditions will take place on Friday evening, September 6th, and Saturday, September 7th, at Ovation!'s studio at 600 Ericksen Ave, Suite 103 (downstairs), Bainbridge Island. If you have a conflict with these audition dates, please contact Julie Johnson at julie22johnson@gmail.com. Callbacks will begin at 6pm on Wednesday, September 11th (dance) and at 6pm Friday, September 13th (music and lines) at the studio. You must be physically present for callbacks.
For the audition, please prepare 2 minutes (approximately) of a Broadway song that shows off your voice and character skills. We will not have an accompanist available for auditions. Please come with a non-vocal accompaniment track for your audition. We will have a Bluetooth speaker available for your use. A monologue will not be required.
Please print and fill out the audition forms and conflict calendar (which will be emailed to you when you sign up for an audition slot) and bring with you to your audition. We will have forms printed out at the studio if you forget. If you have a resume and headshot, please bring them but they're not required (we will take a picture of you for our records if you don't have your own headshot).
If you receive a callback, you will be told which character(s) we would like you to prepare, given access to music tracks and told which portions of the music and dialogue to prepare for the character(s). We recommend you familiarize yourself with all parts just in case you are called up to try other characters. You will be allowed to be “on book” for the callback songs and lines, but we encourage you to learn as much as you can in advance to show us your performance potential. There will be a dance callback on Wednesday, September 11th. Choreography will be taught at the audition and you will be asked to perform in a group.
The best reference for music and character style is the 1999 Broadway production of the Revised Edition. The musical cast recording is available on many streaming services. We also recommend as preparation that you are somewhat familiar with the “The Peanuts” comic strip and two of the animated holiday TV specials – “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. There will be references to these materials from the director and in the show.
CHARACTER LIST
Charlie Brown: Honest, kind, empathic, bright but very insecure, can be a bit of a punching bag/doormat, finds other people baffling and often wonders why things seem easier to others. Often put in the position of leader but then criticized for it, can be easily distracted and a bit of a dreamer. Sally’s sibling and Snoopy’s person.
Linus: Best Friend to Charlie Brown, quiet, calm, introspective, fiercely intelligent but young and naïve. Less concerned about what people think of him, unlike Charlie Brown. Very kind and very attached to his blanket. Traditionally has a lisp. Lucy’s sibling.
Lucy: Overly confident and very loud. Considers themselves the most beautiful, talented and friendly person in the room, but others may not see them that way. Doesn’t do a good job “reading the room”. Has a total crush on Schroeder. Sibling to Linus. Loud, obnoxious voice work in songs a must for this character.
Sally: Youngest of the group, can be a bit snotty and bratty, finds adults baffling and has the big confidence of a child unfiltered in front of other people. She has a big personality and always up for an adventure, especially with Snoopy, doesn’t care much for school, has a crush on Linus and sibling to Charlie Brown. Must also have nasally, child-like and loud voice work similar to Lucy in songs.
Schroeder: friendly and supportive, talented, focused musician and piano player but has trouble getting schoolwork done, concerned with the over-commercialization of society, loves adventure stories and OBSESSED with Beethoven. Annoyed with Lucy’s crush on him.
Snoopy: Puppy dog who is loved by all the kids, loves and celebrates suppertime and playing/hanging/chasing the kids, birds and bunnies. Snoopy finds humans baffling at times and has a very active imagination; big emotional swings are a must for this character - from loneliness to absolute joy and elation. Actor must not be afraid of standing, climbing onto and off of a 4-foot doghouse while on stage.
We hope you will help us bring this beloved show and these enduring characters to life. See you in September!