The Concord Players Announce Auditions for
Directed by Paul Murphy
Music Direction by Kathryn Denney
Choreography by Brad Robinson
All actors must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. (To review our complete COVID-19 policy and precautions, click here.)
Synopsis: This beloved musical classic tells the tale of the fast-talking Harold, who arrives in River City with plans to charm the town and make a quick buck. What happens next takes the entire town, including himself and Marian, the town’s uptight librarian, by surprise. The show contains big, memorable production numbers with parts for people of all ages and ethnicities. The score includes the timeless classics of “Till There was You,” "Marian the Librarian,” “Wells Fargo Wagon,” and “Seventy-Six Trombones.” Join us as we travel back to 1912 Iowa for a wonderful musical adventure!
Adult auditions will be held on:
- Thursday, January 4, 7:00–10:00 PM,
- Friday January 5, 7:00–10:00 PM
- Saturday, January 6, 2:00–5:00 PM
Children's auditions (ages 9-15) will be held on:
- Friday, January 5, 6:00–7:00 PM,
- Saturday, January 6, 1:00–2:00 PM
All auditions will be held at 51 Walden St., Concord, MA.
Actors will be seen in groups of six, in half-hour blocks, by appointment only: to reserve your place in a half-hour appointment slot, please use our signup form below.
For your initial audition, actors should prepare 16-32 bars in the style of the show that showcases both vocal and acting abilities. Please bring sheet music in the correct key, taped together or in a binder. Please no loose sheet music or books. Actors will also read a short side from the show, provided at auditions.
See the Character Descriptions below for more details.
Callbacks will be held on Sunday, January 7, 1:00–5:00 PM, at 51 Walden St. — it is imperative that actors reserve this date.
Rehearsals will be scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM, and Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM, and some Friday evenings, beginning on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
There will be eight performances in April–May 2024, over three weekends:
- Friday, April 26, at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, April 27, at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, April 28, at 2:00 PM
- Friday, May 3, at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, May 4, at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, May 5, at 2:00 PM
- Friday, May 10, at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, May 11 at 8:00 PM
Please note also the following key dates in 2024:
- Tech Rehearals (4):
- Thursday, April 18
- Sunday, April 21
- Wednesday, April 24
- Thursday, April 25 (open dress rehearsal)
Please note that conflicts are not permitted on performance dates, nor on the other key dates listed above.
To sign up for auditions, please complete our online form, below. Before you fill it out, please note the following:
- Be ready to select one of the half-hour long appointment slots designated for your age group: children (ages 9-15) or older teens and adults (ages 16+)
- If you are under 18, please be ready to enter contact information (name, email, phone) for your parent or guardian.
- Be prepared to upload your resume and headshot (when you receive a confirmation email for your signup):
- Resume: PDF format is preferred, but most any document type will do (no image files, please).
- Headshot: If you do not have a headshot, a front-facing picture of your head or head and torso, with just yourself centered in it, is acceptable. JPEG or PNG format is preferred, but any image format will do. (no PDF files, please).
Instructions for uploading your files will be in the confirmation email sent to you when you sign up.
Our Board of Directors is in the process of finalizing our minors policy, as it will be applied to this production. When that policy is complete, we will reference it here, and we will contact all parents of minors who have already signed up, to inform them of the policy.
If you have any questions, send an email to the staff at
mm-staff@concordplayers.org
Character Descriptions
Concord Players is committed to diversity and inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities to audition. We also recognize that these characters are written on the binary (use he/him or she/her pronouns) and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.
Harold Hill: early 30s-40s, bari-tenor (A♭2 to F4), ability to move well.
The fast-talking con man who woos River City with charm and sunny disposition. Actor needs to play a range of emotions from swindler to charmer to a man who finally acknowledges (gasp) that he may be in love.Marian Paroo: early 30s-40s, soprano (G3-A♭5), ability to move well.
River City’s uptight librarian, frustrated by the town’s parochial views and lack of literary interest. She is completely taken off guard by the charm of Harold and his ability to connect and inspire people. Like Harold, she too experiences an emotional awakening during the play.Mrs. Paroo: 50s-early 60s, mezzo (A♭3-E♭4), light movement.
The warm-hearted, straight-talking mother of Marian and Winthrop, who wants nothing but the best for her two children. She’s funny, grounded, and on task. Irish accent.Marcellus: Age flexible, tenor (G3-A4), strong mover/dancer.
Longtime friend of Harold, who understands and somewhat relates to Harold’s motives, but is trying to make his way in earnest in River City.Mayor Shinn: late 40s-60s, minimal movement.
The all-too-serious mayor of River City who has a propensity for tangling the English language. Great comic role. Scripted as non-singing but can be added to some ensemble numbers.Eulalie Shinn: early 40s-60, alto (D4-D5), light movement.
The mayor’s proper, uptight wife, who sees herself as the grand dame of River City. However, underneath her propriety is an artist dying to express herself and get some freedom from her controlling husband.Winthrop Paroo: Age 9-11, C♯4-E5, ability to move well.
The shy, young son of Mrs. Paroo. Very connected/dependent to his older sister and mother. Must be able to sing with a lisp.Amaryllis: Age 9-11, F4-E5, light movement.
Enthusiastic and forward piano student of Marion.Tommy Djilas: Age 15-20, ensemble singing, strong mover/dancer.
Fast-talking, slightly anxious young man from the other side of town, does not meet the standards of Mayor Shinn. He has a crush on Zaneeta.Zaneeta Shinn: Age 15-19, ensemble singing, strong mover/dancer.
Sweet, enthusiastic daughter of the Shinn’s, torn between pleasing her parents and her feelings for Tommy.Charlie Cowell: Age flexible, non-singing, non-dancing role.
Salesman determined to bring the shenanigans of Harold Hill to light — at any cost. Gets a little too chummy with Marian.Barbershop Quartet:
Ewart Dunlop: Age flexible,tenor (D4-B4), light movement.
Tenor member of the quartet, married to Maud Dunlop.Oliver Hix: Age flexible, baritone (C3-B3), light movement.
Baritone member of the quartet, married to Alma Hix.Jacey Squires: Age flexible, high tenor (G3=C5), light movement.
Highest tenor in the quartet, married to Mrs. Squires.Olin Brit: Age flexible, bass (G2-A3), light movement.
Bass member of the quartet, citizen of River City.Pick-a-Little Ladies:
Alma Hix: Age flexible, patter singing (D4-D5), light movement.
Pick-a-Little lady, married to Oliver Hix.Maud Dunlop: Age flexible, patter singing (D4-D5), light movement.
Pick-a-Little lady, married to Ewart Dunlop.Ethel Toffelmeir: Age flexible, patter singing (D4-D5), must dance well.
The silliest of the Pick-a-Little ladies, girlfriend of Marcellus.Mrs. Squires: Age flexible, patter singing (D4-D5), light movement.
Pick-a-Little lady, married to Jacey Squires.Ensembles:
Adult Ensemble
Constable Locke, Conductor, Salesman, River City Townspeople (M/F).Teen Ensemble
Six M/F teens who will appear in most of the show’s major production numbers. Ability to move well/dance.Kids Ensemble
Six to eight boys and girls who will be part of the major production numbers. Ability to move well.
