Open Call for ‘The Color Purple’ National Tour

Administrator
the color purple national tour

An open call has gone out seeking equity and non-equity performers for The Color Purple National Tour production.

PERSONNEL
Producer: TROIKA Entertainment/Brian Schrader
Book: Marsha Norman
Music & Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray0
Director: John Doyle
Music Supervisor: Darryl Archibald
Casting: Binder Casting/Chad Eric Murnane, CSA

The Color Purple is the 2016 Tony Award winner for Best Musical Revival. Based on Alice Walker’s groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize winning novel, the story follows the trials and triumphs of Celie – a quiet woman warrior inside an oppressively male-dominated world. Anchored by of her unshakable devotion to her sister Nettie; transformed by her unlikely bond with bluesy chanteuse Shug Avery, and grounded by her unwavering devotion to God, Celie’s is an inspired journey passionately forged by will and faith.

SEEKING:

  • [CELIE] Female, African-American, 20s – 30s. A radiant survivor who triumphantly journeys through a life filled with soul-reckoning challenges and emotional/physical violence. She is anchored by a rock-solid faith in God, love and devotion for her sister Nettie, and the intimacy-awakening bond that she develops with Shug Avery. Powerhouse high belt with lots of soul. LEAD.
  • [MISTER] Male, African-American, 30s – 40s. Also known as Albert. A deeply troubled man, he is married to Celie and abuses her. Masculine, dominating and well-built. He is also the estranged love interest to Shug Avery for whom he still carries a torch. Eventually he is redeemed by a self-reckoning and atoning for his transgressions. Soulful Baritone. LEAD.
  • [SHUG AVERY] Female, African-American, 30s – 50s. A sultry siren and juke-joint performer who has seen better days. A former lover of Mister and a ‘good-time girl’, whose body, soul, and desire to love again is reawakened by Celie and the intimate bond they form with one another. She lifts Celie up, inspires her and gives her the will to fight for what she believes in. A star performer with a powerful gospel voice. Actor must be comfortable with movement. LEAD. 
  • [SOFIA] Female, African-American, 20s – 30s. Harpo’s wife and Celie’s friend for life. A full-figured woman who possesses a giant personality, along with an equally expansive lust for life and a proud sense of justice. A domineering pacifist who suffers no fools. Actor should have strong comedic ability and a powerful Mezzo belt. PRINCIPAL.
  • [HARPO] Male, African-American, 20s – 30s. Mister’s hapless son from his first marriage. Handsome and well-built. Well intended, but often falls short. Represents the new generation. Deeply in love with his independent wife Sophia, however, believing that “manly” men dominate their wives, he’s constantly causing himself marital problems. Later on, he becomes smitten with his girlfriend Squeak. He eventually finds his firm footing and manhood soon after Mister’s transformation and the return of his beloved Sofia. Soulful Tenor. PRINCIPAL.
  • [NETTIE] Female, African-American, 20s – 30s. Celie’s sister, and her rock. Educated, driven, adventuress and protected by circumstance. Unwaveringly devoted to her sister. She is nonetheless torn apart from her and goes on to realize a fulfilled life in Africa, which includes serving as caretaker to Celie’s ‘lost’ children and ultimately reuniting them with their mother. Powerful belt. PRINCIPAL.
  • [SQUEAK] Female, African-American, 20s – 30s. Harpo’s girlfriend. Sassy, fiery, and strong-willed with a caring heart. Aspires to be a blues singer. Although she is mistreated, she undergoes a thorough transformation by claiming her own independence and identity as a woman. Actor should have strong comedic ability with a strong belt with Soprano. FEATURED ENSEMBLE.
  • [CHURCH LADIES] Female, African-American, 20s – 30s. Seeking three actors to appear in the onstage ensemble as Doris, Darlene and Jarene – a trio of busybody types who love to gossip about the people of their town. They comment on the action throughout the show.These are country folk who shimmer with an eternally earthy and spiritual wisdom. Will also cover the roles of Celia, Shug Avery and Sofia. Fantastic high gospel belt. FEATURED ENSEMBLE. 
  • [GRADY] Male, African-American, 20s – 30s. Shug’s husband. Extremely boring and plain, not good enough for Shug. Celie can’t stand the way he treats Shug. Will cover the role of Harpo. Soulful Bari-Tenor. FEAUTRED ENSEMBLE.
  • [PA] Male, African-American, 30s – 40s. Also known as Alphonso. A remorseless child molesterand father to Celie & Nettie, as well as father to Celie’s two children whom he abducts and gives away at birth. An angry and vicious man, which manifests into violent abuse. Soulful Bari-Tenor. FEATURED ENSEMBLE. 
  • [GUARD] Male, African-American, 30s – 40s. Prison guard at the jail where Sofia is being held. Bari-Tenor. ENSEMBLE.  
  • [BOBBY] Male, African-American, 20s – 30s. Young handy man who expresses a fondness for Celie and helps her around the house. Bari-Tenor. ENSEMBLE. 
  • [OL’ MISTER/PREACHER] Male, African-American, late 30s – 50s. Ol’ Mister – Mister’s father. A scathing, angry, selfish man who disapproves of his son and his relationship with Shug. He owns the farmland on which Mister lives and seems to believe that his own status as a landowner makes him better than other people. Despite this, he is detested by most everyone. Preacher – the preacher at the local church. Bari-Tenor. ENSEMBLE.  
  •  [MALE SWING] Male, African-American, 20s – 30s. Fantastic actors with incredible voices to cover the onstage ensemble and featured/principal roles. ENSEMBLE.
  • [FEMALE SWING] Female, African-American, 20s – 30s. Fantastic actors with incredible voices to cover the onstage ensemble and featured/principal roles. ENSEMBLE.  

Time & Date: July 18th & 19th 2019 at 10:00AM – NYC Open Call – All Roles – 10 AM – 6 PM – Sign in begins at 9 AM and ends at 1 PM

Where: Ripley-Grier Studios, 305 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10018

Please prepare a brief 16-bar cut of a gospel, R&B or contemporary musical theatre song that lends itself to the musical style of the show. Have a second cut prepared, should you be asked and bring your book for further vocal exploration. A pianist will be provided. Bring music properly marked, cut and in the appropriate key. ACTORS MUST BRING A HARDCOPY HEADSHOT/RESUME TO AUDITION.

Source: Playbill