Seeking equity actors and ensemble singer-dance submissions for long-running Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid. The story about a young boy from an upper-middle-class black family who nurses a dream to become a tap dancer, with the encouragement of his uncle and despite the disapproval of his father. The New York City Center has announced the musical productions in development as part of the Encores! series 2020-2021 season. The shows include The Life, adapted and directed by Tony and Emmy winner Billy Porter, The Tap Dance Kid, directed by Tony winner Kenny Leon, choreographed by Jared Grimes and adapted by Lydia Diamond, and an unannounced third musical.
PERSONNEL
Music: Henry Krieger
Lyrics: Robert Lorick
Book: Charles Blackwell
Concert Adaptation: Lydia Diamond
Choreography: Jared Grimes
Guest Music Direction: Joseph Joubert
Direction: Kenny Leon
Casting Associate: Rashad Naylor of The Telsey Office (viewing auditions)
SEEKING
- JOEY EVANS: 30’s. Black. Singer/dancer. A self-centered artist in conflict with a wounded heart. Fiercely ambitious. Streetwise. Charming. Sexy. Tough. Joey has two loves – music and women, in that order. Joey is an artist, a purist, in search of a sound in music that no one else can hear. Joey has fought for everything he has earned and it’s not enough for him. Frustrated by the obstacles that prevent him from becoming a star, Joey is willing to use anyone to get what he wants. Joey acts as if he will sell his soul for success, but when faced with the choice, after his relationship with Linda and then Vera, Joey finds it difficult to act against his own heart.
- VERA SIMPSON: 40’s. White. Wealthy socialite. Smart, chic, sophisticated, Vera came from poor beginnings but overcame all obstacles to elevate her status in society. A strong, intelligent woman in a man’s world, Vera maneuvered her way into society’s wealthy and privileged as a means of protecting herself from life’s harsher realities, including a broken heart. When her husband died, Vera found herself a bird in a gilded cage – while she is still vibrant and eager for life, she is trapped by the confines of society’s mores. When she meets Joey, Vera experiences a rebirth of passion and purpose. OFFER OUT.
- LINDA: 20’s – 30’s. Black. Soulful, big heart, strong willed, resilient, a survivor, a realist in search of love and success, in that order. Linda experienced hardships growing up and escaped to Chicago for a better life. Singing and music were her means of expression and healing. Her ambition does not deny her desire for love. Linda wants it all but not at the expense of her heart or her soul. She falls in love with Joey, seeing more in his potential than even Joey can see. OFFER OUT.
- LUCILLE: 50’s – 60’s. Black. Singer/Owner of CAFÉ LUCE. Lucille was a Harlem Renaissance singer in the late teens and 1920’s. Her popularity and success faded when the allure and fascination with Harlem waned. She became Gangster’s mistress, who bankrolls her nightclub. Becomes Joey’s conscience. OFFER OUT.
- GLADYS: 30’s. Black. A dancer/showgirl. Goodhearted but cynical, she started working in chorus lines as a teenager. She gave up ideas of being a star many years ago, and lives from gig to gig. She would love to have enough money to stop dancing and live a normal life. Gladys knows the ways of the world all too well. Gladys had an affair with Joey years earlier, and knows him to be a liar and a user.
- [ENSEMBLE] Black, 20s—40s. Strong tap and jazz dancers who sing well. Little Rio Dancers and Denizens of New York City. ENSEMBLE
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS :
Please start with a slate with your name. Tape a song of your choice in the style and period of the show and/or use the song for the role you’re auditioning for provided at https://tinyurl.com/PalJoeyCasting. For the role of Joey you may choose either song. For the role of Gladys, you may use the song provided (which is not a full minute long) or you may use the song provided for Linda (which meets the one-minute minimum). For the show material, you don’t need to adhere strictly to the melody plunk – feel free to take liberty with the phrasing.
Dancers, please prepare the dance combo.
Singers, please sing 16 bars of a 1970s/1980s musical theatre song or similar. Please provide your own accompaniment. As an alternative to singing a song of your choice, you may sing an excerpt from the following link that best suits your voice.
Dance combo, sheet music, teaching tracks, and accompaniment are provided here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wg70ytrybt0lp8n/AAD7VnVhlY1x3RU6_joJz8Zta?dl=0
TAPING INSTRUCTIONS:
If you are using an iPhone to video-record, please be sure to film horizontally and in a well-lit space (not backlit). At the top of the video, please slate your name and height.
A note regarding self-tape quality: Please film your audition from your waist up in front of a clean background, with no backlighting. As much as possible, limit ambient noise. Send your submissions to: paljoeycasting@gmail.com
Submission Deadline: 10/18/2021
Source: Playbill