Aloha Performing Arts Company will hold open auditions on Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19 for the world community theater premiere of “The Toxic Avenger,” a campy rock musical fresh from a successful Off Broadway run.
Auditions will take place at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, beginning at 2:30 p.m. each day. APAC is the first non-professional company anywhere to be granted the performance rights to the show, which features music and lyrics by Bon Jovi’s David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro.
The musical is an irreverent adaptation of Lloyd Kaufman’s 1985 cult science fiction film “The Toxic Avenger.” The setting is Tromaville, New Jersey, the toxic waste capital of America, and the plot revolves around nerdy Melvin Ferd the third, who longs to stop political corruption in his neighborhood. The mayor’s goons dump him into a vat of deadly sludge, and he emerges two pages later as a giant mutant superhero, The Toxic Avenger, who comes to be known lovingly as Toxie. He uses his new status and strength to fight the evil forces of greed and impress his new girlfriend, Sarah, the town’s blind librarian.
Five volunteer performers are required for the production; possibly six, if the role of Melvin/Toxie is cast with two people. Whoever is cast as Sarah, the librarian, will be the only performer who plays just one character. One female will play three roles: a nun, Mayor Babs Belgoody, and Melvin’s mother, Ma Ferd. Two men, called White Dude and Black Dude, play more than a dozen characters each. According to music director Dale Ross, “All the songs are very challenging, and all five roles require great skill and flexible vocal range.” Joining her in casting the show will be Jerry Tracy, director; and Lee Vinson, choreographer.
Audition requirements include a prepared one-minute excerpt of a song which demonstrates vocal range and musical ability. An accompanist will be provided, and sheet music in the correct key must be supplied by the auditionees, who should also be prepared to learn music from the show. No a capella, karaoke, or CD-accompanied auditions will be allowed.
For the acting segment of the audition, each prospective cast member must perform a one to two minute scene or story, in which he or she plays at least three characters, switching back and forth between them. The choreography portion will involve learning a short movement routine, so comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes are recommended. Those auditioning need attend only one of the audition days, and will be seen in small groups, in order of arrival. If necessary, an invitational callback audition may be held Monday evening, August 20.
“The Toxic Avenger” will be performed at the Aloha Theatre October 5-21. Rehearsals will begin August 26, and will generally be held Sunday afternoons and Monday through Thursday evenings. Audition materials are available for onsite perusal or checkout in exchange for a deposit, by arrangement with the APAC office. For more information, call 322-9924.
