AUDITIONS: Once On This Island

We are proud to announce auditions for our Summer 2016 production Once On This Island. The original fable of The Little Mermaid retold with a Caribbean feel and a beautiful score written by Ahrens and Flaherty- composers of Seussical, Ragtime, Anastasia and more! Join us June 18th!!

AUDITIONS: Hairspray

Director Dish: Seussical

With Artistic Director, Andrea Fouts

This weekend we prepare to cast our 2012 production of Seussical, the Musical!  This will be the second time Yorba Linda Spotlight Theater has produced this show.  The first was in 2008 and is still a highlight in my memory as one of the most amazing shows we have produced.  Overall it’s one of my favorite musicals, hands down!

Why?

It’s very simple.  I love a good story.  I think that is the basis of any good musical, tv show, movie, book, etc.  Without a great story the audience can fall in love with, you’ve got nothing! On top of that, Seussical features an amazing score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty which is one of the most clever and catchy scores I can remember. 

Why do you think performers should come out to audition?

This is one of those unique shows that features such a wide range of characters.  Some are meant to be older, adult type roles, and some are meant to be kids.  Therefore we have a lot of room to put many performers of many ages.  Not a dancer?  That’s ok.  Seussical isn’t a heavy dance show.  The story is told through song, which means the audience has a lot of focusing to do in order to get the story!  Therefore seussical is meant to feature simplistic dancing for most of the characters.  However, I’m sure our wonderful choreographer, Melissa will throw in a few exciting things for those cast members who are dancers!

What is something unique we can expect from this production?

I always try to bring in elements that are unexpected.  For this production we hope to feature some crazy lighting that will really jazz up the wacky world of seuss.  Also, our set was designed by a famous designer who designs sets for many TV shows.  I’m sure it will be very cool!  And finally, for those who did get a chance to catch Seussical in 2008 you’ll remember we had a special addition to our cast…an adorable baby “elephant bird” who took the stage with our performers at only 11 months of age.  I happen to know a really cute baby boy who I’d love to have the role this coming January…that is if he cooperates!

What will you be looking for this weekend at auditions?

Bold, crazy, wacky and energetic performers!  I think that about sums it up.  This show requires everyone to let loose and have fun…and that’s what I want to see.  I promise you will NEVER have as much fun with a show as you will with Seussical! 

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND! 

-Andrea Fouts

Spotlight Preps to Take on the Powerhouse Tony Award-Winning Musical "The Wiz"

By: Andrea Fouts

YL Spotlight Executive Director

Once there was a girl named Dorothy who is blown by a tornado into munchkinland. While she is there she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin-man, and the Cowardly Lion. They all go off to see the Wizard of Oz, who turns out to be a phony, but nonetheless she starts to believe that she can make it home.

Sound familiar?

I thought so! But, in the YL Spotlight’s upcoming production of the Wiz, the story above will seem anything but familiar.  The Wiz is based on the novel the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum but unlike the traditional production of the Wizard of Oz, the Wiz takes some crazy twists and turns.  Along with a brand new score of more contemporary music, there is plenty of room for new interpretations of set, costumes and all other elements of design.  (I must say, we have some very fun, crazy ideas in the works!)

Dawnn Lewis as Addapearle and Ashanti as Dorothy in the 2009 NYC production

As a child I remember watching the 1979 film version of The Wiz with Michael Jackson. And, what I remember the most is that it scared me to death!! The strange re-imagining of Oz featured a grungy, dirty abandoned city where trashcans came to life.  I sat down recently to watch the film again in preparation for our auditions.  I must say- it’s still a strange film! I enjoy the stage adaptation and score much more than I do the film.  The Broadway production came away with 7 Tony’s including best musical. As I mentioned, on stage there’s tons of room for a more modern approach to the craziness of Oz!

Ashanti as Dorothy, Joshua Henry as Tinman, and Christian Dante as Scarecrow protect their eyes from the Green glow of Oz in the 2009 NYC production

Not only that, the Wiz is the perfect summer show for YL Spotlight because it has such a huge cast of characters! We’re not looking at just Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow and Lion. Many, many more characters are a huge part of this show!

I love YL Spotlight during the summer season! The cast becomes so close and everyone is just a little more relaxed. Don’t miss out- Auditions Saturday, June 4^th 1-3pm! 

See you there!

-Andrea Fouts

Artistic Director, YL Spotlight Theater 

Tichina Arnold as Evilene in the 2009 NYC production