Auditions For Sherman Players

SHERMAN — Auditions for Woody Guthrie’s American Song, which will be The Sherman’s Players’ third production of the 2004 season, have been scheduled. The rousing musical chronicles the life of one of the country’s foremost folk singers, as narrated by people of the classes and ethnicities he met during his wanderings across America starting in the 1930s.

The auditions are Saturday, May 1, from noon to 4 pm, and Sunday, May 2, from 11 am to 3 pm, at Sherman Playhouse, at the junction of Routes 37 and 39 (behind Sherman Firehouse).

Director Francis A. Daley is looking for three men, ages 20 to 65, and two women, ages 16 to 65, of all ethnicities and body types.

The first man should be in his 20s and fairly proficient on guitar. The second man should be 30 to 40 and must play guitar and sing in a tenor/baritone range. The third man should be 40 to 65 and a strong character actor. Guitar is a plus for the role but not a necessity.

The female characters are a young soprano between ages 16 to 25 who plays guitar, and a mezzo soprano between ages 30 and 65 who is a strong character actor. Both women should be able to belt out a song.

All actors should be prepared with a non-Broadway song, preferably in the folk tradition, a short monologue, and be prepared to play guitar if the part calls for it.

Rehearsals begin mid-July and continue Monday through Thursday evenings until opening night in mid-August. The production will run Friday and Saturday nights through mid-September with at least two Sunday matinees during the run.

Mr Daley is a veteran actor, director and set builder for The Sherman Players, and is a member of the board of directors. Susan Lang, who has been at the piano for several productions in Sherman in past seasons, is the musical director. The band, My Dad’s Truck, a group of musicians from the Danbury area, will provide the music.

For more information, call Mr Daley, 748-6097.