Casting about for 'Forbidden Newburyport'

Three months out and there's already a buzz about this show, even among those of us who think musical theater is a form of torture as despicable as waterboarding. And why not? Because this show, being a musical, will have a full slate of irritatingly catchy tunes about our favorite subject, us, and our town. That’s right. Suzanne Bryan’s gonna tell you a big fat story, baby, all about our town. Yeah, down by the river, down by the banks of the River Merrimack. And, even better, it’s forbidden. And lightly seasoned with Rain Forest goodness. Just imagine the story of old, weird Newburyport sung to a Broadway melody. That’s what "Forbidden Newburyport” will be like. It’s a satirical musical revue with 15 big, splashy Broadway tunes that have been spun to parody Port icons, institutions, and um, issues. 

The idea has been kicking around a while, since 2004 when Bryan, who enjoyed a nice run on the local scene as artistic director of Persephone Theatre before leaving the city eight years ago to work at Dana Farber in Boston, saw a production of “Forbidden NYU” while her daughter was attending New York University. She brought up the idea of putting the Port in the musical catbird seat at a party with old Port pals, and everybody said it was a great idea, but the project just sat on the back burner until last year, when Kimm Wilkinson, the Firehouse director of productions, turned up the heat on the project. Bryan started jotting down potential tunes and lyrics for “Forbidden Newburyport” while on vacation in the Costa Rican rain forest.  She has now completed 15 songs.

But the show’s still a long way off, scheduled to open on June 16. They’’ll be casting the show next week. The auditions are scheduled from 2:30-5:30 p.m. March 27. Callbacks are from 6-9 p.m. March 30 by appointment only. Up to 20 strong singer/dancers and singers in all vocal ranges, ages 15 and older are needed for the non-Equity and, sorry, non-paying production. Interested? Prepare 16 measures each of any up-tempo song and ballad. Bring sheet music, a background track or sing a cappella.  Be prepared to dance in addition to presenting vocal selections. Bring two headshots or a recent photo and resume.  For an appointment or more information, call Wilkinson at 978.499-9931 or email kimm@firehouse.org.

Back to NewburyportArts.