Story
& Concept by David Atkins and Max Lambert
Original Choreography by Dein Perry and David Atkins
Book
by Larry Buttrose and Cathryn Riding
AUDITION INFORMATION
Bookings Now Open
Ph:
1300 362 547
Director: Craig Wiltshire
Choreographer: Susan Lewis
Musical Director: Bev Woodford
AUDITION
DATES
VOCAL/DIALOGUE: Friday 27th June – Sunday 29th June
DANCE: Sunday 29th June (evening)
CALL BACKS: Wednesday 2nd July (evening)
SAVE TIME & download audition forms here
Rehearsal
and Audition Venue:
Hampton Baptist Community Church
Cnr Thomas & Edinburgh Streets HAMPTON VIC
Set in the 1940’s, HOT SHOE SHUFFLE is the story of the Tap Brothers, seven hard working tap dancers who find out at the reading of their late father’s will that he has left them a fortune. But there are two problems - to collect they have to reproduce their father’s extravagant act ‘The Hot Shoe Shuffle,’ and they have to include their very clumsy sister April in the act, who until now they never knew existed.
The plot reveals unlikely twists and turns and set-up comedy sequences, rehearsal routines and a profusion of groan-aloud puns on the way to the final presentation. ‘The Hot Shoe Shuffle’ is performed to the wonderful songs of Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and Cab Calloway and the tap dancing is some of the most exhilarating ever to shake a theatre floor.
For our production of ‘Hot Shoe Shuffle’, we require a small and very disciplined cast of nine performers. We want a group of triple threats (actors, singers and dancers) who are ready to work as part of a close group with each other and the production team. The seven Tap Brothers must command the stage each time they are on. They must be willing to rise to the challenge that a show like this poses to a performer. Strong character actors and singers, all must be competent with dialogue and harmony work. We want the audience to be overwhelmed by the polish and energy of such a small group of performers.
CHARACTERS:
SPRING
The oldest ‘Tap Brother’ (originally played by David Atkins). The most intelligent and jaded of the brothers, he has big ideas but always has to have his own way. Very independent and outgoing. He doesn’t believe a word April says and is convinced she is a ‘set-up’ whose only interest is getting a share of the brothers’ inheritance.
VOCAL RANGE: A below the staff to top F on the staff.
APRIL
Spring’s twin sister. She can’t believe her luck that she has seven brothers. Outgoing and positive with a zany sense of humour. April is very endearing and good natured. She is a hard worker and never gives up. She has grown up with her mother and missed being part of a real family. She knows very little about her father other than the fact that her mother never spoke too kindly of him. She must earn the love and respect of her brothers through the rehearsal and performance of ‘The Hot Shoe Shuffle’.
VOCAL RANGE: G below the staff to top E on staff.
MAX REINFELD
Father of the ‘Tap Brothers’ and April. Driven by guilt, Max has contrived this entire story in order to reunite his family. When the State took the boys away from him, he went back on the road in order to earn the money to pay for their keep. Before he commits himself and his money to the futures of his seven sons and one daughter, Max decides that he needs to give them a common goal – perform his famous act, ‘The Hot Shoe Shuffle’. Max plans to get his family together, discover his daughter and finally reconcile his relationship with the boys, especially Spring. The actor who plays Max will also have to play Dexter Tap and Sean O’Grady. Ideally, this role would suit an older performer.
VOCAL RANGE: Middle C to top F on the staff.
SLAP
The day dreamer, always in his own world. A hard worker, the toughest and strongest brother. Very protective of Slide. Slap is one of the brothers who contributes to the dancing and ideas of the act. Ambivalent towards April, although as he sees her hard work and genuine desire to succeed, he is won over by her.
VOCAL RANGE: Middle C to top F on the staff.
BUCK
The practical joker and clown of the brothers. His humour is more practical than verbal, although he sometimes comes out with a few gems. Extroverted, loud and confident, he is sceptical of April at first but warms to her crazy sense of humour. A compulsive comedy fan of the period, Buck is always tossing something, a dice, a coin etc.
VOCAL RANGE: Bb below the staff to top Eb on the staff.
WING
The second oldest brother, responsible and conservative. Wing keeps the brothers on the straight and narrow. While he enjoys the brothers’ antics, he is often the observer rather than an active player. Along with Slide, he is often the victim of the brothers’ jokes.
VOCAL RANGE: A below the staff to G above the staff.
TIP
The charmer, the smooth talker, quirky and unconventional. Always trying to get one up on Tap who is the brother to whom he is closest. He isn’t convinced of April’s authenticity; however he enjoys having a girl around.
VOCAL RANGE: Middle C to top F# on the staff
TAP
The glamour boy and most handsome tap brother. Sophisticated and a real gentleman. Quietly spoken and unassuming, he is aware of his effect on women and plays this to his advantage. A keen golfer and sportsman, Tap is always practising his swing and checking himself out, combing and adjusting his hair etc. Tries to charm April.
VOCAL RANGE: B below the staff to top F on the staff.
SLIDE
The youngest brother. Tries to help out but puts his foot in his mouth. Speaks without thinking and always chews gum. The other brothers constantly play jokes on him. Slide tries to create new steps for ‘The Hot Shoe Shuffle’ but they never quite work. He loves the idea of a big sister to dote on him.
VOCAL RANGE: Middle C to top E on the staff.
DANCE REQUIREMENTS
- All the boys need to be of a similar high tap ability as they dance most of the numbers together.
- One assumes that Max (the boy’s father) originally performed all the routines that the boys are doing. Therefore he needs to be an experienced dancer who moves with style and panache. In the show he taps in a bluesy/soft shoe style. He needs to have an ‘easy’ manner about him.
- April needs to be able to tap to a high level as even though she is the blundering sister with two left feet, she does a couple of routines with the boys including a flashy one in the final ‘show’.
- The predominant dance style in the show is tap with some soft shoe and musical comedy routines.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Auditions for Hot Shoe Shuffle are open to auditionees who are 16 years and over.
- Strong singer/dancer/actors required as well as four male pit singers with the ability to sing harmony and in unison
- Prepare two contrasting songs in the style of the show. Remember that as time is limited, you may not complete either song, so choose an appropriate starting point
- Prepare a monologue (about 200 words) in contemporary language that shows off your personality
- Bring sheet music in the key in which you wish to sing (no taped music or requests to transpose)
- Arrive early enough to fill in the appropriate forms and talk through your song with the audition pianist
- Bring a photograph of yourself, preferably a head-shot (non returnable). As well as this, a full body length photo will be taken of you at the audition
- Be available for the Dance Audition on Sunday 29 June (evening). You will be told at your vocal audition if you are required to attend the Dance Audition and at what time
- Dancers should wear comfortable/appropriate clothing, bring jazz and tap shoes and be warmed up before commencing their Dance Audition
- Be available for Call Backs on Wednesday 2 July (evening)
- Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoons (except for first rehearsal–see below), Monday & Wednesday evenings.
- Note following dates:
- First rehearsal: Sunday 6th July (This is an evening rehearsal commencing at 7.30pm)
- Long Day Rehearsal: Sunday 3rd August
- Photo Shoot: Sunday 17th August
- Dance Weekend: Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August 08
- Rehearsal Weekend Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September 08
- Audition Panel:
- Director – Craig Wiltshire
- Choreographer –
Susan Lewis
- Musical Director –
Bev Woodford
- Chairperson (CLOC Committee)
– Janet Cameron
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