NEW WORKS SERIES

CHOSEN ONE: A NEW MUSICAL
Music and Lyrics by Lori Robinson Distel | Book by Piper J. Distel

AUDITION DATES
Friday, November 6th from 7:00-10:00 PM

(Preston Commons; 810 King St East. Cambridge, ON.
 

SHOW SYNOPSIS
 Originally mounted in 2019 under the title ‘A Nightingale Sang,’ Distel & Distel’s very first musical masterpiece is making a triumphant return to the stage in 2027. Gaelleon ‘Gael’ Pfeiffer has spent his entire life surviving. Now, imprisoned in a Russian Gulag for a crime of passion, Gael turns to his knack for storytelling to ease his young daughter’s nerves. With the help of his fellow prisoners, Gael weaves together his life: a childhood marred by poverty and prejudice, a dazzling singing voice used as a pawn in a dangerous game of control, and the improbable friendship he forged with Cary Schoenberg— an idealistic ballet dancer turned Soviet sympathizer who is convinced that compassion, not power, can reshape the future. As memories of love, betrayal, loss and resilience blur with the relentless rhythm of a cruel prison system, Gael searches for meaning in the suffering that has defined his life. Why has every blessing come wrapped in tragedy? Why has every act of kindness demanded such an unbearable price? And what could it possibly mean to be one of God’s ‘chosen ones’ when the path laid before you leads only through grief.  Spanning the final years of Imperial Russia, the revolution and Stalin’s regime, Chosen One is a heartbreaking look at faith, sacrifice and the quiet courage required to remain compassionate in an age determined to extinguish man’s hope.

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PRODUCTION INFO

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO AUDITION?
CHOSEN ONE is open to performers ages 10+

No experience necessary. Penny & Pound Theatre is committed to offering diverse and equitable theatre to all. We highly encourage full participation from performers who identify as IBPOC, 2SLGBTQIA++, disAbled as well as those of all body types, societal and economic backgrounds and religious beliefs! We are committed to meeting the needs and expectations of all those who participate in our productions. 

WHAT TO PREPARE
We ask all auditionees to prepare a Broadway-style song that shows off emotional range, 1-2 minutes in length. Please bring along an instrumental track and reliable device to play it on. There is no accompanist on staff at auditions.
Auditionees may also be asked to read an excerpt from the script.

VIDEO AUDITIONS
If you are unable to attend the audition dates, you are welcome to send in a video audition instead. Please send a Google Drive or YouTube link of your video to pennyandpoundtheatre@gmail.com by SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3rd at 11:59 PM.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Please arrive at your audition 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled time, in order to fill out paperwork. A member of our team will be there to answer any questions you may have! When you enter the audition room, you will be greeted by the DIRECTOR, MUSICAL DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER and PRODUCER. You will be asked to perform your piece, and are welcome to ask any questions you may have about the process! Parents/guardians and support persons are welcome to join us in the audition room as well. 

SHOW FEE
In order to participate in either CHOSEN ONE, performers are asked to pay a show fee of $60. This fee covers the costs of producing high-quality theatrical productions, and DOES NOT pay the Creative Team. If you require a payment plan, we would be happy to discuss the options. All those who pay the fee receive the following:
- 1 complimentary ticket to the show
- A professional-quality headshot

- A bound copy of the script

There is no fee to audition. Show fees are only requested if you are cast.

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IMPORTANT DATES

REHEARSAL DATES
Rehearsals will be held on MONDAY/TUESDAY/SUNDAY evenings beginning on MONDAY, DECEMBER 7th.

TECH WEEK
MONDAY, APRIL 5th from 6:00-10:00 PM (Cue to Cue) 
TUESDAY, APRIL 6th - DARK NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7th from 6:00-10:00 PM (Tech Dress)
THURSDAY, APRIL 8th from 6:00-10:00 PM (Final Dress)

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, APRIL 9th at 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 10th at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, APRIL 11th at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM

- All rehearsals and performances will be held at PRESTON COMMONS/THE PRESTON COMMONS STUDIO THEATRE

located at 810 King St East. Cambridge, ON. — unless otherwise specified.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

GAELLEON ‘GAEL’ PFEIFFER | Acting Age: 25-30 | Tenor Belt | Gender: Masculine
A fiery, passionate Romani man at the heart of the story. A deeply loving father, loyal friend and brave survivor despite his years of hardship. Must be a strong storyteller. 
NOTE: Due to the nature of Gael’s character and the importance of proper Romani representation, we are looking to cast a racialized performer in this role. 

CONSTANTIN ‘CARY’ SCHOENBERG | Acting Age: 25-30 | Tenor | Gender: Masculine
Cary’s childhood best friend whom he blames for the trouble in his life. A closeted ballet dancer-turned Soviet sympathizer, Cary’s idealistic views lead Gael into the heart of a revolution. 

EDEN PFEIFFER | Acting Age: 10-12 | Soprano | Gender: Femme
Imaginative and spirited, Eden is Gael’s be-speckled young daughter and the light of his life. Telling her his life story becomes the crux of the musical. 

COMRADE NACHALNIK/VICKTOR DOBSON | Acting Age: 45-55 | Bass | Gender: Masculine
The overseer of the Gulag, who takes on the role of Vicktor Dobson— Gael’s manipulative and dangerous stepfather. 

PRISONER NO. 1847/VIOLCA PFEIFFER | Acting Age: 20-25 | Mezzo-Soprano | Gender: Femme
A beautiful young woman who takes on the role of Violca Pfeiffer— Gael’s long-suffering mother. 

PRISONER NO. 2034/ODETTE ARMAAN | Acting Age: 18-20 | Mezzo-Soprano | Gender: Femme
A spirited young woman who takes on the role of Odette Armaan— the love of Gael’s life. 

PRISONER NO. 2120/PETRA BELEYAV | Acting Age: 50-65 | Alto | Gender: Femme 
A non-nonsense prisoner who takes on the role of Petra Beleyav— the owner of the kabak where Gael performs, and his chief confidant. 

PRISONER NO. 1306/ALOYSIUS HEIDELSTONE | Acting Age: 35-45 | Baritone | Gender: Masculine
A self-important prisoner who takes on the role of Aloysius Heidelstone— a well-regarded concert pianist who joins Cary’s revolution. 

​PRISONER NO. 4934/HAZEL RAINER: Acting Age: 18-25 | Tenor | Gender: Masculine
A promiscuous prisoner who takes on the role of Hazel Rainer— Aloysius’s lover and a member of the revolution.

PRISONER NO. 2289/HEDDA ORLOV: Acting Age: 20-25 | Mezzo-Soprano | Gender: Femme
A shy prisoner who takes on the role of Hedda Orlov— Cary’s betrothed who knows little of his true feelings. 

​PRISONER 3968/MADELEINE ARMAAN: Acting Age: 16-18 | Mezzo-Soprano | Gender: Femme
An outspoken prisoner who takes on the role of Madeleine Armaan— Odette’s sister.

​PRISONER 1120/ELIAS ORLOV: Acting Age: 18-25 | Tenor | Gender: Masculine
A cruel prisoner who takes on the role of Elias Orlov— Hedda’s younger brother, and sadistic Soviet guard.

​PRISONER 2300/NIKOLAI ARMAAN: Acting Age: 60-65 | Baritone | Gender: Masculine 
A stern prisoner who takes on the role of Nikolai Armaan— Odette and Madeleine’s prejudiced father. 

​PRISONER 4699/ANNA ARMAAN: Acting Age: 60-65 | Alto | Gender: Femme
A motherly prisoner who takes on the role of Anna Armaan— Odette and Madeleine’s aunt. 

PRISONER ENSEMBLE: Acting Age: 16+ | Any Range | Gender Non-Specific 
An ensemble of strong singers and storytellers who take on various roles throughout the show. 




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