“Old Man River” from Showboat

Audition song suggestions for the character Coalhouse Walker, Jr. (baritone)

Coalhouse is the vehicle for much of the storytelling. His arc encapsulates all of the themes of Ragtime– dreams, change, hope, injustice, and tragedy. Like Washington, Coalhouse has made every effort to refine and educate himself. Still, internally he houses a calculated and inevitable rage and sorrow for the plight of injustices continually faced by African Americans. A skilled pianist, this actor must also navigate the fundamental changes fatherhood brings.

“Soliloquy” from Carousel

“Marry Me a Little” from Company

Audition song suggestions for the character Emma Goldman (alto)

One of the many historical figures in the play, Emma Goldman was a Jewish-Russian immigrant. She created a legacy as a social activist and a driving force of the union movement. Emma dedicates her life to advocating for the poor and working class. Although these inequities are made clear to us through Tateh, who she influences in the play, she is remembered as radical and an anarchist in history books. This character must move mountains with their public presence and speaking ability.

“Raise the Roof” from Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party

“Rainbow High” from Evita

Audition song suggestions for the character Evelyn Nesbit (mezzo) 

The real Evelyn Nesbit was a household name in the time of Ragtime, much like Marilyn Monroe. A vivacious and highly successful vaudeville star, the scandalous murder of her lover by her much older husband brought her fame to new heights. This actor must read between her few lines in the script and, with the assistance of ample character study, must uncover the intelligent, troubled, and complex young woman we remember as the bombshell trendsetter.

“I Want to Go to Hollywood” from Grand Hotel

“A Trip to the Library” from She Loves Me

Audition song suggestions for the character Father (baritone)

A successful white businessman, Father is a product of his environment and privilege who garners conservative ideals regarding gender roles, capitalism, and classism. After his trip to the North Pole, he finds his way of life challenged by the tumultuous political and social environment that has taken root in his absence. Father does attempt sympathy and understanding, but his comfort has made him short-sighted and almost unmoveable to the plight of others.

“Love Can’t Happen” from Grand Hotel

“The Man I Used to Be” from The Count of Monte Cristo

Audition song suggestions for the character Little Boy (alto)

Little Boy, or Edgar, is Mother and Father’s son and assists the storytelling by providing clear, unbiased narration. Like most children, he perceives before making judgments, and because of this, fosters friendship with Tateh’s daughter, Little Girl, despite their vast differences.

“Electricity” from Billy Elliot

“It’s Possible” from Seussical the Musical 

Audition song suggestions for the character Mother (soprano)

Initially, Mother was reserved due to her social conditioning and upbringing as a wealthy white woman in America. Mother makes countless discoveries throughout the play as she learns independence– from running her husband’s business and the household while he is away– and empathy– from encountering the radical world views outside of her gentile home. She reacts to these changes with innovation and humility and proves herself to be a woman of strong moral fiber and bravery.

“What Am I Waiting For?” from Parade

“Meadowlark” from The Baker’s Wife

Audition song suggestions for the character Sarah (soprano)

Sarah is a vision of innocence, beauty, and idealism in the play. Determined to raise Coalhouse’s baby, she is resourceful and hardworking as a washwoman for Mother and Father. The color of her skin has not quelled or inhibited aspirations for herself and her baby. When she and Coalhouse finally reconcile, her life and their time together are tragically cut short.

“Love, Don’t Turn Away” from 110 in the Shade

“My Man’s Gone Now” from Porgy and Bess

Audition song suggestions for the character Little Girl (soprano)

Quiet, observant, and cautious, Little Girl has seen more pain and struggle in her young life than most children her age. She is full of love for her Father, who has protected her fiercely on their journey from Latvia to America. Much in the style of Eastern Europe and of those who view the world with a particular lens, Little Girl makes many dead-pan statements that bring us humor and relief amid despair.

“Home” from Wonderland

“The Girl I Mean to Be” from The Secret Garden

Audition song suggestions for the character Tateh (tenor) 

Tateh is Little Girl’s devoted and loving Father. A recent immigrant from Latvia, his character sees a complete journey from hopeful idealism at his arrival, humiliation and destitution in poverty, to finally finding success and belonging as a pioneer of the motion picture industry. His love for his daughter is his primary motivation, especially considering he left everything else behind when he immigrated. This actor faces the challenges of an Eastern European dialect and living out the full range of a man’s obstacles and rewards.

“This Is Not Over Yet” from Parade

“Putting It Together” from Sunday in the Park with George

Audition song suggestions for the character Younger Brother (tenor) 

Mother’s Younger Brother stands out in a crowd because of his privilege and social standing, but not for much else– perhaps because he spends the play discovering his purpose. First, he becomes infatuated with Evelyn Nesbit but is turned down and ignored. He becomes infatuated with the social justice movement, but can never truly participate because of his advantages in life. While much of his character is left for interpretation, the one thing that must be exhibited is his endless searching.

“Her Voice” from The Little Mermaid

“I’ll Be There” from The Pirate Queen

Audition for Ensemble (all vocal types)

The ensemble includes other historical figures like Harry Houdini and Henry Ford, baseball fans, Coalhouse supporters, firefighters, Harlem citizens, immigrants, New Rochelle townspeople, reporters, and vacationers. An extraordinarily diverse and powerful vocal ensemble.

Soprano:

“I Don’t Know His Name” from She Loves Me

“Summertime” from Porgy and Bess

Mezzo:

“My Child Will Forgive Me” from Parade

“In His Eyes” from Jekyll and Hyde

Alto:

“As Long As He Needs Me” from Oliver! 

“Days of Plenty” from Little Women

Tenor:

“Big News!” from Parade

“Santa Fe” from Newsies

Baritone:

“Old Red Hills of Home” from Parade

“I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin'” from Porgy and Bess