Auditions for RFCT’s A Christmas Story: The Musical on Aug. 11 and 12

Auditions for Riverhead Faculty and Community Theatre’s upcoming fall production of A Christmas Story: The Musical will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11 and Monday, Aug. 12 at the Jamesport Meeting House.

To audition, please prepare 16-32 bars (no more than one minute) of a musical theater song. Children under 13 must sing a selection from the show. Details about roles are posted below.

Callbacks will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Performances of the show will be on Nov. 22, 23 and 24 at the Riverhead High School auditorium. 

Regular rehearsals will occur on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings beginning in September. Children under 14 will not rehearse more than two weeknights until November and will not rehearse later than 8:30 p.m. until tech week. Tech rehearsals will be held from Nov. 18-21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and are mandatory.

Reach out to director Jessica Raven at jessrae829@gmail.com with any questions.

Casting details:

8-13 for children’s leads and children’s ensemble. 13+ for specialty roles. 18+ for adult roles. All child actors will be considered for all roles, regardless of gender identity/expression, ethnicity, race, etc.

Character Descriptions:

Narrator/Jean Shepherd: (Age: to play 40’s-60’s) The actual Jean Shepherd is the author of the books that this story is based on, as well as the voice of the narrator in the 1983 film. He is a warm, charismatic, and engaging storyteller. He is omniscient & good-natured with a deadpan sense of humor. Jean focuses the action, keeps the story moving, and holds the audience’s attention with his presence and spark.

Ralphie: (Age: to play 9-11) He is a bright, winsome, mischievous, and a likable kid. The type that you wouldn’t mind having as a neighbor. Ralphie’s imagination tends to run wild at times as he dreams of the Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun he desires for Christmas. Vocal range: F#3 to D5. Audition song: Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” first verse & chorus OR “Counting Down to Christmas” first verse & chorus Call back songs: “Red Ryder Carbine Action BBGun” & “Before the Old man comes Home”

The Old-Man: (Age: to play 30’s to 40’s) Ralphie’s father is a gruff and grumbly individual. However, inside he has a good heart and love for his family. More than willing to wear his frustrations on his sleeves, he is not above reveling in a little showmanship. Vocal range: B♭2 to G4

Mother: (Age: to play 30’s to 40’s) Ralphie’s mother is the force that keeps the household together. She keeps a calm exterior despite the struggles that are thrown her way constantly by her husband and two children. Vibrant, warm, and affable, but she is no pushover. Vocal range: G3 to D♭5

Randy: (Age: to play 8-9) Ralphie’s younger brother. He is cute, and lovable, but whiny. He revels in being the baby of the family to his advantage. He looks up to his brother despite not seeing eye to eye with him at times. Vocal range: F#3 to D5. Audition song: “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” (first verse & chorus) Call back Song: “Before the Old Man Comes Home”

Miss Shields: (Age: to play 30’s-50’s) Ralphie’s 5th grade teacher, a stereotypical 1940s educator. She is prim, proper, stern when necessary, though warm and even humorous when the situation merits it. Must be able to tap dance or be willing to learn. Vocal range: F#3 to D5.

Santa: (Age: to play 30’s-60’s): The Santa Claus at Higbee’s Department Store is ill-tempered, slightly inebriated and very unhappy with his job–nothing like the “Jolly Old Elf” of the Christmas stories. Vocal range: B♭2 to F4

The Trio (Age 14+, must appear older than the children’s ensemble): Three strong singers with the ability to harmonize & dance. Will assist the narrator with moving the action forward and play various roles throughout the story including elves, dancing leg lamps, townspeople, etc.). Will have featured vocal roles in “At Higbees”, “A Kid at Christmas”, “Up on Santa’s lap” and more.

Flick: (Age: to play 9-11) A classmate and best buddy of Ralphie’s; Flick is the guinea pig in the flagpole licking experiment. The actor playing this role should be able to sustain and communicate with a serious lisp! Audition song: “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” first verse & chorus or “When you’re a Wimp” from mid-song (“oh, the day we grow”, 1 min 30 secs in. Correct version can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XrxwDSHO2Q…

Schwartz: (Age: to play 9-11) One of Ralphie’s best friends. The wimpiest of the “wimps”. Audition song: “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” first verse & chorus or “When you’re a Wimp” from mid-song (“oh, the day we grow”, 1 min 30 secs, correct version can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XrxwDSHO2Q…”

Scut Farkus: (Age: to play 11-13) This truant is a year or two older than Ralphie and is a textbook example of a schoolyard bully. Scut is loud, obnoxious and intimidating. (may be non-singing)

Grover Dill: (Age: to play 10-12) Grover is Farkus’s toady and is always at his side. Younger and smaller than Farkus, Grover idolizes Farkus and delights assisting him with his dastardly deeds. (may be non-singing)

Mary Beth, Nancy, & Esther Jane: (Age: 9-11) Ralphie’s classmates, all with solo lines and featured vocal solos Audition Song: “Ralphie to the Rescue” first verse & chorus OR “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” first verse & chorus

Kids Ensemble: (Age: 8-13) The Kids’ Ensemble is heavily featured, singing and dancing throughout the show. This group contains various classmates and supporting parts with featured vocal roles. Audition Song: “Ralphie to the Rescue” first verse & chorus OR “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” first verse & chorus OR “When you’re a Wimp” from mid-song (“oh, the day we grow”, 1 min 30 secs, correct version can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XrxwDSHO2Q… )

Adult Ensemble: In addition to the kids’ ensemble, the adult ensemble will play a major role in bringing this show to life. We are seeking a diverse group to fill out the various side characters and townspeople that populated 1940s small town Indiana.