A contemporary musical created by June Richards and Elaine Lang about the incandescent Sarah Bernhardt, the most celebrated woman of her time. Directed by Ellen Brooks. Designed by Ron Krempetz and Dhyanis Carniglia. Costumed by Michael Berg.
Auditions:
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 11 AM to 4 PM and Sunday, November 5, 2023, 11 AM to 5 PM at The Barn Theatre, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross
Audition Requirements:
Please email producer Michael R. Cohen to set up an in-person audition – michaelrcohen14@gmail.com
Bring a headshot and resume, or email both ahead of time. Bring your sheet music.
Prepare a short piece of your best work ~ 90 seconds to 2 minutes max.
Prepare one song that demonstrates your range and flexibility. We are looking for quick, flexible, energetic performers of any age, gender or ethnicity to play multiple characters.
RVP is offering ensemble actors a daily per diem for each rehearsal and performance.
Callbacks:
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Rehearsals:
Begin Monday, January 29, 2024. Time TBD
Performances:
Preview, Thursday, March 14, 2024
Opening, Friday, March 15, 2024
Performs Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 7:30 – Sundays at 2pm
Closing March 31 ~ a three week, 12 performance run
Synopsis:
The Divine Sarah beautifully captures the essence of Bernhardt’s extraordinary life. Immerse yourself in the opulence of the Belle Époque era and witness the rise of a true trailblazer. Feel the electricity in the air as she fearlessly challenges societal norms, defying expectations as both an actor and a woman. From humble beginnings to international stardom, this spellbinding musical takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, touching your heart, and transports you to the world of grand theatres where Bernhardt reigned supreme.
Characters:
Sarah Bernhardt: Female, lead. plays 18-40. Soprano/mezzo soprano. Confident , flexible expressive voice. Passionate, vulnerable, charismatic. Evolves from a young girl into the actress who captures the world’s imagination.
The Ensemble Featured: Each ensemble member acts, sings, moves ~ creating all the different characters in Sarah’s life. All are actor from The House of Moliere theater company in Paris. Good voices and physical movement with the ability to move in and out of characters throughout the show.
Gilda: a servant in Sarah’s household
Young Sarah:
Youle Support: Julie Van Hard, Sarah’s mother. 40-60. Dramatic soprano with an important aria in Act I. A famous courtesan of the 19th century. Secretive, powerful, more beautiful than Sarah and a great entertainer.
Sarah’s Nurse and Mother Saint Sophie: 30-60.
Charles , the Duc De Mornay: Featured. 30-60. Worldly, sophisticated aesthete. Talk/sings a song in Act ii
Jean Mounet-Sully: Support 30-40 Charismatic 19th century leading actor. Passionate, head-strong, willful. Sings a song about lost love in Act II.
Teachers at the academy: Any age, sing, speak, dance.
Monsieur Thiery: 30- 60. Famed director of Comedie Francaise
Prompter: Any age or gender.
Regina: plays 13-16 Sarah’s younger sister.
Madame Natalie: 40-60. Formidable actress and company member.
Henri de Ligne: Support 25-40. Royal Prince of Belgium and Sarah’s first lover. Two important songs in Act I.
The General: 60-70. Uncle of Henri. Commanding.
Chilly: Featured 25-40. Theater director at the Odeon who gives Sarah her first break.
Wounded Soldier: 25
Victor Hugo: 60-70. 19th century playwright, author of Les Miserables. Charming, charismatic. loves the theater.
Sophie Croiette: Featured. 20-35. Sarah’s rival with the public. Sings the beautiful Flower Girl waltz in Act II
Maurice: Sarah’s young son.
Edward Jarrett: 30-60 Brash American Impresario.
Jennie June: an American reporter
Alexander III: Czar of all Russia.
Download script here
Download sheet music and audio here
RVP looks forward to meeting artists of all races/ethnicities, abilities, ages, and genders/gender identities who would like to help create theater at RVP.