Adrift in New York
26 April @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Written By: Addison Aulger
Creative Team: Directed by Rose Vallen
Repetiteur: Sandy McMenamin
Said to be one of the best Gay Nineties (1890’s) melodramas, Adrift in New York begins at the Old Homestead where “our Nell” is enticed by the villain to go to New York and sing in a fine music hall. The second act is at a Bowery honky-tonk where she makes her New York debut. Then back at the Old Homestead, “our Nell,” having endured many trials and tribulations, comes home after walking from the railroad station through a terrible storm. And—happy end—she’s still “pure as the driven snow!”
Auditions will be on 26 April 2025
Thomas Nave Room at the Arts Theatre
Singing and dancing 10 – 11:30 am we will learn one of the songs and add choreography (just like a rehearsal). There will be no solo singing or dancing required. If you want to be in the musical numbers you must attend this.
Group audition for all Parts below: 12 Noon – 1:30 pm
We will read sections of the script as a group, giving different people a chance to read specific parts. This will give us the chance to see how characters “fit” together.
Information Session:
55, Russell Street
Audition Information:
| Audition Information #:0 | |
| Date: | 26/04/2025 |
| Time From – Time to: | 10:00 – 13:30 |
| Character Descriptions #:0 | |
| Role Name: | Silas Weston |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 60 |
| Role Information: | A Stern New England Farmer, father to our heroine Nellie. Robust and a bit blustering. Very moralistic and stubborn. Stage Age: 60-70. Singing and dancing not required. |
| Character Descriptions #:1 | |
| Role Name: | Nellie Weston |
| Gender: | Female |
| Stage Age: | 18 |
| Role Information: | Pretty and attractive, she is the ethereal type and has dreamed of the grandeur and thrill of becoming a great singer in New York City. Even though she is only a farmer’s daughter she has made a great effort to develop her poise and grace. Stage Age: 18 – 20. Sings the Chorus of “My Mother was a lady” – Soprano/Mezzo Soprano |
| Character Descriptions #:2 | |
| Role Name: | Martha Weston |
| Gender: | Female |
| Stage Age: | 23 |
| Role Information: | Nellies older sister, she has a quick eye for an attractive man. Would be the type who reads romance novels. Her gestures are broad and forceful when the line allows, overacts a bit. Stage Age 20 – 25. Singing and dancing not required but can join the chorus where appropriate. |
| Character Descriptions #:3 | |
| Role Name: | Sarah Weston |
| Gender: | Female |
| Stage Age: | 50 |
| Role Information: | Silas Weston’s sister, a spinster lady who has enjoyed 45 – 60 years of single bliss. She has a sharp tongue when needed, and she speaks her own mind. Her movements are snappy and her voice is crisp and clear. Singing and Dancing not required but can join the chorus where appropriate. |
| Character Descriptions #:4 | |
| Role Name: | Jack Merriwell |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 23 |
| Role Information: | Jack is a typical young rural character lead. Wears a flannel shirt! Steadfast and heroic, he is played for serious comedy. He walks with a plodding stride. Stage Age 20 – 25. Singing and Dancing not required but can join the chorus where appropriate. |
| Character Descriptions #:5 | |
| Role Name: | Francis Desmond |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | |
| Role Information: | The villain. He always overacts. Typical city slicker who could be taken for a very suave and polished gentleman, except when he slips into the traditional dastardly, bloodthirsty died-in-the-wool villain. Stage Age: 35-40. Singing and dancing not required |
| Character Descriptions #:6 | |
| Role Name: | Burke |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | |
| Role Information: | He is a forceful character, quite calm and sure of himself. Stage Age – 35-55. Singing and Dancing not required but can join the chorus where appropriate. |
| Character Descriptions #:7 | |
| Role Name: | Hi Perkins |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | |
| Role Information: | A typical small-town constable. Cowboy type. Any Age. Singing and dancing required as this character will be part of the chorus. |
| Character Descriptions #:8 | |
| Role Name: | Dan Fogarty |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | |
| Role Information: | Dan is a very forceful character with all the pride and dignity one would expect from the owner of a high-class joint in the Bowery. A bit of a showman. Could speak with a brogue. Stage Age: 30 – 50. Singing and dancing required as this character will be part of the chorus. |
| Character Descriptions #:9 | |
| Role Name: | Monty Moran |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | |
| Role Information: | Typical Bowery tough mug. A nice fellow, but a crook. East side accent and a flashy dresser. Stage Age: 25-45. Singing and dancing required as this character will be part of the chorus. |
| Character Descriptions #:10 | |
| Role Name: | Chorus |
| Gender: | Undefined |
| Stage Age: | |
| Role Information: | 4 – 6 Men, 4- 6 Women any age. Singing and dancing required. Need a good mix of voices.
The chorus will sing and dance Gay Nineties style numbers at the beginning of each act and to cover scene changes. They will also manage a crowd sing-along and act as ‘the emcee’ for the show, so they will have lines and jokes. Some of the melodrama actors can be part of the chorus. |
| Character Descriptions #:11 | |
| Role Name: | Speciality Acts |
| Gender: | Undefined |
| Stage Age: | |
| Role Information: | There will be several Speciality Acts during the Bowery Scene depending on the available talent. These could include:
Circus type performances e.g. magician, juggler, acrobat etc. The Balloon Dance (Large Male required) Barbershop Quartet Comedic songs e.g. The Hole in the Elephants Bottom, A Little of What you Fancy, Daddy won’t buy me a Bow Wow If you have a Speciality Act please send a brief video of you performing it to rosev@adelaiderep.com |
More Information at: https://adelaiderep.com/
Rehearsals will start the week of 25th August. They will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7 – 10 pm and Sunday Afternoons 1 – 4 (ish). Let us know if you will be away for any part of the rehearsal period and please don’t commit to the show if you can’t be at every rehearsal.
Performance Dates:
Nov 13th – 15th and Nov 19th – 21st at 7:30 pm and
Sunday 16th and Saturday 22nd Matinees @ 3pm
The more seriously you play this show, the more humorous the audience will find it!
Contact: Liz Olsson
lizo@adelaiderep.com
+61414866952
