Playhouse looking for a few good men

It’s every director’s nightmare: a week from opening and the cast isn’t quite complete.

Michael Osburn, who’s staging the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical revue “A Grand Night for Singing,” still needs a male singer and a male dancer -- both in their 20s, or capable of playing in that age range -- and he needs them yesterday.

“We open Jan. 13,” he explained, “and I still need two men for the show. If we don’t find a male dancer, we may need to completely cut the dancers from the show, which would be very sad.”

The dancer should be physically fit and comfortable with near-nudity, the director explains. He also must be proficient in multiple dance styles -- tap, jazz, modern, ballet and ballroom. No singing or dialogue are required.

As for the male singer, Osburn needs someone in the baritone-tenor range with a baritone quality to his voice. “A leading-man type,” he said. “There will be very limited dialogue, only a couple of lines, and only some choreography.”

This being a community theater production, there is no pay for the show, aside from Osburn’s eternal gratitude. Those who might be right for the parts should contact the director immediately at (714) 612-9698.

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Golden West College, which has tackled “Hamlet” and “Oedipus Rex” in recent seasons, will hold auditions Monday for another heavy classic: Euripides’ tragedy “Medea.”

Written in 431 B.C., “Medea” tells the story of the princess of Colchis, whose love for Jason inspires her to betray her family and forsake her homeland. However, when Jason ultimately dumps her for a younger woman, Medea proves the old adage that “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

“‘Medea’ is primal, visceral and timeless,” declares director Tom Amen, adding that the play is “full of immense power and towering passion.”

Amen will hold tryouts for “Medea” Monday at 7 p.m. in the Mainstage Theater on the Golden West campus. All roles -- five to seven women, five to seven men and two boys -- are open.

Performances of this classic tragedy will be given March 3-19, Fridays through Sundays only. More information on auditions is available by contacting Amen at (714) 895-8150 or tamen@gwc.cccd.edu.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.

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