The Charleston Light Opera Guild has selected "The Color Purple" as its spring production to be staged on May 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19 at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater.
Auditions will be held at the Light Opera Guild theater, 411 Tennessee Ave. on Charleston's West Side, on the following dates and times this month:
* Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.: Singing. Bring prepared music. An accompanist will be provided
* Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m.: Acting. Reading from scripts that will be provided.
* Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.: Dancing. Those auditioning should dress in appropriate dance apparel and arrive early to warm up. Combinations will be taught.
Featured roles in the production include:
* Celie (African-American, 20s-early 30s): Drives the story. Vulnerable; spirited; introverted; mischievous; seemingly passive but really not; has a deep, hard soul; believes that she is ugly; has a sense of humor which is sometimes wicked. She is an observer. Needs a great belt singing voice with lots of soul.
* Shug (African-American, 30s-40s): Attractive, confident, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, but has a frailty, like a wounded animal. Her vulnerability is shocking later on. She is loved by both Celie and Mister. Needs a knockout, Bessie Smith-style, bluesy singing voice.
* Mister (African-American, 30s-40s. Also known as Albert): Like Celie, a deep well. Handsome, big, masculine, strong presence, dominating, capable of brutal behavior but also a victim in his own way. Married to Celie, he abuses her. He is in love with Shug. He transforms to a kind man by the end of the story. Needs a great singing voice.
* Sofia (African-American, 30s): Powerful warrior woman. Physically bigger but beautiful. Comfortable being large, great sense of humor, touching, vulnerable. Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her. Needs comic chops. Needs a great belt singing voice.
* Harpo (African-American, 20s): Mister's vulnerable, confused, good-hearted son. Represents the new generation. He marries the independent Sofia. He spends much time trying to get Sofia to obey him the way Celie obeys his father, but he is unsuccessful, as Sofia is considerably stronger than he is. Harpo eventually establishes a juke joint in his first house and becomes Squeak's lover. Later, he and Sofia reconcile. Through his love of Sofia, he learns how to love a woman. Needs a great tenor singing voice.
* Nettie (African-American, 20s): Celie's younger sister. Attractive, adventuresome, feisty spirit, maternal, more educated and knowledgeable than Celie. She has a powerful bond with Celie. Forced by Mister to leave Celie, she starts a new life in Africa. Needs a great belt singing voice with African influence.
* Squeak (African-American, 20s): Harpo's lover after Sofia leaves him. Although she is mistreated, she eventually undergoes a transformation, demanding to be called by her actual name, Mary Agnes, and starting a new life. She is of mixed ancestry. Attractive, sassy, fiery, strong-willed, unafraid to take anybody on, has a caring heart. Needs comic chops. Needs a great singing voice with belt and soprano capability.
Also to be cast:
* Adult Singers: Males and females, 20s-50s, African-American. All types and singing ranges. Need fantastic singing voices and dynamic personalities. To play various roles in the ensemble. The ensemble includes a trio known as Church Ladies, busybody types who are featured throughout the show.
* Child Singers: One African-American male 9-12 years old and three African-American females 9-12 years old. Need strong singing voices and dynamic personalities.
Other children's roles include:
* Young Nettie
* Young Harpo
* Young Adam
* Young Celie
* Young Olivia
Ensemble roles will be available for:
* Mister's Daughter
* Henrietta
* Church Soloist
* Church Lady Doris
* Church Lady Darlene
* Church Lady Jarene
* Daisy
* Preacher
* Prison Guard
* Pa
* Squeak
* Ol' Mister
* Buster
* Chief
* Grady
* Bobby
* Older Olivia
* Older Adam.
For more information, call 304-545-6945 or visit www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org