mad Theatre of Tampa, a 501(c)3 community theatre, is auditioning young actors for the role of “Jason” for our next production of William Finn’s Falsettos. Falsettos is directed by Anthony Paul Gilkinson with music direction by Megan Zeitler. Falsettos will play at the Straz Center’s Shimberg Playhouse, February 3 – 19, 2023.
Initial auditions for Jason can be submitted online now through Tuesday, October 18th by visiting the audition page on the mad Theatre of Tampa website. Those called back, will be asked to attend in-person on Thursday, October 20th at the Straz Center’s Shimberg Playhouse for callbacks. Those cast in the show will be asked to attend a cast gathering on Wednesday, October 26th.
Rehearsals are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings beginning on Tuesday, November 1st.
SHOW SYNOPSIS:
Falsettos, a sung-through musical, is the story of a large, eccentric, and dysfunctional — but loving — Jewish family in New York at the end of the 1970s. Initially, Marvin seems blessed with the perfect family. He has a caring wife, Trina and a young son, Jason. Nevertheless, the family is soon broken apart, when Marvin leaves Trina for a man named Whizzer.
Trina, meanwhile, ends up romantically involved with the family psychiatrist, Mendel. All the while, their son, Jason, is stuck in the middle dealing with growing up and his approaching Bar Mitzvah. Included in the mix are lesbian neighbors Dr. Charlotte and Cordelia.
Later, when Whizzer is diagnosed with AIDS, the entire family — non-traditional as it may be — must put aside their issues and come together.
INSIGHTS on the role of Jason from the director:
“Outside of the actors who have played the role on Broadway, I think of a young Fred Savage from The Princess Bride as well. At the beginning of the show, it is 1979 and Jason (whose father has just left his mother for another man) is very concerned that he himself might be gay. His worries cause him to act out, which leads to behavioral problems at home. His parents plead with him to see a psychiatrist, but he refuses to speak to them and instead will only listen to advice from Whizzer.
Whizzer is the lover of Marvin and the one person in Jason’s life whom he actually respects. Jason is a very intelligent child; he understands the world mainly through science and fact-based evidence. Act 2, it is two years later and a large portion of the plot centers around Jason’s impending bar mitzvah, which is a source of tension between his parents.
As a sung-through ensemble musical, the role of Jason is fully present throughout the show, so I am looking for a strong singer actor to bring this role to life.” — Anthony Paul Gilkinson
VISIT the mad Theatre of Tampa audition page today to learn more about auditions and the show.
*Actors interested in auditioning for the adult roles, the audition page has information for securing your audition spot on Monday or Tuesday, October 17th & 18th.