Aretha Franklin To Hold Auditions For Her Autobiographical Stage Musical
We usually don’t do posts like these, but hey it’s the Queen of Soul… if you’re looking for your big break, see the press below.
Aretha Franklin has announced the final call for auditions to be held for a
musical production based on her autobiography, “Aretha From These Roots.”
Open calls are scheduled to take place in her hometown of Detroit on May 1, May 2 and May 3, from 12 noon to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express located at 25100 Northwestern Highway (at Evergreen) in Southfield, Michigan. The production is tentatively planned to kick off in her hometown on March 2008.
The Queen of Soul will be involved in the casting process, choosing the
performers that will play herself at varying ages, “key members” from her
family, her close friends, background singers and associates, including Sam
Cooke, Dinah Washington, Smokie Robinson and renowned genius pianist, Art
Tatum.
Like the autobiography, the play will recount the life of the legendary
musical icon, from her early musical beginnings rooted in gospel at the New
Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, to the top of the pop and R&B charts, to
her the legendary standing in popular culture that she has gone on to earn.
The parts being auditioned are listed below. Please refer to the
photographs in Franklin’s book, Aretha From These Roots to make sure you
resemble the character that you are auditioning for. Be advised, all those
auditioning must meet have a minimum of three years stage experience (except
children under the age of 15), and must be over 21 years of age or
accompanied by a chaperone who is over 21 years of age. Please bring a
non-returnable resume, 8″x10″ black-and-white or color photograph, CD, DVD
or videotape to leave behind with the producers and designated reps. You
may bring your own DAT/CD or cassette or use the piano accompanist, if you
bring your own sheet music.
Parts being auditioned for that will require singing include:
Wyleen Ivy
* (Background singer) - Individual should be about 22 - 23 years of
age, thin, approximately 100-105 pounds, black/dark brown eyes, black hair
with bouffant look, with sharp features and dark brown skin.
Evelyn Green
* (Background singer) - Individual should be about 21 - 22 years of
age, medium build, approximately 110-125 pounds, with big brown eyes, afro
hairstyle, have lots of personality, and be fun.
Parts being auditioned for that will NOT require singing are listed below.
Those auditioning for these parts should bring a CD/DVD to submit to casting
representative that include acting vignettes of 5-7 minutes. Non-speaking
roles include:
Ruth Bowen
* (Aretha’s longtime manager) - Two individuals needed to portray her
at approximately 30 years of age and then at 43 - 50 years old. Actor
should be about 5′ 5″ in height, with fair complexion, hazel-green eyes,
have a small frame about 110 pounds, with black hair in a retro style circa
1962-1970 for younger actor, and black hair in a style circa 1974-1981 for
actor portraying her at 43 - 50 years old.
LaRue Mann
* (Aretha’s longtime dresser/wardrobe mistress) - An individual needed
to portray her at 28 - 30 years old. Actress should be slim, weighing
approximately 105 pounds, medium brown skin, sharp features, lots of
personality and bubbly.
Donald Towns
* (First Conductor) - Actor should be about 20 years of age,
approximately 6 feet tall, with medium-heavy build, about 295 pounds, with
brown skin, dark hair in a 1960s low cut hair/post-process era/short natural
cut (similar to Sam Cooke’s hairstyle).
Norman Dugger
* (Roadie) - Actor should be in mid-thirties, approximately 5′1″ in
height, with small to medium build, brown skin, dark brown eyes with full,
round facial features.
Art Tatum
* (World renowned pianist) - Actor will be portraying the pianist in
his mid-40s - 50 years old, heavy set, medium brown skin, with stocking cap
wavy hair, approximately 5′ 9″ in height and weighing about 280-300 pounds.
Ken Cunningham
* (Aretha’s friend/suitor) - Actor should be approximately 6 feet
tall, light brown skin, medium size afro, very handsome, dark eyes, slim,
with a perfect set of teeth, cool and fun.
***If you are interested in auditioning or participating in FROM THESE ROOTS
and are not available on the audition dates, please send a resume, 8″x10″
photograph, CD, DVD or video tape to (all items are non-returnable):
From These Roots
c/o Crown Productions
P.O. Box 768
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
248-745-9778
Comment by Toni Dupont
Comment by Beatrice E. Mckinney
I was trying to audtion for the part of Aretha Franklin you all need me and I need you check me out. Contack me at 313 779-3008 I need to be sweezed in contack also at 12390 Lansdowne Detroit, MI 48224 because my computer is disabled for now.
Comment by ELAINE GIBBS
I GOT THIS INFORMATION LATE, BUT I DID HEAR YOU WERE HAVING A ADUTION IN LOS ANGELES THIS WEEK, IS THAT TURE? AND IF SO I WOULD LOVE TO SING FOR THE ARETHIA FRANKLIN PART. YOU CAN ALSO GO TO http://WWW.ELAINEGIBBS.COM AND HEAR ME SING NATURAL WOMAN…….PLEASE CHECK IT OUT
Comment by Jacquelin Ogletree
Hi:
I was at the first auditions and when I finally got inside, they stopped taking people. They said that the 2nd auditions are on the 28th and 29th of May. I will be their and will be singing “A Natural Woman”. I feel as though I fit one of the parts for Aretha Franklin,(hopefully her). I was raised around the block from Aretha on 2962 Pingree Street in Detroit and she lived a block away, Phildelphia street. I was in her fathers chior for 1 1/2 years. I feel that is what you guys are looking for; someone who could relate to her and grew up from the same roots as she. I happento be younger though, but not too young. I hope that you guys like my voice and if not, it would still be a great experience for me.
God bless.
Comment by ANGELA MURRELL
I got the news late but thats o.k because nobody knows my aretha like I do, well actually can sound like her more than me. since I was a little girl about 3yrs old. I am in my early 40’s heavy set(pretty shape) 5″5 1/2 inches tall, dark brown skin. Very sexy, appealing 282lbs full of fun. What do you want, its the best yet have come! I can sing Natural Woman, Respect,I Love You, Chain of Fool, Baby Baby Baby, Son of a Preacher, Mary don’t Weep, Aretha Blues, Only the lonly, and many, many more.
Comment by Diane Irvin
To God Be All The Glory!! My name is Diane Irvin and I just returned from performing at the Forney Opry in Forney Texas feauring “Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner” at an Oldies Show.
Aretha Franklin has always been my IDOL and I have SANG her songs since childhood, from her pop & blues to her gospel hits. I guarentee you that you not only the closest sound to Aretha but the SOUL AND SPIRIT that comes naturally from God like Aretha. I not only sing song from the heart like Aretha but I look like Aretha, so closely that you would think I was her when made up in her image.
Please, the spirit of God placed me in front of this computer after coming home from my miraculous performance of Aretha tonight and lead me to search out talent for Aretha auditions and her it is. I receive standing ovations from the Forney Opry everytime I sing anything, especially Aretha Franklin. I have several years of singing, acting in gospel plays.
I already perform and know almost every song Aretha Franklin sang. I am very active, patient and learn quickly.
Like Jamie Foxx in the autobiography of “Ray Charles” Diane Irvin, if given an opportunity to deliver and share my gifts, would make you proud, ARETHA, in your autobiography of “Aretha Franklin”
I am so sorry that this is the first time I have come across this and had I known about this sooner, I would have responded right away, but as I said earlier, Aretha, I was lead by the spirit to search out for auditions of you tonight. God will use me, if you let him. I have a picture and CD to send.
Thank you and I pray that I hear from you soon!
GOD BLESS & I LOVE YOU,
Diane Irvin
Comment by Diane Irvin
This is Diane Irvin again, from the prior message, and I would like to leave my phone number, address, and e-mail:
Diane Irvin
2721 Beau Drive
Mesquite, Texas 75181
214-629-3385 cell
972-222-2184 home
Comment by Diane Irvin
6. PLEASE READ AND RESPOND! THANKS.
Comment by Diane Irvin
To God Be All The Glory!! My name is Diane Irvin and I just returned from performing at the Forney Opry in Forney Texas feauring “Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner†at an Oldies Show.
Aretha Franklin has always been my IDOL and I have SANG her songs since childhood, from her pop & blues to her gospel hits. I guarentee you that you not only the closest sound to Aretha but the SOUL AND SPIRIT that comes naturally from God like Aretha. I not only sing song from the heart like Aretha but I look like Aretha, so closely that you would think I was her when made up in her image.
Please, the spirit of God placed me in front of this computer after coming home from my miraculous performance of Aretha tonight and lead me to search out talent for Aretha auditions and her it is. I receive standing ovations from the Forney Opry everytime I sing anything, especially Aretha Franklin. I have several years of singing, acting in gospel plays.
I already perform and know almost every song Aretha Franklin sang. I am very active, patient and learn quickly.
Like Jamie Foxx in the autobiography of “Ray Charles†Diane Irvin, if given an opportunity to deliver and share my gifts, would make you proud, ARETHA, in your autobiography of “Aretha Franklinâ€
I am so sorry that this is the first time I have come across this and had I known about this sooner, I would have responded right away, but as I said earlier, Aretha, I was lead by the spirit to search out for auditions of you tonight. God will use me, if you let him. I have a picture and CD to send.
Thank you and I pray that I hear from you soon!
GOD BLESS & I LOVE YOU,
Diane Irvin
7.
Comment by Diane Irvin
This is Diane Irvin again, from the prior message, and I would like to leave my phone number, address, and e-mail:
Diane Irvin
2721 Beau Drive
Mesquite, Texas 75181
214-629-3385 cell
972-222-2184 home
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Comment by Brittany Wescott
My entire family has been insisting on me portraying the biography of the infamous Aretha Franklin but I previously disagreed until seeing her and loving her. I am a plus size beauty-if I say so my self- and to give to the world what ms. Franklin gave in a more up to date version would be sooooooooooo amazing!! If you could be interested in anyway please do not hesitate to call:9042336351!! Thanks, Much Love Ms. Brittany
Comment by latona coleman gayle
Hi, I’m from Moss POint, Ms and I am interested in auditioning for Aretha franklin singing parts. Please email me the requirements, dates, and locations.