Audition for ‘Madeline’s Christmas’

Auditions for The Phipps Children’s Theater intergenerational production of "Madeline’s Christmas," with the book and lyrics by Jennifer Kirkeby and music by Shirley Mier, based on the book by Ludwig Bemelmans, will be held on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 15 and 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at The Phipps Center for the Arts. Callbacks will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m.

Director John Nickolaus is looking for a cast of 12 girls, approximate ages 8-13, two adult women and one adult man. Those auditioning should prepare 16 measures of a Broadway musical or short up-tempo song. All should bring sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. All will also be asked to read from the script. Actors should bring a photo and resume, if available, and a list of all possible rehearsal conflicts. All should come prepared to move.

Rehearsals will begin the week of Oct. 29, generally Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with some Fridays or Saturdays as needed. There will be five performances Dec. 13-16, on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., as well as Sunday at 2 p.m. on the main stage. The running time for the show is approximately one hour.

In the play, it’s Christmas time and all of Madeline’s classmates are preparing to go home for the holidays. Unfortunately, disaster strikes the old house in Paris covered in vines when everyone gets the flu. Everyone that is, except for the ever-resilient Madeline. Saddened that they may not be able to go home for Christmas, the girls and Miss Clavel take to their beds. On Christmas Eve, there is a knock at the front door. It is a mysterious rug merchant who brings twelve magic carpets for the girls … and the adventure begins.

Nickolaus appeared as Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady" and as Daddy Warbucks in "Annie" at The Phipps. His directing credits include "Into the Woods," "Barefoot in the Park," "Grand Night for Singing," and "The Wizard of Oz" for 5th Season Entertainment.

Ezelda Yacoub is the music director. Her credits include "Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood," "Harriet's Halloween Candy," "Madeline's Christmas," and "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" for The Phipps.

For further information, contact The Phipps Center at (715) 386-2305.

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