The Theatre for Youth and Education (TYE) Center at Utah Valley University is pleased to announce auditions for the developmental premiere of a new musical, The Rocking Boy. Written by Temple University MFA in Musical Theatre Collaboration graduate Spicer W. Carr, this delightful and semi-autobiographical musical tells the story of Bubba, a child on the autism spectrum as he struggles to make friends. Bubba lives and plays in an imaginary world, and each of his imaginary friends represents a part of himself. With Dophie’s help, Bubba begins to recognize each of his imaginary friends are simply a piece of him that is needing love, care, and attention. He also learns friendships aren’t something a person can make, but also need love, care, and attention to thrive.
Spicer was recently featured in Playbill magazine for another musical he has the rights to, and Spicer is bound for success in the musical theatre world. This is an exciting opportunity for Utah performers to work with an up-and-coming composer and lyricist.
Please send your recorded auditions to rhani.alam@uvu.edu by Monday, March 27. Please include 32 bars from a Sondeim (or Sondeim-esque) or Jason Robert Brown (or that type) musical, as well as a 30-60 second comedic monologue.
Callbacks will be in person on Saturday, April 1 from 9:00am – 12:00pm, at Utah Valley University. Please bring a water bottle. There will be sides and songs from the musical. There is no need to prepare anything for callbacks.
The Rocking Boy is directed by Rhani Alam, with music direction by Alec Powell, and choreography by Izzy Eardley.
Rehearsals begin Saturday, May 6.
Performances are June 22 – 24.
The roles are:
Bubba – a young boy with autism. About 10 years old. Clever, and kind, gentle and thoughtful, but a little shy and stuck in his own world. (Man, adult playing a child, any race.) High tenor: (lower extension: Ab2-C3) Normal range: C3-A4
Dophie – A young sassy girl with a speech impediment. About 10 years old. Eager to jump in and play. (Woman, adult playing a child, any race.) Mezzo (Belter): Ab3-E5
King Teddy – Bubba’s imaginary friend and the ruler of Toytown. Also a paternal figure for Bubba. A big worrywart. (Man, any age/race.) Baritone-tenor: Ab2-D#4 (Upper Extension: D#4-G)
Queen Teddy – Bubba’s imaginary friend and the ruler of Toytown. Also a maternal figure for Bubba. Very supportive and wants Bubba to succeed. (Woman, any age/race.) Soprano: Ab3-E5 (Upper Extension E5-G5)
Blorg – Another imaginary friend. Built to be the perfect friend, but due to Dophie has been damaged and turned into a monster. (Woman, any age/race.) Mezzo – Soprano (Belter): B3-E5 (Upper Extension E5-G5)
The General – An army toy that has come to life. A no-nonsense military man wo represents OCD. (Man, any age/race.) Bass-Baritone: Ab2-E4
Radio – A flamboyant and overdramatic radio who is just a little queer (Man/gender non-conforming, any age/race) Tenor: E3-F#4
