Show: PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL
Theater: Phoenix Productions
Theater Website: https://www.phoenixredbank.com/auditions
Theater Phone: (732) 842-9000
Start date of auditions: 07/27/2026
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL
Phoenix Productions is looking for a diverse slate of performers for its production of PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL, playing Friday, September 25th through Sunday, September 27th at The Count Basie Center.
PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL is a jazzy and joyous re-imagining of the beloved Gilbert & Sullivan crowd-pleasing classic. Transporting the pirates from Penzance to 1800s New Orleans, this outrageously clever romp sizzles with Caribbean rhythms and French Quarter flair with brand-new orchestrations as well as a brand-new book by Tony Award® winner Rupert Holmes.
Persons of all ethnicities, gender expressions, cultural heritage / background, and body types are encouraged to audition.
Audition Dates/Times/Locations:
Monday July 27th 7:00PM – 9:30PM at Phoenix Productions (59 Chestnut St, Red Bank NJ)
Tuesday, July 28th 7:00PM – 9:30PM at New Brunswick PAC (9 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ)
Saturday, August 1st 10:00AM – 2:00PM at Phoenix Productions (59 Chestnut St, Red Bank NJ)
Some performers may be asked to a call-back on Monday, August 3rd from 7:00PM to 10:00PM at Phoenix Productions.
See character descriptions below. All auditionees are asked to prepare the following:
32 bars from classic/golden age musical theatre song in the style of the show. Please bring your sheet music in the correct key in a notebook or published book for the accompanist.
If you have one available, please bring a copy of your headshot and resume.
If you are unable to attend auditions in person for any reason, please visit www.phoenixredbank.com/video for information about submitting a video audition (self-tape).
Rehearsal dates:
Rehearsals begin on or about August 10th, typically three (3) weekday evenings and one (1) weekend day. We are hoping to lock in a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evening and Saturday daytime rehearsal schedule. More rehearsal days will be required as the production opening approaches.
Performances at The Count Basie Center in Red Bank, NJ:
Friday, September 25 @ 7:30PM
Saturday, September 26 @ 2:00PM & 7:30PM
Sunday, September 27 @ 2:00PM
Production Team:
Director: James Grausam
Assistant Director: Anthony Viera
Music Director: Tom O’Brien
Production Stage Manager: Jo Wymer
Production Manager: Tom Hessman
Character BREAKDOWN
NOTE: The original characters were imagined on the binary and written with he/him or she/her pronouns as you will see in the following descriptions. However, we seek to be as inclusive as possible and ask gender non-conforming, gender queer, transgender and non-binary actors to list on the audition form the roles they most identify with.
WILLIAM S. GILBERT / MAJOR-GENERAL STANLEY
Gilbert is British and unrepentantly “respectable”. Stanley is ex-military, world traveler and an avowed former philanderer aged enough to have 8 grown daughters from multiple mothers – and the comedic mirror of Gilbert. Dexterous vocal ability required – two tricky patter songs plus serious comedy skills – aging effects can be achieved by time or make-up.
ARTHUR SULLIVAN / THE SERGEANT OF POLICE
Sullivan is a strong personality willing to fight for his residual check. Sergeant is a stalwart, stoic, unrepentant risk—averse lawman afraid of his own shadow – the comedic opposite of Sullivan. Baritone leaning toward bass.
FREDERIC
21 years old – passionate, wide-eyed, innocent, and Tenor. Our hero. Must be willing to learn stage fencing.
RUTH
Frederic’s nanny and now a pirate “Jill of all trades” – Alto
PIRATE KING (Santiago du Bouchard)
Braggard and narcissist -the last of the pirate royal line and proud to sing about it. Bari-Tenor with strong upper and lower register. Must be willing to learn stage fencing.
MABEL STANLEY
The youngest and loveliest of Stanley’s daughters, a feminist with a twist, strong yet feminine in charge woman – Soprano with a jazz flair.
GENERAL STANLEY’S DAUGHTERS
Ages 18 – 45+, all lovely debutantes and fine examples of Stanleys exploits around the globe as a Major-General. All strong singers. Body type and skin tone has no bearing – they are strong women, proudly single looking to change the world (unless they meet the right person whether policeman or pirate).
EDITH
KATE
ISABEL
YVETTE
CHANTILLY
EMMA
CALLIE
(and the aforementioned MABEL)
PIRATES
Aged 25 – 75 Strong, boisterous, opinionated – good comedic actors – excellent singers – will also double as the Police. There are many featured Pirates and Policemen roles. (Caribbean countries of origin, as per Broadway, but all may be revised)
JESUÉ – First Mate, from Jamaica
LUIS – from Tortuga
ARNALDO – from Caracas, Venezuela
FRANCOIS – from Cajun Acadia
LAZARE – from the French Quarter of New Orleans
ROSCOE – from the Atchafalaya swamplands of Louisiana
KERSTEN – from Sint Maarten
THE VOLUNTEER POLICE OF ORLEANS PARISH/NEW POLICE RECRUITS
Police will also double as pirates. There are many featured Pirates and Policemen roles.
