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Audition Submissions Open For The Marvelous Wonderettes


The Branson Regional Arts Council welcomes video audition submissions for it’s upcoming production of The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Historic Owen Theatre.<

The Marvelous Wonderettes Performance Dates [tickets on sale now]

  • Jan 28-30, Feb 4-6, Feb 11-13, 2021 @ 7:00 pm
  • Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14, 2021 @ 2:00 pm (12 Shows total)

Cast of Characters:
(Some roles may be double cast. We are also looking to cast swings to play multiple roles. Swings are guaranteed actual performances as well, so if you are interested in auditioning and can’t make every performance, we encourage you to still submit.)

MISSY (Adult Female): Always the over-achiever of the group, Missy is the one to cover for mistakes and is always ready to jump in and save the day. Head of the prom decorations committee, and absolutely smitten with her music teacher. She has been best friends with Suzy since elementary school. (Soprano with wide range and very high vocals; also requires the ability to belt/mix)

CINDY LOU (Adult Female): Cindy Lou is the “bad girl” of the group. It seems that things always go her way, making Betty Jean crazy. She makes the biggest change between Acts I and II, having learned the lessons of true love and loss. (Mezzo Soprano with strong belt; sings melody line on most songs; the role requires strong vocal abilities)

BETTY JEAN (Adult Female) Betty Jean is the self-anointed clown of the group, always vying for attention from her best friend Cindy Lou. Cindy Lou steals Betty Jean’s boyfriend away, causing a lot of the friction at the prom; she holds this grudge against Cindy Lou, until they make up at the 10-year reunion. (Mezzo/Alto with strong range)

SUZY (Adult Female) Gum-chewing Suzy is happy-go-lucky, a little giddy, and a little silly. She finds great pleasure in everything she does; the sillier it is, the more fun she finds it. Her best friend is Missy. (Please note: The script does not want you to play her like a stereotypical “ditzy blonde.”) (Mezzo Alto with a sweet, soulful sound, and big belt)

Show Description:

This smash off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives and loves, the girls serenade us with classic ‘50s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Lipstick on Your Collar.” In act two, the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their ten-year reunion. We learn about the highs and lows the girls have experienced in the past decade and are charmed to find that no matter what life throws their way, they will conquer it together. Featuring over 30 classic ’50s and ’60s hits, The Marvelous Wonderettes will keep you smiling in this must-take musical trip down memory lane!

Audition Requirements:

**Due to the impact of COVID-19 and our commitment to your safety, the initial round of auditions will be by video submission only.

[fac_icon icon=”star”] Please send all audition videos with the headline WONDERETTES SUBMISSION to: BransonArts@gmail.com.

Please prepare 32 bars (no more than 2 minutes) of a pop song or ballad FROM THE 1950s OR 1960s…You can also choose to sing a Musical Theatre piece, but please make it of the appropriate show style. (NO A CAPELLA SINGING)

This is a jukebox musical (all of the songs are well known) so it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the shows approach. Click here to listen to the cast recording on YouTube.

When picking an audition song, this note from the creator may be helpful:

“Listen to Connie Francis, Doris Day, The Chordettes, & The McGuire Sisters for Act I styles; listen to Dusty Springfield, Lesley Gore, The Shangri-Las, & Betty Everett for Act II styles.”

From the director…
All four characters are powerhouse vocalist. These girls sing very tedious harmonies and get a full vocal workout throughout the show. (30+ songs!) When selecting a song, pick something that will showcase your greatest strengths and range. With a video submission, you have the advantage to sing without the nerves of a live audition…be bold with your choice!

After your initial vocal audition, we will be in touch if we need to see more from you. (Sides, dance)

Please feel free to contact the director with any questions you may have at jacobmestes@gmail.com.

ALL VIDEO SUBMISSIONS DUE BY OCTOBER 20, 2020!

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The Odd Couple Brings Laughter Back To Historic Owen Theatre

After a six-month postponement due to the pandemic, big laughs are about to fill the air as the Branson Regional Arts Council presents the hilarious comedy play The Odd Couple by Neil Simon at the Historic Owen Theatre in downtown Branson.

Additional performances have been added to the calendar so that more people can enjoy this incredibly funny production. The facility is continually sanitized with social distance seating established so the audience will have an empty row or a couple of seats between them and other patrons.

Eight performances are scheduled on Sept 10-11 (7pm), Sept 12 (2pm & 7pm), Sept 13 (2pm) and Sept 17-19 (7pm), with advance reserved seat tickets available now at BransonArts.org/tix or by calling the box office at 417-336-4255. Ticket prices are $16.95 (Adults 18+) and $11.45 (Youth 4-17) with proceeds benefiting the work of the Arts Council on behalf of our community.

Recommended for all audiences, this classic comedy opens as a group of the guys assemble for cards in the apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. And if the mess is any indication, it’s no wonder that his wife left him. Late to arrive is Felix Unger, who has just been separated from his wife. Fastidious, depressed, and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action unfolds, Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean freak and the slob ultimately decide to room together with hilarious results as The Odd Couple is born!

The BRAC production is directed by Jody Madaras, star of the  All Hands On Deck show at the Dutton Family Theatre. “Neil Simon’s timeless American comedy delivers biting zingers and the ingredients that laughs are made of,” says Madaras. “Our BRAC production comes complete with a boat load of laughs, and a heart-warming ending that is sure to please!”

Lead Actors: Sean Neil Myers & Chance Havens

Chance Havens plays the role of Oscar Madison along with Sean Neil Myers as Felix Unger. Additional cast members include Cory Hensen as Murray, Deron Wolfe as Roy, Mark Peper as Vinnie, Dylan Pratt as Speed, J.C. Clinton and Abby Reeve as the vivacious Pigeon sisters. Keep your eyes open for an unexpected virtual appearance by funnyman Terry Sanders!

Producers Kim Hale, Lisa Murphy and Karie Dykeman are assisted by Jack Vandewark (Stage Manager), Pamela Meadows (Lighting Director), and Mac Hill (Set Design and Sound Technician), Marshall Meadows (Photography), and Jim Barber (BRAC Executive Director and Marketing).

As an added bonus, theatre patrons will be invited to visit the Rock Room Gallery inside the Historic Owen Theatre for the new “Cityscapes & New York Nights” exhibition featuring artwork from a variety of local area artists. All works displayed will be available for sale by the artists. Artists interested in placing a work in the exhibit are asked to contact the Arts Council at info@bransonarts.org.

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New Artist Reception At Branson Convention Center Art Exhibition

The Branson Regional Arts Council invites the general public to attend their Annual Member Meeting and New Artist Reception at the Art Exhibition Gallery on the second floor promenade of the Branson Convention Center on Friday, September 4th from 7pm until 8pm.

This mostly all-new display features award winning artwork, ranging from oils and acrylics, to photography. There is no cost to attend this event.

Incredible works by several new area artists will be unveiled, and Jim Barber, Executive Director of the Branson Regional Arts Council, will be on hand to announce several exciting announcements for area residents who love the arts.

“Come join us in welcoming fourteen unbelievably talented artists to this wonderful art gallery showing. We want to thank the dedicated management and staff of the Branson Convention Center for working with the Arts Council to make this exciting and free exhibition available to residents of our community as well as the thousands of visitors from around the country who have the pleasure of viewing it each year.”
– Jim Barber, Executive Director

Delyla Uebel - Concert PianistProfessional concert pianist Delyla will provide musical accompaniment to set the mood and provide additional entertainment for the viewers.

New artists now preparing to be welcomed to the gallery exhibition include Meike Aton, Jessica Lowe, Norma Wiedmeyer, Christe Colburn, Regina Willard, Andi Snethern and Gayle Page.

Area artists currently on display include Raine Clotfelter, Kwaku Addai, Jenny Mayor, Jim Tindall, Dee Giles, Jane Parker, Mary Arneson, Galina Foulconer, Leigh Ann Thomas, Marty Goodnight, Alpha Morrow, Thia Shuler, and Meadows Images. Some of these artists will be transitioning to other exhibitions, while some will continue in this location for another six-months with new works of art to display.

Due to the City of Branson mandate, all staff and guests inside the Branson Convention Center are required to wear a facial mask and practice social distancing while attending this event.

The Arts Council appreciates the cooperation of our guests with this request and promises a fun evening of enjoyable art and music.

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Missouri Bicentennial Poster Contest Seeks Young Artists

The Missouri Bicentennial Commission is holding a competition to select posters for the upcoming bicentennial commemoration. The contest is open to third through twelfth graders in Missouri.

Students are asked to interpret the theme: Sharing Missouri’s stories – past, present, and future.

Submissions will be accepted through October 31, 2020. The Commission will select four winning designs – two from the elementary grades (3-6) and two from the secondary grades (7-12). Grade level is based on the 2019-2020 school year.

All submissions must be officially sponsored by an eligible sponsoring institution, which include nonprofit arts agencies, cultural heritage and educational institutions (e.g. museums and historical societies, 4-H clubs, private and public schools, homeschool networks, etc.), and public libraries.

[fac_icon icon=”star”] Students who would like to have their work submitted and sponsored by the Branson Regional Arts Council are asked to send a written request to info@bransonarts.org.

Complete guidelines and the submission form can be found at: https://missouri2021.org/bicentennial-poster/

About the Contest…

In 1921, Vinnorma Shaw designed a poster to commemorate the Missouri Centennial and advertise the Missouri Centennial Exposition at the Missouri State Fair. One hundred years later, what should a Missouri Bicentennial poster look like?

Missouri students, help the Missouri Bicentennial Commission commemorate the state’s 200th anniversary by submitting a design concept for the Missouri Bicentennial poster. Four concepts will be chosen, with each winner receiving $200 and a certificate acknowledging his/her achievement, as well as an invitation to attend the poster unveiling.

Learn more about the centennial poster using the guide and worksheets located on the official Missouri Bicentennial website. These materials are fantastic opportunities to reflect upon Missouri’s past, present, and future.

Winning design concepts for the new poster design will be announced no later than December 15, 2020. The winning designs will be refined to create four different Missouri Bicentennial posters for use during the bicentennial commemoration. All entries received by the deadline will also be featured on the Missouri 2021 website and social media channels through the end of the bicentennial commemoration.

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