Callback Date (By Invitation Only):
Tuesday, 6/9 (6-8 pm). Actors receiving a callback will be notified after the Monday, June 8 after 10pm by email of audition timeslot. Both callback and audition preparation materials are listed below. Audition material must be memorized.
Performance Dates: Actors must be available for all performance dates.
• Friday, Dec 4 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, Dec 5 at 7:30 pm
• Sunday, Dec 6 at 2:00 pm
Possible brush Thursday, Dec 10 at 7
• Friday, Dec 11 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, Dec 12 at 7:30 pm
• Sunday, Dec 13 at 2:00 pm
In addition to Performance Dates listed above, actors will be expected to attend:
• Tech Week (Saturday November 28 through Thursday Dec 3)
• At least one Scene Shop Saturday (10 am – 1 pm)
• Strike, Dec 13, immediately following the 2 pm show
Typical rehearsal schedule*:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday (7:00 – 9:30 pm), and Sunday (1-4 pm).
Rehearsal date range will vary according to role in order to rehearse puppeteering. Many roles will begin rehearsal early summer.
*Not every actor will be needed for every rehearsal.
About the Musical: A Cricket’s Tale, by playwright, composer and lyricist Alyssa Reit, is the story of Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio set to original songs spanning many genres. The characters are played by an energetic combination of actors, puppeteers and vocalists, performed in a non-traditional urban, eclectic setting.
Casting:
All ethnicities are open for all characters. Genders of the characters will be portrayed as written, but actors may audition for whichever role they feel comfortable with. Age ranges represent the age of the character, and does not necessarily reflect the age of the actor portraying them.
Cast Breakdown:
A CRICKET’S TALE
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
*Note that all animals EXCEPT Cricket actually appear as animals.
LEADS:
CRICKET (male, 30ish +) baritone. Must play guitar well. Warm, straight-talking, witness and commentator. Possible puppeteer separate from actor who is Cricket’s voice.
GEPPETTO (male, 50+) baritone. A lonely, aloof wood carver, heavy drinker, aches for companionship. Eccentric artist-type.
PINOCCHIO (teen +) tenor. A puppet, gullible, wants things easy, desires freedom, has a capacity for heroism. Preferred that actor is also Pinocchio’s puppeteer.
FAIRY #1 (female, as younger) soprano. Loving, clear-seeing, compassionate.
FAIRY #2 (female, as older) alto. She is Fairy #1—now more grown up, mature. Understands how to apply “tough love.”
FAIRY #3 (female, 50s+) alto. An even older version of Fairy #2. (can be played by FAIRY #2). Must have a good feel for gospel singing.
OTHER FEATURED CHARACTERS:
Note: Most of these characters are not dressed in animal costumes; they portray the animals in their body language and mannerisms.
BALIFF—a bulldog
BOX OFFICE LADY (female)—a loud ticket salesperson
CANDLEWICK (male, young) tenor—Pinocchio’s wayward good friend and bad influence
CAT (female) mezzo/alto—a cat, and Fox’s slinky side-kick
CIRCUS MASTER (male, 50+)—a typical loud showman, and heartless to his performers COACHMAN (male, 50+)—a large man, persuasive, slick, and ominous
DOCTORS CROW and OWL (males)—two comical doctors (animals) who speak in rhythm
DOVE (female)—A benevolent bird
DRUM MAKER (male)—a simple man who only cares about his bottom line
FISH —a very large good-natured fish
FOX - tenor—a fox, clever con, magician, and the bartender where Geppetto drinks. GENDARME (male)—-the Impresario’s sympathetic dog and lackey
HARLEQUINA (young)—a beautiful dancing puppet (puppeteering required)
IMPRESARIO (male, 50+) bass—a burly imposing theater owner with a soft heart
JAILER (male)—a jaded official (voice only)
JUDGE (male) baritone—a screaming gorilla with no mercy (puppeteering required)
MEDORO (male) —the Fairy’s faithful dog
DONKEY-PINOCCHIO—a donkey
STABLE BOY (young male)—a kid who does what he’s told
TRADESMAN—a seller of wares with a cart
ENSEMBLE:
TOWNSPEOPLE (SATB chorus)—a mixture of people and animals
REVELERS (TB men)—festive drinkers
SHOW AUDIENCE—a mixture of people
MARIONETTE DANCERS—a group of young male and female puppets
COURTROOM ATTENDEES (includes 3 altos)—nasty animal characters
SEASIDE BYSTANDERS (includes 2 altos)—3 FISHERMEN and 3 WOMEN (one old)
BEE ISLANDERS 1, 2, 3 (1 baritone, 1 bass), and BEE ISLANDER ENSEMBLE (SATB chorus)—human-sized worker-bee characters who can’t see past their work ethic
WORK-VIGNETTE PEOPLE—a mixture of men and women in roles such as teachers, neighbors, old ladies crossing the street, basket-makinginstructor, etc.
FUNLAND BOYS (includes 2+ tenors)—a few wayward teens
FUNLAND DONKEYS—tired beasts trudging along, carrying burdens
CIRCUS GOERS—a mixture of people and animals
HUM CHARACTERS (SATB chorus)—all the characters from the show (some can be dummies as needed)
CELEBRATION CHARACTERS (SATB chorus)
Audition Process and Callbacks:
The auditioner will select the main role they are auditioning for and sides will be sent to be memorized after audition form is returned. When given an audition time slot, the director may also ask the auditioner to prepare an additional character. This additional material will not have to be memorized.
All auditions and callbacks will be sung over recordings or piano.
Auditioners will be informed of their Callback after 10 pm on Monday, June 8. While the time range for casting decisions is hard to estimate, the production team will try to inform all auditioners of their status by Friday, June 12.
All auditions are at Drew Methodist Church, 28 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512
Audition and Callbacks Materials:
Audition and Callback Materials document can be found here:
All performances, auditions, and rehearsals take place at
The Theater at Drew United Methodist Church 28 Gleneida Ave., Carmel, NY 10512
unless otherwise noted.
All audition and callback materials are selected sections from the show. Each audition selection is given with the starting and ending lyric If you have any questions, please email us at brewstertheaterinfo@gmail.com
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR AUDITION! -The A Cricket’s Tale Production Team
Book, Music & Lyrics by Alyssa Reit
Director Stacy Dumont
Musical Director (Vocal) Ellen Lang
Musical Director (Instrumental) Peter Reit
Producer Bob Dumont
Audition Dates (By Appointment Only):
Sunday, June 7th, 2026 (5:30 -8:30 pm)
Monday, June 8th, 2026 (6-9 pm)
Auditions, rehearsals, and performances will be at Drew Methodist Church, 28 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, New York, 10512. Video auditions will not be accepted for lead roles or roles involving puppetry. Video auditions will be accepted for featured roles and those not involving puppets, but the auditioner must provide their own accompaniment. All video submissions must be submitted to brewstertheaterinfo@gmail.com on or before Saturday, June 6th..
Email brewstertheaterinfo@gmail.com for an audition time slot. You will then be sent a form to complete. Video submissions will not be accepted without the completed form. Please allow up to 48 hours to receive an audition slot.