Last updated 15:52, Wednesday, 13 February 2008

DUST off your tap shoes – Whitehaven Theatre Group is holding auditions for its spring show 42nd Street.

It runs from Monday, April 28 to Saturday, May 3.

The auditions take place on Sunday, January 20 at 2.30pm in their Esk Avenue premises.

The show tells the story of a humble, naïve young actress named Peggy Sawyer who has come to audition for a new Broadway musical. Unfortunately, due to her nervousness, Peggy arrives to the audition late and misses her chance to join the chorus. Luckily, Peggy soon catches the eye of the famous director, Julian Marsh, and he gives Peggy her big break. However, the show's aging leading lady, Dorothy Brock, quickly grows to dislike Peggy.

On opening night, Ms Brock falls and breaks her ankle. Panic spreads through the company, as the show is doomed for closure, until it is suggested that Peggy take the roll. In only 36 hours, Peggy learns 25 pages, six songs and 10 dance numbers and becomes a star.

There are six parts for men and three for women plus a group of dancing chorus girls. In addition there is plenty of opportunity for singers and chorus who are not dancers with such memorable numbers as You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me, Keep Young and Beautiful, We're In The Money, Lullaby Of Broadway and the title song 42nd Street.

If you are interested in auditioning, further details are available from Yvonne's Hairdressers (01946 692468) or from choreographer, Carol Corless (01946 815791).

Characters: Billy Lawlor, leading man; age 27 – 35; voice tenor; dancing: medium. Peggy Sawyer — a young, starry-eyed, naive and humble chorus girl, lead role; age 17-24; voice, soprano; dancing, intense. Abner Dillon Dorothy's 'sugar daddy', age 50 – 70; voice, spoken; no dancing. Andy Lee — age 25 – 35; voice, spoken; dancing, intense. Bert Berry; age 30 – 50; voice, tenor; no dancing. Dorothy Brock — prima donna; age 35 – 50; voice, alto; dancing, medium. Julian March — a tough director, age 35 – 55; voice, baritone; dancing, none.

Maggie Jones — age 28 – 50; voice, alto; dancing, none.Pat Denning, age 40 – 65; voice, baritone; dancing, none.

Chorus Girls — Annie, Larraine, Phyllis and others, age 16 – 30, dancing, intense.