Bandstand Auditions

Bandstand: The Birth of Rock & Roll is a high-energy musical revue presented in the format of the original American Bandstand television show broadcast from Studio B, WFIL Philadelphia. Featuring music and dancing of the late 1950s and early 60s from artists such as Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Dion & The Belmonts, Danny & The Juniors, The Chordettes, The Ronnettes, The Crystals, Ritchie Valens, Fats Domino, and so many more!

Performance dates November 26 thru December 22, 2024

Auditions will be held Saturday JUNE 8 at 12:00pm and Sunday JUNE 9 at 12:00pm

Call backs to be held Wednesday JUNE 12 at 6:00pm

Cast announcement Friday JUNE 14

Vocal Rehearsal Schedule:

Monday and Wednesday evenings commencing October 7th

(10/7, 10/9, 10/14, 10/16, 10/21, 10/23, 10/28, 10/30)

Theater Rehearsal Schedule:

2 nights a week, 1 weekend day rehearsal commencing November 2.

Tech week; November 18 thru November 23

Final dress: Sunday, November 24, 1pm – 6pm

WE NEED YOUNG TALENT!

Actors, Singers, Musicians…

Come be a part of this Original Theatrical Production!

Casting For

Dick Clark, host; (should present as late 20s, early 30s):

Funny, outgoing, personable, self-effacing, interacts comfortably with audience and musical acts

Charlie O’Donnell, on camera sidekick; early-mid 30s, funny, quick, strong voice (like a young Ed McMahon)

Show Assistant; (any age, gender) instructing the audience, giving countdowns, lots of energy (could be stage manager)

Camera Operators (2); any age, gender, operating the RCA TK10 cameras on stage

On Stage Audience Members (10 - 12); For historically accurate portrayals, we are seeking youths between the ages of 13 and 19 for our in-studio, onstage audience. In this role you will be interviewed by the host, appear on camera and perform dances throughout the broadcast. Serious 1950s dress! Interact with patrons before the show and during intermission. Be an ambassador for the show in the community, including promotional appearances!

We are casting for the following roles to perform the featured songs listed below to be performed as close to the original studio recording as possible:

MUSICAL ACTS

Bill Haley Rock Around the Clock

(30s-ish male singer, large stature, baritone range, will likely double as Big Bopper)

Danny & The Juniors At The Hop

(4 male Doo Wop voices, late teens to early twenties, may double as Dion & The Belmonts)

Dion & The Belmonts (Why Must I Be) A Teenager in Love

(4 male Doo Wop voices, late teens to early twenties)

The Everly Brothers Wake Up Little Suzie & All I Have to Do Is Dream

(duo, tenor range, late teens to early twenties, may come from Danny & The Juniors, Dion & The Belmonts, the Diamonds, the Elegants)

Jerry Lee Lewis Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On

(dramatic rock & roller with lots of flash, early-mid thirties, does not need piano skills)

The Silhouettes Get A Job

(African American 4 male R&B Doo Wop group)

The Diamonds Little Darlin’& The Stroll

(4 male Doo Wop voices, late 20s, 30s, some flexibility in age range here)

The Chordettes Lollipop & Mr. Sandman

(4 female singers, flexible age ranges)

The Elegants Little Star

(5 male Doo Wop voices late 20s, 30s, some flexibility here)

Big Bopper Chantille Lace

(will likely double as Bill Haley)

Buddy Holly Maybe Baby & That’ll Be The Day

(early to mid twenties iconic figure, does not need guitar skills, may double as Bobby Helms)

Ritchie Valens Come On, Let’s Go & La Bamba

(late teens, early twenties preferably of Mexican heritage, may double in one of the male vocal groups)

Fats Domino I’m Walkin’

(30s-40s-ish African American r&b singer, does not need piano skills, may double as Nat King Cole)

Brenda Lee Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

(young female singer, late teens, early twenties, may double in Chordettes)

The Ronettes Sleigh Ride & Frosty the Snowman

(3 African American young women, early to mid twenties, may double as the Crystals & The Shirelles)

The Moonglows Hey Santa Claus

(5 African American male R&B Doo Wop group, may double as the Drifters)

The Crystals Da Doo Ron Ron & He’s a Rebel

(see Ronettes)

The Shirelles Mama Said

(see Ronettes and Crystals)

The Drifters White Christmas

(see the Moonglows)

Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock

(see Buddy Holly)

Nat King Cole The Christmas Song

(see Fats Domino)

Darlene Love Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

(young African American female singer, may appear in Ronettes, Crystals, Shirelles