AUDITIONS -- OLIVER! THE MUSICAL
Music & Lyrics by Lionel Bart
Directed by Andrew Villain
Music Director: Kim Dickman
Choreographer: Justin Lepson
📍Surfside Playhouse – 301 Ramp Road in Cocoa Beach
đź“… January 11 & 12 @7pm, Doors open @6:30pmÂ
Casting actors of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.
All roles are open. All genders will be considered during casting.
About The Show
The world of Oliver! bursts with heart, grit, humor, and unforgettable characters—from the innocence of young Oliver to the swagger of the Artful Dodger, the complexity of Fagin, and the fierce spirit of Nancy. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver! follows the story of a young orphan who escapes a harsh workhouse, is drawn into the criminal underworld of Victorian London, and ultimately finds hope.
PRINCIPAL ROLES
Oliver Twist
Male, character age 8–13. A boy with an open heart in a closed world. Pure, hopeful, honest. Strong acting instincts required. Range A3-E5.
Artful Dodger
Male, age 14–18. Swaggering charm in a pint-sized package. Clever, bold, streetwise. High energy; agile mover; confident singer. Range A3-E5.
Fagin
Male, age 45–70 (flexible). The eccentric mastermind of a child-pickpocket crew. A deliciously complex role — sly, funny, manipulative, oddly tender. Range A2-F4.
Nancy
Female, age 20–35. Tough, vibrant, compassionate. A woman caught between loyalty and survival. Warmth and grit required; powerhouse singing role. Range F3-E5.
Bill Sikes
Male, age 30–45. An intimidating, quietly explosive presence. Violent, feared, and unpredictable. Strong physicality; baritone voice. Range A2-D4.
FEATURED ROLES
Bet
Female, age 15–19. Young member of Fagin’s world. Fiercely loyal to Nancy. Bright, scrappy energy; strong ensemble singer. Range Ab3-G5.
Mr. Bumble
Male, age 35–60. Self-important beadle of the workhouse. Larger-than-life comedic authority. Range C3-Ab4.
Mrs. Corney (Widow Corney)
Female, age 35–60. Sharp, calculating, and haughty. Strong comedic instincts. Range C4-F5.
Mr. Sowerberry
Male, age 30–55. Undertaker with a dry, morbid sense of humor. Range C3-F4.
Mrs. Sowerberry
Female, age 30–55. Shrewd, business-minded, practical. A comedic pairing with Mr. Sowerberry. Range C4-F5.
Noah Claypole
Male, age 16–21. The undertakers’ petty, jealous apprentice.
Charlotte
Female, age 17–23. The Sowerberrys’ daughter. Slightly vain, easily flustered.
Mr. Brownlow
Male, age 55–75. A gentleman of genuine warmth and integrity. Strong non-singing acting role.
Mrs. Bedwin
Female, age 35–60. Brownlow’s housekeeper. Kind, steady, maternal energy. Range C4-B4.
Dr. Grimwig
Male, age 35–70. Brownlow’s opinionated friend. A bit of comic relief.
Charley Bates
Male, age 10–17. A lively member of Fagin’s gang. Mischief-maker with comedic timing.
Old Sally
Female, playing age 55+. An aging pauper tied to Oliver’s backstory.
ENSEMBLE
Workhouse Boys
Fagin’s Gang
Market Vendors
Townspeople
Some featured roles may also play ensemble parts.
WHAT TO PREPARE
FOR WALK-IN AUDITIONS:
Walk-in auditions are welcome.Â
You will be taught a short excerpt from the show to sing.
FOR PREPARED AUDITIONS:
- It is preferred you have the content memorized and present the song in character. You may use printed music if you feel you need it.
- You may prepare and present an audition cut for more than one character.
- Auditions will use the tracks (piano only) provided in these materials and no microphones will be used. (NOTE:Â These recordings are ONLY for audition purposes.)
- Use any Oliver! Cast Album or the film soundtrack for reference (several available on YouTube), but please put your own interpretation into your audition.
- Questions can be directed to Kim Dickman at tigpooh90@gmail.com
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AUDITION EXCERPT LIST BY CHARACTER:
- Adult Ensemble—“Who Will Buy?” ms. 21-56
- Youth Ensemble—“Consider Yourself” ms. 20-67
- Oliver—“Where is Love?” ms. 9-27
- Dodger—“Consider Yourself” ms. 20-67
- Nancy—“Oom Pah Pah” ms. 109-140 AND “As Long as He Needs Me” ms. 59-end
- Bill Sikes—“My Name” ms 40-64
- Fagin—“Reviewing the Situation” ms. 132-end
- Mr. Bumble—“Oliver” ms 42-66  AND “Boy For Sale” ms 15-end
- Widow Corney—“Oliver” ms 42-66
Upcoming Auditions
COVID-19 Precautions
Surfside no longer requires patrons to wear a mask while seated but we do ask all auditioners to wear a mask when entering the building. Once you arrive at your seat, you may remove your mask if you are inclined to do so. Please remember that many are still not vacinated. We protect our own so please act accordingly. If you have not been vacinated, we highly recomend that you keep your mask on except for when you are auditioning on stage.
Please look at the following bullet points to see how the process has changed:
- Always apply the 6ft distancing rule when attending auditions. We will consider this as part of our onstage audition guidelines as well.Â
- You will be asked to attend only one night of auditions.Â
