Upcoming Events

French Cupcakes Auditions

FRENCH CUPCAKES: A New Musical, by local composer and writer Neal Learner.

French Cupcakes is more than a legendary café-bakery in this Midwest college town: it’s a place of dreams. Café manager/grad student Tina dreams of becoming a diplomat. House musician Nick dreams of becoming a country music star. Second year MBA student Bridget dreams of becoming a Wall Street titan. Baristas dream of becoming Cancan dancers in Paris. And café owner Pierre dreams of selling his shop and retiring along the French Riviera. When Pierre puts his dream into action, the others scramble to adjust their own dreams. Dreams ruined, dreams deferred, dreams realized: French Cupcakes explores the twists and turns of our desires that fuel this thing called life.

French Cupcakes: where dreams come true, just not the ones that you expect.

FRENCH CUPCAKES Characters:

Pierre Bardot (older man – late-50s/mid-60s – baritone/second tenor): Longtime owner of French Cupcakes, Pierre moved to the U.S. as a young man to study at State College. After graduating, he realized his talent for baking traditional French pastries and opened French Cupcakes in his adopted college town. Now, after nearly 40 years in business, he dreams of retiring along the French Riviera. (2 solos)
Tina Bardot (young woman – late-20s/early-30s – soprano): The only offspring of Pierre, Tina is finishing her master’s degree in international affairs at State College while she works as the shop’s manager. Tina spent several years teaching in South American countries after graduating with her bachelor’s degree and now dreams of becoming a diplomat. This character has a kiss with the character, Nick. (1 solo, multiple duets)
Nick Butler (young man – late 20s/early-30s – tenor): A singer-songwriter, Nick performs regularly at French Cupcakes. Nick was a “fan favorite” on the national TV show America’s Next Superstar, and now he dreams of becoming a country music star. He’s also a talented baker. This character has a kiss with the character, Tina. (2 solos, multiple duets)
Bridget Anderson (young woman – late-20s/early 30s – soprano): A second-year MBA student and rising business executive, Bridget dreams of becoming very rich. She leads the charge to buy French Cupcakes and breathe new life to the café. (3 solos, 1 duet)
Big Bean Rep Dana Miller (adult character – either male or female; Female vocal range: alto. Male range: tenor): Dana oversees the Midwest sector of coffee-shop giant, Big Bean. Dana seeks to buy French Cupcakes as part of Big Bean’s plan to expand into the bakery market. Character could serve a dual role as a customer. (1 solo, 1 duet)
Baristas/Narrators (3 individuals – either male or female; ideally college age – soprano/tenor): 3 baristas have multiple speaking and singing roles and serve as the show’s “Greek Chorus” of narrators. Coquettish and a bit naughty, they speak in French accents when talking with customers but in normal accents when talking among themselves. They break out into the Cancan dance at several points. (1 featured song, multiple singing backup parts and spoken lines)
Ensemble/Customers (ensemble members; 3 individuals have small singing solos and speaking roles): Customers are college students and locals, any age, any gender

Accepting all ages 16 and above. All voices should be comfortable with a contemporary pop mixed sound, and singing harmonies. Music preview link: https://learnermusic.com/musicals

All roles are unpaid as we are a volunteer-run community theatre group. Bethesda Little Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Auditions at Palisades HUB, 5200 Cathedral Ave, NW. Auditions are on a first come, first served basis.

Saturday, August 23th, 1-3 PM
Wednesday, August 27th, 7-9 PM
Callbacks Saturday, August 30th, 12:30-2:30 PM, by invitation only

Audition requirements:

Prepare 32 bars of a song that best represents your voice. Accompanist provided. Please bring music in the key you will be singing.
You will be asked to read from the script, which will be provided at the auditions.
You can complete the audition form in advance and bring it with you. There will also be forms available at the audition. You may bring a resume and/or headshot to attach.
You will be asked to complete a conflict calendar, so please have your conflicts available.

Rehearsals will also be at Palisades Hub on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10 pm, as well as Saturdays from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. Exception: The first rehearsal is WEDNESDAY, September 3rd at 7 pm. Tech week begins October 6th.

Performances will be held at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda on October 10-12 and 17-19.