The Nifty Fifties

Book by Tim Kelly & Music and Lyrics by Bill Francoeur

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Synopsis:  Gracie Stanley has gotten herself in hot water by promising to deliver her distant cousin, rock star Ziggy Springer, for the high school Hippity Hop at Louise’s Luncheonette.  The problem is Ziggy’s manager doesn’t want his client performing anywhere without pay, so Gracie and her friends have to produce a double — and fast!  They plan to use a singing soda jerk and have him perform in the dark!  It won’t be easy for Gracie to get away with this one with her rival, snooty Muffin Mansfield, waiting for her to flop. 
Meanwhile, Louise has her own problems.  The building’s owner forbids the dance and plans to turn the eatery into a dry cleaner.  With all of this happening, Gracie’s brother is living in terror because he’s smashed up a Harley belonging to Sinbad Gallucci, a bad dude.
This musical comedy will have your audiences cheering.  Included in the sensational Francoeur fifties score:  ’Bop-A-Lu-Bop Dance Party,’ ’Teen Queen,’ ’It’s Tough To Be a Teenager In Love,’ the hilarious ’It Was The Blob,’ and, of course, the toe-tapping title tune.

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Audition Dates:

• Saturday, May 31st, 2025 | 2:00PM - 5:00 PM

• Sunday, June 1st, 2025 | 2:00PM - 5:00 PM

 

Performance Dates:

August 1 – 3, 2025

• Friday & Saturday at 7:00 PM

• Sunday at 2:30 PM

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Schedule an Audition Time: 

We strongly encourage signing up for an audition time slot.  Please use THIS LINK to select a

30-minute slot.  Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email.

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​ Rehearsals:

• A Youth Conservatory for Rising 3rd Graders to Rising igh High School Seniors

• Conservatory Rehearsals: July 14th through July 31st from 8am-2pm.

• The Conservatory has a participation fee of $150.00 per youth participant

• All cast members must be available for tech week and all performance dates to be considered. 

 

What to Prepare for Auditions:

• Familiarize yourself with the story and content of the show

• Please prepare 16 measures of a song of your choice.  Bring sheet music with you

• Monologue 1-2 min in length, or a memorized passage that is a minimum of 50 words.  This passage may be from a script, a poem, or other literature such as the Bible.  If asked, performers should be comfortable presenting this passage with different emotion (e.g., anger, grief, joy, etc.). 

• Wear or bring comfortable clothing appropriate for movement

• Be ready to list any conflicts

• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time

• A form will be provided to fill-out with personal information.  Each auditionee’s picture will be taken as part of sign-in.  Resumes and headshots are welcomed but not required.

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Casting Information:

Magnolia Theatre welcomes performers from throughout the north Mississippi region.  Roles are open to youth performers: Rising 3rd Graders to Rising High School Seniors. We encourage individuals to audition for the roles they feel best suit their talents and skillset. 

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Character Breakdown:

• Gracie Stanley: Heads student dance committee

• Muffin Mansfield: a beauty, but a snob

• Donald Spinney: best soda jerk in town

• Rose Marie Famiano:  Gracie’s friend

• Evelyn Webber: Another friend

• Louise: runs the luncheonette

• Ziggy Springer: rock and roll singer.  A real teen idol

• Edna Stover: moving to Detroit

• Anna Collier: Muffin’s friend

• Virginia Segal: new waitress

• George Bullock: star basketball player

• Jane Connolly: also Muffin’s friend

• Jughead Jarvis: student

• Sinbad Gallucci: biker

• Bob: Gracie’s brother, loves motorcycles

• Mrs. Nicholson: owns the luncheonette

• Officer Moore: the law in Livermore

• Beverly Griffith: Lennie’s secretary

• Riff: beatnik

• Misty: another beatnik

• Lennie King: Ziggy’s Manager

• Chorus

 

Location:

Magnolia Theatre, 127 E. Bankhead St., New Albany, Mississippi 38652

 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jay Schaum at 

magnoliatheatre@visitnewalbany.com or 601.767.5176

 

Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Denver, Colorado