Auditions for the show, being staged at the Queenstown Memorial Centre from May 15 to 24, are being held at Showbiz’s Isle St rooms tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, where 14 main roles and seven supporting roles will be cast.
Unlike other productions, there’s no company.
Newell notes it’s musically "very difficult", but that doesn’t mean people need a tonne of experience to be cast.
"[Musical director] Natasha [Wilson] is amazing at getting the absolute best out of people, vocally, so we’re very lucky."
The ongoing theme of the dark comedy is be careful what you wish for.
The winner of three Tony Awards in 1988 (best score, best book, beast leading actress), the story follows a baker and his wife who want to have a child, Cinderella, who wants to go to the King’s Festival, and Jack, who wishes his cow would give some milk.
After the witch visits the baker and his wife and reveals she’s placed a curse on their family, they set off into the woods to reverse it — and the adventure begins.
Newell says the witch is "one of the ultimate roles in musical theatre".
"It’s up there with Christine in Phantom [of the Opera], just because it’s so technical and it’s so passionate and it’s so emotional.
"The baker’s wife is also quite sought after ... the roles are epic," he says.
The music and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, who Newell describes as "just a freak" — "it’s mind-blowing how much thought has gone into all the music".
"The more I listen to it, the more excited I get about it ... we can’t wait to get a cast and start working."
Anyone interested in auditioning can download an audition pack via showbizqueenstown.com, or they can email info@showbizqueenstown.com
