THE GREAT MORTALITY - SPARKS NEW MUSICAL FESTIVAL - NYC STAGED READING
We are excited that you are interested in taping for this brand new musical in development! Please access the material for your requested role below and follow the FULL instructions on what/how to tape. We do not plan to have any in-person callbacks for this reading, so be sure the tape the FULL material requested.
Note on music: Since this project is in very early stages of development, we do not have sheet music for the cuts provided from the piece. If you feel uncomfortable learning the music from the track and lead sheet provided, you may skip the song cut. The demos included for you to learn the cuts are rough demos. Please feel free to make the style/tone of the songs your own. We are interested in seeing what you bring to the material.
We are NOT requiring any accents for this piece, but welcome heightened American/English that implies period.
VIVALDI (CLICK HERE FOR MATERIAL)
For VIVALDI, please tape the following:
-Slate - Name, height, location.
-A song of your own - Legit musical theatre or Opera that shows your range.
-The FULL material in the packet for VIVALDI. We will not have an in-person callback for this - the team will make decisions based on your tapes, so be sure to tape the FULL material.
-If you have a dance/movement reel, please include it! If not - just skip.
THE POPE (CLICK HERE FOR MATERIAL)
For THE POPE, please tape the following:
-Slate - Name, height, location.
-A song of your own - Legit musical theatre or Opera that shows your range.
-The FULL material in the packet for THE POPE. We will not have an in-person callback for this - the team will make decisions based on your tapes, so be sure to tape the FULL material.
-If you have a dance/movement reel, please include it! If not - just skip.
FARINELLI (CLICK HERE FOR MATERIAL)
For FARINELLI, please tape the following:
-Slate - Name, height, location.
-A song of your own - Legit musical theatre or Opera that shows your range.
-The FULL material in the packet for FARINELLI. We will not have an in-person callback for this - the team will make decisions based on your tapes, so be sure to tape the FULL material.
-If you have a dance/movement reel, please include it! If not - just skip.
DEL FRUTTO (CLICK HERE FOR MATERIAL)
For DEL FRUTTO, please tape the following:
-Slate - Name, height, location.
-A song of your own - Legit musical theatre or Opera that shows your range.
-The FULL material in the packet for DEL FRUTTO. We will not have an in-person callback for this - the team will make decisions based on your tapes, so be sure to tape the FULL material. *note: there is no show-specific song cut for DEL FRUTTO to prepare - just the scenes provided.
-If you have a dance/movement reel, please include it! If not - just skip.
D’LORME (CLICK HERE FOR MATERIAL)
For D’LORME, please tape the following:
-Slate - Name, height, location.
-A song of your own - Legit musical theatre or Opera that shows your range.
-The FULL material in the packet for D’LORME. We will not have an in-person callback for this - the team will make decisions based on your tapes, so be sure to tape the FULL material.
-If you have a dance/movement reel, please include it! If not - just skip.
ANNA (CLICK HERE FOR MATERIAL)
For ANNA, please tape the following:
-Slate - Name, height, location.
-A song of your own - Legit musical theatre or Opera that shows your range - preferably legit soprano.
-The FULL material in the packet for ANNA. We will not have an in-person callback for this - the team will make decisions based on your tapes, so be sure to tape the FULL material.
-If you have a dance/movement reel, please include it! If not - just skip.
THE PLAGUE (CLICK HERE FOR MATERIAL)
For THE PLAGUE, please tape the following:
-Slate - Name, height, location.
-The FULL material in the packet for THE PLAGUE. We will not have an in-person callback for this - the team will make decisions based on your tapes, so be sure to tape the FULL material.
-This is a non-singing track, but if you happen to be a singer and wish to submit a song, we’d love it!
I’m looking forward to your submissions. If you have any questions, please email me at hdbauditions@gmail.com
THE GREAT MORTALITY – NEW MUSICAL – NYC STAGED READING
SPARK NEW MUSICALS FESTIVAL – NON-UNION ONLY
Director: Gabriel Barre
Musical Director: David John Madore
Conception, Book, Music & Lyrics: Holly Doubet
Casting Director: Holly Buczek, HDB Casting
Pay: $1000.00 Stipend
Location: TADA – 15 West 28th St. NYC
Rehearsal: November 2nd-6th, 2026 and November 9th-11th, 2026 –Times based on Cast Availability
Reading Dates: November 12th at 4pm and November 13th at 4pm
THE GREAT MORTALITY, A LYRIC DRAMA – In 17th-century Venice, as the plague begins to stir after a generation in hiding, music, passion, and mortality collide in a city already drunk on beauty. At the center is Vivaldi, his brilliant young protégé Farinelli, and Anna, a woman from Vivaldi’s past whose return reignites a dangerous love. But above them all hovers an unseen presence: Plague himself, patient and seductive, watching as desire spreads through Venice just as surely as the disease. Set against the intoxicating world of Vivaldi’s music, this is a sweeping story of love, ambition, sex, and survival on the eve of catastrophe.
This is a highly stylized piece with an operatic tone. We are looking for performers with strong classical vocal training, ideally with an opera background or a very “legit” musical theatre sound.
Talent must be NYC local for this project or have access to NYC local housing. The producer cannot provide housing for this reading.
SEEKING NON-UNION ONLY:
VIVALDI: (20s-30s, Man) A young and brilliant composer. Legit Tenor
FARINELLI: (20s-30s, Man) A dear friend of Vivaldi – a castrato and soaring Countertenor who catches the attention of the Pope. Strong Countertenor
THE POPE: (35-55, Man) The Pope has secrets. Deep Legit Bass - Basso Profundo
ANNA: (20s, Woman) A young soprano who catches the eye of Vivaldi, and maybe his heart too. Legit Soprano
DEL FRUTTO: (35-55, Man) Anna’s father, a struggling, but caring fruit seller. Legit Tenor – Ensemble Singing
CHARLES DE L’ORME: (35-55, Man) The shifty Plague Doctor. Legit Tenor
THE PLAGUE: (Any age/any gender identity) The voice and presence of the Plague. Non-singing, spoken only.