THE SEARCH is on to find an actor to play original 1920s blonde bombshell Jean Harlow in a brand new musical by Bromsgrove scriptwriter Euan Rose.
Entitled ‘Goodnight Baby Jean’ it chronicles the story of Harlow’s short but colourful life.
The show is set in the tinsel town world of hedonism and ‘Me Too’ – back in the era when movie stars were Gods and studio bosses their keepers.
With the script in final draft and orchestration by Nigel Wright and score and arrangements by Chris Corcoran completed, the next stage is to bring the show to life in a workshop production.
This will be first performed at Birmingham’s Crescent Theatre (stakeholders in the show) on March 8, 2023, in front of an invited audience of industry professionals.
From there it will progress into a full scale production.
The casting is open to all actors and musical theatre company members, with the role of Jean requiring a playing age of 18 to 30.
More than one ‘Jean’ will be used in the actual workshop performance as part of the process.
In addition to Jean Harlow, other parts are up for grabs including three Jazzy ‘in-your-facers’ to form a backing group called The Harlots, a full-on 40+ Momma Jean, Clark Gable, Howard Hughes and a bevy of high energy super-troupers to make up a multi-role company covering gossip queens to gangsters.
The other principal role of ‘Death’, Baby Jean’s guide to passing on, is already precast.
Euan said: “This is a unique and exciting theatrical opportunity.”
Open auditions are at the Crescent Theatre next Sunday, December 11, in front of Nigel, Chris and the show’s director Rod Natkiel.
Visit crescent-theatre.co.uk/auditions to book a place.
