Ghost of the Musical Auditions

[motherbrain]

A slapdash signboard advertising 'Open Auditions!' sat outside a ramshackle theater in Nova City, where dozens of weird looking creatures were finding creative ways to cut corners and as many new building code violations as they can. The air is thick with the smell of sawdust and paint, and a big neon sign buzzes noisily as it flashes 'THE GHOST OF THE MUSICAL' in eye-scalding pink, with a smaller green sign beneath it blinking 'Coming Soon!'

Advertising was fairly limited, as Mother Brain rushed the production. So while some people may have received notice of a casting call in the mail or from an agent, others were literally pulled in off the streets and sweet-talked by a wheezing bald man in a labcoat that they were perfect for the role now get in there and sing.

The director sat in the front row, holding a megaphone and wiping sweat from his brow. This play could kill his career, but he was in sore need of a paycheck and, if he was lucky, the play would bomb after one night and he could change his name and move to Attleton after this.


[OOC: The casting has been primarily filled out on the planning post, but the roles of Pugface the Tenor is still open until someone claims him! If you missed out, don't worry, a role can still be chosen for your character. Come on in and have fun!]

Comments

Auditions

[motherbrain]

[Put your character's name in the subject line. And just because their role is chosen OOCly doesn't mean they can't audition for different roles only to fail miserably!]

Re: Auditions

[quick_clean_pure]

[When Graverobber walked in and saw that the place looked like a building code's worst nightmare and that it was mostly decorated in garish neon colors, he thought 'Ah, reminds me of home'.

He's gotten the vibe that this is just a tad bit more of a shit show than the last musical was -- so while he does sing his gothic little heart out, the song he sings. is a little bit more on the sillier side than his last audition. It may or may not be about falling in love with a psychotic murderess, freeing her from prison, and then getting stabbed to death, all with a very happy, jaunty melody.

Also, he is still wearing the cape. Because fuck it, he is gonna use the goddamn cape.]

[motherbrain]

[And here's the first audition of the night. It isn't long before the director is tapping his foot, even letting his finger sway side to side in time with the melody.]

[...What was that about leaving a part of her tooth in his leg? What was that about...bugs and flies? And stabbing?! Gurrgh... He sinks a little in his chair. Disturbing as the song may be, Graverobber can certainly sing. He scribbles down some notes.]

Y...yes, er...very good, very good! Thank you. Next!

[Mother Brain backstage has her interest piqued by the macabre tune. Hmmmm... She turns to Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo.]

That one has potential. Keep an eye on him! If he's evil, he may wish to join our plans!

[Both salute with a 'Yes, Mother Brain!' But Eggplant Wizard, jealous and threatened, mutters under his breath. He'd better not be replaced, or else...!]

Roland/Raoul

[devilishkaoru]

[It had been suggested since, in the other one, Kaoru really couldn't have hit the notes that had been needed to perhaps see if this one could be of a much better fit.

Plus he had heard his teacher was going to be around, so it made the whole situation a little better or more awkward depending on if he was watching or not. But when he went onto the stage, he had taken a small breath. This wasn't as bad as having to charm girls back at the host club. It would be fine.

So for his performnce he went for something he could at least sing right now. basic but suitable for him.

He wasn't sure what to do but he was enjoying the moment.]

[framelessthird]

[Kyoya hadn't been planning on giving this obvious beg for attention of a production the time of day - he had enough to be getting on with, now that Fama had accepted him onto their events team. Then he'd caught wind that Kaoru was auditioning and that's not something he can just sit and ignore.

One look at the pile of material calling itself a building has him convinced he's made the right call. It also has him convinced that he doesn't want to set foot inside, but he'll do it for Kaoru.

And so he finds a space somewhere quite away from anyone who might drag him further into this, somewhere he can observe Kaoru without engaging more than necessary. It's not a bad effort, he doesn't mind acknowledging, even if he'd prefer Kaoru to make his debut in pretty much any production that isn't this one.]

[devilishkaoru]

[Kaoru bowed slightly before he had headed off the stage. Well, that was that done and dusted. The agency would at least be happy that he at least auditioned even if nothing came from it.

He soon found himself looking around before spotting a familiar face. So he waved before making his way over.]

Didn't think I'd see you here.

[framelessthird]

Believe me, that makes two of us.

[Honestly, if he wasn't so fond of his fellow Host Club members, Kyoya wouldn't have even thought to come here. And maybe it feels just that little more important, in this world where much of his old connections no longer mean anything.

Still, he'll try not to be entirely negative.]

Had I realised you had such potential, I might have considered an idol event for the club. Although I'm not sure how well that would go down with the others.

[Or how smart it would be. At least looking pretty is something he knows the other club members can do.]

[motherbrain]

[Not bad, not bad at all. Honestly seems like a pretty good kid with a decent voice. Which role, though...? Definitely potential for Roland, but could work as one of the owners. He'll have to hear the rest before making his decision, but he'll jot down his notes and nod.]

Very good, very...er...pleasant song!

[Especially compared to the last one.]

Thank you, Mr. Hitachiin. Next!

[devilishkaoru]

[He simply bowed his head for a moment.]

Thank you.

[It was better than what he was actually honestly expecting at least. So that was always positive as he soon made his way off the stage.]

[sailor_v]

[If Kyoya had just decided to sit a couple of rows closer, he would have encountered disaster. Minako has nabbed herself a great seat about 1/3 of the way back directly in the middle. Two of her favorite crushes people are here, which means she's here to cheer them on. It's what friends do.]

[So when he finishes, Minako stands right up and applauds cheerfully, beaming with pride. He did great up there! Is there no limit to Kaoru's talents?]

Way to go, Kaoru!

[devilishkaoru]

Thank you.

[He was somewhat happy with what he did. Sure it's not for a thing he really wanted to do, but it is what the agency wanted to do, so he didn't have too much of a say in it.

He had finished talking to the other that was here and was soon sitting in the chair next to her.]

Didn't expect you to be here really? You auditioning or just had a instinct to be here?

[sailor_v]

Neither. I just heard my friends were going out for this play, and I wanted to make sure they had plenty of support from their dear Mina-chan!

[In other words, she's here to *flirt*. She can't pretend she wasn't tempted, though. Being in a play would've been a lot of fun! ...She's not so sure that would be the case for this play, though, yikes.]

Which part do you hope you get? Anything in particular, or is this just a publicity thing?

Meggie

[despairunending]

[Junko is pretty sure this is all a test. Even though she's only signed up as a model - or perhaps, especially because she's only signed up as a model - she has a feeling her agent is trying to see exactly what he can get away with.

She'll have her revenge on him, some day. Right now, the best revenge she can think of is nailing this production and watching the smugness bleed right out of his expression.

Naturally, she doesn't intend to play entirely fairly. There's only so much she can do with a live performance, without the editing powers she's used in her full-on brainwashing materials, but that doesn't stop her - she's dressed for attention, cleavage pushed to threaten a spill that she would never allow and make-up designed to keep attention on her lips if the panel can even manage to lift their gaze that far.

Fittingly, the song she chooses oozes sensuality and Junko is happy to oblige, as though she's on a grand stage and not on something that looks like it could collapse with a mis-timed sneeze. Her voice might not quite be on par with her sister's, but that's not going to stop her putting on the very best performance she can manage.

As if she's going to be anything like as dedicated to the performance itself, whichever role she gets.]

Re: Meggie

[motherbrain]

[There's a long stretch of silence after she finishes. The director stares openly, and there's a nagging, insistent stab of guilt at the back of his head. Is she legal? He shouldn't be staring. He's totally staring.]

[A boxing glove hits him upside the back of the head as a frowning King Hippo knocks him back to reality.]

Puhbahfluh! Right! Very nice! Very...very nice...

[He mops the sweat from his forehead. Is it hot in here? It's a little hot in here. He'd love to give her the role of Christa, but he's read the script. That would be downright cruel. Meggie, maybe. He'll have to decide based on the other auditions, but he'd like to give her one of the few roles that don't absolutely suck.]

N-next...?

[despairunending]

[Junko doesn't even pretend to show modesty at how openly the director's staring. She's made an impression, which is exactly what she's set out to do, so she simply waves at him with a wink as she makes her way off-stage and into the audience to watch the rest of the auditions.

Whatever happens from here, she's pretty sure things are about to get very interesting indeed.]

Madame Giry

[orlokbutterfly]

[Gale hadn't planned on auditioning at all. His curiosity was simply piqued when he got that mysterious letter about some weird play happening in Nova City soon. And, well, that city's in his jurisdiction, so he'd might as well keep up on what forms of entertainment are coming to the city. He'd planned on hitting up Holy Diver sometime later in the day, so he was dressed appropriately for such, watching the other auditions from the sidelines with his staff propped up against his shoulder. He really should probably say something about the building code, but goddammit, he can't deny his curiosity on seeing how they'll make this not a disaster. Maybe he'll just... keep emergency personnel on site on opening night. Just in case. Or something. He'll think on it later. Right now, he was mildly impressed that there's been some actual talent up there on stage. He's really questioning the legitimacy of this show now.

But then some weirdo came out from behind the curtain and snatched Gale by the arm. What the hell, was this guy part of the crew, or some talent agent? Or something? He was about to say something particularly rude to the guy for grabbing him, but then he found himself out on stage as the next audition. Momentarily puzzled, Gale glared towards the agent off stage and pointing accusingly.]

I didn't sign up for this, jackass! What's your problem?!

[Clearly, the guy didn't care that much, as he only gave Gale a double "You got this!" thumbs up. What the actual fuck-- he would have some words with that man after this. Gale straightened his mantle in annoyance, but. Well. He's up here. It's not like he doesn't enjoy being the center of attention, and being the center of attention sustains him, so... He made a threatening "I'm watching you" gesture at the man before having to think of a good song to do on the fly. There's always the last song he was listening to before he came in... Fuck it! We're doing it live!

So he regained his composure and stood his staff upright on the stage, held in place by some conjured purple ice at the base. Seemingly over that sudden ushering on stage, he starts his own song, having a pretty good voice himself to go with that flamboyant appearance. But does he stop at simply singing? Of course not! If he's doing this shit, he's going the whole way, and this was very clearly a routine he must have done dozens of times. There's some fluid and well choreographed dance moves to go with his singing, and you bet your sweet ass that there's some gratuitous poledancing in that routine too, making use of that currently stationary staff. At least he was well prepared for this impromptu show.

In the end, he wasn't interested in taking part in these shenanigans, but given the flirtatious nature of his movements and that look in his eyes, it almost seemed like he was trying to seduce his way into a role. Look, those bedroom eyes come with a well rehearsed act and you guys put him on the spot. It happens!]

[despairunending]

[Junko can't help but sit up and take notice of this particular audition. In fact, she's half expecting the "audition" to be a lecture on why the production can't go ahead or else some other form of finger-wagging from the Power That Be of Nova City. Based on his appearance, and the nature of his protest, she figures it could go either way - he clearly doesn't have a problem with being put on the spot like that or he wouldn't still be on the stage, unless his "protest" had been an act to get to a microphone so he could make himself heard.

But apparently not. And apparently, despite supposedly not signing up for the audition process, he's remarkably well prepared for someone whose job it is to play politics. Not that even politicians can't have other interests, she supposes - but this is still some killer improv, if the "protest" hadn't been part of the act. And, well, she can hardly comment on the use of seduction to win a part.

Once he's done, she moves to intercept him, intrigued now by what this Guardian is really like.]

You know, for someone who apparently didn't sign up for this that was a pretty solid routine.

[orlokbutterfly]

[Gale had strutted off stage acting like a haughty diva after the director shooed him off for his own amusement. That whole thing was. Weird. But he also wasn't expecting much of anyone else to be giving any of these auditions the time of day, so he was a bit surprised when he was approached. He quickly ditches the diva act and shrugged with a laugh.]

Thanks. You never know when you'll be put on the spot. Lucky for me, my other jobs got me covered for such occasions.

[He makes his other work sound more suspect than it actually is.]

I've been watchin' some of the other auditions. I'll be shocked if you don't end up with a good role.

Re: Madame Giry

[motherbrain]

[The director was openly staring at Junko's seductive performance. He's shrinking in his seat at Gale's, putting a hand to his forehead as if he's afraid someone will recognize him in passing. The dude has skills but...ungh....]

[Men shouldn't wear high heels and make high kicks spinning around a pole, this is embarrassing!]

[Wait. Wait, he can salvage this. There's no way in hell any of the other hopefuls possess any dancing talent, especially ballet. So what if he writes 'Madame Giry' into 'Mister Giry'? Yes, yes, that has promise! He'll just fix the role!]

[That only works, though, if he fixes more scripts than just his own, oops.]

Yes, thank you! That's enough. Thank you. Very much. Really.

[He clears his throat uncomfortably.]

Anyone else? Who's up next?

[orlokbutterfly]

[Men absolutely should wear high heels and make high kicks spinning around a pole, you narrow minded potato. The director's reaction was at least amusing, and he's got no one but that weird random talent agent to blame for what he saw. So to play up the act, Gale snootily puts his nose in the air and perches his staff on his shoulder while taking on a haughty tone.]

I'll be in my trailer.

[And struts off stage. He doesn't expect a role out of this, but at least he got a bit of personal entertainment out of it. How surprised he'll be later.]

[spoiledbugboy]

[OK, what's with this sassy lost child???

Now, Haga doesn't know anything about arts. Honestly, he's terrible at anything artistic. But you know what? This is a new world and he's going to try doing something new! And that's how he ends up in the audition for a musical of all things.

But... his voice isn't exactly the best. It's what you expect from a bratty 16-year old boy, really. It's... it's probably for the best if he doesn't sing and just stays in the background. But... who's going to tell that to his face, with how excited he looks?]

[motherbrain]

[The director's shoulders are nearly jacked up to his ears, teeth tightly clenched. There are deep furrows in the wooden armrest of his seat, wood curls fallen from his nails. It's over. The singing...it's mercifully, blessedly over! He wipes at his ear with a handkerchief. It comes away with traces of red. Holy SHIT.]

YesgoodgoodNEXT!

Auditions for Owner 2

[firechild_azure]

[Azure was dragged out my Arro to what looked like a building that was going to collapse on them at any moment claiming to have a big surprise for her to partake in.

It was big alright.

He was taking her to audition for a big part in a small opera that she remembered vaguely had a big sister production already in the works. When questioned about it he claimed she needed to get out more and try out new hobbies. Something which was...a bit upsetting and others may feel a rise in temperature in the room.

Not feeling the part of Maggie she looked for something that appeared to be more simple and the part of Owner 2 of the Opera seemed to call to her better. Arro suggested for her to sing a song that she had taken a shining to, she did her best after she moved to the middle of the stage, singing probably a bit too softly for the director of an opera.]

[motherbrain]

[The director's cheek sinks against his hand as he listens. Honestly she's not bad, but it's pretty quiet. He could do his job and direct her to sing with her diaphragm and to really open up and let the music fly...]

[...or, with his limited time, he could just mic her and call it good. He's getting paid, but not so much that he wants to expend too much effort. In the end, it'll depend on how quick she is to react toward his suggestions.]

Good. A bit quiet for a song that needs to be belted out, but good. Thank you.

[He writes down some notes.]

Next?

Afterward

[motherbrain]

Once the last person had departed from the stage, the director sank in his seat. Some of the actors did have promise, but what would they do with this script? He needed a handful of aspirin which he swallowed with a shaking hand. At least the guardian of the city had shown up so not EVERYTHING would catch on fire.

He hoped.

Clearing his throat, he jammed the megaphone to his mouth. "Everyone gather around, please, gather around. The casting sheet has been posted. Please find your name and pick up the corresponding packet with the character's name where you'll find your script and costume requirements."

The peons would find some loose pebbles in their envelopes and an index card that gave them simple, clear instructions: DON'T SCREW UP.

Good luck!