Kids, Teens Invited To Audition For Ocean City Theatre Company

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Looking for some summer musical theatre fun? The Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) is holding auditions for its Junior Company shows.

OCTC is preparing for its 17th anniversary season of educational and professional theatre. Students passionate about musical theatre are encouraged to audition for the OCTC Junior Company, which closely follows the structure of OCTC's professional company. The Junior Company casting process for students in fifth-12th grades as of Fall 2024 and current high school seniors will take place on May 4 or 5 by appointment only.

The 2024 Summer Junior Company shows are "Anything Goes (2022 Revised Edition)" and "Seussical Jr."

"Anything Goes (2022 Revised Edition)" features music and lyrics by Cole Porter, an original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse, and a new book by Timothy Crouse & John Weidman, and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Music, dance, laughs, and the age-old tale of boy meets girl... Anything Goes is delightful, delicious, and de-lovely. This 2022 Revision has twice as much dance music as the 1962 version and includes the hits "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," "Friendship," "It's De-Lovely" and the title song, along with "Easy to Love," "Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye" and "Buddie, Beware."

"Anything Goes" is open to students in ninth grade through 12th grade as of Sept. 2024. Current high school seniors/members of the Class of 2024 are also eligible to audition. Performances will be held at the Ocean City Music Pier on July 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.

"Seussical Jr." features a book by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, was conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty & Eric Idle, is based on the works of Dr. Seuss, the music was adapted by Bryan Louiselle and is presented through special arrangement with Music theatre International (MTI).

Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers and guard an abandoned egg left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!

"Seussical Jr." is open to fifth through eighth grade students as of Sept. 2024. Performances will be held at the Ocean City Music Pier on August 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m.