Local Talent to Audition for a New Musical called LAZARUS

The Story “LAZARUS” is based on a rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.

LAZARUS the Musical, highlights the problem of hunger and poverty within the dual context of biblical faith and our modern world. The title character appears accordingly as a poor man, a poor woman and hungry children to emphasize the range and depth of the current situation. Thus, LAZARUS becomes the figure for all the people in our World who are poor and hungry, while the “Dives” (Rich Man) represents all those who live in affluence oblivious to the plight of their hungry brothers and sisters.

The setting is anywhere extreme wealth and abject poverty co-exist. 

LAZARUS is sponsored by Bread for the World www.bread.org.

A powerful new musical called LAZARUS is coming to the Arena Stage @ the Mead Center for American Theatre in Washington, DC on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.  Even more exciting, the musical production team, which includes Associate Producer Rickey Payton, Sr., Musical Director Glenn Pearson, Vocal Director Felicia Crawley and April Carter, Production Manager, is seeking local talent to audition as cast members, soloists, for an SATB on-stage mixed choir and two youth soloists (boy/girl), 8-13 years of age.

LAZARUS the Musical, created by Joel Underwood, with new musical arrangements by Dr. William ‘Bill’ Cummings, highlights the problem of hunger and poverty in our World today.  Based on the parable Jesus shares in Luke 16:19-31, the musical tells the story of the lives of two men, one rich, Dives, and one poor and hungry Lazarus, a homeless beggar, whose choices in life determine where each spends eternity – in Heaven or Hell!  The show is being proudly sponsored by “Bread for the World” as one of the highlights of its 2013 National Gathering: “A Place at the Table,” in hope of encouraging individual responsibility for supporting a worldwide goal to end hunger. 

Local Auditions are scheduled for Monday, April 22nd in Reston, VA and Tuesday, April 23rd in the District (See below for locations & times) to find 20-25 excellent and enthusiastic singers and cast members who will bring the music and message of LAZARUS to life on the stage for a life-changing and unforgettable performance.

The story is told through songs that are upbeat, simple, delightful and diverse.  The solos and choral selections carry you through jazz, Gospel, Broadway, contemporary and even quartet-style melodies that either pull at your heartstrings or make you want to get up and dance! 

Rehearsals: Cast and singers will rehearse in both locations for convenience beginning April 29th and 30th.  Director Cummings will hold Thursday night coaching sessions cast and musicians in May. Felicia Crawley will be coordinating the auditions and teaching the music for rehearsals with sheet music and downloadable songs, available “NOW” at www.bread.org. 

Contacts: To participate, contact Felicia Crawley at: (703) 725-5042 or via Email @ fkcrawley@gmail.com. For tickets visit: www.bread.org or email Don Williams @ ddwilliams@bread.org. 

Audition Invitation: The public is invited to participate in our upcoming auditions for our June 8th performance of LAZARUS the Musical at the Arena Stage in the Mead Center for American Theatre in Washington, DC.  The musical score of LAZARUS covers Broadway/Gospel/Jazz & Pop genres. 

Singers should prepare a brief portion of any song selection, with or without accompaniment. CDs are acceptable.  Actors only need to come with a short Monologue (90 seconds max) and be prepared to cold-read.  All: Bring a resume and recent photo (photo copy is acceptable). You may attend whichever Audition is the most convenient.  Visit www.bread.org to listen to Lazarus music files. 

1) Monday, April 22nd Heritage Fellowship Church – Chapel 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. 2501 Fox Mill Road, Reston, VA 20191 (off Fairfax County Parkway) Church Office: (703) 620-9515

2) Tuesday, April 23rd Bread for the World 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. 12th Floor Conference Room 425 3rd Street SW Suite 1200 (Corner of 3rd & E) Washington, DC 20024 *Metro Stop – Federal Center Office: (202) 639-9400

”By appointment only” - April 23-27, if needed.  Weekly rehearsals begin April 29th and 30th @ same locations.  Cast and Director coaching takes place on Thursday evenings from May 2 – May 30. 

The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  ²⁰ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.  Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  ²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  ²⁴ So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 

²⁵ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 

²⁷ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ²⁸ for I have five brothers.  Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

²⁹ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’  ³⁰ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” 

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's leaders to end hunger at home and abroad.  God's grace in Jesus Christ moves us to help our neighbors, whether they live in the next house, the next state, or the next continent.  Confronting the problem of hunger can seem overwhelming.  What can one person possibly do?  As it turns out, we can do plenty.  We can end hunger in our time.  Everyone, including our government, must do their part. Together, we can build the political commitment needed to overcome hunger and poverty. 

Bread for the World members write personal letters and emails and meet with our members of Congress.  Working through our churches, campuses, and other organizations, we engage more people in advocacy.  Each year, Bread for the World invites churches across the country to take up a nationwide Offering of Letters to Congress on an issue that is important to hungry and poor people.  As a non-profit, Bread for the World works in a bipartisan way.  Our network of thousands of individual members, churches, and denominations ensures Bread’s presence in all U.S. congressional districts.  Together, we build the political commitment needed to overcome hunger and poverty.