First-time Starlight cast members will most likely be cast as CHORUS. (Go to Male Chorus Auditions)

Due to the abundance of talented baritones in our midst, please consider auditioning for Ralph, even if you are a baritone. We will make the songs fit your voice.

RALPH RACKSTRAW (Soloist–Lyric Tenor [Or Baritone])—Though Ralph is officially a tenor, we urge baritones to audition for him. We will try to make the vocal range work. Able Seaman Ralph (pronounced “Rafe,” rhymes with “safe”) Is a highly romantic, idealistic sailor who is in love with Josephine, the Captain’s daughter. Though he is said to be a simple sailor, his complex vocabulary show him to be in a rank all his own. He sets out to show that he is “any man’s equal” by courting Josephine who, at first, spurns him. When he threatens to kill himself, she professes her love and they plot to steal away and secretly marry.
Requirements:  Excellent lyric vocal quality, a smooth dance style,  and a talent for genuine romance, ability to harmonize, “Received Pronunciation” dialect (see link above.)
Optional: Play instrument (guitar, mandolin)
Vocal range: D3 to A4
Audition songs: “Refrain, Audacious Tar”
(This song is really two-songs-in-one, but you may sing another audition song, if you wish.)

CAPTAIN (Soloist–Lyric Baritone)—The Captain of the Pinafore is a genuinely good man who has a strong sense of propriety and social graces. He is an unpretentious man who treats his crew well, and they admire him. His two fondest dreams are, first, to marry his daughter  off to  Sir Joseph Porter (first Lord of the Admiralty) and, second, to marry Buttercup. However, because Buttercup is of lowly station, the Captain feels she can never be more than a friend. The captain loses his composure when he catches Josephine trying to elope with Ralph Rackstraw. He  utters an expletive (“Drat!”) which horrifies his visitors on the ship.  The captain is surprised by a change in his station at the conclusion of the show, but he remains his pleasant self throughout.
Requirements: Excellent lyric vocal quality. Ability to harmonize. Sincerity.  “Received Pronunciation” dialect. (See link above.)
Dancing: The Captain should be able to dance (polka- and tango-like dances) with Buttercup and Josephine.
Vocal range: A2 to E4
Audition songs:   “Fair Moon, To Thee I Sing”  and  “Things are Seldom What They Seem”
Dance audition: “Things are Seldom What They Seem”  (To be taught at the  CAllback audition.)

SIR JOSEPH PORTER, KCB (Soloist–Comic Baritone)—Sir Joseph Porter is the First Lord of the Admiralty in Her Majesty’s Navy, even though he has no experience at sea. He is pompous, tedious, and dictatorial. His relatives (sisters, cousins, aunts) follow him wherever he goes. Several have a crush on him and serve him at every turn. He pretends not to notice all of the attention he is getting, but he is secretly enjoying it. He finds every opportunity to chastise and insult (in a gentlemanly way) the Captain. Sir Joseph has come to the ship to court Josephine, but he can’t seem to get beyond  making “official” utterances. True romance seems to have escaped him.
Accent: Sir Joseph’s accent should be of the highest British dialect.
Vocal range:   A2 to E4
Audition songs:     “I Am the Monarch of the Sea” and  “Things are Seldom What they Seem” (Both sung in a pompous manner)
Note: The latter song is not officially Sir Joseph’s song, but contains similar intervals required of Sir Joseph in other songs.

DICK DEADEYE (Soloist Bass-Baritone or Tenor)—Dick Deadeye is an Able Seaman (a lot of sea-going experience) who is  feared by the crew. He is a contrarian who will fight at every opportunity. Though the most level-headed of the crew, his opinions are rejected because, as he says,  he is “ugly and they hate me for it.” In actuality, if we look past the eye patch, the scar across his cheek, and his unshaven face, we see that there once was a handsome man. Dick’s back story is one of lost love. He is bitter and is determined to “save” Ralph from a potentially life-ruining disaster by ensuring that he doesn’t marry Josephine. Dick is surprised by a visit from his lost love, Genevieve, who is traveling with Sir Joseph in an effort to find “Richard.” (Now known as “Dick.” ) After instinctively pulling a knife on her, he resentfully talks to her of “leaving him to the wolves,” explaining how he became a broken man.
Requirements: Convincingly angry.   Vocal quality need not be refined.
Optional: Play instrument, dance, gymnastics, magic tricks.
Accent: Dick’s accent preferably of lower class British (Cockney) or Irish. (See link at top of page.)
Vocal range: A2 to D#4 (optional E4)
Audition songs:   “Things are Seldom What they Seem”  (sing with a gruff and somewhat angry demeanor)  Choose one more song of your choice that best displays your talent.
Note: “Things are Seldom…” is not officially Dick’s Song, but is very similar in style to his featured solo.

BOATSWAIN—a.k.a. Boatswain’s Mate, a.k.a. Bill Bobstay (Soloist Baritone—or possibly a tenor)—The Boatswain’s mate, mostly known as Boatswain (pronounced boh-sun) The Boatswain is the highest ranking of the sailors. He is their spokesman and the only sailor brave enough to stand up to Dick Deadeye. He sings the regal “For He Is An Englishman” to save Ralph from Sir Joseph’s wrath.
Requirements: Good strong voice, Lower class accent possible, Ability to harmonize.
Optional: Play instrument, dance, gymnastics.
Vocal range: Ab2 to Eb4
Audition song: “We Sail the Ocean Blue”

MASTER MORLEY (Small Ensemble/duet singer)–More information coming soon.
Requirements: Ability to harmonize
Optional: Play instrument, dance, gymnastics.
Vocal range: Tenor or Baritone
Audition songs:  “We Sail the Ocean Blue” and/or  “Things are Seldom What They Seem”

BILL BOBSTAY (Carpenter’s Mate) (Small Ensemble singer)—More information coming soon.
Requirements: Ability to harmonize
Optional: Play instrument, dance, gymnastics.
Vocal range: Officially Ab2 to C4 , but we will need to make adjustments.
Audition songs:  “We Sail the Ocean Blue”