By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
More than 170 little girls lined up at the Providence Performing Arts Center Wednesday to try out for a role in a touring musical show that makes a stop here in late May.
The role of “Lulu” in the show “Waitress” will be filled by a local performer, and girls and their parents came by the score to audition during the open casting call.
“We’ve had a couple of three-year olds in here already today,” said Casting Director Dayna Dantzler during a break in auditions. “Usually it ranges between three and six (years old),” she said. Dantzler was a former member of the “Waitress” cast in the Broadway production.
According to a notice issued by the theater, “Waitress tells the story of “Jenna” an expert pie baker working at a local diner and stuck in a loveless marriage. Her salvation comes in the form of her daughter, “Lulu”.”
One aspiring actress from Cranston said that “Michael Jackson” was her musical inspiration. “Yes,” replied Emma Gabrielli, 3, when asked if she has Jackson’s dance moves.
Her mother, Candice Gabrielli said she saw a notice about the auditions on Facebook.
“I had a few friends tag me saying Emma would be perfect, and I agree,” she said.
What qualities make a good “Lulu”?
“The kid’s got to have spunk, you know?” Dantzler said with a laugh. “We like to have people that are able to still be fun, show their personality but still have a little bit of maturity, but we also want to have the raw talent as well. We don’t want them to be too polished.”
“Waitress” appears at PPAC from May 28 through June 2.
