Nine – Riverwalk Theatre

Music and lyrics by Maury Yeston | Book by Arthur Kopit

Casting team:

Director – Kameron Going

Director/Choreographer – Amanda Tollstam

Music Director – Kait Wilson

Stage Manager - Rita Sobish

Based on Frederico Fellini's classic film 8 1/2, Nine follows prodigious Italian film director Guido Contini as he turns 40, experiences a mid-life crisis, and struggles to conceptualize his next film under intense pressure from his producers, investors, friends, and fans. While Guido heavily depends on the women surrounding him in all aspects of his life and career, he finds his perception of and relationship with these women irrevocably changing as they assert themselves and hold him accountable for his actions and broken promises. Forced to confront his past and his present, as well as his own mortality, Guido begins to realize that he must either change or risk being left behind.

Content Notice:

This show deals with mature subject-matter and themes including sexual content, sex work, religious trauma, sexism, and infidelity. See individual character descriptions for more information.

When:

Auditions will be held October 4 & 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Callbacks will take place on an invitation-only basis: October 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM

If you are unable to make either open audition date, but would still like to be considered, please reach out to the directing team ASAP about submitting video auditions. In-person callbacks are required.

Please prepare:

- 1 minute (approx) cut of a song of a similar musical style.

Singing from the show is acceptable. An accompanist will be provided.

- Come prepared to learn and perform a dance combo. This will be done following vocal auditions. Nine is a dance-heavy show!

Actors of all backgrounds are encouraged to audition! Genders and ages listed below are those of the characters and need not match the individual performer so long as the performer can portray the character as written. Race and ethnicity are not limiting factors for any roles, and all auditioners will be considered.

Performances and Rehearsal Information:

Performances for Nine will be January 21-24 & 28-31, 2027 on the Rotary Main Stage. Show time schedule is Thur 7pm | Fri & Sat 8pm | Sun 2pm

Rehearsals will be approximately from 6:30-9:00 Sundays through Thursdays

Character Descriptions:

Please note that one ensemble role has been pre-cast; that performer will serve as dance captain for the production.

Note: Non-English dialogue and accents will be required for some roles. English dialogue for Italian roles will be spoken using the actor’s natural accent. Roles with other nationalities will require a spoken accent for all lines. Language/accent consultants will be made available to assist actors with these requirements.

A prodigiously gifted, but emotionally stunted, film director struggling to conceptualize his next film while grappling with his own mortality and his personal and professional relationships with the women in his life. Role involves physical touch/kissing and sexual innuendo with multiple characters.

Guido’s wife and former muse. Met Guido as an aspiring actress and starred in several of his films. Loves and understands him but has reached the end of her rope with his unpredictability, dishonestly, and infidelity. Longs to either change the dynamic of their relationship or be free from it.

Guido at age 9, during a formative and traumatic part of his young life. Appears in flashback and as a figure of Guido’s internal world. Scenes where the character is present will deal directly with adult content and sexual themes. Guardian involvement is required for ensuring child safety and comfort.

Actress and Guido’s current muse. Has starred in many Contini films and is frustrated with being cast in basically the same role for all of them. Has a complex personal relationship with Guido and feels compelled to help him.

Guido’s mother. Currently deceased but still a strong voice and influence in his internal world. Seen in flashbacks. Doting parent, yet a strict matriarch, and plays a part in early trauma. Frustrated by not really understanding Guido or his art.

Former proprietor of the Folies Bergères in Paris and Guido’s producer. A nostalgic romantic, but requires accountability and follow-through. Clashes with Guido over expectations and communication about the film. Role requires a Parisian accent.

Film critic and assistant producer to Liliane Le Fleur on Guido’s newest film. Not a Contini fan. Dismissive of his more romantic and self-indulgent tendencies. Brutally honest, but genuinely interested in making a good film.

Experienced prostitute visited (socially) by Young Guido who explains her perspective of love to him. Bawdy and fearless, she does not talk down to Guido even as she teases him. A powerful figure in flashback and in Guido’s psyche.

Guido’s long-term mistress. Has excitedly followed Guido to Venice to tell him about her recently finalized divorce from her husband. Loves Guido but may have misread the situation and his feelings about the matter. Role involves seductive and sexually charged dialogue, singing, and dancing and potentially revealing costuming.

Assistant and bodyguard to Liliane le Fleur. Strong silent type, very intimidating. Role will include ensemble singing and dancing.

A figment of Guido’s imagination that serves as a sort of guide for both him and the audience during the events of the show. Ethereal and aloof, she sees and knows all. Takes on the role of some spa staff throughout the story, demonstrating Guido’s detachment from reality. Ensemble singing and dancing.

Chief of the chambermaids at the venetian spa where most of the action takes place. A strict but not unkind taskmaster. Enjoys mocking the occasional patron and tends to lead the gossip mill herself. Spirited and comical, and not immune to Guido’s charm.

The chambermaids at the spa, but may cover various other small parts as well. All roles are named and will involve ensemble singing and dancing.

German tourists at the spa, but may cover various other small parts as well. All roles are named and will involve ensemble singing and dancing. Roles also involve German dialogue and accents.