Local gleeks are in for a mega-dose of harmonious euphoria when
a localized spin-off on the hit TV series
”
Glee
”
invades South County. Auditions for
”
Gleeful: The big movie musical
”
will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 at the
Gilroy Senior Center. This full-length, feature film is written and
directed by John Bisceglie, founder of the Gilroy Children’s
Musical Theater in 1991.
Local gleeks are in for a mega-dose of harmonious euphoria when a localized spin-off on the hit TV series “Glee” invades South County.
Auditions for “Gleeful: The big movie musical” will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Gilroy Senior Center. This full-length, feature film is written and directed by John Bisceglie, founder of the Gilroy Children’s Musical Theater in 1991.
Known for composing zany, pop-culture-poking parodies such as “Little Shop of Garlic” and “Totally Rockin’ Temple of Boom,” Bisceglie dreams up elaborate productions featuring actors ages 5 to 21; designs glitzy costumes with flashy mediums from foam to feathers; and constructs professionally-built sets incorporating structures such as a dough-boy pool, a real Jeep, live pigs … nothing is off limits with this mad genius behind the helm.
After a short hiatus wherein Bisceglie produced a show at the San Francisco Children’s Musical Theater – which he also founded – the creative powerhouse is rolling up his sleeves and returning to work in South County for the upcoming fall/winter season.
His movie will be shot in Morgan Hill and Gilroy and culminate to a live premiere, marking Bisceglie’s 41st production and 20th year of directing in South County.
“There’s so much drama, it’s going to be like a Bravo show,” says the innovative thespian of his newest brainchild, a movie musical takeoff on the Fox network sensation.
For those contentedly oblivious to “Glee” hysteria, the sing-songy series spins high school drama, comedy and romance through original music videos. In it’s first two seasons, the show amassed 19 Emmy nominations and a cultish fan base.
“Gleeful” will offer the hands-on dynamics of Bisceglie’s traditional live musicals, married with the opportunity to work with a film crew, sing in a recording studio and act in front of a green screen. A local production company called 152 West Productions has been hired to execute the filming.
“He came up to me last year and said, ‘I have this idea,'” recalls Nils Myers, who owns 152 with his wife, Mattie Scariot.
Their two sons have participated in a dozen of Bisceglie’s shows over the course of a decade, he says.
Having never shot and edited a musical, Nils said he and Mattie were game for the proposition as it “would be just a blast to do.”
Previously, the pair teamed up with Bisceglie on “Rock-N-Roll Reunion.” The show incorporated video clips between live musical numbers.
That experience segues nicely into “Gleeful;” an undertaking Myers says will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for children who haven’t worked in front of a camera.
“This easy, 12-week program with Saturday-only rehearsals makes participating fun and easy for busy families,” Bisceglie remarks. “It’s great for people who want to participate and can’t make lots of rehearsals. That’s been our formula forever.”
Practices will kick off in September and run through October. The film will “sort of invade all over town,” as Bisceglie puts it, and be shot in November on location at local high schools, junior highs and other random venues such as the Black Bear Diner on Leavesley Road.
Editing will take roughly one month before the hard work crescendos to a live, opening night Gala in January, for which Bisceglie is still working out the kinks. This includes renting out the entire Gilroy Platinum Theater on 6851 Monterey Road.
“We’re going to have Hollywood theatrical fun with it,” said Bisceglie of the occasion, for which he’s scheming to include all the trappings such as limousines, a red carpet, paparazzi and Academy Awards. “Cast members will also have the unique experience of sitting in the audience and watching the show.”
He says signs-ups have been brisk, with 130 participants – some hailing from Pleasanton and San Francisco – setting appointments to tryout. As Bisceglie’s shows have been popular in the past and attract large turnouts of local talent, the project will offer 50 speaking rolls, in addition to a few small parts for parents. Bisceglie plans on double-casting numerous characters and shooting two different versions of the film, as “this will allow more kids to have a chance to have leading and featured speaking roles.”
With myriad solo opportunities, Bisceglie says hopefuls are encouraged to let loose and give it their all during auditions.
Tryouts will consist of on-camera screen test incorporating studio lights and professional equipment. Thespians not so keen on singing can sit out this portion of auditions, says Bisceglie, and just partake in the dance/movement/acting segments.
True to his playful penchant for conjuring slapstick parodies, Bisceglie says the premise of “Gleeful” revolves around two schools – Gleeson High and Reese High – reluctantly merging due to budget cuts.
“Geese is the word,” he said, through a half giggle, tossing out catchy slogans ideas.
The ensuing mash-up of dueling glee clubs promises a drama-fest fit for reality television, he says.
And with Bisceglie behind the wheel, you never know what wildcards will pop up.
Zombies? Justin Bieber? A flash mob?
Anything that’s popular and current is fair game, according to Bisceglie, who says his screenplay draws from a buffet of iconic teen media including “Greece,” “Saved by the Bell,” “Teen Wolf” and “High School Musical.”
In addition to mainstay “Glee” characters like Sue Sylvester, “Gleeful” promises a small handful of comedic cameos including Hannah Montana and The Real Housewives of Gilroy.
“I think John is really something. He’s always trying to do something really unique and exciting,” said Myers. “It’s always a surprise, just how grand his productions turn out to be.”
‘Gleeful: The big movie musical’
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Auditions and rehearsals will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St., Gilroy. Ages 5 to 9 will audition at 11 a.m., ages 10 to 13 at 1 p.m.; and ages 14 to 25 at 3 p.m. Morgan Hill residents can audition.
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There will be 12, Saturday-only rehearsals held Sept. 3 to 24; Oct. 1 to 29; and Nov. 5 to 19.
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The live movie gala is slated for either January or February 2012.
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Registration fees are $195 for Gilroy residents; $200 for non-residents. Each family is responsible for providing/creating a costume, as well as selling 25 tickets.
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For more information and to make an audition appointment, visit www.gilroychildrensmusicaltheater.com
