Waldoboro — The Waldo Theatre is gearing up for its fall season with final auditions for “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR” and three audition sessions for “Chicago.” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR” will be directed by Melissa Hearth (“Mulan,” “Aida”) and “Chicago” will be directed by Bill Coombs (“Noises Off,” “Agnes of God”).

Final auditions for “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR” are set for Saturday, Sept. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. Students in grades 2 through 12 may audition and attend rehearsals without parental supervision, unless supervision is specifically requested. Parents must be able to provide supervision for children younger than age 8 or who have special needs to attend to. All actors auditioning for a vocal solo should come prepared to sing. They must sing with accompaniment, so sheet music is necessary unless they choose to sing from the “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” score, which will be available. Performance dates are Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11.

“Chicago” auditions will be held Sunday, Sept. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m.; and Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 10 and 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Auditioners should be prepared to sing something from the show unless auditioning for ensemble work. Comfortable clothing should be worn for movement/dance audition, and auditioners must be high school age or older.

“Chicago” is written by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the musical premiered in 1975 and was the hit of the 1997 Broadway season in a production that originated at City Center's Encore! series. “Chicago” won six Tony Awards including Best Revival and, later, the Academy Award as Best Picture of the Year for its film adaptation. The Waldo production will go up the first two weekends of December.

For more information, send email to info@thewaldo.org; call 832-6060 and leave a message; or check out the public events pages on Facebook.

Courier Publications' A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at 207-594-4401 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.