Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator Jimmy DelPonte announce that auditions for the 2011 Somerville Sunsetters will be held on Monday, May 16^th, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powderhouse Boulevard.  All Somerville residents in grades 7 – 12 are eligible to audition for the 25-member group – please note that students entering the 7^th grade and graduating high school seniors are eligible. Students wishing to audition must come prepared to sing “One Short Day,” from the musical Wicked. Lyrics and a link to the musical clip can be found on the City’s website, http://www.somervillema.gov/, under “City Spotlight – Sunsetters.”  The Sunsetters is a traveling performance troupe which performs classic show tunes and modern musicals in Somerville neighborhoods throughout July and August.

Beginning this week, residents may also call the Mayor’s Office to request a performance in your neighborhood.  Performances are held on Monday-Thursday evenings, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., in July and August.  Some blackout dates apply, and performance slots fill up quickly.  To request a performance, please contact Jackie Rossetti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2614, or e-mail Jrossetti@somervillema.gov.

“Year after year I am impressed with the vocal talent of some of our young residents, and I am eager to see what the 2011 Sunsetters have in store,” said Mayor Curtatone.

“I already have some wonderful, enthusiastic students lined up and preparing for auditions this year, and I’m excited to hear some great renditions of the audition song!” Del Ponte said.  “I want to remind potential Sunsetters, though, that this is a serious time commitment for the summer, with rehearsals and performances every Monday through Thursday evening from June through August.  If you have vacations or other conflicts, please come prepared with that information to auditions.”

If selected, all individuals must commit to Monday – Thursday night rehearsals and performances from May 23^rd through August 18^th.  Rehearsals will be held at the West Somerville Neighborhood School from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday – Thursday evenings, with performances beginning on Thursday, June 30^th during the City’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Trum Field.  Performances are scheduled at the request of city residents Monday – Thursday evenings in July and August, and at special City events including the Fireworks Celebration, ArtBeat, and the Mayor’s Senior Picnic.

Interested youth should contact Jimmy DelPonte at jimmydel@rcn.com for song lyrics or additional information, or may download the lyrics and application by visiting the City’s website, www.somervillema.gov.