2018–2019 Season Auditions
Audition details subject to change.
FUN HOME
Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron, Music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel
Directed by Gretchen Teague
Music Directed by Alex Huff
Rehearsals:begin July 22, 2018
Performances:August 31-September 2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 2018
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, June 25 & 26, 2018, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Prepare: Please prepare a contemporary musical theatre selection no longer than 1 minute in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music in your key. No A CAPELLA auditions.
About the show: When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Roles (3 women, 1 man, 1 girl, 2 boys):
All must be strong singers/actors and good movers of varied types and ethnicities. The role of Bruce and Helen Bechdel, Alison’s parents, are already cast and will be played by Rick Dines and Kim Crosby.
Alison Bechdel (early 40s, E3 to C#5 belt) a lesbian cartoonist, our narrator.
Medium Alison (late teens/early 20s,strong mix-belt E5) a college freshman.
Joan (early 20s, alto) a college student.
Roy, Mark, Pete & Bobby Jeremy (20s/early 30s,strong, clean, 70s pop sound to B4) Four roles played by one actor. Roy is a young man Bruce hires to do yard work. Mark is a high school junior. Pete is a customer of Bechdel Funeral Home. Bobby Jeremy is an imaginary television character.
Small Alison (around 9-11 years old, strong mix to E5)
Christian Bechdel (around 10-12 years old, unchanged voice) Alison’s older brother
John Bechdel (around 7-9 years old, unchanged voice) Alison’s younger brother
Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron, Music by Jeanine Tesori
Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel
Directed by Gretchen Teague
Music Directed by Alex Huff
Rehearsals:begin July 22, 2018
Performances:August 31-September 2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 2018
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, June 25 & 26, 2018, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Prepare: Please prepare a contemporary musical theatre selection no longer than 1 minute in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music in your key. No A CAPELLA auditions.
About the show: When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Roles (3 women, 1 man, 1 girl, 2 boys):
All must be strong singers/actors and good movers of varied types and ethnicities. The role of Bruce and Helen Bechdel, Alison’s parents, are already cast and will be played by Rick Dines and Kim Crosby.
Alison Bechdel (early 40s, E3 to C#5 belt) a lesbian cartoonist, our narrator.
Medium Alison (late teens/early 20s,strong mix-belt E5) a college freshman.
Joan (early 20s, alto) a college student.
Roy, Mark, Pete & Bobby Jeremy (20s/early 30s,strong, clean, 70s pop sound to B4) Four roles played by one actor. Roy is a young man Bruce hires to do yard work. Mark is a high school junior. Pete is a customer of Bechdel Funeral Home. Bobby Jeremy is an imaginary television character.
Small Alison (around 9-11 years old, strong mix to E5)
Christian Bechdel (around 10-12 years old, unchanged voice) Alison’s older brother
John Bechdel (around 7-9 years old, unchanged voice) Alison’s younger brother
FRANKENSTEIN
By Nick Dear from the novel by Mary Shelley
Directed by Nathan Shelton
Rehearsals: begin August 27, 2018
Performances: October 19-21, 25-28, November 2-4, 2018
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, July 30 & 31, 2018, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Auditions will consist of cold readings from selected scenes of the play. Scripts may be checked out from the theatre’s business office upon request. Sides can be downloaded here.
About the show: Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered Creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale.
Roles (7 men, 3 women, 1 boy):
All must be actors with a strong ear for dialect work, all types and ethnicities. The role of Victor Frankenstein is already cast.
The Creature (male, 18+) Frankenstein’s creation. A physically & vocally demanding role. Actor should be comfortable with partial nudity.
Elizabeth Lavenza (female, 18-40) Victor Frankenstein’s fiancée.
William Frankenstein (male, 8-12) Victor Frankenstein’s little brother.
Monsieur Frankenstein (male, 55+) Victor Frankenstein’s Father.
DeLacey (male, 55+) A blind man. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Felix/ Ewan (male, 18-35) DeLacey’s son, a farmer. /An Orkney islander. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Agatha/The Female Creature (female, 25-40), DeLacey’s Daughter-in-Law/Frankenstein’s 2nd creation. Dance and movement experience strongly encouraged. Actress should be comfortable with partial nudity. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Gretel/Clarice (female, 18-50) A prostitute./Elizabeth’s maid.
Gustav/ Servant 2 (male, 20-60+) A beggar./Servant of the Frankenstein household. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Constable/Rab (male, 25-35) A constable./Ewan’s nephew. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Klaus/Servant 1 (male, 20-60+) A beggar./Servant of the Frankenstein household. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
By Nick Dear from the novel by Mary Shelley
Directed by Nathan Shelton
Rehearsals: begin August 27, 2018
Performances: October 19-21, 25-28, November 2-4, 2018
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, July 30 & 31, 2018, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Auditions will consist of cold readings from selected scenes of the play. Scripts may be checked out from the theatre’s business office upon request. Sides can be downloaded here.
About the show: Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered Creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale.
Roles (7 men, 3 women, 1 boy):
All must be actors with a strong ear for dialect work, all types and ethnicities. The role of Victor Frankenstein is already cast.
The Creature (male, 18+) Frankenstein’s creation. A physically & vocally demanding role. Actor should be comfortable with partial nudity.
Elizabeth Lavenza (female, 18-40) Victor Frankenstein’s fiancée.
William Frankenstein (male, 8-12) Victor Frankenstein’s little brother.
Monsieur Frankenstein (male, 55+) Victor Frankenstein’s Father.
DeLacey (male, 55+) A blind man. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Felix/ Ewan (male, 18-35) DeLacey’s son, a farmer. /An Orkney islander. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Agatha/The Female Creature (female, 25-40), DeLacey’s Daughter-in-Law/Frankenstein’s 2nd creation. Dance and movement experience strongly encouraged. Actress should be comfortable with partial nudity. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Gretel/Clarice (female, 18-50) A prostitute./Elizabeth’s maid.
Gustav/ Servant 2 (male, 20-60+) A beggar./Servant of the Frankenstein household. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Constable/Rab (male, 25-35) A constable./Ewan’s nephew. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
Klaus/Servant 1 (male, 20-60+) A beggar./Servant of the Frankenstein household. Also plays Townsperson of Ingolstadt.
THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE
By Matthew Lopez
Directed by Rick Dines
Rehearsals: begin October 21, 2018
Performances: November 30-December 2, 6-9, 14-16, 2018
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, September 17 & 18, 2018, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Auditions will consist of cold readings from selected scenes of the play. Advanced sides and scripts may be checked out from the theatre’s business office upon request. Men auditioning for Casey should be prepared to also sing a song up to 1 minute in length accompanying themselves on the guitar.
About the show: He’s young, he’s broke, his landlord’s knocking at the door, and he’s just found out his girlfriend is going to have a baby! To make matters even more desperate, Casey is fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small-town Florida Panhandle bar. When the bar owner brings in a B-level drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business—and himself. The Full Monty meets The Birdcage in this music-filled comedy about singing your own song.
Roles (4 men, 1 women):
All must be strong actors with a good sense of comic timing and physical comedy.
Casey/Georgia (Caucasian, 20s) Charismatic and good-looking small-town high school football star turned Elvis impersonator; has the biggest of hearts and loves his wife ferociously; dreams big, if not always practically; his charm and optimism are infectious. As Georgia: A wholly original drag queen with Elvis, country and rock 'n' roll roots; gritty, edgy, sexy, a force of nature; joyous and thrilling. Note: Role requires dancing in heels, lip syncing, singing and playing guitar.
Jo (African American, 20s) Casey’s wife; a hard-headed woman married to a soft-hearted man; a realist who’s prone to being fatalistic, she grounds him, while he enables her to breathe and dream; tough without being bitchy, firm without being brittle; works multiple service jobs struggling to keep them afloat and it’s taken a toll.
Miss Tracy Mills (any ethnicity, 40s-50s) Sweet-natured drag queen, and drag mother to Casey; cousin to Eddie; her impeccable timing, wit, and charm can disarm anyone; deeply nurturing by nature, she thrives on being a mentor, but is ruthlessly pragmatic when she needs to be; ready to find a home and build something meaningful and lasting; equal parts inspiration and desperation. Note: Role requires dancing in heels and lip syncing.
Rexy/Jason (any ethnicity, 20s/30s) Rexy: fabulously fierce and feisty sharp-tongued queen with a dark past; a trashy gal who fancies herself the most sophisticated in the room; loves boys and booze and thrives on conflict; a bit of a hot mess. Jason: Casey & Jo’s best friend and landlord; a sweet-natured working class guy; capable of surprising insight and warmth. Note: Role requires dancing in heels, roller skating and lip syncing.
Eddie (any ethnicity, 40s-60s) Easily flustered and financially-desperate owner of a struggling dive bar; rough around the edges, a bit of a walking ulcer, but a huge heart; he doesn’t take naturally to the stage as an emcee--but eventually becomes an amateur showman who loves the spotlight.
By Matthew Lopez
Directed by Rick Dines
Rehearsals: begin October 21, 2018
Performances: November 30-December 2, 6-9, 14-16, 2018
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, September 17 & 18, 2018, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Auditions will consist of cold readings from selected scenes of the play. Advanced sides and scripts may be checked out from the theatre’s business office upon request. Men auditioning for Casey should be prepared to also sing a song up to 1 minute in length accompanying themselves on the guitar.
About the show: He’s young, he’s broke, his landlord’s knocking at the door, and he’s just found out his girlfriend is going to have a baby! To make matters even more desperate, Casey is fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small-town Florida Panhandle bar. When the bar owner brings in a B-level drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business—and himself. The Full Monty meets The Birdcage in this music-filled comedy about singing your own song.
Roles (4 men, 1 women):
All must be strong actors with a good sense of comic timing and physical comedy.
Casey/Georgia (Caucasian, 20s) Charismatic and good-looking small-town high school football star turned Elvis impersonator; has the biggest of hearts and loves his wife ferociously; dreams big, if not always practically; his charm and optimism are infectious. As Georgia: A wholly original drag queen with Elvis, country and rock 'n' roll roots; gritty, edgy, sexy, a force of nature; joyous and thrilling. Note: Role requires dancing in heels, lip syncing, singing and playing guitar.
Jo (African American, 20s) Casey’s wife; a hard-headed woman married to a soft-hearted man; a realist who’s prone to being fatalistic, she grounds him, while he enables her to breathe and dream; tough without being bitchy, firm without being brittle; works multiple service jobs struggling to keep them afloat and it’s taken a toll.
Miss Tracy Mills (any ethnicity, 40s-50s) Sweet-natured drag queen, and drag mother to Casey; cousin to Eddie; her impeccable timing, wit, and charm can disarm anyone; deeply nurturing by nature, she thrives on being a mentor, but is ruthlessly pragmatic when she needs to be; ready to find a home and build something meaningful and lasting; equal parts inspiration and desperation. Note: Role requires dancing in heels and lip syncing.
Rexy/Jason (any ethnicity, 20s/30s) Rexy: fabulously fierce and feisty sharp-tongued queen with a dark past; a trashy gal who fancies herself the most sophisticated in the room; loves boys and booze and thrives on conflict; a bit of a hot mess. Jason: Casey & Jo’s best friend and landlord; a sweet-natured working class guy; capable of surprising insight and warmth. Note: Role requires dancing in heels, roller skating and lip syncing.
Eddie (any ethnicity, 40s-60s) Easily flustered and financially-desperate owner of a struggling dive bar; rough around the edges, a bit of a walking ulcer, but a huge heart; he doesn’t take naturally to the stage as an emcee--but eventually becomes an amateur showman who loves the spotlight.
GYPSY, A MUSICAL FABLE
Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Suggested by the Memiors of Gypsy Rose Lee
Directed by Rick Dines
Music Directed by Alex Huff
Rehearsals: begin January 2, 2019
Performances: February 15-17, 21-24, 28 -March 3, 7-10, 2019
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, December 3 & 4, 2018, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Callbacks: Wednesday, December 5, 2018, 6:30pm at SCT Center Stage
Prepare: Please prepare a classic musical theatre selection no longer than 1 minute in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music in your key. No A CAPELLA auditions. If you play an instrument and would like to be considered for one of the actor/musician tracks, please contact the music director prior to auditions for materials.
About the show: Regarded by many theater professionals as the greatest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success… while secretly yearning for her own. Audiences will fall in love anew to this Tony Award-winning musical in a completely reimagined, freshly energized and highly theatrical production. Set all across America in the 1920’s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart, and sophistication.
Roles (8-9 women, 4-5 men):
This production will be cast with actors, actor/musicians and musician/actors of all types, ages and ethnicities. The cast we are able to assemble will determine the final breakdown for the show based on best covering all necessary bases. The total company will be no smaller than 12, but could be as large as 15-16.
Rose (female, 50s-60s, strong mezzo belt) indomitable force of nature; she is domineering, aggressive, sexy, manipulative, charming, and unstoppable in her determination to have her daughters succeed on the stage.
Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee (female, 20s/early 30s, mix/belt to Eb5) Rose’s older daughter; shy, awkward, and loyal but eventually becomes the strong and willful world-famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee; has to have great depth; must be comfortable with striptease elements and suggestive, near-nudity. (One actress plays her from a young girl through her 20s.)
Herbie (male, 50s-60s, baritone) an agent for Rose's children and a possible husband number 4, has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength; strong actor.
June/Mazeppa (female, 20s, mezzo, strong belt) – Baby June: Rose's daughter who is constantly being groomed to be the next Broadway star, cute, blonde, high-energy performer. (One actress plays her from a young girl through her 20s.) Mazeppa: professional stripper whose strip gimmick is the questionable ability to play a trumpet; a loud dame who takes no enemies. Note: Trumpet skills and baton twirling a plus.
Tulsa/Electra (male, 20s/early 30s, tenor) – Tulsa: chorus guy with a dream; the Alpha of the chorus guys; strong belt voice and very strong dance skills. Electra: professional stripper whose strip gimmick is based upon a reliance upon battery-powered electric lights in various semi-appropriate places; a burnt-out dame who has been through it all.
Tessie Tura/Mr. Goldstone/Miss Cratchitt (female, 40s-60s, mezzo) – Tessie: professional stripper whose strip gimmick is based upon a shoddy ability to do ballet; a warm-hearted dame who has seen it all. Goldstone: lovable, fragile, booking agent for the Orpheum circuit. Miss Cratchitt: Mr. Grantzinger’s wise-cracking secretary.
Yonkers (20s, baritone) cute, devoted, compassionate, must sing and dance well, strong actor who plays one of Dainty Junes Newsboys/farm boys.
The Hollywood Blondes (4 women, varied vocal ranges) – the roles of L.A. & Angie will be played by two of the Hollywood Blondes
Theatre Managers/Stage Managers - non-singing roles, to be played primarily by musician/actors (including Uncle Jocko, Mr. Weber, Pastey, Cigar)
Other Varied Speaking Roles – will be assumed by the company
Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Suggested by the Memiors of Gypsy Rose Lee
Directed by Rick Dines
Music Directed by Alex Huff
Rehearsals: begin January 2, 2019
Performances: February 15-17, 21-24, 28 -March 3, 7-10, 2019
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, December 3 & 4, 2018, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Callbacks: Wednesday, December 5, 2018, 6:30pm at SCT Center Stage
Prepare: Please prepare a classic musical theatre selection no longer than 1 minute in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music in your key. No A CAPELLA auditions. If you play an instrument and would like to be considered for one of the actor/musician tracks, please contact the music director prior to auditions for materials.
About the show: Regarded by many theater professionals as the greatest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success… while secretly yearning for her own. Audiences will fall in love anew to this Tony Award-winning musical in a completely reimagined, freshly energized and highly theatrical production. Set all across America in the 1920’s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart, and sophistication.
Roles (8-9 women, 4-5 men):
This production will be cast with actors, actor/musicians and musician/actors of all types, ages and ethnicities. The cast we are able to assemble will determine the final breakdown for the show based on best covering all necessary bases. The total company will be no smaller than 12, but could be as large as 15-16.
Rose (female, 50s-60s, strong mezzo belt) indomitable force of nature; she is domineering, aggressive, sexy, manipulative, charming, and unstoppable in her determination to have her daughters succeed on the stage.
Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee (female, 20s/early 30s, mix/belt to Eb5) Rose’s older daughter; shy, awkward, and loyal but eventually becomes the strong and willful world-famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee; has to have great depth; must be comfortable with striptease elements and suggestive, near-nudity. (One actress plays her from a young girl through her 20s.)
Herbie (male, 50s-60s, baritone) an agent for Rose's children and a possible husband number 4, has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength; strong actor.
June/Mazeppa (female, 20s, mezzo, strong belt) – Baby June: Rose's daughter who is constantly being groomed to be the next Broadway star, cute, blonde, high-energy performer. (One actress plays her from a young girl through her 20s.) Mazeppa: professional stripper whose strip gimmick is the questionable ability to play a trumpet; a loud dame who takes no enemies. Note: Trumpet skills and baton twirling a plus.
Tulsa/Electra (male, 20s/early 30s, tenor) – Tulsa: chorus guy with a dream; the Alpha of the chorus guys; strong belt voice and very strong dance skills. Electra: professional stripper whose strip gimmick is based upon a reliance upon battery-powered electric lights in various semi-appropriate places; a burnt-out dame who has been through it all.
Tessie Tura/Mr. Goldstone/Miss Cratchitt (female, 40s-60s, mezzo) – Tessie: professional stripper whose strip gimmick is based upon a shoddy ability to do ballet; a warm-hearted dame who has seen it all. Goldstone: lovable, fragile, booking agent for the Orpheum circuit. Miss Cratchitt: Mr. Grantzinger’s wise-cracking secretary.
Yonkers (20s, baritone) cute, devoted, compassionate, must sing and dance well, strong actor who plays one of Dainty Junes Newsboys/farm boys.
The Hollywood Blondes (4 women, varied vocal ranges) – the roles of L.A. & Angie will be played by two of the Hollywood Blondes
Theatre Managers/Stage Managers - non-singing roles, to be played primarily by musician/actors (including Uncle Jocko, Mr. Weber, Pastey, Cigar)
Other Varied Speaking Roles – will be assumed by the company
MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION
By George Bernard Shaw
Directed by Robert Bradley
Rehearsals: begin March 24, 2018
Performances: May 3-5, 9-12, 17-19, 2019
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, March 4 & 5, 2019, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Auditions will consist of cold readings from selected scenes of the play. Advanced sides and scripts may be checked out from the theatre’s business office upon request.
About the show: Written in 1894 it was denied a license for production in a public theatre in England by the Lord Chamberlain. Produced in New York in 1905, its first performance was interrupted by the police for violating the New York morality laws; cast and crew were hauled off to jail. Can Vivie, a recent college graduate, become an independent woman and escape her mother’s influence and offer of luxury and wealth? The play tells of sex and money in high places. It may be late 19th century, but it sounds like early 21st century.
Roles (2 women, 4 men):
All must be strong actors, all types and ethnicities.
Mrs. Kitty Warren (40s-60s) very attractive, no loss of charm or sex appeal in her middle age; a highly successful brothel owner who rose through the ranks from extreme poverty to wealth. She has kept her daughter far away from her business and lifestyle and provided her with the best education money can buy in hopes that her daughter will have a better life. She is refined in practice but can lapse into the low dialects of her youth when under stress. She does not understand how the daughter she gave so much to could reject her. She is world weary, witty and confident, but still has her vulnerabilities.
Vivie Warren (early to mid 20s) Mrs. Warren's daughter; raised in boarding schools and given the finest education, but has no memory of having been mothered. She is wily and confident with a sharp wit. She has been taught to value her mind above all things and finds herself with limited emotional intelligence. She does not know how to hear her own heart, and has the discipline to make the ‘right choices’ for herself even when they are painful.
Frank Gardner (early to mid 20s) very attractive; in love with Vivie and means to marry her, he is an idle man who has no intention of working for a living, rather using his good looks to broker the best provided for marriage. He is charming, practical, and while he may truly love Vivie, he knows that the heart is changeable and he can love another.
Sir George Crofts (40s-60s) Mrs. Warren's business partner. He does not feel any moral responsibility for any of his business investments or the profits he collects from them. Having money is a virtue in itself, and money is the answer to all things. He is entitled, confident and has lived an unchallenged life.
Mr. Praed (mid-30s-60s) a friend of Mrs. Warren, a socialist who makes no judgement of his friends. His affection for Vivie taints his overall influence in being able to get Vivie to embrace an artistic life of emotion and passion; convivial and bohemian and perhaps too romantic to be taken seriously, though he is very sincere in his convictions.
Rev. Samuel Gardner (45-60s) a devout local minister, in his youth he was wild and free, and was in love with and a lover of Mrs. Kitty Warren. His son, Frank Gardner, is in love with Mrs. Warren’s daughter, Vivie. He fears Vivie could be his daughter and has to find a way to keep their children from committing potential incest without tarnishing his own reputation. No one preaches stronger than the converted.
By George Bernard Shaw
Directed by Robert Bradley
Rehearsals: begin March 24, 2018
Performances: May 3-5, 9-12, 17-19, 2019
Auditions: Monday & Tuesday, March 4 & 5, 2019, 6:30p.m. at SCT Center Stage
Auditions will consist of cold readings from selected scenes of the play. Advanced sides and scripts may be checked out from the theatre’s business office upon request.
About the show: Written in 1894 it was denied a license for production in a public theatre in England by the Lord Chamberlain. Produced in New York in 1905, its first performance was interrupted by the police for violating the New York morality laws; cast and crew were hauled off to jail. Can Vivie, a recent college graduate, become an independent woman and escape her mother’s influence and offer of luxury and wealth? The play tells of sex and money in high places. It may be late 19th century, but it sounds like early 21st century.
Roles (2 women, 4 men):
All must be strong actors, all types and ethnicities.
Mrs. Kitty Warren (40s-60s) very attractive, no loss of charm or sex appeal in her middle age; a highly successful brothel owner who rose through the ranks from extreme poverty to wealth. She has kept her daughter far away from her business and lifestyle and provided her with the best education money can buy in hopes that her daughter will have a better life. She is refined in practice but can lapse into the low dialects of her youth when under stress. She does not understand how the daughter she gave so much to could reject her. She is world weary, witty and confident, but still has her vulnerabilities.
Vivie Warren (early to mid 20s) Mrs. Warren's daughter; raised in boarding schools and given the finest education, but has no memory of having been mothered. She is wily and confident with a sharp wit. She has been taught to value her mind above all things and finds herself with limited emotional intelligence. She does not know how to hear her own heart, and has the discipline to make the ‘right choices’ for herself even when they are painful.
Frank Gardner (early to mid 20s) very attractive; in love with Vivie and means to marry her, he is an idle man who has no intention of working for a living, rather using his good looks to broker the best provided for marriage. He is charming, practical, and while he may truly love Vivie, he knows that the heart is changeable and he can love another.
Sir George Crofts (40s-60s) Mrs. Warren's business partner. He does not feel any moral responsibility for any of his business investments or the profits he collects from them. Having money is a virtue in itself, and money is the answer to all things. He is entitled, confident and has lived an unchallenged life.
Mr. Praed (mid-30s-60s) a friend of Mrs. Warren, a socialist who makes no judgement of his friends. His affection for Vivie taints his overall influence in being able to get Vivie to embrace an artistic life of emotion and passion; convivial and bohemian and perhaps too romantic to be taken seriously, though he is very sincere in his convictions.
Rev. Samuel Gardner (45-60s) a devout local minister, in his youth he was wild and free, and was in love with and a lover of Mrs. Kitty Warren. His son, Frank Gardner, is in love with Mrs. Warren’s daughter, Vivie. He fears Vivie could be his daughter and has to find a way to keep their children from committing potential incest without tarnishing his own reputation. No one preaches stronger than the converted.
