Auditions Announced for THE HOLY RUG at Dayton Playhouse

AUDITIONS FOR THE HOLY RUG

THE HOLY RUG will be a one performance, staged reading.

Story and Book by Ray Gambrel
Music by Terry O’Brien
Lyrics by Jeff Sams and Terry O’Brien
Director: Annie Pesch
Music Director: Brennan Paulin

Auditions will be held on Sunday, May 3 rd from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Dayton Playhouse.

Annie Pesch, Ray Gambrel, and Accompanist, Charles Larkowski, will be attending.

NEEDED

• Please provide a 32-bar cut. Bring your own sheet music. (a Bluetooth speaker will be provided for accompaniment on audio files if you choose)
• You will be asked to read sides. Please note: Audition songs may be recorded for the musical director.
  If callbacks are needed, they will be held on May 4th or 5th .

If you have any questions or are unable to attend and would like to submit an audition video (YouTube or Vimeo link), please send an email to: theholyrugmusical@gmail.com

Performance Date: June 6th, 2026

Place: Dayton Playhouse
Time: 7:30 PM

There will be about 10 rehearsals from May 18th to June 5th .

Synopsis

The Holy Rug is a musical about a young man, Harlan, that was raised in a Pentecostal church and realizes that he’s gay. He confides in the pastor but
is betrayed when the church attempts to exorcise the “demon of homosexuality” out of him. Harlan leaves the church and goes on a personal and spiritual journey that consists of loss, pain, and acceptance.

Cast

• HARLAN: Mid 20s to early 30s, on a spiritual and personal journey (Baritone/Tenor A2 – Ab4)
• DAD: Early 40s to early 50s, Harlan’s father, stern Evangelical (Bass/Baritone A2 -Ab4)
• SISSY: Mid 20s to early 30s, Harlan’s sister, rebel later in life (Mezzo Soprano E3 – C5)
• PASTOR RAY: Late 40s to Early 50s, Evangelical pastor / preacher (Baritone/Tenor A2 – G4)
• SISTER PAULINE: Late 40s to late 50s, Pastor Ray’s wife (Mezzo/Alto G3 – A4)
• SKIP: 20s to early 30s, the Pastor’s son, Harlan’s best friend (Baritone A3 – E4)
• SISTER OVA: Mid 50s to late 60s, Traveling evangelical preacher, energetic and quite the character (Mezzo/Alto A3 – A4)
• BROTHER BRICE: Mid 50s to late 60s, evangelical church member, very self-centered (non-singing)
• EDITH DAVENPORT: Mid 30s to late 40s, drag queen and gay club owner, extremely over the top, lots of fun, diva (Baritone D3 – F4)
• ELDER THOMAS: 20s to early 30s, Mormon missionary (Baritone F3 – F4)
• SHIRLEY MACLAINE: Around 55, singer, dancer, actress, DIVA (Mezzo/Soprano B3 – B4)

Facebook event |