LSC is excited to announce THE RED VELVET CAKE WAR Auditions.
AUDITION DATES:
- Sunday, January 7 …6:00 PM-9:30 PM
- Monday, January 8 …6:00 PM-9:30 PM
If necessary, callbacks will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
A meet and greet and read-through is tentatively planned for mid-February. Rehearsals will begin in mid-March.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
Please bring a headshot, resume and known conflicts from mid-March through May 19.
Show dates: May 3-19, 2024
Director: Mark Culp
Co-produced by Jill Gornet and Tom Cavano
Show Synopsis
In this riotously funny Southern-fried comedy, the three Verdeen cousins-Gaynelle, Peaches, and Jimmie Wyvette-could not have picked a worse time to throw their family reunion. Their outrageous antics have delighted local gossips in the small town of Sweetgum and the eyes of Texas are upon them, as their self-righteous Aunt LaMerle is quick to point out. Having “accidentally” crashed her minivan through the bedroom wall of her husband’s girlfriend’s doublewide, Gaynelle is one frazzled nerve away from a spectacular meltdown. Peaches, a saucy firebrand and the number one mortuarial cosmetologist in the tri-county area, is struggling to decide if it’s time to have her long-absent trucker husband declared dead. And Jimmie Wyvette, the rough-around-the-edges store manager of Whatley’s Western Wear, is resorting to extreme measures to outmaneuver a priss-pot neighbor for the affections of Sweetgum’s newest widower. But the cousins can’t back out of the reunion now. It’s on, Gaynelle’s hosting it, and Peaches and Jimmie Wyvette have decided that its success is the perfect way to prove Gaynelle’s sanity to a skeptical court-appointed psychologist. Unfortunately, they face an uphill battle as a parade of wildly eccentric Verdeens gathers on the hottest day of July, smack-dab in the middle of Texas tornado season. Things spin hilariously out of control when a neighbor’s pet devours everything edible, a one-eyed suitor shows up to declare his love, and a jaw-dropping high-stakes wager is made on who bakes the best red velvet cake. As this fast-paced romp barrels toward its uproarious climax, you’ll wish your own family reunions were this fun!
Character Descriptions
- Gaynelle Verdeen Bodeen: “A walking nervous breakdown” who is fresh off being left by her husband of 27 years, for a younger, red-headed woman. There was an incident involving her car going into the double-wide of said woman’s, for which she has narrowly escaped prosecution. Must pass a psych evaluation in order to be completely acquitted. Eats whipped cream straight from the can whenever she’s stressed.
- Peaches Verdeen Belrose: “A loud-talking, fun-loving, flashy dresser… The number one mortuarial cosmetologist in this part of the state (TX).” Her husband has been missing 7 years, is finally ready to declare him legally dead. She has “urges” since her husband’s been gone and always seems to be on the prowl. A busy working woman who is the most put together of the three cousins.
- Jimmie Wyvette Verdeen: “A hearty good ol’ girl with an unfortunate unibrow, dressed in classic men’s Western wear.” Has worked at Whatley’s Western Wear for 23 years, and is not a big fan of make-up. Not often interested in men but has decided to compete with Bitsy for a neighboring widower.
- LaMerle Verdeen Minshew: “The well-dressed, self-serving, sharp-tongued matriarch of the Verdeen clan.” Uptight, elitist whose red velvet cake is legendary.
- Uncle Aubrey Verdeen: “The good-natured, oxygen-dependent patriarch of the Verdeen family, who wears a nasal cannula attached to his ever-present oxygen tank on wheels.” Often dressed in a suit and tie, is an old bachelor and ladies’ man. Frequently laughs at his own jokes. Aubrey is the Great Uncle to Gaynelle, Jimmie Wy, and Peaches and the Uncle to LaMerle. Depends upon LaMerle for care but secretly loathes everything she does.
- Newt Blaylock: “A high-energy, true Texas eccentric with a patch over one eye, holds a foam head wearing a platinum blonde beehive wig.” Runs Miss Treva’s Wig ‘N’ Bait, wears an eye patch due to a missing eye. Has a crush on Gaynelle, and must fend off Peaches’ and Elsa’s advances. Frequently loses his fake eye and has a secret attraction to baton twirlers.
- Elsa Dowell: Psychologist assigned to evaluate Gaynelle. “European-born, stern and ultra-efficient.” Becomes obsessed with Newt at one point and pursues him aggressively.
- Cee Cee Windham: A mashup of Paula Deen, Ellen DeGeneres, and Dolly Parton. Cee Cee is the “sassy and stylish” hostess of Hospitality House, a low-budget cable access program in Sweetgum, Texas. Best friend to Gaynelle Verdeen Bodeen.
- Sheriff Grover Lout: “Mirrored shades and a bad attitude” Somewhat skittish and incompetent, bribable. Definitely likes to throw his weight around and abuse his power.
- Bitsy Hargis: “Perky, prim, nosy and a throwback to the 1950’s” (think old school Betty White). Is a bit of a southern viper, nice and sweet to your face, vicious when she doesn’t get her way. Very competitive over a neighboring widower she is trying to “land”.
- Purvis Verdeen: Cousin to Gaynelle, Peaches, and Jimmie Wy. Loves to take and show pictures of dead relatives. Wears flashy plaid pants pulled up almost to his armpits.
- Mama Doll Hargis: “Special lady” to Uncle Aubrey and mother to Bitsy Hargis. A very lively southern lady.
*All roles require southern accents with the exception of Elsa, who’s accent is a blend of German/Russian/Transylvanian.*
For more information or to sign up for an audition time, please visit the sign up page: https://www.signupgenius.com/…/10C0E4BA9AD2DABFBC34
CRUSIN’ IT VOL 2 – A Valentine’s Day Variety Show
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Each year the Loveland Stage Company recognizes a graduating high school student with its Creative Arts Scholarship.
Directed by Justin Hanks & Jenna Schroeder
