Tag Archives: Middletown Lyric Theatre

NOVEMBER
Written by David Mamet
Directed by Claire LaNicca

Audition Dates:
February 15, at 3-4:30pm
February 16, and 17 at 7pm-8:15pm

Performance Dates:
May 29, 30, June 5 & 6

This satire depicts one day in the life of a beleaguered American commander-in-chief. It’s November in a Presidential election year, and incumbent Charles Smith’s chances for reelection are looking grim. Approval ratings are down, his money’s running out, and nuclear war might be imminent. Though his staff has thrown in the towel and his wife has begun to prepare for her post-White House life, Chuck isn’t ready to give up just yet. Amidst the biggest fight of his political career, the President has to find time to pardon a couple of turkeys — saving them from the slaughter before Thanksgiving — and this simple PR event inspires Smith to risk it all in attempt to win back public support. With Mamet’s characteristic no-holds-barred style, November is a scathingly hilarious take on the state of America today and the lengths to which people will go to win

Charles Smith (Male, 45-65) – President of the United States. Self-centered and opportunistic, facing a loss in the upcoming election he is planning on how to fill his personal coffers as well as make sure there is enough for his “legacy” (Presidential Library). Although shallow, he is shrewd and an effective deal maker. He is very high energy and bounces from working one angle to the next. 

Archer Brown (Male, 35-65) – The president’s legal advisor. More controlled than Smith, he is a counterpoint to the president’s sometimes manic energy. Clearly familiar with the way the President works, he possesses an ease that suggests he knows what the President will say before he says it…or what he should say before the President says the wrong thing.

Turkey Guy
(Male, 30-55) – Representative of the National Turkey and Turkey Products Manufacturers. He is there for a ceremony to “pardon” a turkey as Thanksgiving approaches and to provide the President with a “gratuity” for performing the pardon. Less experienced in politics than Charles and Archer.

Clarice Bernstein (Female, 30-50) – A talented speech writer, she seems to be resigned to the president’s losing the upcoming election, and looking at what her life will be when he does. Likely an idealist at the outset of her career, she is not as jaded as most in Washington, but she’s quickly heading in that direction. 

Dwight Grackle (Male, 40-70) – Native American, specifically identified in the script as Micmac.

Brought in as part of Charles’ designs to redefine Thanksgiving as leverage over the turkey industry, Grackle has a plan of his own in mind

For more information visit http://www.middletownlyric.org/P_Auditions.html

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY
Created & Written by: Gerard Alessandrini
Direction & Vocal Direction by Ryan Heinrich

Performance Dates: April 17, 18, 24 & 25

Audition Dates:
Monday, January 12th – 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Tuesday, January 13th – 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Audition Requirements:

• Please prepare a Comedic Broadway style song. The ability to imitate characters listed in the character description sheet a plus
• An accompanist will be provided
• Download the info sheet and character descriptions here.

All Auditions held at:
Middletown Lyric Theatre
1530 Central Avenue
Middletown, Ohio 45044
513-425-7140

Middletown Lyric Theater
1530 Central Avenue
Middletown, Ohio 45044
513-425-7140

PICASSO AT LAPINE AGILE
Written by Steve Martin
Directed by Nathan Greer

About the Show: This long running Off-Broadway absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, the popular actor and screenwriter plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century’s achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness..

Performance Dates: MARCH 6, 7, 13 & 14

Audition Dates:
Sunday November 2 @ 2pm – 3:30pm
Monday & Tuesday November 3 & 4 @ 7pm – 8:15pm

Those auditioning may arrive at any time during the designated audition hours.

Audition Requirements: Cold reading from the script

Casting Needs: 3F/7M

Character Descriptions: Ages are used for guidelines this should not keep you from auditioning.

• Freddy:  Owner/bartender of the Lapin Agile.  He is a dreamer and supporter of the arts.  Loves a good discussion/debate.  Has been Germaine’s boyfriend for a number of years, yet has not asked her to marry him.  Longs to be “more” than he is.  (Age: 30’s – 40’s)
• Gaston:  Connoisseur of woman, now past his prime but still trying.  Humorous, wise and utterly French.  (Age: 60+)
• Germaine:  Waitress, Freddy’s long term girlfriend.  Worldly wise, smart, strong; not a glamorous lady, yet undeniably sensual.  Voluptuous, earthy and witty.  (Age: 30’s-40’s)
• Albert Einstein:  The not-yet famous scientist, currently a patent clerk, approximately one year before publishing The Special Theory of Relativity.  Has the energy and excitement of someone about to prove himself.  (Age: Mid 20’s to late 30’s)
• Suzanne:  Young French beauty that has been a lover/inspiration of late to Picasso.  Thinks she is far more worldly than she really is, however, she is not entirely naive nor is she unintelligent.  A fast learner.  (Age: Early 20’s)
• Sagot:  Picasso’s art dealer, warm, funny if a bit blunt.  He has an intuitive sense of what will sell and what won’t.  Negotiates art sales with killer precision, but is not without a heart.  (Age: 30s60s)
• Pablo Picasso:  The painter, currently in the midst of his portraiture and “Blue” phase.  He hungers for success as an artist, hasn’t quite broken through; at the point that the play takes place, he is approximately three years away from creating Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, arguably the painting that launched the Cubist movement.  (Age: Mid 20’s to late 30’s)
• Charles Dabernow Schmendiman:  An up and coming business man; he thinks very highly of himself and his potential, obnoxiously unscrupulous and a braggart.  (Age: 30’s-60’s)
• The Countess:  Intellectual, noble; patron and love interest for Einstein.  Has Bright Red Hair, actress will be asked to dye hair if not a red head.  (Age: 20+)
• A Visitor:  He wears blue suede shoes, has a very distinctive way of swinging his hips, a good southern gent that will be a famous crooner, has a tendency to wear rhinestones and should be readily recognizable to our audiences.  (If you still can’t figure it out, ask us at auditions!!!)  (Age: 25-40)
• Female Admirer:  The ultimate fan girl, almost swooning with excitement.  Could be doubled with the Countess.(Age: 20’s)