AUDITIONS
“LEADING LADIES”
A COMEDY BY:
Ken Ludwig
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.
248-506-2745
When: SATURDAY, SEPT 13, 2014. Registration: 10:00AM, Auditions: 10:30AM
Where: Farmington Players Barn Theater, 32332 West 12 Mile Rd,
Farmington Hills
Show dates: November 28, 29, 30, December 5, 6, 7, 12 13, 14, 18, 19, 20
Mandatory Rehearsal Dates: Tech on November 16 and 23; Dress on November 24, 25, 26; No rehearsal (dark night) on Nov 27 (Thanksgiving)
Rehearsal Schedule: First read-through the week of September 15. The final rehearsal schedule will be planned after casting, but generally three nights a week.
Director: Tony Targan Email to request a copy of the script, or with questions to:
leadingladies@farmingtonplayers.org
Assistant Director: Jill Jones
Co-Producers and Casting Committee: Amy Lauter and Tim Timmer
Stage Manager: Dave Reinke
DIRECTOR’S NOTES ABOUT THE PLAY: Leading Ladies is all about love. Despite our best (or worst) intentions, love derails our well-constructed plans and makes us behave like fools for those we love and can’t live without. Leo and Jack are failed Shakespearean actors who scheme to steal an inheritance from an old lady (Florence) by posing as her long-lost relatives, “Max” and “Steve.” But when the “nephews” turn out to be “Maxine” and “Stephanie,” the undaunted actors press on in drag. Hilarious complications ensue when Leo falls in love with Meg (who is engaged to Duncan) and Jack falls for Audrey (who is pursued by Butch, to the dismay of his father, Doc). Leo and Jack constantly have to switch between their male and female identities. Meg also loves the theater, so Leo stages a performance of Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s gender-bending folly that serves as the perfect backdrop for our play.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS (approximate age range)
MEG SNIDER (30s) A young woman who dreams of a bigger world beyond York PA, Meg is vivacious, warm, loyal, and has a great sense of humor. She has a fresh, natural beauty. She loves Shakespeare and dreams about being an actor. As the author says, “our play is all about Meg,” as she transforms from innocent obedience to self-confident woman.
LEO CLARK (40s) As Leo, he’s a Shakespearean actor with a British accent who masterminds the plot to steal Meg’s millions ... until he falls in love with her. As Maxine, she’s a chic and flamboyant diva who commands the stage and all those around her. A comedic tour-de-force, he/she must be able to switch between genders and voices constantly.
JACK GABLE (40s)
As Jack, he’s a Shakespearean actor with a British accent, who is the faithful accomplice to Leo’s schemes. As Stephanie, she is shy and demure at first, but eventually grows more comfortable with her feminine side. Requires great comedic timing, physical humor, and a willingness to do anything to win the love of Audrey.
AUDREY (20s) An innocent girl that is kind and gullible, but she’s trying to improve herself and her vocabulary. Extremely attractive, very sweet and good-natured. She is pursued both by Butch and Jack. Enjoys playing Sebastian in Twelfth Night.
DUNCAN WOOLEY (60s) The local minister, he’s a good man at heart, but rather fussy, set in his ways, scatter-brained, and lives in his own world. He distains actors
and is very suspicious of Leo and Jack. His telephone conversations with the police should demonstrate comedic timing and contrast his mild manner with occasional bursts of temper.
FLORENCE SNIDER (70s) Meg’s aunt, she’s the richest woman in York. Florence is extremely crusty, has terrible eyesight, and is a tough old broad. Must switch quickly between sweetness and anger, life and apparent death.
DOC MYERS (50s)
The country doctor, he’s a cantankerous, likeable curmudgeon that takes no guff from anyone and often spars with Duncan and Florence. He’s also the Chief Moose in the local Moose Lodge. Doc is a loving father to Butch. Also plays a “rollicking” Sir Toby Belch in the Twelfth Night scenes.
BUTCH MYERS (20s) A former high school football star, Butch isn’t the brightest bulb, but he is earnest and sincere, with a good heart. Loves Audrey. Argues with Doc, but they adore each other. Steals the Twelfth Night scenes as Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
Audition Information and Cuts
For Auditions: The casting committee is looking for strong characters that take themselves seriously despite ridiculous situations. LEO and JACK must have English accents and also be believable as women. LEO, JACK and MEG must “speak” Shakespeare fluently; the others, less so. Almost EVERYONE kisses someone during the play and JACK is kissed quickly by DOC and BUTCH; however, no kisses will be required at auditions.
The following cuts will be among those used at auditions, but do not need to be memorized. Cuts for Selected Roles:
A. MEG and DUNCAN (pp. 8 -11)
B. DOC (p.12) – Soliloquy to the Moose Lodge
C. AUDREY with LEO and JACK (pp. 20-23) – Audrey’s entrance to exit
D. MEG and DUNCAN (pp. 29-31)
E. BUTCH with DOC and MEG (pp. 31-32)
F. LEO (as Maxine), JACK (as mute Stephanie), BUTCH, DUNCAN, DOC, AUDREY, MEG, FLORENCE (pp. 31-38)
G. LEO (as Maxine) and MEG (pp. 42 -44) --- Twelfth Night scene thru Meg’s line “Maxine? Hello?”
H. FLORENCE, DOC, DUNCAN, and JACK (as Stephanie) (pp. 49-51) – to Florence’s exit.
I. LEO, MEG and JACK (as Stephanie) (pp. 54-56) – Meg’s entrance to bottom of p. 56.
J. AUDREY, JACK, and LEO (as Maxine) (pp. 67-69)
K LEO (as Maxine), JACK (as Stephanie/Olivia), DOC (Sir Toby), BUTCH (Sir Andrew), MEG (Viola), AUDREY (Sebastian) (pp. 70-72) – Jack’s line (“Are you happy now?) to end of scene.
L. DUNCAN with FLORENCE (pp. 72-73) – Duncan on the phone with police.
M. JACK (as Stephanie), DUNCAN and DOC (pp. 80-83) – Jack’s entrance to Doc’s line “Good idea”
Videos
