AUDITIONS for Ken Ludwig's
The Game's Afoot
- Holmes for the Holidays
“An inspired whodunit…a snappy, clever drawing-room mystery. There are twists . . .that cause the audience to gasp.”
- The Cleveland Plain Dealer
directed by Fuzz Roark
Performance Dates: Nov 18 - Dec 18, 2016
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It is December 1936 and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then it’s up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays.
AUDITION DATES:
Sat, Aug 20, 2016 - 11a - 3p AND Sun, Aug 21, 2016 - 5p - 9m
PREPARE
Please prepare a short (1-2 min) monologue - comedic or melodramatic.
Be prepared to take direction with regard to the prepared monologue.
Be prepared to read sides from the script with other actors present.
Rehearsals will begin Sept 13, 2016 (Mon - Thur, 7p-10p)
Please bring rehearsal conflicts.
Character Descriptions
5 Women, 3 men
All Roles: Accents: All actors need to be able to produce the Mid-Atlantic accent of the 30s – think Katharine Hepburn. (http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/08/the-rise-and-fall-of-katharine-hepburns-fake-accent/278505/)
All roles open to any Ethnicity.
William Gillette (Lead): Male, 45-60
a dynamic and charming stage actor (based on a real man). Has made a fortune from his stage adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, whom he also plays. Recently shot in the arm in a bizarre incident, Gillette is determined to bring his Sherlockian skills to bear on solving the case. Must have great comic chops.
Felix Geisel (Lead): Male, 40-50
the company’s character actor, Felix is histrionic and arch. A true theatrical that has given his life to the stage, Felix is Gillette’s best friend and occasional sidekick. Married to Madge. Actor must have great comic chops and be physically strong.
Simon Bright (Lead): Male, 21-25
the 'mangenue' of the company, Simon is an enthusiastic young man, eager to please and find success. A bit of a naïf, Simon can occasionally be overly sensitive. Recently married to Aggie, they make a charming and wonderful couple.
Inspector Harriet Goring (Lead): Female, 40-55
English and eccentric, completely one of a kind. By turns, witty and incisive, suddenly lost and dim, she is disarming in her inability to be defined. Always off the mark, and yet never far from the truth, somehow she always gets her man. Wonderful opportunity for a character actress; must have great comic chops.
Must be able to produce strong British Accent - London preferred.
Martha Gillette (Lead): Female, 65-75
Gillette’s dotty mother, elegant though a bit foggy, Martha never shies away from a fight. Always willing to lob a criticism when necessary, all the same, Martha is loyal to Gillette and his gang of theatrical misfits. Must have great comic chops.
Madge Geisel (Lead): Female, 40-45
wry and outspoken (think Rosalind Russell), Madge, like her husband Felix, is a lifelong theatrical. Is game for anything, but back her into a corner and she will come out swinging. Must have great comic chops.
Needs to be able to drop into strong Brooklyn or Jersey accent, but switch quickly back to Mid-Atlanic
Aggie Wheeler (Lead): Female, 21-29
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Aggie is the ingénue of the company. Good-natured and kind, Aggie has had tragedy in her past, though she seems to have dealt with it well, and even moved on. Recently married to Simon, they make a charming and wonderful couple. Actress needs to have a dark side.
Should be able to present a slightly Southern accent, refined and cultured.
Daria Chase (Lead): Female, 45-50
glamorous and gorgeous, Daria is the theatre critic we all love to hate. Biting, bitchy, and utterly charming, you can’t help but like Daria, despite the terrible things she says and writes. A wonderful sense of humor goes a long way towards endearing Daria to the audience. The actress must have wonderful comic timing and be a skilled physical comedian.
Must be able to drop into Mid-western/Southern accent then back to “Mid-Atlantic” in a second.
Videos
