Auditions Held For STAGE BLOOD at Spotlighters Theatre 9/12, 9/14

Stage Blood, an irreverent comedy involving a troupe of Shakespearian actors

Where: Spotlighters - 817 St. Paul St., Baltimore

When: Sunday, Sept 12 - 6 till 9 PM

Tuesday, Sept 14 - 7 till 10 PM

Sides: Available upon request. Email: mspellman60@comcast.net

Run Dates: Opens Nov 26 (NOTE: tech week is Thanksgiving; we'll work around

Thanksgiving dinner somehow but you need to be flexible. )

Runs thru Dec. 19

Rehearsals: Begin Oct 25. There may be some Sat. afternoon rehearsals.

Stage Blood - Written by Charles Ludlam of the legendary Ridiculous Theatrical Company of NY. This is a brew of Shakespeare and slapstick, whoopie cushions and classical monologues. Using "Hamlet" as a base, Ludlam examines father/son relationships, and the emerging possibility of open gay relationships (the play was written just a few years after the Stonewall Riots). The scenes revolve from off-stage to on-stage in a whirlwind of classic and comedy. This is for those who like performing Shakespeare, but are willing to turn the master's plot against him.

CAST:

Stone - PRE-CAST

Carl (Stone's Son) - Struggling with the role of Hamlet, he seeks to avenge his real Fathers murder. 20' - 30's, any race, able to deliver "To Be Or Not To Be" as well as comedy.

Helga (Carl's Mother) - The Scenery-chewing Diva, 50's, any race. Scenery-chewing says it all..... imagine Tallulah Bankhead and Bette Midler trapped in one body.

Jenkins - The Neurotic Stage Manager, 20' - 30's, any race, a bundle of nerves and neurosis.

Edmund - The Matinee Idol, 40's, any race, Thinks he's Barrymore.... isn't.

Elfie - The enigmatic Ingenue, 20's, any race, able to play Ophelia's "Mad Scene" as well as comedy.

CHARLES LUDLAM:

In the 60's and 70's, Ludlam set the theatre world on its ear by writing and producing a series of avante garde & highly irreverent comedies. He didn't worry about convention or gender. Neither did his audiences, who flocked to productions like "Camille" in which he starred, wearing a white ball gown with chest hair peaking over the cleavage. This past season, Everyman had a huge hit with their production of Ludlam's "Irma Vep" in which two actors play a half dozen roles in a quick-change frenzy. Now, Spotlighters will bring "Stage Blood" to a new generation of theatre goers.