Westpost Community Theatre Holds Auditions for ICE GLEN Dec. 1 and 2

Set in the autumn of 1919 in the Berkshires close to the Ice Glen (a real place), this play combines warm humor with the intensity of suppressed emotions in a series of scenes that invite us to ponder the nature of beauty, the purpose of art, the privacy of personal expression, the artist's responsibility to the world, and other mysteries of the human heart. The story that emerges is suspenseful, poignant, and ultimately highly satisfying.

The events center around an "earthy, fiery" woman--a gardener and poet living on a Berkshire "cottage" estate. Also in the household are the widowed lady of the house, an Irish cook, a chauffeur/butler/handyman, and a childlike young man. Into their circle comes the editor of Atlantic Magazine, who wants to publish Sarah's poems. As typically happens in literature, this intruder into a stable circle precipitates conflict and crisis.

Critics have called this 2003 play "A lovely play which will leave you with a lot to think about"; "Beautifully written...a story of nature and change"; "Funny, moving and witty."

Here are the character descriptions published in the script; the director will be guided by them but not constrained by them:

GRAYSON, late 50s, the butler/chauffeur, kindly, gracious

DENBY, 20s, lively, engaging but simple, with the cheerful temperament of a 10-year-old

MRS. ROSWELL, 50s, the cook/housemaid, Irish, blunt

SARAH HARDING, late 30s, a poet and gardener, earthy, fiery

DULCE BAINBRIDGE, late 30s, genteel, pretty, recently widowed

Peter WoodBURN, 40s, an editor, handsome, intellectual

(There is also an editorial assistant, MISS QUINBEY, who has four lines in one scene.)

As always, the auditions also constitute a call for technical and backstage personnel: people interested in managing stage, running props, running lights and sound, working on costumes or props, assisting in set construction, or other production functions are welcome to attend the audition and talk with the Producer and Director.

Performance dates are February 5 - 21, 2010; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM, one Thursday performance February 11 at 8:00 PM, and a preview dress rehearsal February 4.

Go to www.westportcommunitytheatre.com for directions to the theatre, or leave a message at the Box Office, (203) 226-1983, if you need more information.

 

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