COOL BLUES **REVISED** - Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre Auditions

COOL BLUES– Equity Principal Auditions

Woodie King, Jr.’s New Federal Theatre Seasonal Showcase

Author: Bill Harris

Dir: Ed Smith

Casting: Lawrence Evans

1st reh: 2/15/11. Runs 3/10-4/3 (W-F @ 7:30,Sa/Su @ 3, Sa @ 8) at Henry Street Settlement’s Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall in lower Manhattan.

Equity Principal Auditions:

Monday, January 31, 2011St. Augustine Church Parish Hall

Tuesday, February 1, 2011292 Henry Street

10 AM - 6 PM both days.New York City

Lunch from 1:30 – 2:30.Lower Manhattan.Take “F” train to East Broadway.

Please prepare a brief contemporary monologue.

Please bring a picture & resume, stapled back-to-back.

“A Play in 4 Movements”. 1955. B, an African American jazz musician, is so renowned and innovative that he only needs a single initial to identify him. We join him as he shows up unannounced to spend a fateful weekend in the apartment of Baroness Alexandra Isabella von Templeton (Xan), one of the world's richest women. His manner and his mood-shifts are as mercurial as his music, his talent at deception and self-defense as agile as his ability to charm. Questions of loyalty, love, privilege and friendship are probed as the ghosts of B's past and present demand answers. Xan vows to protect him at all costs, even if it means ignoring the advice of the doctor summoned to attend to him. Does B want to be saved? Can he be? Has he come to recuperate from recent disastrous events in order to soar into the world again, or has the burden of being a cutting-edge spirit in the war against conformity and racial prejudice taken its ultimate toll?

Seeking:

B:

African American man, 40-60. Innovative jazz musician. Ravaged by drugs. A wince of pain accompanied by a groan may be substituted for his cough.

Kid Welpool:

African American man, 30-35. Jazz pianist. Has had electro-shock treatments. We are never sure of Kid’s demeanor. Is it taciturn, cool, brooding, or some deeper psychosis?His silences are like monologues.After the 1st Movement, he exists only in B’s mind.His appearances/entrances and disappearances/exits should reflect this.

Mother:

African American woman, 60-70.B’s Mother. Humbled, supportive and unpretentious,yet a bit smoothing. She is in B's memory, and appearsdistinctly -- and less so -- at various times.

Chim:

Caucasian woman, early 30s. B’s wife. He considers her to be the hippestwhite woman he has met. She is also in B's memory, and appearsdistinctly -- and less so -- at various times.

Xan:

British-born Caucasian woman,40-55. Born in wealth. Called “Xan” by B;everybody else, out of fear and respect, calls her “Baroness” (Baroness Alexandra Isabella von Templeton).Fourth-generation member of one of the richest banking families in the world.Baroness by marriage.Her manner of dress is simple, expensive.

Doctor / Others:

Caucasian man, 40-55. The Baroness’s private doctor. Affluent, yet apathetic and insensible at times.Resides in the same apartment building where Xan lives.Actor also portrays other roles, including

Producer, Hotel Managerand

Announcer.

If unable to attend EPA, e-mail photo and resume to Lawrence Evans atLEvans912@aol.com.

www.newfederaltheatre.org

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