https://chapelstreetplayers.org/audition-rumors/
Show dates: 11/7, 8, 13, 14 & 15 @ 8 pm and 11/9, 15 @ 2 pm
At a large, tastefully-appointed townhouse, the Deputy Mayor has just shot himself. Though it's only a flesh wound, Charlie Brock's self-inflicted injury sets off a series of events causing four couples to experience a severe attack of farce.
As their tenth wedding anniversary party commences, Charlie lies bleeding in another room, and his wife Myra is nowhere in sight. The first guests, lawyers Ken and Chris Gorman , scramble to get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.
Audition Information:
This play is a farce so it will be fast moving, some characters require a lot of physicality while others don't move around as often. The comedy is both verbal and physical so characters must pick up on their lines quickly. Learning lines will be an early expectation.
NOTE: actors may not be able to read for every character they want to read for. Due to the large number of characters, we may need to limit it. All auditioners will read a few paragraphs from Lenny's monologue (page 109) and will participate in a short dialogue from the script (page 71-76). Here is an online version of the script -
https://www.studocu.com/en-us/document/the-university-of-maine/fundamentals-of-acting/rumors-script/80041264
CHARACTER INFORMATION:
Ages: The director is not tied to a particular age for most of the characters. For the party guests, however, they must be believably well entrenched in their careers since they are wealthy and well-connected people. So for the party guests, ages should start at mid-30's and go to late 50's with some flexibility on either end of the spectrum. Cassie Cooper could be the exception since she is written to be a "trophy wife" type so could be younger. The police officers can be any age as well with Office Welch being more experienced so must be older than Officer Padney.
Gender: The director is open to flexible gender casting and is open to same sex partners.
Guests at the party (in order of arrival): Ken Gorman & Chris Gorman, Lenny & Claire Ganz, Ernie & Cookie Cusack, Glenn & Cassie Cooper.
Other Characters: Officer Welch and Officer Pudney. Myra Brock has one line and is not seen so will likely be played by the stage manager.
Ken Gorman: A well-spoken attorney. He is high-strung and plays a significant role in the play's events. Must go up and down the stairs quite often.
Chris Gorman: Ken's wife, who is also an attorney and is nervous, neurotic, and easily flustered. She plays a large role in the play's events.
Lenny Ganz: Charley's accountant. He is irascible, sarcastic, and very likeable. He has a bizarre several-page monologue at the end of the show.
Claire Ganz: Lenny's wife, who is a gossip-monger and a typical society wife. She is sharp as a tack with a witty sense of humor.
Ernie Cusack: Charley and Claire's therapist, a smug psychiatrist. He tries to be helpful by assisting Cookie prepare the meal for the evening. Some of the physical comedy comes from Ernie.
Cookie Cusack: Ernie’s wife. Cookie is a flamboyant host of her own cooking show. She delivers most of the physical comedy. Cookie has a bad back...so bad that she carries a special pillow with her everywhere, as she suffers from extreme back spasms. Her back is regularly going out with much screaming and gyration. A couple of times Cookie is actually forced to crawl on and off the stage due to her back ailments.
Glenn Cooper: Glenn is preparing to run for the state senate. He is quite ambitious. He is constantly worried about his polished image. Has a complicated relationship with his wife since she is often accusing him of having an affair but it is obvious he loves her even though they bicker.
Cassie Cooper: Typical stereotype of politician's wife on the surface. She is a believer in crystals and all things mystical. She is insecure and accuses Glenn of having affairs.
Officer Welch: A no nonsense, vigorous, straight talking, Veteran city police officer having a rough night; does not tolerate lying; sees through the "classy" facade that the others put up. Has a couple of smaller monologues. (Only appears in Act II.)
Officer Pudney: Officer Welch's partner; Rookie Cop, a strong but silent type. Minimal lines. (Only appears in Act II)
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