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Lynn Jackson, Director

 

Show Synopsis:
Neil Simon Farce

 

Place: A quiet spring evening at an upscale Victoria Home in Palisades, about 20 miles N of NYC

Show includes Adult, Mature theme and characters

Vision: Very fast-paced with both verbal and physical comedy that requires a good range of movement, especially for some characters (noted in Roles). Some characters are required to “smoke” with fake cigarettes and also drink “alcohol.”

 

There are four leading couples.

Chris and Ken Gorman arrive at a fancy dinner party for their friend, Charley Brock, who is the deputy mayor of NYC. They quickly discover all is not well and that Charley has had an accident involving a shotgun and his earlobe. This could be very damaging to his reputation as a high-profile politician. Charley’s friends begin to arrive. As they attempt to cover up facts, hilarious events unfold. Neil Simon’s play is a charming
farce laced with gags, twists and zingers!

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Video submissions must be sent to Lisa Keeler at lisa@verobeachtheatreguild.com by Friday, June 20th

Performance Dates: Invited Dress 9/4
Full Audience Performances: 9/5, 9/6, 9/7, 9/11, 9/12, 9/13 (Matinee and Evening), 9/14, 9/19, 9/20 (Matinee and Evening), 9/21

 

Roles:
Ken Gorman – Lead Male – age range 40-75
Ken is a wealthy well-spoken lawyer who takes charge of a very dicey situation. He is Charley’s attorney and friend. He is pompous, arrogant and is the driver of this fast-paced dialogue.

 

Chris Gorman – Lead Female – age range 40-75
Chris is a lawyer. She is very elegant, but also nervous, neurotic and easily flustered. She recently quit smoking but falls off the wagon and smokes through most of the second act. She also is quite a drinker and falls over a phone cord and lands on her face.

Claire Ganz – Lead Female – age range 30-45
Claire is quite flashy and is concerned about appearances (both hers and others). She has a sharp wit and is a typical New York society wife with a delicious sense of humor.

 

Lenny Ganz – Lead Male – age range 35-55
Lenny is Charley’s accountant. He is the most foul-mouthed and outspoken member of the cast. He is also quite likeable and hilarious. He is also one of the main drivers of the comedy.

 

Ernie Cusack – Lead Male – age range 45-75
Ernie is a Charley’s psychiatrist. He is sophisticated and calm, the counterpoint to the storm of confusion. He smokes a pipe.

 

Cookie Cusack – Lead Female – age range 45-75
Cookie is a flamboyant host of her own cooking show. She is ditzy and quite dramatic. She will be the most physically active comedian in the show and must be able to move well. Her back is regularly going out and she is forced to crawl on and off stage.

 

Glenn Cooper – Lead Male – age range 40-60
Glenn is preparing to run for the NY State Senate. He is very charming and attractive. He also worries about his public image and strives to make everyone think he is without sin.

 

Cassie Cooper – Lead Female – age range 35-50
Cassie is a trophy wife. She is insincere, self-absorbed and jealous. She is convinced her husband is cheating on her and threatens divorce. She is also a believer in the power of crystals and rubs a quartz crystal to calm herself down. She also flirts with the other male guests.

 

Officer Welch – Supporting – age range 40-75
Veteran city police officer who is intimidating, vigorous, and straight talking. This is a critical role, only appearing in Act 2, but is potentially a “make it or break it” role for the story to come alive for the audience.

 

Officer Pudney – Supporting – age range 40-75
Strong, but silent. Minimal lines, Act 2 only

 

Note: The age ranges are “guidance points.” If you feel you can play a character whose age range varies from your own, please do not hesitate to audition for the role.

 

Audition Readings

 

 

 

Chris, Ken – Pg 10 through end of Pg 12

Ken, Lenny, Claire – Pg 22 through end of Pg 23

Ernie, Cookie, Chris, Claire, Lenny – Pg 36 beginning on Ernie’s line:“Sorry we’re late.” through Pg 40 on Cookie’s line: “So what’s the big secret?”

Cassie, Glenn, Ernie – Pg 54 through Pg 56

Lenny – Pg 109 beginning with the line: “Okay…Let’s see…the story.” through Pg 110 on the line: “We lay there spent.”

Officer Welch – Pg 106 beginning with the line: “You and everybody else.” Through Pg 107 on the line: It’s up to you.”

Cookie, Ken, Ernie, Lenny, Claire – Pg 73 through Pg 75 on the line: “How long did you boil it?”