Casting Actors For "A 1940's Radio Christmas Carol" Show
Seeking cast for holiday show "A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol". ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE CONSIDERED. Please see the breakdown below. About the project: Feddington Players are now broadcasting from a hole-in-the-wall studio in Newark, NJ, and set to present their contemporary "take" on Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Whether it's the noisy plumbing, missed cues, electrical blackouts, or the over-the-top theatrics of veteran actor, but radio novice, William St. Claire, this radio show is an entertaining excursion into the mayhem and madness of a live radio show. St. Claire's escalating foibles and acting missteps propel the show to a simultaneously comedic and heart-wrenching dramatic climax: St. Claire has an on-air breakdown, and begins to connect his own life with that of the classic Dickens tale. In order to "save the show," the company improvises an ending to Charles Dickens' classic as a film noir mystery, featuring a hardboiled detective, a femme fatale, and an absurd rescue of Tiny Tim (and the Lindbergh baby) from the clutches of a Hitler-esque villain named Rudolf! Rate: All roles paid. Additional info: Actors should prepare a 2 minute dramatic or comedic monologue along with 16-32 bars of a holiday song. An audition accompanist will be available but you may choose to use a backing (instrumental) track for your audition. You must provide your own sheet music and/or track. Virtual audition submission: please see the document attached. Actors may be asked to attend callbacks after their audition. Callbacks will be held in person on Wednesday, September 18th 6pm - 10 pm. Rehearsals: September 29th - November 30th (TBD) Tech Week: Sunday, December 1st - Thursday, December 5th. Performances: Friday, December 6th - Sunday, December 22nd. 7:30pm & 2:00pm shows (10 performances). If you are interested, please apply.
10 roles
55 year-old Mutual Announcer, front man for WOV’s Nash-Kelvinator Mystery Theatre. Wears wire-frame glasses like Glenn Miller. Known for being cheap. Has a crush on Judith.
70 year-old, retired star of stage and screen. With a great mane of dramatic white hair, William is a bit of a curmudgeon and looks down on radio as one of the bastard children of the stage. William’s 31 year-old son David was killed in the Air Force in France in June 1943. A guest performer in tonight’s show, Mr. St. Claire plays Scrooge.
35 year-old funny man. Has a day job as a baker at Weequahic Diner (where his specialty is the nesselrode pie). A little stout. Lives in Jersey City, with his wife, Midge, has no kids, and has a hopeless and unrequited crush on Margie.
Brassy, flippant, with a voice to match (think Ginger Rogers in “Stage Door”). As a show regular, plays the comic roles. This 30 year-old Irish-American comedienne lives with her two sisters, Zazu and Vi, in a two-room apartment in Queens. She works days as a bookkeeper/typist/stenographer/receptionist.
Although quite the cutup herself, Judith is the resident “leading lady” playing all such roles as a regular. Has two kids and two ex’s and wants no more of either. Determined and stubborn. Considers herself a “legit” actress. Day job working as a switchboard operator.
Once an east-coast Florsheim Shoe salesman (and still plugs them whenever he gets an opportunity for a little commission), now a WOV regular. The resident masher, cynic and wise-guy, Fritz plays Frank Nelson cameos in comedy sketches.
Not actually “little,” but young. A tenor with a high speaking voice. Having just graduated from high school, Jackie, only 17, lives with his mom in suburban Newark. Calls home probably a dozen times a day. Teased a lot. Still has a Sunday paper route.
20 year-old Sally seems sweet and gentle, but is a tough lady. Lives on the lower east side of Manhattan. As a show regular, plays all animals, babies, insects, little kids. Makes the long train ride to Babylon, Long Island, three days a week, to contribute to the war effort by working for Republic Aviation operating drill presses and riveting guns. Always trying to recruit the other WOV women to join “the cause.”
His life is his work. The 24 year-old “sound effectician” at WOV. Has a sharp wit and is always agreeable, whistling, and in a good mood. Born and raised in Bayonne by his Aunts Lulu and Gilly. Wears an FDR button. Spends a lot of time with Sally Simpson. Buzz lives alone.
Musical director, composer and pianist/organist for the Mystery Theatre. Besides his/her usual musical chores for WOV, he/she and his/her wife/husband Faith/Frank provide both underscoring to the radio drama as well as their new and old holiday songs for the broadcast.
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