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Performers Needed for "The Man Who Came to Dinner" Show

Chicago, IL, United States
ID: 273221Exp: 11/14/2024
Description:

The company is holding auditions for "The Man Who Came to Dinner" and looking for performers, please see the details below. About the project: A three-ring circus ensues when Sheridan Whiteside—critic, lecturer, wit, radio orator and intimate friend of the great and near-great—having dined at the Stanleys’ home, slips on their doorstep and breaks his hip. Confined for six weeks during the Christmas season, Whiteside turns the Stanley household upside down with his egotistical demands. Meanwhile, when his secretary gives notice, he employs every weapon in his arsenal of manipulation to keep her. Additional info: Material to Prepare: Please prepare a one-minute comedic monologue. Those who are called back will receive sides in advance. Time Commitment: Rehearsals begin in early December, with time off for the holidays, weeknights and weekend days (varying each week). Performances run January 24–February 16, 2025, Fridays-Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT IF YOU HAVE ANY CONFLICTS FOR PERFORMANCES OR TECH WEEK, BEGINNING SATURDAY, JANUARY 18.

21 roles

Sheridan WhitesideMale40-59 y.o.All ethnicities

Acerbic, high-energy and high maintenance radio personality who comes to dominate the Stanley household. He says and does whatever he wants regardless of the consequences. Despite his bombastic demeanor, he does have his charms---keeping us all wondering what he will do next.

Maggie CutlerFemale30-49 y.o.All ethnicities

Efficient, smart assistant to Sheridan. She’s all business and has no time for Sheridan’s narcissistic nonsense. She dispatches the details of his life with military efficiency and has developed a playful working relationship with Sheridan---making him seem more human. She’s restless, though---eager for a little romance and to be out from under Sheridan’s shadow. When needed, she can defend herself and those she cares about.

Bert Jefferson-Male26-44 y.o.All ethnicities

Earnest, ambitious local reporter, who is eager to interview Sheridan. He is warm and charming and clearly bright. But he’s no match for the schemes of Sheridan and Lorraine. He’s much better suited for the loyal and hard-working Maggie.

Mrs. StanleyFemale50-59 y.o.All ethnicities

Traditional, socially ambitious, upper-class housewife of the late 1930s. At first, she is delighted to have Sheridan to dinner at her house, but as his rule of terror unfolds, she finds herself juggling an impatient husband, children eager to pursue their dreams and a penguin or two.

Mr. StanleyMale50-59 y.o.All ethnicities

The foil to Sheridan. Mr. Stanley is a conservative, proper businessman and father. He is used to order in his upscale Ohio home. He tolerates Sheridan’s chaos at first to appease his wife, but his patience wears thin.

Richard StanleyMale20-29 y.o.All ethnicities

Son of the Stanleys. He’s earnest, hard-working and well-intentioned. He respects his parents, but finds himself ready to set out on his own and pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. At first intimidated by Sheridan, he grows to admire Sheridan’s zest for life.

June StanleyFemale20-29 y.o.All ethnicities

Spirited and charming daughter of the Stanleys. She, like her brother, loves her parents, but is ready to be set free. She has a secret romance with Sandy, a man who does not meet the approval of her father.

Harriet StanleyFemale50-69 y.o.All ethnicities

The elusive and mysterious sister of Mr. Stanley, who is “not quite of this world.” She seems to appear from nowhere and has an odd and elusive connection to Sheridan.

Miss PreenFemale18-56 y.o.All ethnicities

No-nonsense nurse, whose face tells it all. Her deadpan delivery and matter-of-fact manner contrast sharply to Sheridan’s verbal calisthenics. She takes it for just so long, and then….

Beverly Carlton/Plain Clothes manMale40-69 y.o.All ethnicities

Confident British actor,who dominates a room when he enters. He has a rich voice and is able to sing. He sees what Sheridan and Lorraine are up to and is ready to make mischief of his own when the occasion calls.

Banjo/ConvictMale30-59 y.o.All ethnicities

The Act III dynamo who bursts onto the scene. He’s a longtime friend of Sheridan. He’s an energetic, funny, crazy actor---up for anything. He decides to leave the whirlwind of Hollywood to spend Christmas with Sheridan.

Prof. Metz/Choir memberBoth genders50-69 y.o.All ethnicities

The world’s greatest authority on insect life. Crazy hair and a mad scientist demeanor radiate from this academic character.

Dr. BradleyMale50-69 y.o.All ethnicities

The benign, somewhat daft doctor, who gets a little confused by the details of medicine. He is desperate to have his memoirs published.

JohnMale18-56 y.o.All ethnicities

The head butler of the Stanley household. He runs a tight ship, but early on develops an affinity for Sheridan’s chaotic and colorful life.

Sarah/Choir memberFemale18-56 y.o.All ethnicities

The chef of the house. She’s exacting and diligent, eager to please. She’s quite taken by Sheridan, especially when he praises her soufflé and then offers her the chance to work for him in New York.

Sandy/Convict/Plain Clothes man-Male20-39 y.o.All ethnicities

Boyfriend of June, working-class union leader who is trying to organize the men in Mr. Stanley’s plant. He loves June but has disdain for Mr. Stanley and his conservative politics.

Mrs. McCutcheon/Choir member-Female40-69 y.o.All ethnicities

The nosy neighbor who is out of her mind that “the” Sheridan Whiteside has arrived in town. She’s a little pushy and all too eager to mix with the rich and famous.

Mrs. Dexter/Choir memberFemale40-69 y.o.All ethnicities

Mrs. McCutcheon’s friend and sidekick, who is also eager to meet and share her small-town hospitality with Ohio’s most famous guest.

Westcott/BakerMale18-56 y.o.All ethnicities

Radio producer who has one task: deliver the Christmas broadcast of his lifetime, despite chaos erupting around him. As Baker, he is the lead guard of the three prisoners.

Deputy/Delivery manMale18-56 y.o.All ethnicities

The law and order man of this small Ohio town; he’s paid on the side for making sure Mr. Stanley’s wishes are met.

Expressman/ConvictMale18-56 y.o.All ethnicities

Delivery man who is oblivious to the chaos he is entering; after all, there’s a job to be done.