Theatre Casting Call for "Rumors" Show

Ken is Chris’ husband. He is a well-to-do, and well- spoken lawyer who takes charge of a very dicey situation. He is Charley’s attorney and friend. Ken is pompous, serious, a know-it-all...when he can hear. Midway through the first act, Ken has a slight accident with a shotgun. It goes off next to his head and leaves him virtually deaf for a good part of the middle section of the show. Ken has to be shouted at, shouts in return and constantly can’t hear what is being said to him.

Chris is married to Ken and is also a lawyer. She is an elegant, attractive woman. She is nervous, neurotic, and easily flustered. She recently quit smoking but quickly falls off the wagon. She will be smoking prop cigarettes through most of the second act. Chris also has a few too many vodka martinis and plays slightly drunk starting about midway through the show. Chris does some physical comedy and will have to trip over a phone cord and fall on her face.

Lenny is Charley’s accountant. Lenny and Claire have just wrecked his brand-new BMW in a car accident on the way to the party and Lenny’s neck keeps locking up on him. Lenny is by far the most foulmouthed, irascible, sarcastic, outspoken member of the cast. He is also very likable and hilarious. He is very intolerant of the gossipy lifestyle that he is often involved in.

Lenny’s Wife. She is very concerned with appearances (hers and others) as well as being a smart- mouth who is seemingly amused by everything that is going on. (Not surprising considering how her husband is). She starts the play with a swollen lip, and is a gossip monger. Claire is a typical New York society wife who is sharp as a tack, with a witty sense of humor.

Ernie is Cookie’s husband and a psychiatrist. He is also Charley’s analyst. He is smug and somewhat quiet and a calming presence in the midst of the storm of confusion, although he does lose it a couple of times. He tries to be as helpful as possible by assisting Cookie prepare the meal for the evening and is mistaken for the butler at one point. Ernie smokes a pipe.

Ernie’s wife. Cookie is a flamboyant host of her own cooking show. She is, garish, a bit ditzy and a dramatic personality . Will be expected to deliver quite a bit of 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.

Married to Cassie. Glenn is a candidate preparing to run for the New York State Senate. He is obviously quite ambitious and handsome. The TV cameras love him. He is constantly worried about his polished image and how his involvement in the possible crimes being committed all around him might impact his candidacy. Struggles with placating his wife, who is convinced he is having an affair (which he may or may not be)

Cassie is Glenn’s trophy wife. She is younger, very beautiful, jealous, insecure and totally nuts. She and Glenn are on edge with each other. She doesn’t want to be there, she is constantly fighting with Glenn and she is constantly threatening divorce, as she obsesses over her husband’s relationships with other women. Cassie is a believer in the power of crystals and must rub her quartz crystal to calm herself down.

(Supporting): 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 2.)

(Supporting): Officer Welch's partner; Rookie Cop, a strong but silent type. Minimal lines. (Only appears in Act 2)