Aspiring actors invited to audition for roles in UW-S production of Plaza Suite
The Sheboygan Theatre Company has announced open audition dates for the Neil Simon comedy, “Plaza Suite.” Auditions will take place Monday, Feb. 8, and Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Helmed by guest director, Rick Ponzio, the three-act comedy takes place at recently refurbished New York City Plaza Hotel. Each act involves a different cast of characters, but all are set in Suite 719 of the hotel.
The most serious of the vignettes involves a not-so-blissfully wedded couple revisiting their honeymoon suite in an attempt to bring love back into their marriage. Another story involves a meeting between a former movie producer and an old flame, now a suburban housewife. While she has come for nothing more than a chat between old friends, he has another plan in mind. The funniest of the acts, filled with increasingly outrageous slapstick moments, involves a young bride who, on the day of her wedding, locks herself in the suite’s bathroom and refuses to come out.
The first act will be comprised of five roles. The first is a supporting role of a mid-20s, polite, friendly, helpful Bellhop. The main couple for this act will be Karen and Sam Nash. Karen, a pleasant, affable woman, is 48 years old and makes no bones about it. Sam Nash is 50, trim, impeccably neat, measured, efficient, economic, and in denial. Sam’s 28-year-old secretary, Jean McCormack, is trim, attractive, neat, bright, cheerful, and efficient. There is also in a supporting role a middle-aged, polite, accommodating Waiter, who is also seen in Act II.
Second act tells the story of Jesse Kiplinger and Muriel Tate. Hollywood producer Kiplinger is 40, confident, self-assured and lonely. Muriel Tate is 30-some- thing, very attractive, warm, seemingly naive, nervous and vulnerable.
Act III starts with Norma Hubley, a middle-aged, nervous, easily upset woman. Norma is the mother of a bride who has barricaded herself in the bathroom. Norma’s husband, Roy Hubley, the father, is middleaged, volatile, ridiculously explosive and stingy. The roles of the young couple are both supporting roles. Groom Bordon Eisler is 20-30, down-to-earth, direct and steady. The bride Mimsey Hubley is 20-30, confused, frightened and recalcitrant.
For the audition, candidates do not need to bring prepared material. Everyone will be given numerous opportunities to audition for a variety of roles. Direction may be given, but since people will be allowed more than one opportunity, there should be no need to feel anxious about “getting it right the first time.” The audition will involve reading selected scenes from the script.
Initial auditions will take place at Horace Mann Middle School, 2820 Union Ave., Sheboygan, on Monday, Feb. 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m. If callbacks are required, they will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Scripts are available for loan through the theatre company’s office in the Community Recreation Department. They may be picked up Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., but must be returned to the Community Recreation Department by 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8.
“Plaza Suite” will run from March 19 to March 27 with rehearsals beginning Monday, Feb. 15. Over an eight-week period there will be approximately 24 rehearsals, the majority of which will be Monday through Friday, 6-10 p.m. There will be two weekend rehearsals on March 13 and 14.
For further information, contact the theatre company office at 459-3779.
