Chester Theatre Group

We’re having auditions for Tim Kelly’s adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tale The Hound of the Baskervilles on Sunday, August 2nd and Tuesday, August 4th at 7pm at the Black River Playhouse.  The show runs weekends in October, 2009.

This is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most spine-tingling mystery, featuring his most famous detective, adapted for the stage with plenty of suspense, humor, and ultimate terror. Sir Henry has become heir to the vast Baskerville fortune, a legacy that comes complete with a family curse – death at the fangs of a living horror prowling the English moor. Not knowing who to trust, a family confidant enlists the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. As suspicions grow and long lost family secrets are reveled, the true source of this age old curse only becomes more disturbing. From nosy neighbors to shifty house servants, Holmes and Watson are put to their ultimate test in trying to save the young Barron’s life.

The production is directed by Chris Mortensen, and readings will be from the script.  The rehearsal schedule will be determined by the cast’s availability.

Characters

Sherlock Holmes (30s-40s) The Famed private investigator interested in bizarre cases. A master at detection. a genius among geniuses.

Dr. Watson (30s-40s) Mr. Holmes’ colleague. A man fascinated by mysteries and his friend’s ability to solve them. Loyal to the end, and cleaver enough in his own right.

Sir Henry (20s-30s) A young man who’s just inherited the entire Baskerville fortune, and the curse which goes along with it. A fully capable gentleman, even he finds himself struggling to keep his head above water in his new situation.

Lady Agatha Mortimer (40s-50s) A medical doctor and old friend to Dr. Watson. A forceful woman who has an invested interest in the outcome of the case, yet does not escape suspicion herself.

Perkins (20s) A young simple girl from the village who has been employed as a maid at Baskerville Hall. Her innocence and ignorance would seem to save her from suspicion.

Barrymore (60s) The Butler. An older gentleman who has been in service at Baskerville Hall for many years, ranging back to his own childhood. A sinister old coot who is not always forthright with his information. But a capable servant non-the-less and devoted to his wife.

Mrs. Barrymore (60s) The housekeeper. A quirky old woman who, like her husband, has spent most of her days at Baskerville Hall. Her loyalty to the family of Baskervilles is unmistakable, yet she does hold close to her own secrets.

Kathy Stapleton (20s-30s) A vivacious young woman who attracts every man she comes in contact with. Always smiling and full of energy…not that she doesn’t have her own demons to deal with as well.

Jack Stapleton (30s) Kathy’s brother. A somewhat simpleminded fellow, very into his butterfly collection. Country life suits him well, although he is prone to emotional outbursts.

Laura Lyons (30s) A fully capable young woman who was forced to make her own way in life. Self sufficient and focused, she holds tight to a dangerous secret.

CTG is holding open auditions for Nine, book by Arthur Kopit, adapted from the Italian by Mario Fratti, music by Maury Yeston, to be performed weekends from Friday, June 26 through Sunday, July 19, 2009

No performance on July 4.

The production is being Clifford Parrish is directing as well as providing musical direction; Jeffrey Fiorello is assistant directing and Mark Happell is serving as producer and designer.

Auditions: Sunday, March 8, 3 pm till 5:30 pm.

Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 pm until 9:30 pm

For information, please call: Clifford Parrish, (908) 696 – 0411

Cast Requirements:

Guido Contini (tenor): a director/movie star who is turning 40. 

Young Guido and 3 School Mates: 4 young boys, unchanged voices. 

20 women who play age 20 and up. All vocal ranges, with choral experience preferred.

Louisa Contini, his wife (mezzo/belt)

Carla, his sexy mistress (extreme range: belt to legit soprano)

Claudia, his movie star muse  (soprano, with low extension)

Guido’s mother, older (soprano)

Liliane LaFleur, his French producer (mezzo/belt)

Stephanie Necrophorus, critic (belt)

Our Lady of the Spa (mezzo)

Mama Maddelena (mezzo, comic)

Sarraghina, a local whore (mezzo/belt)

Lina Darling, Liliane’s assistant

Up to 11 female ensemble members, sopranos and altos, are featured in various numbers.

NO roles are precast!  All are welcome.

Chester Theatre Group, in residence at Black River Playhouse, announces auditions for the American premiere of IMPROBABLE FICTION by Alan Ayckbourn, a fast-paced look at a writer’s circle that suffers from collective writer’s block – until their creations come comically to life onstage!  Auditions will take place on Sunday, February 22nd at 2pm and Tuesday, February 24th at 7:30pm.

The cast consists of three men and four women ages 18 to 65.

Arnold (Male, 35-50) – a genial everyman who hosts the group; writes instruction booklets

Ilsa (Female, 18-25) – attractive young woman; tends to Arnold’s mother during the meetings

Brevis (Male, 60′s) – irascible former school teacher; writes musical comedy

Grace (Female, 40′s) – pale and fraught housewife and mother; writes and illustrates children’s stories

Vivvi (Female, 30′s) – effusive and attractive; writes 1930′s detective fiction

Clem (Male, 30′s) – awkward nerd; writes science fiction

Jess (Female, 40′s) - outdoorsy farmer; writes Victorian melodrama

All roles are available.  Performers should have proficiency with English dialect.  Audition will consist of script recitations.  Michael T. Mooney of Budd Lake directs the play.

Performances are in May 2009. The Black River Playhouse is located on the corner of Grove and Maple Streets in Chester, NJ.   For further information call 908.879.7304.

The Chester Theatre Group will be holding auditions for their March 2009 production of RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire.  Auditions will be held on Sunday afternoon, November 23rd at 2:00pm and on Tuesday evening, November 25th at 7:30pm at the Black River Playhouse located on the corner of Grove and Maple Streets in Chester, NJ.

The plot of this 2007 Pulitizer Prize winning play centers on the impact the accidental killing of a small child has on family dynamics and on the road toward domestic redemption.

The production is to be directed by Jay Mills.  Mr. Mills is a veteran director who has helmed several other productions at CTG including; Three Tall Women, Proof and I Hate Hamlet.  Prepared monologues are unnecessary as readings will be from the script.  Character breakdowns are as follows:

Becca. (Mid-30s to Early-40s) – A one-time Sotheby’s employee turned self-contained, order-obsessed, stay-at-home mom

Izzy (Early to Mid-30s) – Becca’s all-too-lively sister

Howie (Mid-30s to Early-40s) – Becca’s caring husband

Nat (Late-50s to Early-60s) – Becca and Izzy’s overbearing but compassionate mother

Jason (must play late teens) – Guilt-ridden High School student

If callbacks are necessary a date will be determined.  Rehearsals will be weeknights and weekend afternoons based on availability.  Production dates are Fridays and Saturdays March 6^th, 7^th, 13^th, 14^th, 20^th and 21^st at 8:00 p.m. with a scheduled matinee on Sunday, March 15^th at 2:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please leave a message at the theater box office at 908-879-7304.< -->

The Chester Theatre Group will be holding auditions for “Home For The Holidays: A Musical Revue.”  This original revue is a compilation of both standard holiday music and holiday-themed musical numbers from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and will have musical direction by Jim Horan and stage direction by Mary Saarmann.

Performance dates for the show are Friday and Saturday evenings 12/5 and 12/6 at 8:00 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on 12/7 at 2:00 p.m.

Ms. Saarmann and Mr. Horan are looking for a minimum of 8 adult singers of all voice ranges who will be singing both solo and group numbers with arrangements by Mr. Horan.

Auditions will be held on Sunday 10/5 at 2:00 pm and Tuesday 10/7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Black River Playhouse on the corner of Grove and Maple Streets in Chester, NJ.

Those auditioning are asked to bring music for either a standard holiday song or Broadway show tune in their key. An accompanist will be provided. Performers should also come prepared for a movement audition.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact leave a message at the theater box office at 908-879-7304.