Casting Call: 'A Man of No Importance'

There will be open auditions in August for the musical "A Man of No Importance" at Edison Valley Playhouse.

The show is based on the 1994 Albert Finney movie of the same name, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty and book by Terrence McNally. Actors should be extremely proficient with an Irish accent. All must be excellent actors, good singers and decent movers.

Written by the author of "The Full Monty" and "Corpus Christi," this musical tells the story of Alfie Byrne, a middle-aged Dublin bus conductor who lives with his spinster sister and reads poetry out loud to his enraptured regular passengers on the bus.

Alfie has three great passions. One is poetry. Another is the theater, and his amateur troupe who rehearse and perform in the church basement of St. Imelda's Catholic church. His third, secret, passion is for the driver of the bus, handsome young Robbie. But in 1964 Ireland, Alfie's is a love that dare not speak its name.

An ardent fan of Oscar Wilde, Alfie is determined to stage a version of "Salome" with the St. Imelda's Players, until he runs afoul of the church authorities for putting on a dirty play. As he fights for the play, Alfie finds his longing for life finally outweighing his fears and repressions, and he takes his stand for art, poetry and love.

Working on the show are director Brian Remo, musical director Bruce Delacruz and choreographer Susan Zuckerman.

Auditions will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 19 and Aug. 20. Callbacks, if needed, will be on Aug. 21. Prepare 16-32 bars of a musical theatre song in the style of Ahrens and Flaherty. Please bring sheet music in the correct key. Have a second song ready that showcases your talent and vocal ability if requested. Sides will be provided.

The Historic Edison Valley Playhouse is located at  2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 7-22, 2014, and 2 p.m. March 16.

For more information, contact Remo at brianremo@gmail.com.

Alfie Byrne	Male, 38-50 years old	A Dublin bus conductor struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Lover of books and poetry, he is also an amateur theater director. He's a dreamer who seeks to elevate the world around him. Must be an excellent actor. Baritone.
Lily Byrne	Female, late 30s-50s.	Alfie's older unmarried sister; the protector of her younger brother. Unlike her brother, the dreamer, she contents herself with the mundane of the world and the safety of their flat. She's a bit of a boozer and couch potato. Mezzo soprano.
Robbie Faye	Male, 20s.	The handsome bus driver with whom Alfie is secretly in love with. He is a rebel: his poetry comes from the streets, not books. There is something sexually dangerous and exciting about him. An Irish James Dean. Strong tenor.
Adele Rice	Female 20s.	A pretty country girl. Hesitant and shy. She has an elegant simplicity about her. Alfie talks her into taking the leading role in his production of Oscar Wilde's Salome. Soprano.
William Carney	Male, 40s-50s.	A butcher who is Alfie's next-door neighbor. He is stubborn and egocentric. A stage-struck hypocrite and moral champion of the church. He betrays Alfie and shuts down the production of "Salome," branding it obscene. He is also Lily's gentleman friend. Lyrical baritone-tenor.
William "Baldy" O'Shea	Male, 50s-70s	Thus named for his lack of hair. A retired Publican, he is the stage manager of the St. Imelda's Players. Crusty and acerbic, he calls it like he sees it, but underneath has a heart of gold. Lyrical baritone-tenor.
Father Kenny	Male, 40s-60s	Father Kenny is the often-preoccupied Priest of St. Imelda's. Has a sharp wit but is not unsympathetic to Alfie and the Players. Spoken role.
Mr. Carson	Male, 40s-60s	He is Alfie's supervisor at the Dublin Bus Company. He's a stickler for rules and is a suspicious, unimaginative human being. Spoken role.
Mrs. Margaret Grace	Female, 40s-60s	She is an imperious and imposing woman who is used to getting her way as the "first lady of the St. Imelda's Players. Full figured. Mezzo soprano.
Miss Una Crowe	Female, mid-30s-mid-50s.	A timid spinster who has a crush on Alfie. She played Peter Pan at age 22 and has become a character actress. Soprano-mezzo soprano.
Mrs. Patrick	Female, late 30s-40s	Mrs. Patrick is a attractive, elegant, married woman who, although devout, is having an affair with Robbie. Strong soprano.
Kitty Farelly	Female, late 30s-40s	Kitty Farelly is an earthy, cigar-smoking bartender at the local bar. Spoken role.
Mrs. Maureen Curtain	Female, 30s-50s	A former child star of the Dublin Music Hall, she is now married and has nine children of her own. "Show Business" is in her veins. Must be a strong tap dancer. Alto-mezzo soprano.
Sully O'Hara	Male, 20s.	An unemployed, awkward loner who is making his theatrical debut with this production. Tenor.
Ernest Lally	Male, late 20s-30s	A nervous, small man who serves as the prop man and reveres Alfie. Baritone or tenor.
Rasher Flynn	Male, 30s-60s	An ex-all Ireland gymnast, now a drinker and smoker. Simple yet enthusiastic. Any range.
Peter "Breton Beret"	Male, 20s	Peter is a wannabe rock musician who now toils as the janitor of St. Imelda's. Breton Beret is his alterego, named because of his headwear. He is a sexy and tough rent boy. Tenor.
Oscar Wilde	Male, 30s-40s	The famous Dublin-born playwright, poet and wit whose "Salome" is what Alfie attempts to stage. This Oscar Wilde is at the height of his career and a figment of Alfie's imagination. Need not sing.
Dancers		Looking for experienced dancers, experienced in or willing to learn Celtic dance.