Casting Call: 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

Fearless Productions will hold auditions for "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Based on the Pulitzer-winning novel by Harper Lee, "To Kill a Mockingbird" depicts a racially charged time in the fictional town of Maycomb, Ala., through the eyes of a young girl and her slightly older brother. In the course of the story the girl's father, Atticus Finch, is called upon to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.

Auditions will be from 7 to 10 p.m. May 12 and May 14 at the Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving St, Rahway. Only adult parts are being auditioned at this time.

Prospective actors should complete an audition form.

Adult roles are:

Part	Age	Description
Jean Louise Finch Adult "Scout"	Mid-30s	The narrator of the play. She speaks directly to the audience often setting the scenes. She should appear to have a connection with the younger Scout.
Atticus Finch	40-50 years old	Atticus is Scout and Jem's father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. Genteel, reserved, honorable and quietly strong, Atticus is well-respected in the community. He is a loving father, but somewhat of a mystery to his children, and a part of their journey is a growing understanding and appreciation of him.
Calpurnia	50-60 years old	An African-American housekeeper and surrogate parent to Scout and Jem. She is strong, compassionate and proud. Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian and the children's bridge between the white world and her own black community.
Maude Atkinson	40-45 years old	The Finches' neighbor, a sharp-tongued widow, and an old friend of the family. She shares Atticus's passion for justice and is the children's best friend among Maycomb's adults. She is a pleasant and genteel single woman.
Stephanie Crawford	55-65 years old	A spinster neighbor of the Finch family. She is opinionated and unpleasant. She's a neighborhood gossip, and she enjoys it to the hilt.
Mrs. Dubose	60-80 years old	An elderly, ill-tempered, racist woman who lives near the Finches. She walks with difficulty, her pain making her biting and bitter.
Arthur "Boo" Radley	40-50 years old	A recluse who never sets foot outside his house, Boo dominates the imaginations of Jem, Scout, and Dill. He is a powerful symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud of creepiness, leaving little presents for Scout and Jem and emerging at an opportune moment to save the children.
Sheriff Heck Tate	45-50 years old	The sheriff of Maycomb and a major witness at Tom Robinson's trial. Heck is a decent man who tries to protect the innocent from danger. He is down to earth and steady.
Judge Taylor	55-70 years old	The smart, no-nonsense judge. He is a wintry man of the South who does what he can within the context of his time to see justice done in his court.
The Rev. Sykes	55-65 years old	A minister to the local African-American congregation who knows the town and its people well. He is an imposing man with a strong stage presence. He should have a strong minister's voice.
Mayella Ewell	18-22 years old	Bob Ewell's abused, lonely, eldest and unhappy daughter. She is ignorant, isolated and in total fear of her father.
Bob Ewell	45-50 years old	A drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb's poorest family. Ewell represents the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice. He is mean, dumb and extremely racist.
Walter Cunningham	45-50 years old	A poor hard-up farmer who shares the prejudices of this time and place but who is nevertheless a man who can be reached as a human being.
Mr. Gilmer	30-50 years old	He is a public prosecutor who is doing his job in trying to convict Tom Robinson. In many ways, his manner is cruel and hurtful. And yet under all this, he too has unexpressed doubts as to Tom's guilt, and his heart isn't really in this conviction.
Tom Robinson	25-35 years old	A strong and compassionate African-American man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Tom is handsome and vital, but with a left hand crippled by a childhood accident and held against his chest. There's an undercurrent in him of kindness, sensitivity, and consideration.
Helen Robinson	Mid-20s to early 30s	Tom Robinson's wife, dignified and fragile.
Nathan Radley	50-60 years old	Father of Boo Bradley, leathery and laconic. May be dubbed as Boo.
Extras	18 and older	Court spectators, Sykes' congregation members.

Performances will take place at the Hamilton Stage in the Union County Performing Arts Center, 360 Hamilton St., Rahway. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 19 to Oct. 5.

The show will be directed by Steve Lemenille and produced by Jessica Foerst.

'Rent' at Playhouse 22

"Rent" opens this Friday, May 2, at Playhouse 22.

A rock musical loosely based on Puccini’s "La Boheme," "Rent" follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical. This play deals with explicit subject matter and is intended for mature audiences.

The show features Michael Drake as Mark Cohen, Steven Leshchanka as Roger Davis, Mariella Klinger as Mimi, Darius Delk as Collins, Jose Arroyo as Angel, Melissa Javorek as Maureen, Samantha Chase Kestenbaum as Joanne, Jon Yearwood as Benny; and Jason Bracco, Dave Willenbrock, Andre Williams, Willy Mena, Elijah Stewart, Monae’ Idalis Torres, Jessica Bettie Zorn, Ashley Kraus, Katelyn Morgan, Kate Pentek, Rachel Zuckerman, Lia Marin as ensemble.

"Rent" will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays May 2-18. Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 per student or senior. To purchase tickets, click here. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'Meet Me in St. Louis'

The second night of auditions for "Meet Me in St. Louis" at Kelsey Theater approaches, and will take place from 1-5 p.m. May 4. Audition appointments are required.

Auditionees will need to bring a headshot, prepare a song as specified below, and prepare for a dance audition, as well as download an audition form here. Rehearsals will be 7-10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and 2-6 p.m. Sundays, as well on Tuesdays and Thursdays July 6-17.

Mr. Smith (40+)	A lawyer. Those auditioning for Mr. Smith should prepare either "Wasn't it Fun" (D flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Mrs. Smith (40+)	A loving mother. Those auditioning for Mrs. Smith should prepare either "Wasn't it Fun" (D flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Lon Smith (16+)	A Princeton freshman. Those auditioning for Lon should prepare either "Skip to my Lou" (F-A flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Rose Smith (16+)	Chic daughter. Those auditioning for Rose should prepare either "Skip to My Lou" (F-A flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Esther Smith (16+)	Has a lively personality. Those auditioning for Esther should prepare either "The Boy Next Door" (D flat) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Agnes Smith (12+)	A tomboy. Those auditioning for Agnes should prepare either "Under the Bamboo Tree" (F) or "Skip to my Lou" (F).
Tootie Smith (7+)	Has a bright outspoken personality. Those auditioning for Tootie should prepare either "Under the Bamboo Tree" (F) or "Skip to my Lou" (F).
Grandpa (60+)	Mrs. Smith's father and a Civil War veteran. A kindly person. Those auditioning for Grandpa should prepare "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Katie (50+)	Irish housemaid and cook. Those auditioning for Katie should prepare either "Touch of the Irish" (F-A flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
John Truitt (17+)	Athletic boy next door. Those auditioning for John should prepare either "You Are For Loving" (D flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Warren (17+)	Rose's beau. From a rich family. Those auditioning for Warren should prepare either "Skip to my Lou" (F-A flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Eve (16+)	Lon's date. The actor playing Eve will also do some ensemble singing and dancing. Those auditioning for Eve should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Postman (middle-aged)	Irish. Those auditioning for the postman should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Motorman-Trolley driver	Those auditioning for Motorman should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Various young men (to be played by multiple actors)	Clinton, Peewee, Sidney. Those auditioning for any of these three parts should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Ensemble (All ages 6+)	The ensemble will play trolley passengers, party guests, ballroom couples, and carolers. Those auditioning for the ensemble should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).

The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays from July 18-27. To make an appointment, contact directorkristydavis@gmail.com. Kelsey Theater is located on the Mercer County College Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

'Triple Play' at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre will be presenting the original baseball murder mystery "Triple Play."

Villagers Theatre will be presenting "Triple Play" this weekend only at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 each and available online.

"Triple Play" is an original murder mystery where all the events of the story take place in Cooperstown NY, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. After Detective Arthur Harris is suspended by the NYPD for acting outside the lines, he reluctantly decides to attend his surrogate father, John Simpson’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The night before the induction, John is found dead in his hotel room. Arthur suspects foul play but he is haunted by the death of his own father years ago and his only potential witness to John’s death is a ghost who is also trying to find his way around the hall of fame with some of the greatest ball players like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb.

Villagers Theater is located on 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ. The show will take place in the Villagers black box.

The show is written and directed by Tom Baldinger.

For more information call 732-873-2710.

Child Casting Call: 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

Fearless Productions will be holding auditions for the famous 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

Child auditions will be on April 24 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Edison Valley Playhouse, located on 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

To audition, please fill out the audition form.

 Child roles are:

Jean Louise Finch "Scout" 8 - 12	Scout is intelligent and, by the standards of her time and place, a tomboy. She is feisty, direct and innocent. She takes a journey of personal experience and understanding about her father, her town and the world that will help to shape her life. Her views on society, equality and fair play are colored by her interactions and experiences in depression-era Alabama. She is the protagonist of the story. Scout lives with her father, Atticus, her brother, Jem, and their black cook, Calpurnia, in Maycomb. Scout has a combative streak and a basic faith in the goodness of the people in her community. As the play progresses, this faith is tested by the hatred and prejudice that emerge during Tom Robinson’s trial. Scout eventually develops a more grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil.
Jeremy Finch "Jem"  12 - 14	Scout's brother, a bit older and constant playmate at the beginning of the story. Jem is something of a typical American boy, refusing to back down from dares and fantasizing about playing football. A bit older than Scout, he gradually separates himself from her games, but he remains her close companion and protector throughout the play. He is also trying to understand and connect with his father. Jem moves into adolescence during the story, and his ideals are shaken badly by the evil and injustice that he perceives during the trial of Tom Robinson.
Charles Harris "Dill" 10 - 13	Jem and Scout's summer neighbor and friend, but very different from Jem. He is a little neater, cleaner and displays a hint of sophistication that identifies him as something of an outsider to this rural community. Dill is a diminutive, confident boy with an active imagination. But he is readily accepted by Scout and Jem. He seems to be lacking something in his own home life, and is drawn to the Finch family relationships. At times he can appear wise beyond his years. He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of childhood innocence throughout the play.

Performances will take place at the Hamilton Stage in the Union County Performing Arts Center, located on 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway. It will run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The show will be directed by Steve Lemenille and produced by Jessica Foerst.

Commemorate Your Lost Loved Ones Through 'Falsettos'

Villagers Theatre  is inviting those who intend to attend "Falsettos" to send a list of names of their loved ones who have passed away from HIV/AIDS to director Darren Nye.

"Falsettos" revolves around a blended dysfunctional Jewish family in 1979 of Marvin, a bisexual, his lover Whizzer, Marvin's ex-wife Trina, their adolescent son Jason, the family's psychiatrist Mendel, and the friendly neighborhood lesbian couple next door. The men of the family are immature self-centered adolescents who are learning how to be adult men, partially for the sake of Jason who is taking his own march into manhood. Although much of "Falsettos" is light-hearted and humorous with laugh out loud moments, there is an HIV/AIDS theme within "Falsettos" as well.

During the run of the production, the theatre will memorialize as many names as possible, in a subdued manner in the background of the Falsettos set.

Please send the list and any questions to darren@villagerstheatre.com no later than April 30.

'The Scapegoat' at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre's will be holding a staged reading of Leroy Elliston Barry's "The Scapegoat".

The reading is at 7 p.m. on April 21 only. Admission is free.

“The Scapegoat” is based upon the true story of Captain Charles Butler McVay after the sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. McVay, with an unblemished and highly decorated 26 year career with the navy, finds himself being blamed for the sinking and is brought to trial with false accusations.

The reading is directed by Danielle Barry with a cast of John Pizzigoni, Larky Barnes, Greg Chornomaz, Jeff Maschi, Carl Leone, Eric Radell, Bill Fricke, Mike Schuller, Fred Halperin, Clinton Ambs, Shane Chandler, Jeff Bassman, and Kopan Pusztai.

Now Selling Subscriptions at Playhouse 22

Subscriptions for Playhouse 22's 2014-15 season are now on sale.

There are three deals available: Deluxe Package, which covers three shows, is $63 per adult and $57 per senior or student; Select Package covers four shows and is $80 per adult and $72 per senior or student; and Elite Package covers five shows and is $95 per adult and $85 per senior or student. These packages do not apply to "A Christmas Carol" or Playhouse 22's On the Edge series.

To purchase a subscription, click here or call (732)254-3939. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'Hairspray'

The Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company will be holding auditions for the musical "Hairspray".

Auditions will be on May 7 and May 8 from 7 - 10 p.m. Callbacks and auditions for college students by appointment only are on May 10 starting at 9 a.m. You can email roberta@smstc.org to schedule an appointment. Auditions take place at the theatre on 3018 Bordentown Avenue, Parlin, N.J. 08859.

To audition, please prepare a 16 bar musical selection in the style of the show. Bring your sheet music.
A piano accompanist will be provided. A iPod Dock will also be available. No acapella allowed. You may be asked to dance so dress in clothes that are comfortable for dancing in.

It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire -- to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her 'do! "Hairspray" is the winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and is a family-friendly musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs.

Roles are:

Tracy Turnblad	Our story's unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends.
Edna Turnblad	Tracy’s big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. Played by a male in drag.
Wilbur Turnblad	Tracy’s simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much.
Corny Collins	The charismatic host of The Corny Collins' Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera.
Link Larkin	The star heartthrob on Corny Collins’ show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy.
Amber Von Tussle	Link’s girlfriend and Tracy’s nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can’t dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention.
Velma Von Tussle	Amber’s mother and the director of Corny Collin’s show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing.
Motormouth Maybelle	Seaweed and Little Inez’s mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin’s Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident.
Penny Pingleton	Tracy’s best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother’s dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity.
Prudy Pingleton	Penny’s strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded.
Seaweed J. Stubbs	Tracy’s classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny.
Ensemble	Corny Collin's kids: Tammy, Brad, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley etc., as well as Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky, Gym Teacher, Matron, Principal, and Dynamites.

The show will perform from July 18 to 26, at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

"Hairspray" is written by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Mark O'Donnell, and Thomas Meehan. The show is based on the film by John Waters. This performance will be produced by Roberta Ferlita, directed by Ron Mancini, and musically directed by Nicole Barrow White.

'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company

The Sayreville Main Street Theatre Co. next month will present Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's "Jesus Christ Superstar."

The show runs from May 2-18, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays. There will be no show May 11.

The first collaboration between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be performed on the professional stage, "Jesus Christ Superstar" features such notable songs as "Superstar," "Everything's Alright" and "I Don't Know How To Love Him."

Set in two acts, "Jesus Christ Superstar" dramatizes the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the unrest caused by his preaching and popularity, his betrayal by Judas, the trial before Pontius Pilate, and his Crucifixion.


The show is produced by Peter Bobchin, directed by Vince Tinebra, musically directed by A.J. Meeker, and choreographed by Samantha Tirone.

Tickets are available online.

'Rent' at Playhouse 22

The hit musical "Rent" is coming to Playhouse 22 May 2.

A rock musical loosely based on Puccini’s "La Boheme," "Rent" follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical. This play deals with explicit subject matter and is intended for mature audiences.

The show features Michael Drake as Mark Cohen, Steven Leshchanka as Roger Davis, Mariella Klinger as Mimi, Darius Delk as Collins, Jose Arroyo as Angel, Melissa Javorek as Maureen, Samantha Chase Kestenbaum as Joanne, Jon Yearwood as Benny; and Jason Bracco, Dave Willenbrock, Andre Williams, Willy Mena, Elijah Stewart, Monae’ Idalis Torres, Jessica Bettie Zorn, Ashley Kraus, Katelyn Morgan, Kate Pentek, Rachel Zuckerman, Lia Marin as ensemble.

"Rent" will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays May 2-18. Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 per student or senior. To purchase tickets, click here. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Tricky Tray fund-raiser aids Playhouse 22

Want to help a community theater?

Playhouse 22 will hold its second annual Tricky Tray fund-raiser at East Brunswick High School on May 10. Tickets cost $15.

The admission price includes a sheet of level one tickets, either coffee or tea, and dessert. There will be a basket drawing and 50/50 tickets available there. Prizes include gift certificates to local eateries and show tickets.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Calling of tickets will begin at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets to attend the event, click here. Ticket orders of 10 will be guaranteed a table reservation.

All proceeds go to Playhouse 22’s ticket-price initiative. East Brunswick High School is located at 380 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

'Love Letters' at Playhouse 22

This weekend, Playhouse 22 will present "Love Letters," by A.R. Gurney.

The play centers on two characters, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Ladd, as they sit side by side at tables and read the notes, letters and cards exchanged over nearly 50 years. The couple discusses their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats, that have passed between them throughout their separated lives. The show runs at 8 p.m. April 11-13.

Tickets cost $15 and are all of a buy one, get one free nature. To buy tickets, click here. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Cabaret at Plays-in-the-Park

The Friends of Plays-in-the-Park will be holding it's second annual cabaret.

The event will take place on April 25 and 26 at 109 Morrisey Ave, Avenel, NJ. Doors open at 6:30 and the performance starts at 7:30. Tickets are $25 each, or $175 for a table for eight. To pay you can mail cash to FPIP, Po Box 2281 Edison, NJ 08818 or pay a check to The Friends of Plays-in-the-Park.

 It will be an evening of entertainment from many favorite Plays-in-the-Park performers. Light snacks will be provided and guests are welcome to bring their own snacks.

For information and reservations call Carol Hogrebe at (732) 636-5718 or email Valerie Slade at valandirv@optonline.net.

Actor Needed for 'Scapegoat' at Villagers Theatre

Villagers theatre is looking for an adult Asian actor for a staged reading of "Scapegoat."

Scapegoat is a play written by Leroy Barry about the court martial of Captain Charles Butler McVay after the sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945.  McVay with an unblemished and highly decorated 26 year career with the Navy finds himself being blamed for the sinking and is brought to trial with false accusations. This piece is based on a true story.

The role needed is Commander Hashimoto, a strict and curious commander. If you are interested in this role, please send an email to NewPlaywrightsSeries@yahoo.com.

There is a rehearsal on April 10 and a performance on April 21. The show is directed by Danielle Barry.