Casting Call: 'Rumors'

Yardley Players will hold auditions by appointment only at Kelsey Theater for "Rumors" by Neil Simon in about a month.

At a large, tastefully appointed Sneden's Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken and wife Chris must get "the story" straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.

Auditionees should prepare a one-minute comedic monologue. Those auditioning for Lenny will read his monologue. There will be cold readings from the script. Appointments are required.

Ken Gorman (mid-30s-60)	A well-to-do lawyer. Wealthy, but by no means pretentious. Takes charge of the situation. Married to Chris. Halfway through the show, a gunshot causes his temporary deafness.
Chris Gorman (mid-30s-60)	Another lawyer, married to Ken. Beautiful, easily flustered. Frantically tries to maintain normalcy at the party. Has recently quit smoking, which drives her to drink a bit more.
Lenny Ganz (Late 30s-60)	A wealthy accountant, distraught over the recent destruction over his new car. Starts the show with an extreme case of whiplash. Intolerant of the gossipy-lifestyle that he is often involved in.
Claire Ganz (Late 30s-60)	Lenny's wife. Very concerned with appearances (hers and others'). Starts the play with a swollen lip. Likes to gossip.
Ernie Cusack (30-60+)	a psychiatrist. Affable, smokes a pipe. Loves his wife very much. Tries to be as helpful as possible cooking the evening's dinner.
Cookie Cusack (30-60)	Has her own cooking show. Suffers from extreme back spasms. Loves her husband very much. A bit absent-minded at times.
Glenn Cooper (30-60+)	A handsome man running for State Senate. Worried about his own reputation. Struggles with placating his wife, who is convinced he is having an affair, which may or may not be true.
Cassie Cooper (30-50)	Glenn's beautiful wife. Obsesses over her husband's relationships with other women. Quick to anger. Must rub her quartz crystal to calm herself down.
Officer Welch (male, 30-60+)	A city police officer having a rough night. Does not tolerate lying. Sees through the "classy" façade that these high-society types put up.
Officer Pudney (female, 30-60+)	Welch's partner. A strong but silent type.

Auditions will occur from 1-4 p.m. August 22 and 23 at the CM building adjacent to Kelsey Theater. Rehearsals are planned to be at 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. Sundays. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays October 23-November 1.

To make an appointment, call (215)945-4114. Kelsey Theater is located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Summer Program Registration at Cranford Dramatic Club

Looking for something for the kids to do as summer comes to an end? Apply for "Future Stars" at the Cranford Dramatic Club.

The program will run 1-4 p.m. August 10-14. The program is targeted at children aged 7-12.

The program costs $250 for one child and $200 for each additional child. This price includes two tickets to the Friday Showcase. To view the registration form, click here. The deadline for reservations is July 31. To make a reservation, return the form and payment to PO Box 511, Cranford, NJ. 07016.
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For more information, contact info@cdctheatre.org. The theater is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

'Glengarry Glen Ross' All Female Reading at Circle Players

Circle Players will hold an all female reading of "Glengarry Glen Ross."


No reservations are required. Admission is $5 at the door. The reading will take place at 8 p.m. on June 28. Latecomers will not be seated.

Winner of the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, "Glengarry Glen Ross" is perhaps the most commonly done play of David Mamet's, with two runs on Broadway and a film adaptation. The show follows small-time, cutthroat real estate salesmen trying to grind out a living by pushing plots on reluctant buyers jn a never-ending scramble for their fair share of the American dream.

The reading will feature Cody Dalton as Levene, Alicia Harabin as Williamson, Faith Dowgin as Moss, Lisa Sudfield as Aaronow, Jessica Sherman as Roma, Kristen Umansky as Lingk, and Heidi Hart as Baylen.

'The Who's Tommy' at Villagers Theatre

A production of the rock musical "The Who's Tommy" will open this weekend at Villagers Theatre.

The show will be performed at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays, running from July 24 to August 9. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased here. Group rates are available.

After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother's lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. As an adolescent, he's discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.

This production is produced by Donna Kimberlin, directed by Corey Rubel, musically directed by David Neil and Francois Suhr, choreographed by Jillian Kimberlin, and stage managed by Jack Tomy, with assistant directors Emma Howard and Eddie Nograd, assistant music director Daniel Gittler, and assistant stage manager Shannon Olsen.

It stars Christian Confalone as Tommy Walker, Alana Rae Sackman as Mrs. Walker, Carlos Alcala as Captain Walker, Eric Bermudez as Cousin Kevin, Connor McKenna as Uncle Ernie and Specialist, Ben Michaele as Lover, Peter Toto as Hawker, Christina Buz as Harmonica Player, Sandy Buz as Gypsy, Ricky Francese, Christiana Alicante, and Kate Wolfel as Pinball Lads, Katherine Alcala as Sally Simpson, and Francesca Marina, Alex Mandalakis, Will Howitt, Lia Marin, Tyler Deleo, Catherine Circonciso, and Krystle Danza as the ensemble.

'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Plays-in-the-Park

Plays-in-the-Park presents Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Jesus Chris Superstar."

The show runs from July 29 to August 8, with no performance on August 2. Every performance will start at 8:30 p.m. The July 31 performance will feature an audio description, the August 3 performance will feature open captioning, and there will be sign language interpretation available August 5. The rain dates for each of these special performances is the day after the original date.

Tickets must be purchased the day of the performance at the theater. They are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and free for children 12 and under. Please bring your own seating, as it is an outdoor production.

It is directed by John Menter, choreographed by Samantha Hahn, musically directed by Mark Baron, and stage managed by Alan Van Antwerp and Myra Rivera, with a set by Mike D'Arcy, costumes by Carolyn McCaffrey, lighting by Roman Klima, sound design by Matt Boyle, and wigs and hair design by Nance Coffaro.

"Jesus Christ Superstar" stars Matt DeMarco as Jesus Christ, Timothy Walton as Judas Iscariot, Dana Simone as Mary Magdalene, Matt Burns as Pontius Pilate, Richard Colona as King Herod, Gregory Newton as Caiaphas, Frank Andrews as Annas, Israel Roman as Simon, and Greg Archer as Peter, with an ensemble featuring Richard Colona, Leo DaSilva, Travis Head, Julian Baro, Aaron Cafaro, Dylan Coker, Frank Guerriero, Evan Krug, Willy Mena, Matt Petrucelli, Samantha Cantaffa, Deanna Flanagan, Melissa Hunt, Beth Koperwhats, Jackie Neill, Susie Paplow, Taylor Patullo, Rebecca Phillips, Danielle Rudnick and Jessica Zimmerma,Tyler Barnick, and CJ Carter.]

Casting Call: 'La Cage Aux Folles'

Villagers Theatre will hold auditions for Harvey Fierstein's 'La Cage Aux Folles.'

Auditions will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 25 and August 1. Please prepare a song in the style of the show and wear comfortable clothes for dancing in. Please bring heels, tap shoes, and jazz shoes if you have them. Callbacks will be held at 6 p.m. on August 9.


Georges is the owner of a popular drag nightclub. Albin, the love of Georges life appears as Zaza, the star of the club's nightly extravaganza. The couple has raised Georges' son, Jean-Michel, his mother having left some time ago. Life is lovely until Jean-Michel announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative politician intent on putting an end to the local gay night life. At a meet the parents dinner in their home adjoining the club, Georges and Albin attempt to create the facade of a "normal" family. However, this proves increasingly difficult and more hilarious as the evening wears on.

Roles are:

Albin	A performer of star quality, mature; great powerhouse of a Broadway voice; fine comic actor
Georges	A star, mature and attractive; good singer; energetic; loving and caring; must move well
Jean-Michel	Must appear to be 20 years old, handsome, brunette, masculine,well-mannered,educated,desperately in love with his fiancee, Annie, lyric baritone who acts, sings, and moves well.
Jacob	Black male butler/maid in his early 20's, brilliant comedian who sings and moves well
Anne	18-21 years old; Jean Michel's fiancee; lovely to look at; spunky, a superb dancer who acts well.
Dindon	Anne's father; right-wing radical politician; pompous; quirky; must sing, move well, and be a fine comedian
Marie Dindon	Anne's mother, 48-52 years old, shy, retiring, sexually repressed and sex -starved, good singer and actress who moves well; must look great in a leotard for the finale.
Jacqueline	Mature, female friend of Georges and Albin; owns a chic restaurant, attractive, charming; very theatrical; not necessarily a singer
Renaud	Mature, male friend of Georges and Albin, owns a small cafe
Francis	Male stage manager in Georges' club; strong actor/dancer
Cagelles	7 to 11 people needed. Chorus line of men in drag - will also cast at least one woman possibly two - tap skills a must)
Ensemble	4 to 6 singers and dancers

The show will be produced by Sherry Lilenfield and Lindo Giordano, directed by Brian Remo, musically directed by David Maglione, choreographed by Megan Lahiff Ferentinos, and stage managed by Bree Guell.

Rehearsals will be held frequently between September 13 and November 5, with performances from November 6 to 22.

Now Selling Subscriptions at Playhouse 22

Season subscriptions and tickets are now available at Playhouse 22.

There are three subscription types 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. Shows eligible for season subscriptions are "The Producers", "A Few Good Men", "The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", "Lost in Yonkers", and "1776". Not applicable for the season subscriptions is "A Christmas Carol".

Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 per senior or student.

To purchase a subscription or tickets, click here and here, respectively. For more information, contact  boxoffice@playhouse22.org or call (732)254-3939. Playhouse 22 is located on 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'Aladdin Jr.'

Plays-in-the-Park will hold auditions for Disney's "Aladdin Jr."

Auditions will be held at the theater at 1 p.m. on July 11. Music and sides are provided here for those auditioning for Aladdin, here for those auditioning for any other male role, and here for those auditioning for Jasmine. An accompanist will be provided at the audition. Please wear comfortable dancing clothes. All auditionees must be 17 or older.

Aladdin	The charming, slick prankster who carries the show. He's a poor 'street rat' who, despite his social status, falls in love with the princess, Jasmine.
Genie	The fast-talking, scene-stealing, comic relief. He's larger than life.
Jasmine	The feisty and rebellious princess who is genuinely sweet and can sometimes be naive. She has strong opinions, is fiercely independent, and "is not a prize to be won".
Sultan	Jasmine's father who's a bit scattered but deeply loves his daughter. The ruler of the land. He is torn between doing what his daughter wants, and what is traditional.
Jafar	The evil villain who wants to become Sultan. He is extremely power-hungry, and a caricature of the classic evil villain.
Iago	Jafar's sarcastic side kick. Good comic timing. He/she is feisty and always has a good quip when Jafar is ignoring him/her. Male or female.
Razoul	Jafar's incompetent guard.
Ensemble	2 men and 2 women who play various parts. Should be able to sing and dance well. Will play villagers, guards, etc.

Rehearsals will take place throughout September, and the show will perform at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on October 10, 11, 17, 18, and 24.

'Oklahoma!' at Plays-in-the-Park

Plays-in-the-Park presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical, "Oklahoma!"

Performances will take place at 8:30 p.m. on July 8 - 11 and July 15 - 18. There will be additional performances at 7:30 p.m. on July 13 and 14. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (60+), and free for children (12 and under). Audience members must provide their own seating, as it is an outdoor theater. You can also rent lawn chairs from Friends of Plays-in-the-Park the day of the show.

There will be an audio description performance on July 10, an open captioned performance on July 9, and a performance with sign language interpretation on July 15. If any of these days rains out, the special performance will be held the day after.

The show is directed by Moggie Davis, choreographed by Lorinda Haver, musically directed by Warren Helms, and stage manged by Kaitlyn O'Leary and Haley Kisly, with a set by Mike D'Arcy, costumes by Lauren Ahr, lights by Romn Klima, sound design by Matt Boyle, and wigs and hair design by Monique Rance.

It stars Andy Martinez as Curly, Shannen Doyle as Laureym Pat Powers as Aunt Eller, Matt Robert as Will Parker, Sarah Caldwell as Ado Annie, Matt Lafargue as Jud Fry, Jeff O'Neill as Ali Hakim, Dan Cook as Andrew Carnes, Frank Norek as Cord Elam, Devin Bailey Griffin as Gertie Cummings, Brian Ust as Dream Curly, and Heather Wilson as Dream Laurey, with an ensemble featuring Kyra Bowie, Shannon Grahan, Kelcie Haver, Lauren Frazier, Arielle Ostry, Lori Young, Amanda Feliciano, Joanna Karausz,  Kristen Kane, Kira Gavalakis, Camille Vanasse, Rachel Sherman, Arlene Britt, Sandye Rudnitzky, Angela Dohl, Michael T. Balseiro, Peter Lo Ricco, Danny Sims, Michael Korner, Kyle Garcia, Jake Forrestal, and Abe Vorensky.

Casting Call: 'The Fantasticks'

PinnWorth of Kelsey Theater will hold auditions for "The Fantasticks" in a few days.

The show is about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall. The narrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart, and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo's words that "without a hurt, the heart is hollow".

Auditionees should prepare 16-32 bars of music and a two-to-three-minute monologue, not from the show, that reflects whichever character they choose to audition for. A resumé is also advisable.

Luisa (teen, soprano, B3-C6)	As a young lover, she is in love. She is in love with love, the idea of love, the idea of being in love and indeed everything remotely romantic. Her dreams are more fanciful than those of Matt. Because of her particular vision of romance, she deals with the world on a particularly naïve level.
Matt (teen-early 20s, lyrical baritone, low A-G4)	As a young lover, he is deeply in love, particularly with the idea of being in love. He lacks experience in the world so, while not stupid, he is naïve and perhaps even foolish at times. His image of a young man in love is one of a gallant protector, meaning that he approaches some decisions with a falsified bravery that is little more than bravado.
Hucklebee (middle-aged, baritone)	Luisa's father.
Bellomy (middle-aged, baritone, low A-G4)	Matt's father. He and Hucklebee are always arguing and bickering, but secretly plotting together for the marriage of their children.
Henry and Mortimer (middle-aged and up, nonsinging)	Foolish comic actors who move the action while not seeming to contribute anything of substance. As performers their day has long past. Henry can play grand characters and recite Shakespeare, but with very little success these days. May be asked to speak in an English accent. Mortimer’s specialty is dying on stage in the manner of great adventures and melodramas. Henry and Mortimer function as a unit and rarely appear apart from each other. They are entirely theatrical and theirs is the world of the stage.
El Gallo (20s-30s, baritone, low A-G4)	The narrator, the liaison between the audience and the action onstage. He is warm, cordial, and inviting to the audience, yet with darker moments. His attitude toward the rest of the cast reveals a decidedly mysterious side. Above all he is grand and must command attention.
The Mute	El Gallo's mute assistant. Age and gender are flexible.

Auditions will take place in two sessions from 7-8:30 p.m. and from 8:30-10 p.m. July 6, 7 and 13. Callbacks will occur from 7-10 p.m. July 14. Summer rehersals are flexible, with no weekends. The show will run Fridays through Sundays Sept. 25 through Oct. 4. The show will be directed by LouJ Stalsworth.

For more information, or to make an audition appointment, contact thefantasticks_kelseytheatre@yahoo.com. Kelsey Theater is located on the Middlesex County Community College campus on 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Casting Call: 'Violet'

Kelsey Theater's Pennington Players will hold auditions for "Violet" late next month.

As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward ax blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved she's traveling across the 1964 Deep South towards a miracle, the healing touch of a TV evangelist that will make her beautiful. Though she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those that are lying deeper than her skin; and on the way she meets a young African-American soldier whose love for her reaches far past her physical "imperfections".

Auditionees should prepare a complete song from musical theater with sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. No dancing will be required at the initial audition. Generally actors 16 or older will be considered for the parts, although a younger actor will be needed to play Young Vi.

Preliminary auditions will be held from 7-10 p.m. August 19 and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. August 22. Callbacks, if necessary, will be held tentatively August 26 and/or 29. Appointments are strongly recommended.

Violet (mezzo soprano with very strong high belt)	The protagonist. Carries a scar from a childhood injury; the degree of her deformity is uncertain to us but is certainly drastic to her. She is 25 years old, but a life of worry has left her looking older and wearier. Cynical but not yet bitter, reserved but not yet withdrawn, Violet is an observer and a chronicler. She hasn't yet given up the hope that she might get to participate in the world at some point, but her hope is flickering. An outstanding singer and actor with wide vocal range and considerable physical and vocal stamina is needed, as Violet does not leave the stage for the run time of the show. The actor playing this role needs a North Carolina Southern accent.
Grady "Flick" Fliggins (tenor)	An African-American U.S. Army Sergeant in his late 20s. He is black man traveling through the American South in the early 1960s, with all that implies about his life and experiences. Flick is stable, direct, easy-going, and perceptive. He has a "seize the day" philosophy that he only sometimes actually puts into practice. Dynamic singer needed.
Monty Harrill (baritone)	A white Army paratrooper in his early 20s, Monty is brash, arrogant, impulsive, immature, and loud, but an essentially good and decent person, which makes the overall package charming rather than repellent. A charismatic and energetic performer with a strong high baritone sound is needed for this role.
Young Vi (belter)	Violet as she was at age 13, forever frozen in time at the moment of her injury. She is inquisitive and aggressive, and utterly unintimidated by anything or anyone.
Father (baritone)	Violet's father, a widower in his late 30s. He is a plain man who achieved and then lost his plain dreams, leaving him constantly a little sad and a little anxious. He is uneducated but not ignorant, and strongly convinced of the value of education.
Female Ensemble Member 1 (mezzo-soprano)	Among others, plays the old lady and a hotel singer. As the old lady, plays a woman in her sixties who serves as a sort of guardian angel and Greek chorus for Violet as she travels, sharp-witted and quintessentially Southern. Also plays a much younger dissolute hotel singer of questionable virtue. A very versatile performer with a wide vocal range who can hold harmony is needed for this role.
Female Ensemble Member 2 (mezzo-soprano)	Among others, plays Mabel and a music hall singer. Needs a powerful voice for a lengthy Gospel solo, as well as a second jazz solo.
Male Ensemble Member 1 (bass-baritone)	Among others, plays the preacher, bus driver, and radio singer. As the preacher, he is slick and cynical but not without true faith, a man in his late 30s or beyond.
Male Ensemble Member 2 (tenor)	Among others, plays the radio soloist, Leroy Evans, a waiter, and Earl. As the radio soloist, is a country singer with a gentle sound.
Male Ensemble Member 3 (male, baritone)	Among others, plays Virgil, a radio singer, and a bus driver. Virgil is the Preacher's neurotic and overwhelmed stage manager, in his mid-to-late 20s or early 30s.
Female Ensemble Member 3 (soprano)	Among other roles, plays the landlady, an African-American woman in her 30s or 40s, jaded and sharp; and a gospel soloist.

Rehearsals are projected to commence in early September and occur three to four times per week until the show opens. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 6-15.

To make an audition appointment, click here or call (609)737-7529. Auditions will take place in the Communications building next to Kelsey Theater. Both are located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Casting Call: 'Around the World in 80 Days'

Kelsey Theater's Maurer Productions will hold auditions for "Around the World in 80 Days".

Adapted from the book of the same name by Jules Verne, the show features Phileas Fogg, who has agreed to an outrageous wager that puts his fortune and his life at risk. With his resourceful servant Passepartout, Fogg sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. But his every step is dogged by a detective who thinks he's a robber on the run. Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in this whirlwind of a show as five actors portraying 40 characters traverse seven continents.

Those seeking to audition should click here.

Actor 1 (20s–50s, male)	This actor plays Gauthier Ralph, a member of the Reform Club; a British consul in Suez, France; the director of the Bombay Police; a high priest of an Indian temple; Sir Francis, a train passenger; Judge Obadiah of the British court in Calcutta; a Chinese broker; a ship clerk on the steam ship Carnatic; Captain Bunsby; Colonel Proctor, an American of little thought and much action; an American train engineer; Mudge, a mysterious hermit with a sledge; a New York harbor steamship clerk; Speedy, captain of the steamship Henrietta; the Henrietta's engineer; and a London train clerk.
Actor 2 (20s–50s, male)	This actor plays Andrew Stuart, a member of the Reform Club; Detective Fix, a British detective on Fogg’s trail who's not as smart as he thinks he is; a high priest of an Indian temple; an Indian conductor on the train for Calcutta; an elephant owner training his elephant for war; Young Parsi, the elephant guide to Allahabad; Oysterpuff, a British officer in Calcutta; a U.S. conductor on the train going through the west; and Reverend Wilson's Servant, a woman.
Actor 3 (20s–30s, male)	This actor plays Passepartout, a former French circus performer and recently hired manservant of Phileas Fogg; and John Sullivan, a member of the Reform Club.
Actor 4 (mid-20s–30s, female)	This actor plays James Forster, Fogg’s first servant; a corner paperboy; a high priest of an Indian Temple; and Aouda, a woman rescued from death and traveling with Fogg.
Phileas Fogg (30s-40s)	A man of singular habits who lives by a rigid schedule.

Auditions will occur 12-5 p.m. July 18 and 19. Performances will occur at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 9-18 and possibly at 10 a.m. Oct. 12 or 16.

Kelsey Theater is located on the Mercer County Community College campus on 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. For more information, call (609)882-2292.