Casting Call: 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob'

Circle Players will hold auditions for "Bill W. and Dr. Bob," a play based on the true story of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

When the stock market crashes in 1929, Bill W. becomes a hopeless drunk, and his wife, Lois, is unable to force him to keep his promise to stop. Meanwhile, Dr. Bob Smith, a surgeon, drinks in secret. He himself is an agnostic, but his wife, Anne, joins the Oxford Group, a real-life group of Christians. Bill W. and Dr. Bob meet accidentally, and a series of completely chance incidents eventually lead to the creation of AA.

Auditions will be held from 7-9 p.m. January 17 and 19 at the Circle Playhouse. The show is directed by Ed Faver.

Bill W (30-40)	Lanky, on the tall side, and VERY charismatic. He has a salesman’s touch. When he speaks, he gets the attention of everyone in the room. Using vernacular of the time, one character tells Bill he could “talk a dog off a meat wagon.” He has become what he fears, a drunk like his father and grandfather. Should be able to suggest 60 for a brief section of the play.
Lois (35-45)	Bill’s wife, slightly older than he is. Patient and supportive, but she has her limits. Lois is nobody’s “little woman.” She knows she doesn’t want to live with a drunk and isn’t certain that life with a newly sober Bill is any better.
Dr. Bob (55-60) A surgeon and Bill’s partner in the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous. A bear of a man, gregarious, salt of the earth, and as stubborn as a mule. Alcohol is destroying his surgical skills and turning him bitter and hateful.
Anne (55-60)	Dr. Bob's wife. Petite. Can appear soft-spoken and shy, but she is a plain-spoken, no-nonsense woman of faith. Anne, like Lois, has patience to a point. She is no longer charmed by Bob’s antics and has no problem telling that to him.
Ensemble (2-4 people, various ages)	Plays a variety of supporting characters in Bob's and Bill’s lives.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays April 8-23 and at 3 p.m. April 24.

For more information, contact circleplayersnj@gmail.com. The Circle Playhouse is located at 416 Victoria Avenue, Piscataway.