The Man in the Locket
by Way Off Broadway Community Players
Aug. 21 - Aug. 22 (2022)
It's summertime, early 1900s and, off the east coast, the young daughter of a wealthy tycoon escapes her conniving guardians and prospective husband in search of the past and the father she can no longer remember. She has only one found clue: a locket with two photos. But her guardians are in league with the villainous would-be-groom and the three have dark purpose. Drawn to the Bergstrom Circus, she begins her quest, joins the circus and finds love. But will she find her father? Will she escape her villainous fiancé? Will true love prevail?
Way Off Broadway Community Players will hold open auditions for its annual melodrama, “The Man in the Locket” by Kris Thompson, on Sunday, August 21, 2022 from 3 to 5 pm and Monday, August 22 from 7 to 9 pm at a location to be announced in the Leander/Cedar Park area. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Résumés and headshots are welcome, but not required. The director is Lou Russell and the show will run at 2 weekends, October 14, 15 and 21, 22 at 7 pm with 3 pm matinees on October 16 and 23 at a (hopefully indoors) location to be announced in the Leander/Cedar Park area.
Characters:
The director retains discretion to modify any age or gender listings. Some roles may also be doubled.
STEPHAN BLESSING - 51, Tycoon, devoted father to Maggie. Friend and partner to Charles.
SIR MALCOLM TENT - 40-50, Villain intent on acquiring the Blessing fortune. Former business associate of Stephan Blessing.
MYRA SINCLAIR - 50-60, Archibald’s wife. In cahoots w/Malcolm. Smart. Scottish. Should be able to do accents.
MAGGIE BLESSING - 18, Heroine daughter of Stephan Blessing. Does not know who she is or who her father is.
LYDIA VOLDANO - 20-30, Eastern European, Sham Gypsy Fortune Teller who wants Flick only because she believes he’s to inherit circus. Fake gypsy lilt.
FLICK - 20-30, Hero. Charles’ right hand. Smart, confident, handsome. Carries a bat. Occasionally poses as female character Olga Gregario.
FESTER MEEKS - 20-40, Happy clown, Chester’s younger, taller brother. Unable to speak and Pantomimes most of play.
CHESTER MEEKS - 20-40, Sad clown, older brother of Fester. Shorter than Fester.
CHARLES BERGSTROM - 40-50, Ringmaster. Gruff, kind. Friend to Stephan. Should be able to do accents.
CATALINA DALCA - 30s, Russian-Romanian Bareback Rider teacher. Bad English. Russian lilt and occasional simple-to-learn Russian phrases. Should be able to do accents.
BRUNHILDA - 20-40, Bearded Woman in love with Apollo.
ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR - 50-60, Myra’s husband. Slow. In cahoots w/Malcolm. Scottish. Should be able to do accents.
APOLLO - 20-60, Strongman who’s lost his love, confidence, and strength after his love, Brunhilda, left him for a Pennsylvania barber.
BIT ROLES
Jugglers, Gymnasts, Tumblers, Acrobats, Circus-like Variety Acts, Townspeople
All are invited to audition. Bring your calendar to identify schedule conflicts with rehearsals and performances. Ability to vocally project is important. This is a circus melodrama, so practice up on acting like a circus character. And remember, a melodrama is always a good way to give acting a try because it is an informal and fun production.
