A Christmas Chaos
by Bastrop Opera House

Sep. 10 (2022)

The Royal Shakespeare Company hasn’t arrived as promised to perform their stirring rendition of “A Christmas Carol.” So our intrepid band of hapless actors and technicians must put together their own production in only seven hours! What a pity that they are not quite up to the task, even though they give it their all.

Have you ever experienced backstage mayhem? Well, you haven’t seen anything yet! The play focuses on these poor but dedicated thespians doing their best while chaos is all around them: two kids fighting over who gets to play Tiny Tim, a confused actor who thinks she’s in another show, a haughty lead actor, one actor playing both Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, an out-of-control director, thrown together props and costumes, ridiculous scenery, and tons of flubs and confusion.

Most of the actors in the show play multiple roles in this extremely fast-paced and physical comedy. Even the light and sound board operators are characters in the show! The play is a hilarious backstage comedy that pokes fun at the classic novel and everything that can go wrong with a theatrical production.

Directed by Jason Farley

 

Auditions: Open Call

September 10th, 2022

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

 

Performances:

December 2-18

Rehearsals to begin September 26th

 

Please prepare a short comedic monologue no longer then 1 minute.

 

Characters

Scrooge: Male    Age: 18 +
Considers himself a “professional actor” and is appalled when others don’t take the craft seriously. Strong willed.

The Director: Male or Female  Age: 18 +
Enjoys being a director but frequently loses his cool when things go awry. He’s doing his best to keep it together.

Stage Manager: Male or Female  Age: Mid 20’s – Late 30’s
Tough, no-nonsense type

Writer, Narrator: Male or Female   Age: Mid 30’s – 50’s.
Considers herself a great writer. Loves to show off her vocabulary

Brynn: Male or Female   Age: Early 30’s – 50’s.
Talented yet very flighty. Easily confused.

Tiny Tim 1:  Male or Female   Age: 8-14
Youth. Strong-willed. Used to getting her own way.

Singer, Tiny Tim 2:  Male or Female    Age: 8=14
Youth. Considers himself the child star of the area

Fred, Christmas Future: Male or Female   Age 40’s – 60’s
Was the understudy for the production. Suffers from stage fright. Shy and nervous.

Bob Cratchit, Fan, Belle: Male  Age: Early 20’s- mid 30’s.
A goofball. Thinks he’s a good actor, but tends to overplay things. In a relationship with Pamela and they frequently butt heads.

Serious 2, Christmas Past, Christmas Present: Male or Female
Age: Late 20’s – mid 50’s.
Loves to ad-lib or find humor in everything. Frequently amuses herself.

Serious 3, Peter, Businessman 2, Husband:  Male

Age: Early 20’s- early 40’s.

Loves being involved in the theatre even though his talents are minimal. He strives to do his best.

 

Serious 4, Charity Lady, Mary: Female  Age: 30’s-50’s.

Very quick on her feet. Can always make the best of a tough situation.

 

Serious 1, Marley, Bob and Mrs. Cratchit: Female  Age: 40-60’s

Strong actress that loves a challenge. Able to ad-lib well and roll with whatever is presented to her. But has a tendency to go overboard.

 

Young Scrooge, Boy: Female, Age: Early 20’s-mid 30’s

Strong-willed and hard-headed. In a relationship with Duane and they frequently argue. Tends to “lose” herself in her roles.