Kentwood Players Announce Open Auditions for THE GINGERBREAD LADY

Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for THE GINGERBREAD LADY, a dramedy by Neil Simon, on Saturday, May 13, 2017 from 12:00noon to 4:00pm and Sunday, May 14 from 7:00 to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be held on Monday, May 15 from 7:00 to 10:00pm by appointment only. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Drew Fitzsimmons and produced by Jenny Boone and Lynn Gutstadt for Kentwood Players with rights secured from Samuel French.

Performance dates are July 14 through August 19, 2017 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.

Maureen Stapleton won Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actress for the role of Evy Meara, a popular cabaret singer who has hit the skids in Neil Simon's THE GINGERBREAD LADY. Set in New York City in 1972 after Evy's short stay in rehab, her best friend, the age-defying Toby, her daughter Polly, and Jimmy Perry, a gay actor, all try to help her adjust to sobriety with a jolly birthday party. Enter Lou Tanner, a former lover, who ends up giving her a black eye. The party is a wash out, the "gingerbread lady" falls off the wagon and hits the ropes once again. With Neil Simon's characteristic wit and humor, his serious story of lost misfits is genuinely and deeply touching. The play was later rewritten by Neil Simon as the film Only When I Laugh starring Marsha Mason.

Those auditioning should read the play before auditioning to become familiar with the characters. Please allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions and you will be asked to note any conflicts. No appointment or monologue is necessary; just be prepared for selected cold readings from the script. If you have any questions or concerns, please email gingerbreadlady@kentwoodplayers.org.

Character Breakdown

Evy Meara - female - age 40s - A charming and vulnerable cabaret singer who is struggling with alcoholism, nymphomania, and impending obscurity.

Polly Meara - female - late teens/early 20s - Evy's smart-mouthed daughter and redemption.

Toby Landau - female - late 30s-40s - Evy's best friend who has a face of Estée Lauder but a heart of gold. She loves and supports Evy even though her own life is falling apart

Jimmy Perry - male - 40's - gay -Evy's other best friend who is desperately trying to be a successful middle-aged actor.

Lou Tanner - male - late 20's- mid 30's - Evy's abusive, enabling, musician, ex-lover. He is the bad decision every woman would make.

Manuel - male - late teens/early 20's - the delivery boy for the local market. He is our representation of society. He is New York.

For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production and upcoming auditions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook and Twitter.

To meet THE GINGERBREAD LADY production team and learn more about Kentwood Players and what goes on at the Westchester Playhouse, the public is invited to attend our membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.

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