The Heights Players announces auditions for its upcoming April production of Neil Simon's The Gingerbread Lady”, directed by James Martinelli.
Open call auditions will take place at The Heights Players, 26 Willow Place, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Dates:
Sunday, February 4th and Monday, February 5th, 2018
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Callbacks (If Necessary):
Tuesday, February 6th at 7:00 p.m.
Rehearsals will begin immediately, with our first read-through of the play on Wednesday, February 7th.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
After ten weeks of intensive therapy at a rehab clinic, a failed singer named Evy Meara returns to her New York apartment determined to restart and rebuild her life. Everything seems to be going great for her at first, but she slowly (or not so slowly) falls back into her old lifestyle. Her friends and family begin to realize that Evy is not as rehabilitated as they had hoped. Her teenaged daughter, Polly, is protected and treated as a child despite her unique grasp on the whole situation. She is forced to take on the role of parent as her mother deteriorates. Her two closest friends, Jimmy and Toby, sincerely attempt to care for Evy but are too caught up in their own dramas (both literally and figuratively) to notice Evy’s unstable mental state.
Meanwhile, a musician former lover reappears at this critical period of Evy’s life with the intent of getting back together. The combination of events are too much for Evy, who finally collapses one night into her previous self, alienates her family and gets beaten by her musician ex. Evy makes amends to all who she had alienated during her breakdown but not without ongoing conflict and drama. Cautiously optimistic, Polly forgives Evy as she has so many times before. Polly and her mother are forced to cope with the fact that Evy will never be completely free from her alcoholism and must continue to fight an uphill battle for both her daughter’s and her own sake.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Evy Meara (Female, 38-50) - A former singer who holds the record for number of times falling off the stool during a performance at a Pittsburgh Club. She has just returned from ten weeks of rehab with renewed vigor and a determination to get her life back on track and find a stable, normal career. However, she hides her frantic inner struggle with her alcoholism behind a false sense of security and confidence.
Polly Meara (Female, Must be able to play 16) - Evy’s 16 year old daughter. Polly possesses a maturity and wisdom uncommon amongst most her age. She is treated like a child by everyone but Evy who relies on Polly as her pillar.
Toby Landau (Female, 38-55) - An aging beauty obsessed with maintaining her sex appeal. Toby is one of Evy’s two closest friends. She is currently in the midst of a dull, childless marriage. She is bored by her husband, who uses her as a professional asset, but is seemingly content. She thinks of Polly as the daughter she never had and sometimes treats her as such. She is sincere in her care of Evy, but often oblivious.
Jimmy Perry (Male, 35-50) - A 40-something out of work actor and Evy’s stereotypical “Gay Best Friend.” Jimmy is neurotic, self absorbed, irritable but genuinely good at heart. He has been maintaining Evy’s place during her stay in rehab and strives to support Evy and her return to normalcy. However, he has a habit of making situations worse despite his sincerity. He is not entirely out of the closet, but makes no attempt to hide his homosexuality.
Lou Tanner (Male, 32-45) - A struggling musician, down on his luck and looking to get Evy back in his life. He’s a confident skirt chaser who fails at masking his selfishness.
Manuel: (Male, 18-30, exaggerated Latino accent required) - The self-assured delivery boy. He takes pride in his status as a hardworking immigrant despite how often people look down on him.
REHEARSAL & PROUDCTION DATES:
Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Wednesday, February 7th. Generally, rehearsals are held Sunday through Thursday evenings from 7pm—10pm.
The production runs from April 6th through the 22nd, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. (6:30 p.m. call) and Sundays at 2:00 p.m (12:30 p.m. call). Thursday, April 12th and 19th are mandatory brush-up rehearsals, which will begin at 7:30pm.
The Heights Players is a membership organization. There is no pay or stipend for any role or position. There is a $20 membership fee if cast.
Videos
