Auditions

All roles are non-paid.
You will be asked to read from the script.
(For more show details see character list below.)

The Plot
Its 1941, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Mortimer Brewster, a New York critic of both drama and marriage, is finally getting hitched to Elaine Harper, the girl next door. Before heading off for an evening at the theatre with his new bride to be, Mortimer stops in to deliver the news to his aunts, Abby and Martha Brewster, two sweet little old ladies who donate toys to charity and care for their nephew Teddy, a bugle blowing nut-bag who thinks he's Theodore Roosevelt. But Abby and Martha aren't as sweet and innocent as they seem. Mortimer soon discovers, to his horror, that his dear old aunties have a dozen bodies buried in the basement. It seems the Brewster sisters have a new hobby - luring lonely old men into their home and serving them Elderberry Wine with their own special recipe, a teaspoonful of arsenic, a teaspoonful of strychnine and just a pinch of cyanide (Deee-lightful!) To make matters worse, Mortimer's deranged and very dangerous brother Jonathan shows up. Jonathan, on the run from the law, has a dead body in the trunk of his car, a drunken plastic surgeon at his side, and a face that looks like Boris Karloff. Mortimer frantically attempts to deal with dead bodies, insane asylum directors, attempted murders, and a new bride all in one crazy night.

We are still seeking the
remaining cast of characters:

Jonathan Brewster (LEAD) - (male, 40's & up) Mortimer's evil, maniac brother, who, because of numerous plastic surgeries, bears a striking resemblance to Boris Karloff. 6ft tall, menacing character actor with intense stage presence; booming menacing low speaking voice a plus!

Teddy Brewster (Supporting LEAD) - (male, late 30's to mid 40's) The kindhearted delusional brother to Mortimer and Jonathon, who honestly believes he is President Theodore Roosevelt. Look-a-like to a young Teddy Roosevelt ideal.

Officer Klein (Supporting) - (male, 30's & up) Police officer making the rounds collecting Christmas toys. Aids Mortimer in his final fight against Jonathan.

Mr. Gibbs (Smaller Supporting) - (elderly male). lonely elderly man who nearly falls victim to the aunts' 'charity'.

If you are interested in auditioning, please contact
the Director, Mim Paquin via email maryannepaquin@yahoo.com.

Aresenic and Old Lace Production Crew
Producing a quality show is impossible without its life-blood, the technical cast behind the scenes, lovingly known as the Production Crew.

All Production Crew roles non-paid volunteers.
We are STILL seeking the following crew of characters:

Stage Manager [SM] - Important note: the AD must be available at every rehearsal. Responsibilities include: becoming intimately familiar with the show, its pacing, the lines, the stage cues as well as the technical cues. The SM must take notes. The SM is someone who is familiar with all aspects of the production crew's responsibility and can direct the crew or fill in when necessary. The SM must be a leader and handle him/herself under high pressure situations while keeping cool. On the spot troubleshooting for any emergencies that arise during the actual run of the show. Like the actors in the show, the SM's moment to truly shine is during the actual run. It can be as enjoyable a role and process as the individual makes it for her/himself. Other ways of describing the job: "The Back Stage Boss of everyone", "THE go-to person back stage during the run of the show "…

2 Properties Coodinators [PC] - Responsibilities include: reviewing necessary props with director and set designer. Creating a master properties list. This role is like playing scavenger hunt for a few months - non-stop. Recruiting other production member is the search for props may be necessary to expedite the props finding process, however, the responsibility to find all props is the PC's primary responsibility. Personality type: someone who loves to search for items at garage sales, enjoys interior decorating and design and all that entails. Enjoys being creative with sewing, arts and crafts, painting and using the occasional power tool or tool box tools. Note: This is a two person job. Both individuals MUST be able to work well as a team and communicate well with the entire production. This is a detail oriented job and truly requires someone who has artistic vision and who can take direction, as well as work within a restricted timeline with little to no budget.

Lighting Assistant Designer/Operator [LAD/O] - Lighting is another character in the show! Important note: the LAD/O must be available at every technical rehearsal and meeting. this year a professional Technical Director will be coming to Saint Luke's to donate his time to fix and resolve stage lighting issues, as well as, create a rough draft lighting scheme for our fall production.The LAD/O will be required to be available to meet the Technical Director this summer when he finishes up the current stage lighting infrastructure (schedule will be announced soon). The LAD/O will be required to assist in the design of the finalized lighting scheme. The director and set designer will already have a good idea as to what is needed for the production, therefore, the LAD/O's job is to figure out the best technical solution for those ideas. The LAD/O must attend the bulk of the rehearsal in order to understand what is required from the lighting design as well as become familiar with lines and entrance and exit, scene change, cues. Director's Note: This is a fun show for someone who has lighting design and operating experience. You get to create the entire mood for the show. In some scenes, the lighting is like a haunted house character peering out at you. The lighting is a huge part of this show.

If you are interested in joining our crew, please contact
the Director, Mim Paquin via email maryannepaquin@yahoo.com.

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A big THANKS
goes out to those of you who came out for our June 22nd audition!
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The following have already been cast.

THE CAST
Abby Brewster - Dolly Guinther
Martha Brewster - Shirley Vickers
Mortimer Brewster - David Freidman
Dr. Einstein - Andrew Dinan
Elaine Harper - Lori Siegelaub
Ms. Witherspoon - Beverly Bradford
Officer Brophy - Johnny Culver
Officer O'Hara - Thomas Harris
The Rev. Dr. Harper - Stuart Deutsch
Lieutenant Rooney - Johnny Dee Demato

PRODUCTION CREW
Director & Production Manager - Mim Paquin
Assistant Director - Louise Guinther
Set Design & Direction - TBC
Set Design Consultant - Jason Robinette
Costume Designer - Joanna Guinther
Assistant Costumer - Jeanine McPartlin
The Gingerbread Players "point-person" - Louise Foisy
Box Office/House Manager - Barbara Glick

Rehearsals are typically held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons with three evening "tech" rehearsals during the week leading up to the show.

Having prior performing experience is not a requirement to audition.

Our goal is to bring the community together through producing and performing shows, including all ages, levels of experience and talent are encouraged to audition and participate.

All in all, The Gingerbread Players is a great place to learn; gain experience and gather knowledge from our more seasoned players, directors, writers, singers, and technical gurus.