Sunday, Aug. 2, 5:30-9 p.m.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
510 W Main St
Franklin, TN 37064
by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur
Based on a play by Charles Bruce Millholland
Pull-Tight Readers Theatre evenings are an informal add-on to our regular, main-stage productions. They require minimal time commitment and no memorization. They are proving popular with community theatre actors who are unable to commit to a full production. This show involves four rehearsals and one performance as follows:
Rehearsals
- Wednesday, Aug 5, 6:30-9 p.m. (read-through)
- Friday, Aug. 7, 6:30-9 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 9, 6:30-9 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 10, 6:30-9 p.m.
Performance
Tuesday, Aug. 11; 7:30 p.m. show, 6:30 call time
Actors must be available for all dates.
Whoo-whoo! All aboard! Calling all actors to hop on board the Twentieth Century Express from Chicago to New York, with a special stop at Pull-Tight Players in Franklin, Tenn. There you can audition for this screwball comedy set in the 1930s on the Streamliner Twentieth Century. And what a ride it will be! There will be no shortage of 1930s humor, zany antics, and madcap dialogue.
If you are an actor who has energy to spare and who dreams of a fast and furious Readers Theatre rehearsal schedule and one-night performance, climb on board for Twentieth Century auditions.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. You may print and fill out our Audition Form and bring it with you, or copies will be available at auditions.
For questions/more information, contact the Director, Cathie Correia Stamps, at theccs@comcast.net.
Roles
Oscar Jaffe—Ultimate man of the theatre. All artist, fire and ice. A TRUE HAM—110%. Egomaniacal, bankrupt Broadway director and producer, who desperately needs a hit play to salvage his sinking career. He pulls out all the emotional and deceptive stops to get his former star and lover, Lily, to sign a contract for his upcoming show.
Lily Garland— A temperamental, glamorous Hollywood star. Formerly Mildred Plotka. Jaffe’s former protege and lover, Lily owes her career to Jaffe, but is now desperate to escape his possessive, Svengali-like grip.
Ida Webb—Assistant to Jaffe. A tough, efficient, smart-mouthed dame who plays poker with the boys and wins. A romantic. Works diligently to keep the chaos on an even keel. Speaks with a New York accent.
Owen O’Malley—Assistant to Jaffe. A harassed Irishman with a touch of poetry about him. Usually a little inebriated.
George Smith—Lily’s dimwitted agent and lover.
Matthew Clark—A religious fanatic and escaped mental patient. He constantly wanders the train slapping “REPENT” stickers on everything and everyone. Promises to back Jaffe’s new show.
Conductor—An ever patient, harried railroad employee. Tries to keep peace and run a strict, luxury train while Lily’s and Jaffe’s drama unfolds.
Dr. Grover Lockwood—Married dermatologist, having an affair with Anita. Nervous about his affair being exposed. Convinced he has written a brilliant play.
Anita Highland—A spoiled, high-strung actress. She and Lockwood are lovers. Speaks with a “dumb chick” New York accent.
Max Jacobs/Beard/Detective/Porter—All characters played by One Person: Max Jacobs—Jaffe’s former assistant who became a successful, rival producer. Chomps on cigars. Beard—A strange, foreign-looking gentleman in a shabby suit and a luxuriant beard. Speaks with a heavy German accent. One of the Oberammergau Players who perform the Passion Play every year. Detective—Officious, typical “means business” investigator. Porter—Young guy/Attempts to be courteous with the crazed passengers on the train. A “nervous Nellie.”
Note: A few male roles could be played by females—i.e., Conductor and Matthew Clark.
Ken Ludwig’s Twentieth Century is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
