AUDITIONS:
THE FOREIGNER
A comedy by Larry Shue
Directed by Amy Fox
WHEN: Tuesday, June 21, at 7:30 PM; Wednesday, June 22, at 7:30 PM; Thursday, June 23, at 7:30 PM
Callbacks, if necessary
WHERE: STUDIO PLAYERS, 14 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair
973.744.9752www.studioplayhouse.org www.facebook.com/studioplayhouse
A pathologically shy Englishman (played by Matthew Broderick on Broadway) is deposited in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia and pretends he doesn't speak or understand a word of English. With a colorful cast off offbeat
characters we get to see what people say when they think no one "hears"— resulting in the nonstop hilarity of the play and setting up the wildly funny climax.
CAST
- CHARLIE BAKER: (male 30-early 50s) a painfully shy, dull proofreader from England. He is deposited at a fishing lodge in rural Georgia by his good friend Froggy. Due to his current marital situation and his fear of conversation, Froggy tells everyone that Charlie is a foreigner who speaks no English. During the course of his 3 day visit, Charlie discovers not only does he have a personality, but endears himself to all inthe process. MUST do a British accent and the have the ability to come up with a ‘fake’ foreign accent.
- FROGGY LeSUEUR: (male 30- early 50s) a demolitions expert from the British Army. A frequent visitor to the armed forces in the US, Froggy has formed a relationship with the owner of the fishing lodge, Betty Meeks. Froggy has brought Charlie along with him for what he feels should be some good old R & R, but Charlie’s fear of conversation coupled with Betty’s depression about her current situation creates the idea of leaving a foreigner in her lodge. MUST be able to do a heavy cockney accent.
- BETTY MEEKS: (female 50s +) a widow and owner of the fishing lodge. Betty has dreamed of traveling outside her Georgia home, but never has. Struggling to keep her inn from outside forces, the foreigner’s arrival is a welcome distraction that gives Betty renewed spirit. With her heavy southern accent, Betty’s idea of communicating with her guest is shouting.
- REV. DAVID MARSHALL LEE: (male mid 20’s -30s) good looking, sincere, charming and confident, engaged to Catherine. Must appear to be a genuinely decent person, however, David is the one of the villains in the play, as he uses his position and the people around him to orchestrate a plot to take over Betty’s lodge for nefarious purpose. Should speak with a smooth Southern drawl.
- CATHERINE SIMMS: (female 18- early 20s) a former debutante, Catherine is living at the lodge with her younger brother Ellard. Engaged to the Reverand Lee and the heiress to a fortune, she is bored with life, restless, and uncertain of what she wants when confronted with an unplanned for surprise. At first viewed as spoiled and somewhat unpleasant, Catherine transforms as she pours her heart out to Charlie (who she assumes understands nothing she says) and finds him a kind and wonderful friend. Should speak with a Southern drawl.
- ELLARD SIMMS: (male 18- mid 20s) the younger brother of Catherine, and considered by most to be mentally defective, is a sweet overgrown, backward youth who we see blossom with Charlie’s help. MUST be able to use a thick Southern accent.
- OWEN MUSSER: (male mid 20s to 50’s) a local redneck, and the other villain in the play; Owen has gotten himself into a position of power as the property inspector for the county. In cahoots with the Rev. Lee, Owen is a threat to Betty’s livelihood. Owen is a textbook bigot, prejudiced against any and all who don’t fit his idea of White, Christian, America. MUST do heavy Southern accent.
Side will be provided and can be view at www.studioplayhouse.org
A copy of the script can be purchased at http://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=1181
