AUDITIONS
THE BEST MAN
By Gore Vidal
Directed by Frank Licato
Produced by Sally Ponzio & Pamela Wilczynski
WHEN: Sun, June 10, 10 AM to noon ; Sat, June 16, 1 to 3 PM
Callbacks on Fri, June 22, 7 to 9 PM
Production dates: October 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28 (mat), Nov 2, 3
WHERE: Summit Playhouse, 10 New England Ave., Summit
Actors are asked to present a 1-2 minute monologue in the style of the play.
CAST BREAKDOWN
- Secretary William Russell: Late 40s—late 50s. Vigorous patrician man from Rhode Island. Has a brilliant mind and wit, and the still-youthful good looks and wandering eye of a Kennedy.
- Senator Joseph Cantwell: Early-late 30s—early 40s. Very attractive, telegenic self-made man who has risen up from humble beginnings. Seems to have a warm manner, and handles pressure with confidence and ease. A unique combination of the young Nixon’s intensity, JFK’s sexuality, and Romney’s well-polished image of the all American male.
- Alice Russell: Late 40s-50s. Still beautiful, if a not a bit weary after raising two children and enduring a marriage that grew cold with her husband, Secretary Russell. For the most part, very businesslike and concentrated, but underneath an apparent shyness lies a painful outcry for attention and affection from the man she once loved.
- Ex-President Arthur Hockstader: 60s. The last serving President for the Party. In spite of his years, he is alert and appears quite spry. His accent is rural American.
- Mrs. Sue-Ellen Gamadge: 50s—60s. Chairman of the Party’s Women’s Division. A resolute figure of a woman, whose entire being is devoted to the political arena, in which she operates as one of its most venerable players.
- Dick Jensen: 30s—early 40s. Campaign manager for Secretary Russell. An owl-eyed Midwestern Philosophy professor with more gift than one might think for politics. Tries -- often aggressively -- to keep his candidate on the beam.
- Don Blades: 30s—40s. Aggressive and ambitious political operator of the new order, where there are no rules, only winners and losers.
- Mabel Cantwell: Late 20s—early 30’s. The pretty, consciously well-styled, entertaining wife of Senator Cantwell. Loves the political game, and is determined to help her man win, no matter what.
- Sheldon Marcus: Mid 30s—early 40s. Nervous character man-type. Resembles an unmade couch. Suburban guy who has left the comfort of his home and wife to share a shocking revelation about one of the candidates.
- Senator Clyde Carlin: 50s—60s Long-serving, genteel yet steely-eyed senator from a state below the Mason-Dixon (say North Carolina). Aims to place his influence and bet on the winning horse. A cross between Sam Ervin, Terry Sanford and Jesse Helms.
- Catherine: Mid 20s—early 30s. Attractive, dutiful first assistant to Dick Jensen. Has also sought and received the attention of Secretary Russell. Actress also plays an Additional Reporter and Hotel Staff.
- Mike: Mid 40s. Assistant to President Hockstader – his scheduler, secretary, his first line of defense. Extremely loyal, he has been working with Hockstader since he was a student at Ole Miss.
"The Best Man makes you wish Vidal were writing the dialog for the presidential debates."—NY Times.
"A sophisticated, elegant and damnably entertaining play!"—The New Yorker. "
Well-crafted and witty with surprises, reversals, pungent character sketches, satire, worldly wisdom and juicy roles for all concerned."—NY Magazine.
"THE BEST MAN is a winner! Extraordinarily fresh, witty, sharp and relevant."—NY Daily News.
