<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">GHENT PLAYHOUSE
ANNOUNCES OPEN AUDITIONS FOR</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">ITS EARLY SPRING
PRODUCTION</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span><i><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">THE
BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Book
by Marsha Norman; Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Directed
by Michael C. Mensching and Michael McDermott</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Musical
Direction by Ellen Rizzo</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Sunday, February 11 and
Thursday, February 16, 2024 </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">7:00-9:00 p.m. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">At
The Ghent Playhouse</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">6
Town Hall Road</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Ghent,
New York</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"> </span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">SYNOPSIS</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Based on the
best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, “The Bridges of Madison County”
recalls the unexpected affair of Francesca Johnson, a devoted Italian-born
housewife, and Robert Kincaid, a roving National Geographic photographer. Set amid the cornfields of Iowa in 1965, this
sweeping romantic musical about the roads we travel and the bridges we dare to
cross, brings to life four sensual heart-stirring days that will alter the
lives of Francesca and Robert forever.
With a soaring score by Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown, “The
Bridges of Madison County” will leave you breathless. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"> </span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"> </span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">ALL ROLES ARE OPEN - Actors of all race, ethnicity,
identity and body type are encouraged to audition.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">CHARACTERS</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">: Please note, ages listed below are for the
character, <u>not</u> the actor</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">FRANCESCA JOHNSON: (Soprano,
character age – 30’s-40’s) – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">An Italian war bride, married to a farmer and
living in Iowa, she has had eighteen years of quiet, largely unfulfilling farm
life. She is described as generous,
luminous and funny. <b> </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">RICHARD “BUD” JOHNSON:
(Baritone, character age 40’s-50’s) – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Francesca’s husband and an Iowa
farmer. A good guy; diligent and dependable,
but always exhausted and irritated that things haven’t gotten easier. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">ROBERT KINCAID:
(Baritone, character age 30’s-40’s) – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">A ruggedly handsome, worldly, visionary
photographer for National Geographic Magazine, who has travelled from
Washington State to photograph the famous covered bridges of Madison County.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">MARIAN: (Mezzo-soprano, character age 30’s) </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Robert’s former wife; a musician and previous
owner of Robert’s guitar. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">CHIARA: (Non-singing
role, character age 30’s-40’s) – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Francesca’s sister, still living in Italy (<b>Note:</b> One actress will play both Marian and Chiara)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">MICHAEL JOHNSON:
(Tenor, character age 16 to 20’s) – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Francesca and Bud’s son, who later
graduates from medical school.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">CAROLYN JOHNSON: (Soprano,
character ages 14 to 20’s) – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Francesca and Bud’s daughter. Filled with both fire and longing for a full
life ahead.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">MARGE and CHARLIE: (Alto
and Bass, character ages 30’s-60’s) – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Francesca and Bud’s next-door neighbors. While Marge is both sassy and nosy, she and
her husband are a couple of hard-working, salt-of-the-earth souls, firmly
entrenched in the farm life of Winterset, Iowa.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">GINNY, STATE FAIR SINGER:
(Soprano, no specific character age) – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">May be added into a
small singing ensemble who will portray neighbors, townspeople and State Fair
patrons.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">ENSEMBLE – </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Townspeople, Waitress, State Fair Patrons, and
Fiddle Players. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">WHAT TO PREPARE FOR THE AUDITION</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Those auditioning are
asked to prepare 16-32 bars of a song from “The Bridges of Madison County” or a
Broadway song in the same flavor as the score for “Bridges…” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">An accompanist will be
provided. Please no a cappella or taped
music for auditions. Each participant
will also read from the script.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">WHAT TO BRING TO THE AUDITION</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please bring along a current
resume and a complete list of conflicts for the period of <b>February
22 through April 28. </b>Regarding
conflicts, please remember vacations and holiday schedules before auditioning,
as these may be a factor in the casting process. Head shots are welcomed, but not required.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"> </span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"> </span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">REHEARSALS</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Rehearsals will typically
be held in the evening, with some weekend rehearsals added as we get closer to
opening. Further rehearsal details will
be determined after auditions. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">PERFORMANCES</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">: April 11-28, 2024</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Performances for this
production run for three weeks, beginning with a Preview performance on
Thursday evening, April 11, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., then continuing Friday and
Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m., through
April 28, 2024. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please note that
everyone cast in this production <b>MUST</b>
be available for <u>every </u>performance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">For further
information about auditions or the production, please visit the Ghent Playhouse
website or contact directors Michael Mensching or Michael McDermott, by email, at
</span><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="mailto:senor65@aol.com" style="color:blue"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">senor65@aol.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> or </span><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="mailto:irishmike518@yahoo.com" style="color:blue"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">irishmike518@yahoo.com</span></a></span><br></div>