[Capdist-auditions] HMT The Matchmaker

[Home Made Theater]

Announcing Open Auditions

for our February production of Thornton Wilder's

The Matchmaker

Directed by Alma Becker

 

Sunday, December 12th - 7-9pm  and  Monday, December 13th - 6:30-8:30pm 

At The Spa Little Theater, Saratoga Spa State Park

 

Thornton Wilder's smart comedy about a rich businessman who employs a
matchmaker to find himself a wife, not realizing this wily lady is herself
looking for a mate. THE MATCHMAKER, an American classic by the author of OUR
TOWN, is a spirited, life-affirming romp, filled with witty characters in
search of love and adventure.  An evening of theatre that promises a grand
time involving mistaken identities, secret rendezvous, separated lovers, and
daring acts that lead to everyone finding them selves paired with a perfect
match.

 

The play is set in 1880's New York but we will be taking some liberties with
the look and era of the production, moving ahead to the early 1900's.

 

Company of Actors - THE MATCHMAKER requires a skilled group of comic actors
to create a spontaneous and high-energy production. A good sense of humor,
comic timing, keen concentration, and stamina will be important. It's a
period play that feels quite modern.  The characters are fully developed and
highly eccentric.  It will be great fun to create these roles with the
acting ensemble.   

 

Character Breakdown:

 

Horace Vandergelder - a self-made businessman who believes he is right about
everything and that people should behave the way he tells them to.  This
works till he matches wits and wisdom with Mrs. Levi.  (This role is cast.)

 

Ambrose Kemper - 25-30; a clever and strong-minded artist (painter) in love
with Vandergelder's niece.  Willing to risk anything to marry her, even
against her uncle's wishes.  His outlook on life is modern and exactly
opposite of Vandergelder's old-fashioned beliefs.

 

Joe Scanlon - 45 - 60; a master barber with a sharp tongue; while shaving
Vandergelder, Joe does not take the opportunity to slit his client's throat,
though he might be tempted. (May double as Cabman or Waiter.)

 

Gertrude - 45 - 60, a character woman; a housekeeper with hearing and seeing
issues; a sweetheart dedicated to the niece - Ermengarde.  (May double as
Miss Flora.)

 

Cornelius Hackl - 33; the long suffering clerk in Vandergelder's store;
longs for an adventure (meaning in one day he wants: a good meal, danger, to
almost get arrested, spend all his measly money, and to kiss a girl);  with
his dry sense of humor - he appears deferential to his boss; philosophical
in his own way.  Discovers Mrs. Molloy and is infatuated.

Ermengarde - 24; pretty, sentimental; she lives by manners and rules; in
love with Ambrose but too fearful and inhibited to elope with him, even the
word shocks her.

 

Malachi Stack - 30 - 50; lands a job as an 'apprentice' at Vandergelders -
can't seem to hold onto a job for very long; a sardonic human being with an
innocent smile; likes to see what he can get away with; sly and on the
lookout for opportunity; tricky, mercurial, mysterious.  Another
philosopher.

 

Mrs. Levi - 45 - 55; friend of Vandergelder's late wife; a lively lady with
a hint of impoverished elegance; among her many professions she is a
matchmaker; she causes the multiple complications of Wilder's plot and is
also the hero!  "Life is to be lived-fully and now" could be her motto and
her goal is to make that true for herself and everyone else.  Naturally
optimistic, she is a smart, imaginative dame with a great sense of humor. 

 

Barnaby Tucker - 17; the junior clerk at Vandergelder's store; a little
brother character to Cornelius; an innocent who doesn't know enough to be
discontented; Cornelius convinces him of the need for adventure.
Fortunately he meets Minnie who is also a shy person.

 

Mrs. Molloy - 30; a respectable, young, bored widow who is also a lively
lady ready for change; runs a reputable hat shop but on this day she is also
dreaming of adventure which arrives at her hat shop (in the form of
Cornelius); outspoken and self possessed - a modern type of woman.  Likes to
sing and must carry a tune.

 

Minnie Fay - 17 - 20; Mrs. Molloy's right hand shop-girl; sweet and
good-natured; at least as innocent as Barnaby; without much worldly
experience she is easily shocked; prudish; a grand adventure is not on her
mind - though perhaps she's glad it's thrust upon her.

 

A Cabman - age flexible; a big man; an innocent bystander pressed into
serving Vandergelder as a guard/protector of Ermengarde.

 

Rudolph and August - age flexible; two waiters, perhaps of German
extraction, who must be agile and have good comedy skills for a rousing
finale in the Restaurant scene.

 

Miss Flora Van Huysen - 50ish; an independent thinker and friend of all
lovers; another dear friend of Vandergelder's deceased wife; determined to
see that Ermengarde and Ambrose are united and avoid her own disappointments
in love.  (May double as Gertrude)

 

Her Cook - a friendly and efficient servant; a comic partner for Miss Flora;
appears in the final Act of the play.  (May double as Gertrude)

 

We are also looking for someone who plays a concertina or accordion.  He or
she appears in one act.  

 

F.Y.I.

Auditions will be from the script.  

Please bring a current photo to auditions, photos will not be returned

 

Prior to the auditions scripts are available at 

The Saratoga Springs Public Library Reference Desk

 

 

Production Dates: Weekends, February 11-27  

Rehearsals: Will begin January 4th with a possible read through in December

 

For further information please call Home Made Theater at (518) 587-4427

 

Kathleen Dunham HMT Office Manager

26th Season 2010-11

P.O. Box 1182

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-587-4427

www.homemadetheater.org

 

 

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